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RAKAA (OF DILATED PEOPLES) ANNOUNCES DEBUT SOLO ALBUM CROWN OF THORNS TO BE RELEASED ON DECON PRODUCED BY EVIDENCE, DJ BABU, THE ALCHEMIST & MORE APPEARANCES BY CHALI 2NA, KRS-ONE, ALOE BLACC, TIGER JK, TASHA (AKA YOON MI RAE) & MORE

RAKAA (OF DILATED PEOPLES) ANNOUNCES DEBUT SOLO ALBUM CROWN OF THORNS TO BE RELEASED ON DECON PRODUCED BY EVIDENCE, DJ BABU, THE ALCHEMIST & MORE APPEARANCES BY CHALI 2NA, KRS-ONE, ALOE BLACC, TIGER JK, TASHA (AKA YOON MI RAE) & MORE

Rakaa Iriscience, one third of world-renowned hip-hop crew Dilated Peoples is releasing Crown of Thorns, his debut solo album after four albums with his group and numerous guest spots, on July 20, 2010 via Decon Records. Produced by fellow members Evidence and DJ Babu with guest production by The Alchemist, El-P, !llmind, Exile, Sid Roams, King Jahzzy, and Eric Bobo & DJ Rhettmatic, Crown of Thorns is the sonic prism that has absorbed the myriad cultures taken in by the travelling emcee and reflected them back in the form of a groundbreaking debut.

The record features a stripped down aesthetic that carries through the duration of the debut, a refreshing minimalism that manifests itself as a unique soundscape. Rakaa’s newfound unlimited lyrical license allows him to fully expand on his heavily conscious ideas about socio-political issues, relationships, family and culture. It’s not an overstatement to say that Rakaa’s whole life has, consciously or not, gone into the production of this album. “This record is my opportunity to give context so people understand more what I’m trying to do,” says the emcee. “It’s the first time I’m really making a conscious decision to sit down and let somebody come into my house, and after all of this time, I’m welcoming all guests.”Some of those guests include, Defari, Chali 2na, Fashawn, Aloe Blacc, and the legendary KRS-ONE.

Rakaa builds bridges with the international scene on the dj honda produced track entitled “Ambassador Slang”. The song features some of the top Asian-Pacific Islander artists in the world, including Roscoe Umali and Korean lyrical heavyweights Tasha (aka Yoon Mi Rae), Tiger JK (Drunken Tiger), and Tablo and Mithra Jin (both of Epik High). On the title track “Crown Of Thorns” Rakaa traces his musical history and looks toward hip hop’s future, commenting “Ev told me I could be more Emo / Then I just laughed and said, ‘Fuck that we need more Premo!'”, while Aloe Blacc’s soulful singing carries the hook.

Rakaa’s music career started soon after joining the New York based hip-hop collective Rock Steady Crew as a graffiti artist and MC. He helped found their L.A. chapter and subsequently joined the Universal Zulu Nation. After a series of educational label experiences, Rakaa and partner-in-rhyme Evidence released 1997’s underground classic single “Third Degree” before adding Babu to the ranks. Since then, the team known as Dilated Peoples have put out a series of critically acclaimed albums and developed an international reputation for live performances. Rakaa stays busy traveling around the world hosting events such as the Red Bull BC One (in Johannesburg and Paris) and the R16 (in Incheon, Korea), destroying a variety of studio booths, “chipping away at [his] black belt” in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and attending school as a full-time advertising student.

Crown of Thorns proves that Rakaa can stand alone in the spotlight and deliver his fans the music they’ve been waiting for.

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DILATED PEOPLES & BEAT JUNKIES DJ/PRODUCER, DJ BABU, PREPS THE RELEASE OF HIS LONG AWAITED INSTRUMENTAL LP THE BEAT TAPE VOL.2

DILATED PEOPLES & BEAT JUNKIES DJ/PRODUCER, DJ BABU, PREPS THE RELEASE OF HIS LONG AWAITED INSTRUMENTAL LP THE BEAT TAPE VOL.2

A world-famous DJ with active memberships in Dilated Peoples and Beat Junkies among his most notable accomplishments, DJ Babu has made a noteworthy evolution. The Los Angeles-based turntablist also stands as one of underground rap’s fastest-rising producers.

In 2007, DJ Babu released The Beat Tape Vol.1, an instrumental compilation of the beatsmith’s soulful yet hard hitting compositions. It’s also been 1-year since Babu released the critically acclaimed Duck Season Vol. 3. A self produced album that boasted tracks from MCs all across the globe. At the beginning of 2010, the Dilated Junkie comes forth with the instrumental follow up, The Beat Tape Vol. 2, which will be released on 2-23-10 on Nature Sounds Records.

“There was no holding back with this album, I wanted to get the beats out no matter what. I wanted to give my fans a fresh body of music” Explains DJ Babu. “My mission with these instrumentals are to put some doubters to rest.” For having 10+ years of production experience under his belt, most people know Babu as the World Renown / Champion DJ. “I want people to know my sound, all my beats come from a DJ mentality, so The Beat Tape Vol. 2 is a great outlet for me to showcase my production”

A West Coast veteran in his own right, Babu has achieved a sound that can’t be labeled by region or style. This album could be equally appreciated in the Bronx, Compton or anywhere in between. The Beat Tape Vol. 2 is a treat for all the true B-Boy’s out there and a testament to the fact that hip-hop’s golden era is alive and well and as Babu concludes the vine between the golden era and today is still deeply rooted “allot of the DJs that I looked up to became great producers, from Dr. Dre to DJ Premier to Pete Rock. In a lot of ways, I’m trying to carry that same torch, where hip-hop is still rooted within DJing and records.”

