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Random Axe – Random Axe album review

When a musical collective is labeled a supergroup, there is definitely a lot to expect. Random Axe is without a doubt a supergroup, and they confidently wear that label with bravado and unquestionable swagger. Comprised of Black Milk, Guilty Simpson and Sean Price, Random Axe is anything but random. Talented MCs coming together to create a unified album that delivers like a full-force axe, Random Axe’s self-titled debut album is a nice introduction to the group.

From the start, the production is choppy, eerie and somewhat dark, but fits for the hard, dark-humored rhymes of Simpson and Price. “Black Ops” features explosive snares, and a guest appearance from Fat Ray. “Chewbacca” and its spooky, flowy synths, contribute to Roc Marciano’s stream of consciousness delivery, his narrative mysterious, yet effective.

“Everybody, Nobody, Somebody” addresses issues ranging from cultural, to political. The eerie, minimal production on this track, is almost as haunting as the subject manner. “Jahphy Joe” combines cracking drums, theremin sounds and guest appearances from Melanie Rutherford (who lays down a great chorus) and Danny Brown, to create a track that is just absolutely intimidating.

“Never Back Down” showcases Simpson’s ability to hold down a track all by himself. He manages to state his greatness in 47 seconds; effective, and precise, it is obvious that Simpson means it when he says, “My ego’s big,” and defends the statement with such a tough guy delivery, that you can’t help but agree.

“Another One” is absolutely crazy, especially when Trick-Trick spits over it. His delivery is uncontrollable and untamed, a verbal onslaught that is just so hardcore, you might not be able to get through the rest of the song.

Overall, this trio is mind-blowing. Black Milk’s production is minimalist and eerie at times, bringing to mind those such as, J Dilla and RZA. Other times, it can be electro-influenced, grabbing sounds from the realms of Kraftwerk, and specific artists such as Brian Eno. To be able to cultivate a sound like that is commendable. Add in Simpson and Price’s impeccable and intimidating flow, and you have an album that is great in so many ways. At times the group does falter, and some tracks may not stand out as much as others, but the album is definitely listenable. The guest appearances are a great contribution to the album, and the diverse selection brings a different energy to each track. Random Axe’s self-titled, debut album is a warm welcome into their world, and these guys confidently show it off for everybody to see.

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Press Releases

GRAMMY AWARD WINNING PRODUCER DOC ISH TO RELEASE THE FIRST TREATMENT THE FIRST TREATMENT WILL BE RELASED ON MAY 11th, 2010

GRAMMY AWARD WINNING PRODUCER DOC ISH TO RELEASE THE FIRST TREATMENT THE FIRST TREATMENT WILL BE RELASED ON MAY 11th, 2010

Star-Studded LP Features Appearances From Jay Electronica, Joe Budden, Crooked I, Sean Price, Joell Ortiz, Talib Kweli, Bun B, Max B, Saigon, Nipsey Hussle, KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Buckshot, Bizarre and many more

A bit of a transient, Doc Ish is from a little bit of everywhere. Born in Dallas, TX, then onto places such as Virginia, and Brooklyn NY and everywhere in between, it has been Hartford, CN that Doc has always returned to and calls home. Doc signed his first deal as a senior in High-School and soon thereafter moved to NY where he was introduced to a slew of industry talents and had the opportunity to work with artists such Heavy D, Kurupt and Foxy Brown to name a few.

Since then, Doc has lost a lot of time, “years,” in regards to his music career. For years, he was jumping from doctor to doctor, hospital to hospital, trying to figure out why his health would take such dramatic shifts and leave him in an almost debilitating state. Lying in hospital beds, with nothing but time on his hands while his various health problems were both diagnosed and treated, Doc’s health eventually got better and when it did, so did his hunger for making music. When Doc re-entered the scene in 2008, he did so with a renewed vigor and his networking lead to meetings with various artists, one of which, D-12’s Bizarre, would eventually change his world as he then knew it upside down. After recording sessions with Bizarre, Doc received a call from him that a certain Detroit superstar heard one of his tracks and immediately gravitated to it. That track was what you know as “We Made You” the lead-single from Eminem’s Grammy award winning LP Relapse, which has since gone 2X Platinum and re-vaulted Eminem back into the national spotlight after a five-year hiatus.

Despite the overwhelming changes that have occurred since “We Made You” hit the masses, Doc Ish has remained humble and hungry throughout the process and is determined to capitalize on the opportunity and use it as a stepping-stone. The timing and subsequent spotlight that has been affixed to Doc’s back ever since was ideal for the forthcoming release of Doc Ish Presents: The First Treatment which will be released on 5-11-2010.

