New Joint – Neek The Exotic & Large Pro / Innocent?

Neek The Exotic & Large Pro ft. Innocent?- “Watch Em” (@NeekTheExotic / @PLargePro / 2021)

Queens, NY legends Neek The Exotic and Large Professor are joined by Brooklyn’s Innocent? to carry on Rotten Apple tradition over ominous Bumpy Knuckles production from their new album “XtraExotic”.

New Joint – Al Skratch / Large Professor

Al Skratch x Large Professor – “Be Original” (@AlSkratch156 / 2021)

NY rhyme vet Al Skratch swaggers with ease over some quality Extra P beats on this head-nodding cut.

The Marx Source EP Stream – Militant Marxman / Large Pro

NY-based producer Militant Marxman respectfully puts his own sonic spin on a selection of Extra P favourites.

Large Pro – Main Source (The BeatYoda Remixes) Album Stream – Shy The BeatYoda

Canadian producer Shy The BeatYoda respectfully reworks a number of cuts from Extra P’s discography, matching the Queens, NY emcee’s unmistakable voice with solid drums and an impressive array of dusty samples.

New Joint – DJ Duke / Large Professor

DJ Duke ft. Large Professor – “Hard As Steel” (DJDukeAssassin.BandCamp.Com / 2019)

Paris-based producer Duke provides the mighty Extra P with some string-laden boom-bap for this limited edition vinyl release.

New Joint – Truth / Tragedy Khadafi

Truth ft. Tragedy Khadafi & DJ JS-1 – “TNT – Large Professor Remix” (Animal Military Records / 2019)

The Queens, NY emcee links with Rotten Apple legends Tragedy and Extra P for this drum-heavy remix of a cut from his recent album “The Fight For Survival”.

New Joint – Neek The Exotic / Large Professor etc.

Neek The Exotic ft. Stoxx, Large Professor & Merc The Big Body Benz – “Queens Venom” (@NeekTheExotic / 2018)

Posse cut from the NY rhyme vet’s new album “Hell Up In Queens”.

New Joint – Kut One / Neek The Exotic / Large Professor

Kut One ft. Neek The Exotic & Large Professor – “Everything’s On Course” (ChoppingBlockRecords..BandCamp.Com / 2018)

Queens, NY representatives Neek and Extra P showcase their longstanding chemistry over piano-laced Kut One production on this release for Australia’s Chopping Block Records.

 

 

New Joint – Oowop The Don / Large Professor / Royal Flush

Oowop The Don ft. Large Professor & Royal Flush – “Day Wonin” (Soul Mazonz / 2018)

The NY emcee calls on the legendary Extra P to provide some quality piano-laced producer for this Rotten Apple head-nodder.

New Joint – Fashawn

Fashawn – “Fashawn” (@Fashawn / 2017)

Upbeat Large Professor-produced flavour from the West Coast emcee’s recent “Manna” EP.

New Joint – Son Of Sam / Masta Ace / Large Professor

Son Of Sam ft. Masta Ace & Large Professor – “Come A Long Way – Extra P Remix” (@SonOfSam_UK / 2017)

The legendary live guy with glasses Large Pro gets behind the boards for this extremely dope reworking of a cut from UK group Son Of Sam’s recent “Cinder Hill” album.

New Joint – Southpaw Chop / Large Professor

Southpaw Chop ft. Large Professor – “Jewel Of The Day” (@SouthpawChop / 2017)

Funky MPC beat science from the Japanese producer with the mighty Extra P on mic duties.

New Joint – REKS

REKS – “Gone Baby Gone” (@TheRealREKS / 2016)

Extra P-produced banger from the album “The Greatest X”.

Beats Per Minute – Large Professor

The mighty Extra P passes through DITC Studios for “Beats Per Minute”.

New Joint – Cella Dwellas / Large Pro / Aasim D’Xplicit

Cella Dwellas ft. Large Pro & Aasim D’Xplicit – “BQE” (@FrozenFiles / 2016)

The Frozen Files crew have ‘defrosted’ this Extra P-produced cut from Brooklyn’s UG and Phantasm, recorded in 1999 and originally intended for the pair’s 2000 album “The Last Shall Be First”.

 

New Joint – Southpaw Chop / Large Pro

Southpaw Chop ft. Large Pro –  “Here We Go – Large Pro Remix” (@SouthpawChop / 2016)

Extra P revisits a track he originally collaborated on with Japan’s Southpaw Chop back in 2010, with this remix boasting tough drums and LP’s trademark Queens flavour.

 

 

 

New Joint – Powerule

Powerule – “Glorify N Praise” (@PrincePowerule / 2016)

Large Professor-produced slice of Rotten Apple rap from Powerule’s recent return “The Anomaly”

Queens Represent… – Nas / Large Professor

Footage of Queensbridge icon Nas taking it back to the early-90s with a Main Source classic at this year’s SXSW.

New Joint – Jeru The Damaja

Jeru The Damaja – “Solar Flares” (@JeruTheDamaja / 2016)

Comic-book visuals accompany this Large Professor-produced head-nodder from the NY emcee’s 2014 EP “The Hammer”.

