New Joint – Muneshine / Jenn Grant

Muneshine ft. Jenn Grant – “In Transit” (@Muneshine / 2014)

Suff Daddy-produced title track from the Canadian artist’s latest album which is out now.

New Joint – Muneshine / Sonnyjim / Jehst / Skratch Bastid

Muneshine ft. Sonnyjim, Jehst & Skratch Bastid – “Harry Callahan” (@Muneshine / 2014)

The Canadian lyricist teams-up with two of the UK’s nicest emcees on this Kev Brown-produced track from his forthcoming album “In Transit”.

New Joint – Muneshine

Muneshine – “Boom Goes The Dynamite” (@Muneshine / 2014)

Presto-produced track from the Canadian emcee’s forthcoming album “In Transit”.

New Joint – Wolves

Wolves – “God Mode” (WolvesOfRap.BandCamp.Com / 2013)

The Canadian super-crew consisting of Muneshine, D-Sisive, Ghettosocks, Bix and Timbuktu drop new visuals off their self-titled album project.

New Joint – Muneshine / ELMNT / Kydd

Muneshine ft. ELMNT & Kydd – “Back To The Future – Croup Remix” (Muneshine.BandCamp.Com / 2013)

Dope track from the Canadian artist’s new release “There Is Only Today – Remixes EP (Part 1)”.

New Joint – Muneshine

Muneshine – “There Is Only Today” (Muneshine.BandCamp.Com / 2013)

!llmind-produced title track from the Canadian emcee’s impressive 2012 album.

52 Best Albums & EPs Of 2012 (Part Four) – Public Enemy / Kingdom Of Fear / Constant Deviants etc.

Public Enemy – “Most Of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear On No Stamp” (Slam Jamz) – Twenty five years after their Def Jam debut “Yo! Bum Rush The Show”, arguably the greatest group in Hip-Hop history returned with a robust collection of typically rebelutionary beats and rhymes, with Chuck D joined by allies such as Brother Ali, DMC and Bumpy Knuckles to fire lyrical shots at political figures, mass media corporations and rap culture vultures.

Muneshine – “There Is Only Today” (Droppin’ Science Productions) – Backed by top-notch production from the likes of DJ Spinna, Buckwild and Jeff Spec, Canadian rap renaissance man Muneshine delivered both inspirational and introspective rhymes on this latest addition to his already impressive musical catalogue.

Masta Ace – “MA_DOOM: Son Of Yvonne” (Fat Beats) – Considering how many times MF Doom’s “Special Herbs” beats have been used for freestyles, YouTube videos etc, it would take a talented emcee to make them sound like you were hearing some of them for the first time all over again. But that’s exactly what former Juice Crew member Masta Ace did with this autobiographical project, recalling memories of his Brooklyn childhood and early rap career with his typical attention to detail and story-telling skill.

Purpose & Confidence – “The Purpose Of Confidence” (Ill Adrenaline Records) – Having produced one of 2011’s best albums in the form of his “The Element Of Surprise” collaboration with NY’s Rashad, Boston beat-master Confidence hit the target again in 2012, teaming-up with Tragic Allies emcee Purpose for another accomplished project. Displaying a slightly harder, grittier side to his production this time around to match Purpose’s street-orientated verses, Confidence one again proved his ear for both quality beats and lyrical talent.

Kingdom Of Fear – “Kingdom Of Fear” (YNR Productions) – Inspired by the work of legendary American gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, UK favourites Kashmere and Jehst adopted off-the-wall alter-egos for this larger-than-life concept album, with the pair careering through bright lights and big cities in a haze of weed smoke and Hip-Hop technicolour. Inspired, creative and entertaining.

Oddisee – “People Hear What They See” (Mello Music Group) – Drawing inspiration from a wide-range of real-life experiences and conversations, Washington DC producer-on-the-mic Oddisee’s latest album showcased the sound of a maturing artist, an individual determined to push the boundaries of his own creativity whilst remaining grounded in the underground sound that he built his name on.

Dialect & Despair – “Self Evident” (UKNOWHO Records) – Proving the sentiment behind Rakim’s famous lyric that it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you’re at, this Australian duo crafted an impressive collection of true-school bangers on the follow-up to their 2010 debut “The Vortex”, featuring an inspired line-up of featured talent including the UK’s Melanin 9, X-Ecutioners member Total Eclipse and D.I.T.C. affiliates Majestic Gage and D Flow.

Sean Price – “Mic Tyson” (Duck Down Records) – Brooklyn’s favourite microphone bully Sean P finally got around to releasing his long-awaited “Mic Tyson” project in 2012, pummeling a concrete-tough selection of beats from the likes of 9th Wonder, Evidence and the UK’s Beat Butcha with his trademark brand of deadpan threats of violence and amusing Hulk-sized boasts.