The First Treatment includes a collection of iconic and legendary emcees that would make a major label blush, let alone one of an Independent nature. While “Cut My Throat” f/Saigon, INS Deck, Ransom and Quan has already made an immediate impact on the urban blogosphere, fans are already salivating over the LP’s assortment of talent and eagerly awaiting to hear tracks such as the dream-team pairings of Jay Electronica, Crooked I & Sean Price (“She Did It Again”) and Bun B, Joe Budden and Talib Kweli on “Is It A Dream.”

Doc Ish believes that music is cathartic and creating this project proves as much and The First Treatment is the next step in curing Hip-Hop’s ailments.

Tracklisting and credits for Doc Ish Presents: The First Treatment:

1.) “Hi Kids” f/ Joell Ortiz
2.) “No Goodbye’s” f/ Apollo Swyf & Burroughs
3.) “Animal Grammar” f/ KRS-One & Burroughs
4.) “She Did It Again” f/ Crooked I, Sean Price, Jay Electronica & Novel
5.) “These Streets” f/ Max B, Red Cafe, Quan
6.) “Cut My Throat ” f/ Ransom, Quan, Saigon & INS Deck
7.) “Who You Are” f/ AZ & Charmange
8.) “Is It A Dream” f/ Joe Budden, Talib Kweli & Bun B
9.) “Open Your Eyez” f/ Termanalogy & Hectic
10.) “Stalker” feat. Bizarre (of D-12)
11.) “Make Movez” f/ Buckshot, Rock (Heltah Skeltah) & Colloso
12.) “Untitled” feat. Nipsey Hussle & Mya
13.) “War Outside” feat. King Gordy, Kool G Rap & Billy Danze (M.O.P.)
14.) “Skys Are Grey” feat. Quan, Oddisee & Nature
15.) “You Make Me Stronger” Kool G Rap & Ma Barker
16.) “Mo Money” Uncle Murder
17.) “FOH” ” f/ The Abnormals
18.) “Freestyle” f/ Supernatural

***All Tracks Produced By Doc Ish

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Press Releases Tour Dates

Rock Steady Crew 32nd Anniversary, July 22-26 Free Concert With Biz Markie, Grand Puba, Roxanne Shante, Cormega, U-God, Sean Price, DJ Premier, Bishop Lamont, Masta Ace & Edo. G, Dujeous, Tanya Morgan and More!

Rock Steady Crew 32nd Anniversary, July 22-26 Free Concert With Biz Markie, Grand Puba, Roxanne Shante, Cormega, U-God, Sean Price, DJ Premier, Bishop Lamont, Masta Ace & Edo. G, Dujeous, Tanya Morgan and More!

New York, NY — The Rock Steady Crew is ready to embark upon the 32nd Anniversary celebration, which will take place at various venues throughout New York and New Jersey on July 22 through 26.

The ceremonies kick off on Wednesday July 22 and 23 with some dance workshops with legendary choreographers including Rock Steady President Crazy Legs, Mr. Wiggles, Cricket, Snapshot, WandeePOP and Steve Seda. At 10:00pm on Thursday July 23, Mr. Wiggles will host the For The Funk of It Funk Styles Party at 320 Studios in NYC (320 W 37th St).

On Friday, July 24, witness some intense action with the “Frienemies” battle at 101 River View’s Grand Hall (101 Sixth Ave), as dozens of the best Bboys and Bgirls in the world enter the cipher to claim their respect and an all-expense paid trip to represent the U.S. in the UK Bboy Champtionships.

On Saturday, July 25, everyone returns to 101 River View for the popular crew battle competition. Groups of 5-8 world-class dancers go head-to-head to win $2,000 in cash and prizes.

Rock Steady Crew will round out the weekend in a big way at Newark, New Jersey’s Lincoln Park with the “Rock Steady For Life” Free Outdoor Concert and Food Drive. All attendees are encouraged to donate canned food as they enter the park to help local families in need. An all-star DJ line-up will play between sets all day, with DJ Eclipse, DJ Scratch, DJ Swan, DJ Evil Dee and Q-Tip in rotation.

The End of the Weak crew will begin hosting the show at noon, and performers throughout the day include Biz Markie, Grand Puba of Brand Nubian, U-God of Wu-Tang, Roxanne Shante, Cormega, Sean Price, Bishop Lamont, DJ JS-1 with special guests, Dujeous, Masta Ace & Edo. G (A&E), Tanya Morgan, DJ Premier, Blaq Poet, Kaze, Tiye Phoenix and surprise guest performances!

