New Joint – Señor Gigio / Opio

Señor Gigio ft. Opio – “The New Narrative” (@SenorGigio / 2022)

Animated visuals and topical rhymes from Bay Area artist Señor Gigio and Souls Of Mischief’s Opio on this B.I.Lectric-produced track off the forthcoming album “Funklore”.

New Joint – A-Plus & The Architect

A-Plus & The Architect – “Invisible” (APlus.BandCamp.Com / 2020)

Taken from the Souls Of Mischief / Homeliss Derilex duo’s recent collabo album “Chamber Games”.

BLVCK SWITZERLVND Album Stream – A-Plus & The Architect

Souls Of Mischief’s A-Plus teams-up with Bay Area production legend The Architect for the duo’s third collabo project of 2020, another full-length dose of lyrical craftsmanship and sample-based creativity featuring Planet Asia, Ras Kass and Tajai.

New Joint – Tajai & The Architect

Tajai & The Architect – “Scattershot” (Tajai.BandCamp.Com / 2020)

High-octane beats and rhymes from the Souls Of Mischief / Homeliss Derilex duo’s forthcoming album “BLKTEK”.

New Joint – A-Plus & The Architect

A-Plus & The Architect – “Blvck Advm” (APlus.BandCamp.Com / 2020)

Taken from the Souls Of Mischief / Homeliss Derelix duo’s recent collabo album “Free Dope”.

Free Dope Album Stream – A-Plus & The Architect

As members of Souls Of Mischief and Homeliss Derilex respectively, West Coast veterans A-Plus and The Architect have been dropping Hip-Hop gems since the 90s. On “Free Dope” the pair pour all of their musical experience into the mix, resulting in a masterful display of sharp lyricism and quality, dusty-fingered production.

New Joint – Phesto & Izrell

Phesto & Izrell – “Les Rime Hunters” (@HieroImperium / 2016)

Taken from the West Coast duo’s Big Head Scientist-produced EP “Guillotine Music”.

Guillotine Music EP Stream – Phesto & Izrell

Intricate West Coast wordplay from Souls Of Mischief’s Phesto and fellow Bay Area emcee Izrell is matched here with raw production courtesy of The Big Head Scientist.

100 Best Albums & EPs Of 2014 (Part One) – TPS Fam / Starvin B / Ghostface Killah etc.

It can’t be denied that 2014 was a great year for quality Hip-Hop. When I initially sat down to start putting together Old To The New’s annual 52 Best Albums & EPs list, it soon became clear that staying with that format would mean having to leave out a large amount of releases that I’ve had in heavy rotation over the last twelve months.

Another reason for wanting to highlight just how many worthwhile albums and EPs dropped in 2014 was to prove a point to those who still insist there just isn’t a notable amount of good music being released today. There are still plenty of talented emcees, deejays and producers across the globe who’re busy in their respective labs, meticulously crafting beats and rhymes in the hope that those of us who say we’re looking for high-standard Hip-Hop will take the time to listen.

As always, by no means am I presenting this as the definitive list of 2014 releases. In today’s internet-era, it’s impossible for anyone to say they’ve heard everything that’s worth listening to. No matter how much time you spend online listening to music, there will always be a dope project out there from someone, somewhere on Planet Rock that you won’t yet have heard of. The search is never-ending.

So, with all that being said, here are the albums and EPs that kept my head nodding throughout 2014…

TPS Fam – “Hot Water Music” (Revorg Records) – Finding creative inspiration in the mundane aspects of the daily grind, Jack Diggs, Big Toast and Strange Neighbour crafted a brilliant, sample-driven soundtrack for the working-class Hip-Hop fan. Balancing dreams and aspirations with day-jobs and overdue bills, the UK trio delivered down-to-earth rhymes with passion and sincerity, encouraging us all to make every day count whilst promoting their motto of “living like kings on a tight budget.”

Starvin B – “Blood From A Stone” (Goblin Music) – The first of two projects released by the talented Queens, NY resident in 2014, the One-Take-produced “Blood From A Stone” showcased the Rotten Apple rhymer as being a true student of the lyrical arts. Packing his vivid verses with gritty imagery, raw humour and witty wordplay, Starvin B let his personality shine throughout this project, with the likes of Spit Gemz, Tragedy Khadafi and Foul Monday on-hand to fill some well-placed guest spots.

Ray West & OC – “Ray’s Cafe” (RedApples45) – Proving that true talent really is timeless, two decades after the release of his classic debut album “Word…Life”, Diggin’ In The Crates legend OC teamed-up with Bronx producer Ray West to serve hungry Hip-Hop customers with this appetising platter of flawless lyricism and warm, soulful production. What’s next on the menu?

Stu Bangas & Blacastan – “Watson & Holmes” (Brutal Music) – Joining forces with producer Stu Bangas, Connecticut emcee Blacastan retained his reputation as one of the rap game’s most consistent artists with the release of this abrasive, hard-hitting album. Backed by Stu’s cinematic, drama-laced beats, the AOTP member delivered his usual high standard of raw rhyming, with brothers-in-arms Esoteric, Vinnie Paz and Apathy each taking a turn to help crush the competition.