Verb T – “Morning Process” (High Focus Records) – UK emcee Verb T has always been more interested in letting his talent do the talking rather than trying to shout louder than everyone else. With this latest project, Verbs put the complexities of his own personality under the microscope, describing the thoughts of an emcee entering his thirties who is just as happy shutting himself away from the world for extended periods of time as he is ripping mics onstage for enthusiastic fans. Understated brilliance.

Aarophat – “Invictus” (Ill Sevenz Music Group) – Raised in Ohio but currently based on the West Coast, veteran subterranean wordsmith Aarophat’s seventh full-length project mixed motivational sentiments, down-to-earth life observations and mystical imagery together into one satisfying listening experience, with the authoritative lyricist proving himself to be a true master of his craft by tackling a variey of subject matter with both character and insight.

Constant Deviants – “Diamond” (Six2Six Records) – Gaining notoriety in the 90s with indie favourites such as “Competition Catch Speed Knots”, NY / Baltimore duo M.I. and DJ Cutt returned to the rap game without having missed a beat on this quality album. Blending golden-age flavour with current inspiration, the pair effectively bridged the gap between the past and the present with an undeniable rugged charm. A real diamond in the rough.

Ryan Proctor

Part Five coming soon – check Part One, Part Two and Part Three.

There Is Only Today (The Remixtape) Download – Muneshine

Canada’s Muneshine drops a remixed version of his brilliant album “There Is Only Today” featuring production input from the likes of Soundsci, Jorun Bombay and Slakah The Beatchild – download here.

New Joint – Muneshine

Muneshine – “Lower Level” (Muneshine.BandCamp.Com / 2012)

Gravity-defying visuals for this Buckwild-produced track from the Canadian artist’s brilliant album “There Is Only Today”.

New Joint – Muneshine

Muneshine – “Lower Level” (Muneshine.Com / 2012)

Buckwild-produced lead single from the Toronto-based artist’s forthcoming third studio album “There Is Only Today” which features DJ Spinna, M-Phazes, Jeff Spec, D-Sisive and more.

There Is Only Today Album Trailer – Muneshine

Canadian producer-on-the-mic Muneshine answers some questions about his forthcoming album “There Is Only Today” which will feature beats from Buckwild, M-Phazes, Illmind and DJ Spinna.

New Joint – Lucky 7 / Moka Only

Lucky 7 (Ghettosocks, Muneshine, Timbuktu & Jeff Spec) ft. Moka Only – “The Mustard Station” (DroppinScience.BandCamp.Com / 2012)

Following their recent Train Of Thought tour, these four Canadian Hip-Hop heavyweights have teamed-up to record a forthcoming project under the name Lucky 7 – this extremely dope track featuring Moka Only is just a small taste of what’s to come – peep the official Train Of Thought tour mixtape on the DroppinScience bandcamp page.

52 Best Albums & EPs Of 2011 (Part Five) – Maffew Ragazino / Prose / Quelle Chris

Maffew Ragazino – “Rhyme Pays” (Cash In Cash Out Records) – Brownsville, Brooklyn representative Ragazino stormed the underground Hip-Hop scene with a brilliantly orchestrated online promo campaign and then dropped this polished set that bristles with thoroughbred NY attitude. Backed by production from the likes of DJ Clark Kent, Vinyl Frontiers and Sha Banga, Maffew took his first step towards his name being added to the long list of BK rap greats.

Prose – “The Dark Side Of The Boom” (BBP) – Following up last year’s excellent “Force Of Habit” album, UK duo Steady Rock and Efeks delivered another accomplished set of quality homegrown Hip-Hop that put a slightly moodier twist on their trademark boom-bap sound.

General Monks – “Each Step Becomes Elevated” (Wandering Worx Entertainment) – Teaming up with Gold Chain Music artist TriState for this release, West Coast emcee Planet Asia further solidified his reputation as a lyrical giant amongst midgets, with the duo launching verbal missiles over hardcore production alongside the likes of Ras Kass, Krondon and Montage One.

Muneshine & Vinyl Frontiers – “Larger Than Life” (Vinyl Frontiers) – Canada’s Muneshine definitely shone on this EP of upbeat bangers which found the Toronto wordsmith dropping both reflective rhymes and sarcasm-laced lines over the Vinyl Frontiers’ soulful production.

Praverb The Wyse – “Professional Hobbyist” (Praverb Dot Net) – An honest account of both the triumphs and frustrations facing underground artists who are forced to fit their musical aspirations around the day-to-day grind, this album from Virginia’s Praverb was a breath of fresh air from an emcee unafraid to really let listeners into his world.