For more information on the Rock Steady Crew Anniversary and to see schedule updates, go to www.CrazyLegsWorkshop.com and www.rocksteadycrew.com

SCHEDULE
Rock Steady Crew 32nd Anniversary, July 22 – July 26

Wednesday, July 22
Workshops – All Styles Day
Time: 12:45PM – 7:30PM
Location: 320 Studios – 320 West 37th Street, 14th Floor (btwn 8th & 9th Ave.) – 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, N, R & Q train to 34th St.

*12:45 – 2:15pm Free Youth 9 – 13yrs. old Bboy /Bgirl Foundation Workshop: Crazy Legs
* 2:30 – 4:00pm House Workshop: James “Cricket” Colter
* 4:15 – 5:45pm Classic Party Dance Styles Workshop: Deena ‘Snapshot’ Clemente & Wanda ‘WandeePOP’ Candelario
* 6:00 – 7:30pm Salsa Workshop: Steve Seda

Admission: $20.00 per class (REGISTER ONLINE NOW)
You want to know how it’s done? These speakers are the best at what they do and share insight on how they make their magic happen.

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Thursday, July 23
Workshops
Time: 12:00PM – 8:00PM
Location: 320 Studios – 320 West 37th Street, 14th Floor (btwn 8th & 9th Ave) NYC – 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, N, R & Q train to 34th St.

*2:00 – 3:30pm B-boy / B-girl Foundation Workshop: Crazy Legs
*3:45 – 5:15pm Funk Styles Workshop: Mr. Wiggles
*5:30 – 7:00pm B-boy / B-girl Master Class Workshop: Crazy Legs
*7:15 – 8:45pm Funk Styles Workshop: Mr. Wiggles

Admission: $40.00 per class (REGISTER ONLINE NOW)
You want to know how it’s done? These speakers are the best at what they do and share insight on how they make their magic happen.

“For The Funk Of It” Funk Styles Party
Time: 10:00 PM – 3:00AM
Location: 320 Studios – 320 West 37th Street, 14th Floor (btwn 8th & 9th Ave) NYC – 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, N, R & Q train to 34th St.
Hosted By: Mr. Wiggles
DJ: Doc
Admission: $15.00 ( GET ADMISSION NOW )
Must be 21 & Over
Self explanatory. Come get loose and show us what you got.

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Friday, July 24
Frienemies
Time: 3:00PM – 9:00PM
Location: 101 River View, Grand Hall – 101 Sixth Ave. (btwn Grand & Watt) – 1, 2, A, C & E train to Canal St.
Hosted By: Rock Steady Crew
DJ’s: Crazy Legs, Skeme Richards, Charlie Rock and Jazzy Jay
Admission, : $20.00 ( GET ADMISSION NOW )

Frienemies is about representing in the ciphers. Every B-boy and B-girl is on their own! No preset battles. In the early to mid 80’s, breaking was at an all time high throughout the world. Crews were rolling thick and a lot of them were at peace. The only time they didn’t get along was when it was time to battle in the club. Rock Steady Crew and New York City Breakers were going to places like Negril, The Roxy, Kennedy High School and other places where jams were going down. No one was worried about hurting someone’s feelings or concerned with battling their own friends, but rather battled with a fierce will to win. We were all “FRIENEMIES”. ‘Frienemies” is the place to battle that person that you chill with on a regular basis and show him/her that they’re not as good as they brag about all the time.
The Winner receives an all expense paid ticket to the United Kingdom and will represent the U.S. at the UK B-Boy Championships. The winner must be a US Citizen. Proper ID is required.

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Saturday, July 25
5 – 8 Crew Battle / Spy Awards
Spy Awards : The Spy Award is being presented to El Nino & Bboy Crumbs
Time: 3:00PM – 9:00PM
Location: 101 River View, Grand Hall – 101 Sixth Ave. (btwn Grand & Watt) – 1, 2, A, C & E train to Canal St.
Hosted By: Crazy Legs
DJ’s: Skeme Richards & DV One
Admission: $25.00 ( GET ADMISSION NOW )
The Winner receives a $2,000.00 cash & prizes.

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Sunday, July 26
“Rock Steady For Life” Free Outdoor Concert & Food Drive

PLEASE BRING CANNED GOODS TO HELP LOCAL FAMILIES

Time: 12:00PM – 8:00PM
Location: Lincoln Park – 1 Lincoln, Newark, NJ (Broad St & Clinton Ave)

Hosted by: End Of The Weak
DJ’s: Eclipse, Scratch, Swan, Evil Dee & Q-Tip
Performing Artists: Biz Markie, Grand Puba (Brand Nubian), UGod (Wu-Tang), Roxanne Shante, Cormega, Sean Price, Bishop Lamont, DJ JS-1 (w/Special Guests), Dujeous, Masta Ace & Edo. G (A&E), Tanya Morgan, DJ Premier & Blaq Poet, Kaze, Tiye Phoenix and special surprise guests!