String Theory – “String Theory” (Mic Theory Records) – Breaking the periodic table of poetry down to its very last compound, Florida’s Hex One (of the duo Epidemic) and Swiss producer B.B.Z. Darney came together to “swallow planets and freeze suns”, combining inter-dimensional mic techniques with rocket-fuelled boom-bap beats as they pondered both the laws of the universe and the art of rap.

DJ JS-1 – “It Is What It Isn’t” (Ground Original) – Veteran NY turntablist and long-standing Rock Steady Crew member JS-1 enlisted the help of a lengthy list of talented lyricists for his fourth collection of underground science. From golden-era icons such as Sadat X, KRS-One and X-Clan’s Brother J, to more recently established wordsmiths like Spit Gemz, Fashawn and Rasheed Chappell, “It Is What It Isn’t” effectively bridged the gap between the old and the new with impressive results.

Union Blak – “Union Blak Friday” (Effiscienz) – US-born emcee Kimba and UK beatsmith Sir Williams joined forces with France’s Effiscienz label to deliver a solid, succinct debut album. Demonstrating their shared passion for Hip-Hop with positive, upbeat rhymes and melodic production, the duo made it clear throughout “Union Blak Friday” that their aim is to add on to the culture rather than simply take from it.

J-Live – “Around The Sun” (Mortier Music) – There may not be anything new under the sun, but there’s still plenty of quality music to be found. Case in point, veteran NY-raised, ATL-based emcee J-Live’s seventh album release, which found the accomplished wordsmith delivering the clever, intelligent lyricism fans have come to rely on him for over production from Oddisee, Audible Doctor and DJ Spinna.

Souls Of Mischief / Adrian Younge – “There Is Only Now” (Linear Labs) – A concept album set in 1994 involving jealous emcees, kidnapping and revenge, “There Is Only Now” found the Souls Of Mischief members weaving intricate, story-telling rhymes around the live, drum-heavy musicianship of the talented Adrian Younge, resulting in an epic Hip-Hop tale  which contained more drama than an episode of “The Wire”.

Es – “Aspire To Inspire” (Essenchill Records) – Inviting everyone along on his quest for self-improvement, Canadian emcee Es’s second full-length project lived up to its lofty title in no uncertain terms. Packed with full-bodied production and uplifting rhymes about everything from fatherhood and relationships to self-worth and striving to maintain a positive mental attitude, it was near impossible to play this album and not feel better about life whilst listening.

Skyzoo & Torae – “Barrel Brothers” (First Generation Rich / Internal Affairs) – Self-confessed “products of Albee Square Mall” and Brooklyn-based brothers-from-other-mothers, Skyzoo and Torae came together to create one of the best examples of pure emceeing you were likely to hear in 2014. With bold deliveries and painstakingly well-crafted verses, the two BK lyricists sparred with each other over heavyweight production from the likes of Illmind and DJ Premier, each proving why their place among NY’s long line of noteworthy mic controllers is well-deserved. No frills, just skills.

Figub Brazlevic – “Train Yards” (FigubBrazlevic.BandCamp.Com) – Having already demonstrated his undeniable production skills via his work with the Man Of Booom crew, this instrumental EP release from Berlin’s Brazlevic blended head-nodding beats with jazzy samples and well-placed vocal snippets, creating a spell-binding project with plenty of musical depth and soul.

Confidence Presents… – “Confidence Presents GDot & Born Featuring Edo.G” (Audible Con Records) – Building on his already strong reputation as one of today’s most consistent producers, the talented Confidence orchestrated this true-school gem of an album which bridged the gap between the Boston Hip-Hop scene’s past and present. Relative newcomers GDot & Born shared mic time with Beantown vet Edo.G throughout this project, with all three emcees delivering positive messages mixed with b-boy bravado over Confidence’s quality brand of crisp, boom-bap beats.

Parallax – “Depth Perception” (ParallaxOfficialStore.BandCamp.Com) – The upcoming UK artist proved he’s as nice behind the boards as he is behind the microphone with the release of this succinct, largely self-produced EP. Utilising solid drums and dusty samples, Parallax waxed lyrical about a number of topics, dropping punchline-heavy food-for-thought on the state of Hip-Hop, media manipulation and the British justice system. Mental stamina, indeed.

Prince Po & Oh No – “Animal Serum” (Wandering Worx / Green Streets Entertainment) – Staying true to his claim of “having a lotta jewels, but don’t gotta wear a chain”, Organized Konfusion’s Prince Po administered a new brand of musical medicine to the Hip-Hop faithful with the welcome assistance of West Coast producer Oh No. Tackling a number of modern-day issues with typically dense, multi-layered lyricism, Po succeeded in soothing the suffering of all free-thinkers who find themselves trapped inside the Matrix.