MCM – “The Gospel : The Missing Gems Of MCM (1994 – 2011)” (I-Innovate) – As frontman of 90s UK Hip-Hop favourites Caveman, MCM’s place in British rap history is secure. With sporadic periods of solo activity since the group’s break-up, this epic collection of over thirty tracks mixed new MCM material with unreleased treats from the last two decades. Featuring production from the likes of DJ Devastate, Si Spex and DJ Nappa, “The Gospel” brilliantly showcased MCM’s positive lyrical message.

Raekwon – “Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang” (EMI) – Aside from a few sonic mis-steps, The Chef’s most recent solo opus continued the momentum gained from 2009’s “Cuban Linx” sequel. Dropping his usual blend of coded crime rhymes and street-related wisdom over mostly solid production from the likes of Kenny Dope, The Alchemist and Bronze Nazareth, Raekwon once again proved himself to be a true master of his craft.

Common – “The Dreamer / The Believer” (Warner Bros) – This particular Windy City wordsmith may no longer be the posterchild for underground rap that he was during the 90s following the release of his classic “I Used To Love H.E.R.”, but Common can still tap into that same pure Hip-Hop spirit when he chooses to. After 2008’s limp “Universal Mind Control” the Chicago native had a lot to prove, so he teamed-up with longtime collaborator No I.D. to record an album that balances commercial sensibilities and progressive lyrical messages with moments of raw rap attitude.

yU – “The Earn” (Mello Music Group) – Capturing a variety of moods reflecting the struggles, dreams and aspirations of a young man attempting to find his place in the world, this sophomore solo effort from the Diamond District emcee is as inspirational as it is entertaining. A modern-day masterpiece.

Soul Khan – “Acknowledgement” (Brown Bag Allstars) –  The first in a four-EP series the Brooklyn-based emcee began early in 2011, this DJ Element-produced project found the former battle champ exploring the idea of self-worth in rousing fashion, delivering confident verses brimming with personality over a selection of drum-heavy, sample-driven soundscapes.

Quelle Chris – “Shotgun & Sleek Rifle” (Synergy Works) – Stalwart of the underground Detroit scene Quelle Chris has something of an eclectic musical background that covers Hip-Hop, rock and electronica. With this project, the Wasted Youth member embarked on a beautifully blunted musical voyage, blending the grimy feel of a basement tape with the soulful shimmer of interplanetary cosmic funk. A truly unique listening experience.

Ryan Proctor

Train Of Thought Tour Mixtape Download – Ghettosocks / Muneshine / Timbuktu / Jeff Spec

From Press Release:

“Currently, Canadian artists Jeff Spec, Muneshine, Ghettosocks and Timbuktu are on tour across the vast expanse of Canada, performing at 25-plus dates from Halifax to Vancouver with travel sponsorship from VIA Rail. To accompany the tour, Muneshine has compiled a mixtape featuring songs from each artist individually, as well as group efforts and a good chunk of exclusive new material.”

Download here.

New Joint – Muneshine & Vinyl Frontiers / D-Sisive

Muneshine & Vinyl Frontiers ft. D-Sisive – “Get So High” (Muneshine.BandCamp.Com / 2011)

Hilarious video taken from the Canadian emcee’s free EP release “Larger Than Life”.

New Joint – Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks (Muneshine & GhettoSocks) – “The Black Lodge” (TwinPeaksRap.BandCamp.Com / 2011)

The Canadian duo pay homage to the cult 80s TV show “Twin Peaks” on this track from their EP “Perfect Strangers” and also to be included on their forthcoming full-length album “Kissing Hands And Shaking Babies”.

New Joint – Muneshine / Vinyl Frontiers

Muneshine & Vinyl Frontiers – “Easy Does It” (Muneshine.Bandcamp.Com / 2011)

Amusing video from the Canadian emcee’s EP “Larger Than Life”.

New Joint – Muneshine

Muneshine – “Two Way Street” (Muneshine.Com / 2010)

Produced by Oddisee.

New Joint – Muneshine

Muneshine ft. Dminor – “Today’s Special” ( Lamplight / Grindin’ / 2008 )

Lifted from the Canadian emcee’s “Status Symbol” album.

Resident Gangster – Saint / Muneshine / Jay-Z

Yep, you’ve guessed it, another “American Gangster” remix set.

Aside from completing his upcoming album for Domination Recordings, “About Time”, Long Island, New York producer/ emcee Saint has teamed-up with his good friend Muneshine to put together “The Resident Remixes”.

The accompanying press release says the project contains “more of a throwback vintage Jay-Z style of production” – download it here and make up your own mind.

Saint’s own album will feature guest appearances from underground favourites such as Raw Produce’s Cadence, Mr. Man of Da Bush Babees, El Da Sensei, NYOIL and Mr. Complex.