Take PATH, Amtrak, or NJ Transit trains to Newark Penn Station. Buses: #70, #62 and #39 will bring you from Newark Penn Station to the corner of Broad and Lincoln Park. Cab fare to Lincoln Park from Penn Station is approximately $4.00. Log on to www.njtransit.com or call NJ Transit for up to date (800) 722-2222 bus and train schedules and travel information.

“Rock Steady For Life” Official After Party
Time: 10:00PM – 3:00AM
Location: 320 Studios
DJ’s: Awesome Two
Admission: FREE
Must be 21 & Over – INVITE ONLY

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Media Press Releases

MP3: DJ JS-1 – “Murder” feat. Chino XL, Sean Price, & Killah Priest | JS Recruits Killer Guest Emcees For New Track From No Sell Out

MP3: DJ JS-1 – “Murder” feat. Chino XL, Sean Price, & Killah Priest | JS Recruits Killer Guest Emcees For New Track From No Sell Out

The Song:

DJ JS-1’s latest release, a 21-track, 40-plus guest-featured onslaught of hip-hop, turns to a violent page for the track “Murder.” Chino XL, Sean Price, and Killah Priest each lay down a verse over a beat that blends old school West Coast bumpin’ with a new school dark consciousness. Even the rappers, in the midst of their own braggadocio rhymes, give it up for the ferocity with which JS creates this groove. Chino XL raps, “First of all if may / Explain the many ways JS will murder a DJ the way I murder wordplay / Hip-hop is dead, in a state of dismay / I desecrate you favorite emcee while JS digging in the crates.” By this point, anyone can tell that JS-1 is killing it.

JS-1 had this to say about the track: “This was a beat I had recorded a demo track on with my friends, but I knew Chino would kill it! He did, and then I got Sean Price and Killah Priest next. We kill phonies with words and scratches, but judging by Chino’s biceps, he might strangle a few people here and there too! I like that all of these emcees have been known for their ‘I don’t give a fuck, I’ll say what I want to say’ attitudes. I am kinda like that myself, and I can relate to that aggressive style. I’m quick to call out cornball djays, so I love a good braggadocios.”

The Background:

As a member of the world famous Rock Steady Crew, partner of Rahzel (the world’s #1 beatboxer), and occasional tour DJ for KRS-One, DJ JS-1 has toured the planet with over 1,000 shows in more than 32 countries and hundreds of cities. During that time, the Queens, NY native has shared the stage with a wide variety of artists, including 50 Cent, RUN DMC, Maroon 5, Wu-Tang Clan, The Roots, Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, Redman & Method Man, Wyclef, OAR, Dashboard Confessional, Snoop Dogg, All American Rejects, Mike Patton, and many more. As a producer, JS’ list of accomplishments runs just as long, having worked with a number of artists, such as Common, Will Smith & Jazzy Jeff, Immortal Technique, Big Daddy Kane, Dilated Peoples, Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, Pharoahe Monch, Brand Nubian, and Kool Keith just to name a few. For the past three years, JS-1 has stayed busy touring, producing, making high-profile TV appearances, and completing his new album. The result is an album will serve to make DJ JS-1 a household name for all within the hip-hop community.

For No Sell Out, an album recorded as an addendum to his previous solo effort Ground Original, JS-1 enlisted the help of an extensive and notable list of guest emcees, including KRS-One, Large Pro, Pharoahe Monch, Canibus, Sean Price, Blaq Poet, Killah Priest, Ill Bill, Kool Keith & Ced Gee (Ultramagnetic Mc’s), Aesop Rock, Vast Aire, Chino XL, Sadat X, AG, OC, Craig G, CL Smooth, Edo G, Prince Po, Akrobatik, J-Live, Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks, Rakaa of Dilated Peoples, Krondon, C Rayz Walz, Vast Aire, Nutrageous, Copywrite, PMD, Rahzel, EMC (Masta Ace, Strick, Wordsworth, Punchline), Termanology, Torae, Pumpkinhead, Jak D, Big Noyd, Q-Unique, Brother Ali, Slaine, Virtuoso, Pack FM, Supastition. Block McCloud, Trez, Rugged Intellect, and DJ Premier. No Sell Out is available in stores everywhere via Fat Beats Records.