Tracklisting and credits for DJ Babu’s The Beat Tape Vol 2:

1. Intro

2. I Don’t C U

3. K-Dub

4. 2024

5. Earthfire

6. No Secret

7. Sunshine Days

8. Mr. Lone Lee

9. Hold The Mark

10. Silly

11. Yacht Hop

12. Forever

13. Here I Am

14. Nelson’s Cesar Salad

15. Takeova

16. Ready

17. Reneg

18. Canned E

19. Do Not Dispute

20. Gyeah

21. Strive To Be A Godfather

22. Ghost Romper Room

23. Lil’ Juanito

24. Shack Of Soul

25. Dracoola

26. Who Can’t Hear

27. Blackfoot

28. Kallen Durr

29. Mortay

30. Manferd

31. What R U Doing

32. Funkydromedary

33. I Heart U For All

34. Finally

35. Elec Trick Sim Phonie

36. Innernathional Thylyee

37. Phlip The Track

38. Preach B-Dub

39. I’m Gonna Stay

(ALL SONGS PRODUCED, MIXED and ARRANGED by DJ BABU)

DL Link to DJ Babu’s “Lil Juanito

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DILATED PEOPLES & BEAT JUNKIES DJ/PRODUCER, DJ BABU, PREPS THE RELEASE OF HIS LONG AWAITED STUDIO LP DUCK SEASON 3 | DJ BABU’S DUCK SEASON 3 FEATURES TRACKS WITH BISHOP LAMONT, MF DOOM, DILATED PEOPLES, SEAN PRICE, TERMANOLOGY, M.O.P., LITTLE BROTHER, KARDINAL OFFISHAL, STRONG ARM STEADY, GUILTY SIMPSON, PERCEE P, A.G

DILATED PEOPLES & BEAT JUNKIES DJ/PRODUCER, DJ BABU, PREPS THE RELEASE OF HIS LONG AWAITED STUDIO LP DUCK SEASON 3 | DJ BABU’S DUCK SEASON 3 FEATURES TRACKS WITH BISHOP LAMONT, MF DOOM, DILATED PEOPLES, SEAN PRICE, TERMANOLOGY, M.O.P., LITTLE BROTHER, KARDINAL OFFISHAL, STRONG ARM STEADY, GUILTY SIMPSON, PERCEE P, A.G

A world-famous DJ with active memberships in Dilated Peoples and Beat Junkies among his most notable accomplishments, DJ Babu has made a noteworthy evolution. The Los Angeles-based turntablist also stands as one of underground rap’s fastest-rising producers.

Waiting almost five years after the release of the previous Duck Season installments, DJ BABU has been carefully crafting the final saga in his highly acclaimed hip-hop trilogy. What started out for Babu as a DJ compilation, the Duck Season series has come full circle to become a production showcase for the legendary turntablist; not to mention, his finest work to date.

“It started out as a mixtape that featured some of my favorite tracks,” explains DJ Babu. “Now it has fully evolved into a platform of my own production. The album is still presented in the classic Beat Junkie mixtape style, but that’s just a clever way for me to disguise my LP.” Indeed, working with Dilated Peoples aided DJ Babu in his evolution as a producer. Throughout the trio’s four albums, DJ Babu was steadily gaining knowledge and insight on how to craft meaningful and memorable soundbeds. Now, he has combined his far-reaching creative abilities into one project, the rock-solid Duck Season 3.

This evolution from DJ to producer is on full display throughout DJ Babu’s sonically superior Duck Season 3. The fast-moving collection showcases all of Babu’s quickly expanding talents, from mixing, juggling, blending and scratching — as well as producing. Entirely produced by Babu, the line-up on Duck Season 3 reads like a hip-hop’s who’s who. While Babu includes many familiar faces like M.O.P., MF DOOM, Dilated Peoples and Sean Price, he also plants his ear to the streets, recruiting some of today’s hottest new talent like Bishop Lamont and Termanology.

A West Coast veteran in his own right, Babu has achieved a sound that can’t be labeled by region or style. This album could be equally appreciated in the Bronx, Compton or anywhere in between. Duck Season 3 is a treat for all the true B-Boy’s out there and a testament to the fact that hip-hop’s golden era is alive and well and as Babu concludes the vine between the golden era and today is still deeply rooted “allot of the DJs that I looked up to became great producers, from Dr. Dre to DJ Premier to Pete Rock. In a lot of ways, I’m trying to carry that same torch, where hip-hop is still rooted within DJing and records.”

Tracklisting and credits for DJ Babu’s Duck Season 3:

1. DS3 Intro f/ Dilated Peoples
2. Dearly Departed f/ M.O.P.
3. Fan Mail f/ Little Brother, Joe Scudda, & D-Brock
4. The Unexpected f/ MF DOOM & Sean Price
5. Frozen f/ Guilty Simpson
6. East West Connection f/ A.G.
7. My Opinion f/ Bishop Lamont
8. 2 Feet f/ Kardinal Offishall & Rakaa Iriscience
9. Black & Brown Army f/ Chace Infinite & Sick Jacken
10. Graveyardshiftin f/ Cali Agents & Roc Marciano
11. For Whatever It’s Worth f/ Evidence
12. It’s A New Day f/ M.E.D.
13. O.G. f/ Strong Arm Steady
14. Guns Gon’ Blow f/ Termanology
15. That Ain’t Gangsta f/ Likwit Junkies
16. Meant To Be f/ Roc C. & Oh No
17. SBX2LAX2OX f/ Wildchild & Percee P
18. Ahead Of My Time f/ Niko

(ALL SONGS PRODUCED, MIXED and ARRANGED by DJ BABU)