100 Best Albums & EPs Of 2015 (Part One) – Triple Darkness / Sadat X / J-Live etc.

It’s hard to believe, but even with the amount of quality releases that dropped throughout 2015, there are still people claiming that there isn’t any worthwhile or memorable Hip-Hop being made today.

I’ve always found that way of thinking frustrating, as there has never been a time when there wasn’t good music to be found, but in recent years that argument has become increasingly redundant due to the ever-growing number of talented emcees, deejays and producers out there who’re consistently delivering the goods.

Of course, in today’s digital age, there will always be a huge amount of sub-par material being regularly pumped out via popular platforms such as BandCamp and YouTube, and the mainstream, for the most part, continues to promote the same shallow, one-dimensional rap that it always has done.

But that being said, if you genuinely feel there isn’t anything out there for you as a fan of Hip-Hop, the problem isn’t necessarily with the music, the issue is with those same fans not listening and looking hard enough when it comes to new material.

As I always say when I put these year-end pieces together, the albums and EPs included here aren’t the only releases that were worthy of attention, but this list does reflect what stayed in heavy rotation for me personally.

So, in no particular order, here are the artists and projects that made my speakers thump throughout 2015…

Triple Darkness – “Darker Than Black” (KingUnderground / Suspect Packages) – Cementing their reputation as one of the most talented crews in Hip-Hop, this album from London’s Triple Darkness was a brilliantly-crafted hardcore masterpiece. With group members such as Melanin 9, Cyrus Malachi and Ray Vendetta spitting sharp lyrical darts over gloriously uncompromising production from the likes of Ringz Ov Saturn and 7th Dan, “Darker Than Black” was a shining example of intelligent, underground Hip-Hop at its very best.

Lord Hakim – “Born With A Determined Idea” (LordHakim.BandCamp.Com) – Following in the footsteps of Rakim, Lakim Shabazz and Brand Nubian, Columbus, Ohio wordsmith Lord Hakim proudly repped for the Five Percent Nation throughout this self-produced album, dropping science on the everyday struggle with both passion and insight. Peace to the Gods!

The Cornel West Theory – “Coming From The Bottom” (TheCornelWestTheory.BandCamp.Com) – Hailing from Washington DC, The Cornel West Theory delivered an instense, no-holds-barred listening experience with this lengthy album. Showcasing the group’s thoughts on politics, race and Hip-Hop in 2015 America, “Coming From The Bottom” channeled the spirit of late-80s Public Enemy and BDP, whilst clearly standing strong as a product of the present day.

Big Toast – “The Wedding Fund LP” (Revorg Records) – So you’ve proposed to your significant other, your pockets are flat not fat, and now you have a wedding to plan for. What do you do?  In the case of UK emcee Big Toast, you hit the studio and release a dope album to raise cash for your big event. Combining the London lyricist’s blunt, working-class worldview and dry humour with quality production from Sam Zircon, Strange Neighbour and Ill Move Sporadic, “The Wedding Fund LP” was guaranteed to hit the spot both in sickness and in health.

Sadat X – “Never Left” (Loyalty Digital Corp) – The Brand Nubian member proved yet again why he’s considered one of the game’s most timeless artists on his eighth full-length solo project. Steeped in NY pride and featuring appearances from Cormega, Craig G and Black Sheep’s Dres, “Never Left” found the Wild Cowboy drawing on both industry and personal experiences to craft an album that resonated with traditional Rotten Apple flavour.

Paul Nice & Phill Most Chill – “The Fabreeze Brothers” (AE Productions) – If you came-up listening to Hip-Hop in the 80s, still insist on matching your sneakers with your outfit, and regularly use slang like ‘fresh’ and ‘fly’, then this collabo album from NY’s Paul Nice and Illadelphia’s Phill Most Chill was made with you in mind. Capturing the excitement and purity of old-school Hip-Hop with an infectious passion, the pair succeeded in their mission to pay tribute to the foundations of the culture whilst still bringing something unique to the table. Warning – this album should only be listened to whilst standing in a b-boy stance.

Oliver Sudden – “Phenomenaler Steaz” (BoomBapPro.Com) – Straight outta Croydon, South London (aka The Cronx), the talented Sudden utilised his understated, deadpan delivery to great effect on this aptly-titled project, spitting true-school sentiments over top-drawer production from the likes of Giallo Point, Sam Zircon and Downstroke.

Flip – “Reflections” (Ill Adrenaline Records) – With a sound rooted in golden-era boom-bap and mixed with soulful sensibilities, veteran Austrian producer Flip called on heavyweight emcees such as DITC’s AG, Detroit’s Phat Kat and Wu-Tang affiliate Killah Priest to bless his well-crafted soundscapes on this cohesive package of underground flavour.

The Four Owls – “Natural Order” (High Focus Records) – Showing off their impressive lyrical wingspans once again, Verb T, Fliptrix, Leaf Dog and BVA collectively swooped down on the UK Hip-Hop scene for a second time with their sophomore crew album, gaining production support from none other than Gang Starr legend DJ Premier and reducing the so-called competition to mere bird seed in the process.