Streams: “Murder” feat. Chino XL, Sean Price, & Killah Priest

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Press Releases

Torae & Marco Polo Set to Release DOUBLE BARREL Album On June 2nd: Featuring Lil Fame of M.O.P., an intro by DJ Premier, Sean Price, Guilty Simpson, Masta Ace, Saukrates, S-Roc & cuts by DJ Revolution

Torae & Marco Polo Set to Release “DOUBLE BARREL” Album On June 2nd: Featuring Lil Fame of M.O.P., an intro by DJ Premier, Sean Price, Guilty Simpson, Masta Ace, Saukrates, S-Roc & cuts by DJ Revolution

Digital Deluxe-Edition of “Double Barrel,'” which includes the complete album, an exclusive bonus track, and Marco Polo’s instrumentals, will be available exclusively through iTunes worldwide for only $9.99

Rapper Torae & Super-Producer Marco Polo have joined forces to release the New York rap album that fans of raw, hardcore Hip-Hop have been waiting for.

When it comes to beats and rhymes, Canadian producer Marco Polo and Brooklyn MC Torae don’t play, just check the résumé. On his 2007 critically acclaimed album Port Authority, Polo recruited a who’s who of MC’s like Kool G Rap and Kardinal Offishall to ride over his hard-hitting instrumentals. Torae, on the other hand, has certified his rep as one of the game’s illest lyricists in a similar fashion, with remarkable wordplay on his highly touted 2008 street album Daily Conversation. So, in the spirit of great hip-hop duos, the producer and the MC signed with Duck Down Records to release their collaborative album “Double Barrel,” on June 2nd.

“He’s bringing the hardest production that he can bring, I’m bringing the hardest rhymes I can bring; together its like a double barrel blast,” says Torae of the album’s persistent theme. The two first hooked up when Marco tapped the MC to guest on his Mick Boogie-helmed mixtape, The New Port Authority, in 2007. In turn, Marco went on to produce “Casualty” on Tor’s Daily Conversation. “I think we just had a connection in the studio,” says Polo, “We wanted to make an album that we wanted to hear with banging beats and aggressive rhymes.”

Sonically Double Barrel pays homage to New York’s mid-‘90’s rap scene, when artists like Gang Starr and Wu-Tang Clan reigned supreme. The album’s lead track “Party Crashers” is a definite standout, harkening back to that era with its chest thumping percussion and rock solid rhymes. So rather then try to fit in with Hip-Hop’s pop set, Torae & Marco chose the unconventional route. “I think the sound of the album is not the most popular or trendy, but we’re going to crash the party,” says Tor, “ We’re coming in with this sound and we’re coming in doing what we want to do.”

Songs like the dramatic “But Wait” and the free associative “Word Play” display Tor’s forward-thinking conceptual abilities, while the rock-infused “Danger” stands as one of Marco’s finest productions to date. Overall the album is chock-full of the street-influenced rap that fans have come to expect from the two Hip-Hop upstarts.

Torae sums up the collaboration perfectly when he spits, “He makes violent beats, I’m from the violent streets/That Double Barrel sound, that’s where violence meets.”

Torae & Marco Polo will also be hitting off the vinyl heads with both a 12″ and LP of the album.

The 12” line up is:

Double Barrel

Hold Up featuring Sean Price & Masta Ace

Combat Drills (exclusive cut not found on the Double Barrel CD)

Categories
Press Releases Sean Price

Black Milk – “The Matrix” Featuring Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, and DJ Premier | Heavyweights Join Black Milk on Latest Track from Tronic

Black Milk – “The Matrix” Featuring Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, and DJ Premier | Heavyweights Join Black Milk on Latest Track from Tronic

The Song:

With another joint from the forthcoming album Tronic, Black Milk is joined on the verses by Pharoahe Monch and Sean Price, with the legendary DJ Premier offering his trademark cuts on the hook. “The Matrix” features one of the heaviest line-ups in recent memory and makes it a contender for being the instant classic of 2008.

The Background:

In only a few short years, Black Milk quickly has become one of underground hip-hop’s foremost ambassadors. Realizing his vast reservoir of talent, both independent and mainstream artists looked to Black to give their albums a raw underground sound. Black has since produced and appeared on tracks for an impressive roster of hip hop artists including Genius/GZA, Busta Rhymes, Pharoahe Monch, Kidz in the Hall, Kardinal Offishall, Guilty Simpson, and Strange Fruit Project, among others. Most recently, Black released two albums, The Set Up with Fat Ray, Black Milk Presents Caltroit with Bishop Lamont. Black also handed nearly all the production on elZhi’s The Preface, an album that is making many critics’ Top 10 lists for 2008 and bringing serious attention to Detroit’s music scene. Black also produces and rhymes as a member of the ground Random Axe with Sean Price and Guilty Simpson and will release a full-length album in early 2009. TRONIC will be released on CD, vinyl, and digitally via Fat Beats Records on October 28, 2008.