Early Reed & J Scienide – “The Dose (The MFN Files)” (J-Scienide.BandCamp.Com) – Whilst putting the finishing touches to his own impressive 2014 releases, Low Budget’s Kev Brown found time to get behind this EP from his two fellow Washington D.C.-based crew members. With Reed demonstrating his mastery of the SP and Scienide proving himself to be a formidable talent on the mic, “The Dose (The MFN Files)” gave listeners a potent shot of pure Hip-Hop.

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – “Pinata” (Madlib Invazion) – Arguably the greatest mix of raw gangsta rhymes and dope breaks since Brad Jordan joined forces with the Rap-A-Lot production squad for his 1991 debut solo album, Gary, Indiana native Gibbs’ drawling delivery sounded right at home over Madlib’s range of random sample material, resulting in an album that covered a variety of moods, from the soothing and laidback to the dramatic and urgent. Witness the strength of street knowledge.

Akrobatik – “Built To Last” (Playaktion Recordings) – Returning to the rap game after surviving emergency heart surgery in 2011, the title of Boston veteran Akrobatik’s third full-length solo album was as much a statement about enduring personal struggle as it was a comment on his forthright approach to his craft. Balancing content which covered his near-death experience, social commentary and Hip-Hop politics, Ak firmly stood up for his personal principles at a time when so many other artists are busy chasing trends and trying desperately to please the masses.

Divine – “Ghetto Rhymin'” (Supreme Records) – Mixing Five Percent terminology with the influence of Rakim and a proud New York state of mind, Brooklyn’s Divine proved himself to be a true product of his environment on his latest project, taking it back to a time when Rotten Apple wordsmiths were more concerned with capturing the essence of the five boroughs in their music rather than allowing their sound to be shaped by outside forces.

Ghostface Killah – “36 Seasons” (Tommy Boy Entertainment) – Fresh from 2013’s “Twelve Reasons To Die” collabo with Adrian Younge, the Wally Champ dove straight into another concept-based project with “36 Seasons”. Based around a story-line that was part 70s blaxploitation flick, part Marvel comic book territory, Ghost was joined by Brooklyn’s AZ and the legendary K00l G. Rap, weaving action-packed tales of love, drama and betrayal over the classic vintage soul thump of NY band The Revelations.

 

Part Two coming soon.

New Joint – Souls Of Mischief / Adrian Younge

Souls Of Mischief & Adrian Younge – “Finally Back” (Linear Labs / 2014)

Taken from the longstanding West Coast crew’s Younge-produced concept album “There Is Only Now”.

Til Infinity – Souls Of Mischief / Adrian Younge

Hypetrak.Com interview with West Coast veterans Souls Of Mischief discussing their forthcoming Adrian Younge-produced concept album “There Is Only Now”.

New Joint – DJ J-Ronin / Mic Handz

DJ J-Ronin ft. Mic Handz – “Handz Of Mischief” (All Elements / 2014)

The Brooklyn emcee drops rapid-fire wordplay over a classic Souls Of Mischief instrumental from J-Ronin’s “Freestyle Files Vol. 2” mix-tape.

New Joint – Souls Of Mischief / Gummy Soul

Gummy Soul Presents Souls Of Mischief – “Never No More – Remix” (GummySoul.BandCamp.Com / 2013)

Taken from the official “93 ‘Til Infinity” anniversary remix album “93 Still” which can be downloaded free here.

New Joint – First Light (Opio / Pep Love) / Phesto Dee

First Light ft. Phesto Dee – “Greetings” (Hieroglyphics Imperium / 2013)

Taken from the Hiero duo’s recent “Fallacy Fantasy” project.

New Joint – First Light (Pep Love / Opio)

First Light (Pep Love / Opio) – “Los Lobos” (FallacyFantasy.Com / 2013)

Mellow Unjust-produced track from the Hiero duo’s forthcoming album “Fallacy Fantasy”.

Big Phat 90s Mixtape Download – DJ Woody

Following the recent success of his “Big Phat 90s” visual turntable performance set, the UK’s DJ Woody has made the audio available for your listening pleasure with classics from the likes of Showbiz & AG, Naughty By Nature and Gang Starr blended, cut and scratched to perfection – take a trip back in time here.

New Joint – Menacin Johnson / A-Plus / Abstract Rude

Menacin Johnson ft. A-Plus & Abstract Rude – “For The Win” (@MenacinJohnson / 2012)

Produced by Duke Westlake and taken from the West Coast emcee’s new project “Brand New Headsets 2” which also features Oh No, Prince Po, L.A. Symphony and more.

New Joint – Casual & J Rawls / Souls Of Mischief / MHz

Casual & J Rawls ft. Souls Of Mischief & MHz – “Hier-O-Dot” (Nature Sounds / 2012)

Oakland-to-Ohio posse cut from the album “Respect Game Or Expect Flames”.

Summer 2012 Tour Mixtape Download – Hieroglyphics

To promote their upcoming Stateside summer tour the mighty Hiero crew release this quality mixtape project featuring music from the likes of Pep Love, Casual, A-Plus and more from the Imperium vaults – download here.

Still Rockin’ – Souls Of Mischief

Bay Area website TheFormat.Com interviews legendary West Coast collective Souls Of Mischief.