Large Professor – “Re:Living” (Fat Beats) – Whilst the term ‘legend’ perhaps gets thrown around a little too easily nowadays, self-proclaimed live-guy-with-glasses Extra P is an individual truly deserving of the title. Having had an impact on 90s Hip-Hop that is still being felt today, the Queens, NY resident came correct in 2015, proving ain’t a damn thing changed but the year. With an approach to his craft that remains untainted and uninfluenced by rap’s mainstream circus, Large Pro’s “Re:Living” showcased the sound of an artist who really keeps it real…to himself.

Supastition – “Gold Standard” (Reform School Music) – One of the most consistent emcees of the new millennium, the career of North Carolina-raised lyricist Supastition has undoubtedly contained its fair share of ups-and-downs. Yet throughout, Supa has maintained his honesty and integrity, making music that resonates with fans who are looking for Hip-Hop they can relate to. “Gold Standard” most definitely continued that tradition. Featuring beats from Praise, MoSS and Jonny Cuba, this album found the newest Soundsci member once again dealing with everyday issues, whilst also taking the opportunity to indulge in some good ol’-fashioned braggin’ and boastin’.

DJ Soko – “Domino Effect” (Left Of Center) – Pulling together an impressive array of talent which included Guilty Simpson, Apollo Brown and Rasheed Chappell, Michigan native Soko’s debut project was a robust, speaker-rattling collection of thunderground excellence which avoided the hit-and-miss pitfalls of similar compilation-style releases.

Definite Mass – “Soul Caliber” (Manifest Recordings) – Living up to its title both musically and lyrically, this gem of an album found West Coast wordsmith Definite Mass delivering personal and sincere verses over melodic boom-bap beats, with the likes of Blu and Supreme Cerebral passing by to offer microphone assistance.

Kaimbr – “Bronze Horse” (Kaimbr.BandCamp.Com) – Maryland resident Kaimbr paid homage to Staten Island’s mighty Wu-Tang on this brilliantly-executed concept album, with the Low Budget crew member transforming into his alter-ego Wu Kaim to practice his well-honed microphone martial arts over dusty, Shaolin soul samples.

White Mic – “Do It How You Wanna Do It” (Solidarity Records) – A distinctly personal collection of beats and rhymes, Bored Stiff member White Mic’s “Do It…” found the Cali-based emcee celebrating Hip-Hop’s potential to inspire and motivate, pouring his own life experiences into his music with memorable and emotionally-charged results.

AKD & Deepstar – “Universal Language” (Monad Records) – Seeking to demonstrate the power Hip-Hop has to speak to people from all walks of life, UK emcee Arise King David and Australian producer Deepstar called on the likes of Rapsody, DJ Rob Swift and Phoenix Da Icefire to help make their point, resulting in an overall uplifting listening experience grounded in golden-era sonic values.

J-Live – “His Own Self” (Mortier Music) – Since his mid-90s debut as part of the NY indie scene, the now Atlanta-based J-Live has consistently released intelligent, creative Hip-Hop, with the veteran wordsmith never afraid to show both artistic and personal growth in his music. “His Own Self”, the first of Live’s two full-length 2015 releases, continued to follow that pattern. Entirely self-produced and with no guest appearances, this album found the talented artist covering a variety of topics, ranging from personal finances (“Old S**t”) and teenage memories (“Red & The Kid”) to America’s racial climate (“I Am A Man”).

DJ Wally Pish Posh & T.R.A.C. – “Operation: Revibe” (DJWallyPishPosh.BandCamp.Com) – With a grand plan to “set Hip-Hop back on its path to greatness”, NY duo Pish Posh and T.R.A.C. definitely went some way to achieving their goal with this pure, organic demonstration of the pair’s shared love and appreciation of Hip-Hop culture. Determined to provide listeners with a healthy musical alternative to the shallow waters of the mainstream, this producer / emcee combo definitely brought the best out of each other throughout this release.

Blak Twang & Blackmale Beats – “The Pantheon EP” – Embracing his elder statesman status within the UK Hip-Hop scene, homegrown legend Tony Rotten teamed-up with London production outfit Blackmale Beats for this stirring six-track release. Whether dealing with social issues (“Elevation”),  recounting personal dramas (“Highs & Lows”) or reliving Hip-Hop memories (“Classiq Moments”), Twang’s authoritative verses were given even greater impact thanks to Blackmale’s ability to match the lyrical content on offer here with just the right musical tone and mood. Rottonous, indeed.

80’s Babies – “Searching For Happy” (DeeJackson80sBabies.BandCamp.Com) – Detroit-raised producer Tall Black Guy joined forces with Chicago emcee Dee Jackson to deliver music for your mind, body and soul throughout “Searching For Happy”, an album that found the duo respectfully drawing on the passion and creative integrity of golden-era Hip-Hop, whilst proudly carving out their own unique sonic niche in today’s rap game.

Part Two coming soon.