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Like what you hear? Keep up with Black Milk and other artists like Freddie Foxxx, Ill Bill, and eLZhi on the Fat Beats Blog where you can learn about upcoming performances, releases, and in-store appearances.

Also, check out this video on the history of Fat Beats Records, bringing you fresh, independent hip hop since 1994.

Streams:

The Matrix Featuring Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, and DJ Premier

Give The Drummer Sum

Categories
Press Releases

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)

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Press Releases

DJ REVOLUTION “KING OF THE DECKS” ALBUM IN STORES SEPTEMBER 16th ON DUCK DOWN RECORDS FEATURING TRACKS FROM KRS-ONE, BISHOP LAMONT, CROOKED I, JOELL ORTIZ, SEAN PRICE, DJ QBERT, BOOT CAMP CLIK, JAZZY JEFF, EVIDENCE, GUILTY SIMPSON, ROYCE DA 5’9, SPECIAL TEAMZ, DEFARI, TERMANOLOGY, TASH, RAKAA IRISCIENCE, BUMPY KNUCKLES, BLAQ POET, STRONG ARM STEADY, PLANET ASIA, DJ PREMIER

DJ REVOLUTION “KING OF THE DECKS” ALBUM IN STORES SEPTEMBER 16th ON DUCK DOWN RECORDS FEATURING TRACKS FROM KRS-ONE, BISHOP LAMONT, CROOKED I, JOELL ORTIZ, SEAN PRICE, DJ QBERT, BOOT CAMP CLIK, JAZZY JEFF, EVIDENCE, GUILTY SIMPSON, ROYCE DA 5’9, SPECIAL TEAMZ, DEFARI, TERMANOLOGY, TASH, RAKAA IRISCIENCE, BUMPY KNUCKLES, BLAQ POET, STRONG ARM STEADY, PLANET ASIA, DJ PREMIER

DJ Revolution said it best in a recent interview, “the connection between the DJ and the emcee has been severed. ”King of The Decks” is my attempt at reconnecting it.” DJ Revolution did just that with his new album, as he brought together some of the most talented names in Hip Hop today, who not only produce quality music, but also respect the craft of the DJ Culture.

DJ Revolution has spent 15 years perfecting that craft on the SP 1200. He’s currently behind the wheels of the longest running Hip Hop show in the history of commercial radio, “THE WORLD FAMOUS WAKE UP SHOW alongside Sway & King Tech.

Aside from his weekly duties on the show based out of LA on Power 106, and syndicated Worldwide, he has lent his now infamous scratch techniques to countless records and his production skills to many established artists. REV has also taken his skillz to the far corners as the globe and ripped clubs in locations such as Japan, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. He has also shared the stage DJ’ing for many artists including legends like Rakim all the way to current superstars such as Kanye West. Revolution has released two of his own Full length LP’s (“In 12’s we trust/R2K”) and one with his partners Sway & Tech (“This or That”).

As DJ Revolution readies “KING OF THE DECKS,” in stores on September 16th, he divulged further on the issues of the lack of communication between the MC and THE DJ stating that it “is one of the most obvious reasons Hip Hop has devolved so drastically over the years. Since MC’s in general decided to toss aside the DJ as an asset and integral part of their success from production to performance, the music has suffered tremendously. My goal is to re-introduce to the world what a DJ is. He or She is not just a celebrity, or someone who plays records, or makes funny sounds with turntables. He or she is all of that and more. I recruited some of the most legendary and also most talented up and coming artists to help me express all of this within the context of the music.

The title of the album is by no means a way of saying I’m the best on the turntables. “King of the Decks” is obviously just a play on words related to a deck of cards. However, it is also a statement that needs to be remembered. The DJ is King.”

Tracklisting and credits for DJ Revolution’s King Of The Decks (all songs produced DJ Revolution except where noted):

1.) Intro f/Jazzy Jeff
2.) King Of The Decks f/ Sean Price & Tash
3.) THE DJ f/ KRS ONE
4.) Do My Thing f/ Guilty Simpson & Royce Da 5′ 9″
5.) LADJ (skit)
6.) Funky Piano f/ Bishop Lamont, Crooked I, Styliztik Jones
7.) For The Kids (skit)
8.) The Big Top f/ Special Teamz
9). Start The Revolution f/ Boot Camp Clik
10.) Scratch Nerds (skit)
11.) Invaders from the Planet Sqratch f/ DJ Qbert
12.) EY! f/ Joell Ortiz and Termanology (Produced by DJ Revolution & DJ Numark)
13.) Casualties of Tour f/ Rakaa Iriscience (produced by Marco Polo)
14.) Damage f/ Blaq Poet & Bumpy Knuckles
15.) Willie Lynch f/ Styliztik Jones and KBimean
16.) The Biggest Up f/ DJ Premier (Skit)
17.) Blow Da Spot f/ Strong Arm Steady
18.) School f/ Planet Asia
19.) Spit Ridiculous f/ Defari
20.) Pro’s & Con’s f/ Evidence
21.) Calling Haul (Skit)
22.) Man or Machine
23.) The Set Up f/ Sway & King Tech
24.) The Re-Match f/ DJ Spinbad

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

Categories
Bootcamp Clik Heltah Skeltah Interviews Smif N Wessun Steele

Bootcamp Clik Interview

by Dale Coachman

If you were wondering where the Boot Camp Clik has been the answer is very simple and evident in the music, the studio. Known for getting caught up in label and distribution ordeals, the Camp is back on Duckdown records making hip-hop music independently and always for the people.

MVRemix: What has kept you together for 13 years?

Steele: God first and foremost because we are all spiritual individuals which all makes us humble at some point and before we all started rhymin’ we knew each other. Louisville, Rock, and DJ Logic all lived in the same building. Me and Top Dog are brothers and we lived across the street in the same building. Me and Tek went to school together and I met Buck through his sister and Buck was the last one that joined but what is funny was he went to the same public school that my brother went to. Starang lived around the corner from us, and Ruck lived around the corner from my grandmother, so we all kinda knew each before so I think that played a big part.

MVRemix: Ya’ll just came off a European tour how was that?

Steele: We actually bumped into Percee P. and RA on the tour but they were doing something different, but the tour was nice, it was real dope.

MVRemix: Tek and Steele came out with the X-Files what kind of response have ya’ll been getting, in addition is there an album coming from Smif and Wessun?

Steele: We gonna put that out in ’07. Ruck got his shit comin’ out this year, and we are gonna work this Boot Camp album cause when the Boot Camp album comes out we’re gonna be on tour, and we got like a 35 city tour that’s comin’ up and the album comes out July 18th. So we are already gonna be on the road which is beautiful and when the album drops we come back to New York and we got a show with Mobb Deep, so it’s gonna be crazy. Also me and Tek we put that out because we have been sitting on that stuff for a while a lot of that stuff was music that was recorded when we were with Rawkus, which was fucked up for us ‘cause people was like where ya’ll been? This is where we’ve been, makin’ songs, but we were in a bad position and couldn’t put them out, but it doesn’t stop the music and we were reaching out to the fans.

MVRemix: What have ya’ll learned from that because ya’ll always seem to run into the label problem?

Steele: That’s another thing that kept us together because from the gate we were with Def Jam and a lot of cats that came out with us ain’t makin’ no music right now, don’t have the same management, and don’t have the same homies, and whose group isn’t even together. Then its like the ones who have the potential to move on they either sell they soul sort of speak, like I was watching Cocaine City and Ice Cube was like, “If you ballin’ make your own records don’t sell your rights away make your own shit.” When we fuckin’ with Duckdown that’s what we doin’. We’re makin’ our own stuff. Always work never fall into a depression state never stop doing what you’re doing or what is making you money.

MVRemix: Ghostface was talking about people in New York not standing for anything and ironically ya’ll are comin out with this album The Last Stand what message are ya’ll sending with this album?

Tek: Well our message has always been a message of self determination. When you are determined within yourself and you got a good team around you can accomplish anything, like this is for the common folk, to realize that cats that are under us like you don’t have to be a superhero just be good at what you do. Rap with a passion like what Martin Luther King said, “If you’re gonna sweep floors be the best floor sweeper in your heart.” so for us like every time we together it’s a party so for us just havin’ the determination to keep movin’ forward. We kinda letting people know we’re not gonna stop until we’re dead. So this is our chance to say we are gonna stand up for everything we fuck wit and nobody is going to kill our spirits our hearts.

MVRemix: As far as the producers you have 9th Wonder, Pete Rock, Beatminerz and others, how did ya’ll hook up with 9th because I know he did Chemistry with Buck, how did ya’ll first get connected with 9th and Little Brother?

Tek: Before we did the Boot Camp album Dru-Ha had met 9th and he expressed how much he liked the camp and I had a cd out where I had instrumentals on the CD ,and Dru had sent that cd to 9th which he remixed them and Dru fell in love with them. Dru kept in touch with 9th so they set something up and Dru brung the guys down to work with 9th and he let us fuck with his producers and we stayed there for like a week it was real cool.

MVRemix: You’re comin out with Jesus Price Superstar can we expect the same as Monkey Bars or can we expect something totally different?

Sean Price: If ain’t broke don’t try to fix its like Jesus Price is like Monkey Bars on steroids.

MVRemix: Nas is coming out with his album Hip-Hop is Dead do you feel like it is dead or was dead along time ago and what are you trying to do to bring that back?

Sean Price: Hip-hop ain’t dead. People rap about what they want to rap about and the masses choose to listen to. What am I doin? Monkey Bars and Jesus Price, I’m the savior of real hip-hop and I’m goin’ through the slums spreading the gospel of real hip-hop. I’m not on no religious shit and follow me because I’m a lead you the right way.

MVRemix: Do you have any guest appearances on the album?

Sean Price: Buckshot, Rock, Phonte from Little Brother and Sean Don from the Justus League.

MVRemix: How was it working with Phonte?

Sean Price: Oh that shit was crazy, son is nice. Actually when he spit his verse I had to go home and write mine, real talk.

MVRemix: Who came up with the idea to bring the Camp back together for another album?

Sean Price: It was obvious that was the next thing to do, we did the triple threat with my album Buckshot and 9th Wonder and the Smif & Wessun album so the next line album is the Boot Camp album, my solo album and Heltah Skeltah.

Original Article

Categories
Heltah Skeltah Reviews Sean Price

Sean Price – Monkey Bars review

Sean Price – Monkey Bars review by Todd E. Jones

Sean Price  - Monkey Bars reviewSean Price (aka Ruck of Heltah Skeltah) is one of the few emcees who can truly rock every song with each performance. His debut solo album, “Monkey Bars” proves that he also is one of the few emcees who can create a complete album that you can repetitively listen to from start to finish. A “real” emcee (in every sense of the word “real”), Sean Price (also a member of The Boot Camp Clik) is one of the “chosen” few. The phrase, “Keep it real”, is overused in the hip-hop culture. You are either real or not. The honesty within Price’s music connects him to each listener. A diversely talented emcee, Sean Price has a myriad of flows, a smooth voice, and sharp lyrics. A member of a myriad of crews (B.C.C., M.F.C., Decepticons, Heltah Skeltah, The Fab 5), Sean Price has made a name for himself among some of the most talented / respected emcees in underground & independent hip-hop. Originally introduced to the world as Ruck (1/2 of Heltah Skeltah), Sean P gained major exposure on the single, “Lafleaur Laflah Eshkoshka”. Consisting of Rock and Ruck, Heltah Skeltah made realistic, serious, and unique hip-hop. When the listener first heard Heltah Skeltah, Price was overshadowed by Rock’s thick, baritone voice. Da Rockness Monsta’s deep voice instantly caught people’s attention. Through multiple listens, fans began appreciate the style, precision, wit, and intensity in Ruck’s performances. His verses on “Headz Are Reddee Part II”, “Therapy”, “And So”, “I Ain’t Havin That”, “Lethal Brainz Blow”, “What Would U Do?”, and “Lafleaur Laflah Eshkoshka” have become timeless classics. Heltah Skeltah (and O.G.C.) proved that B.C.C. had more to offer than the previous generation (Black Moon and Smiff N Wessun) of B.C.C.


The two Heltah Skeltah albums were completely separate entities in both theme and production. Both albums gained very different responses. Both LPs were clever, unique, emotional, aggressive, and hardcore. Heltah Skeltah’s debut, “Nocturnal” LP is now considered a certified hip-hop classic from the 90’s era. The album included tracks like, “Therapy”, “Operation Lockdown”, and “Lafleaur Laflah Eshkoshka”. Ruck was extremely involved with the creation of Heltah Skeltah’s sophomore LP, “Magnum Force”. He chose many of the producers and helped to organize the collaborations. A complete emcee, Sean Price’s hardcore style still displayed clever wit, vulnerability, and hardcore style. Ruck rhymed about romance with “Chicka Woo”, a song about a failed relationship. “Hold Your Head Up” was a poignant track about the daily emotional struggle. When Price mentions his mother’s death, even the hardest emcees felt compassion. On the opposite end of the emotion spectrum, humor balances the LP with tracks like, “Black Fonzerellez”, “I Ain’t Havin That”, and the “2 Keys” skits. The vigorous track, “I Ain’t Havin’ That” was a magnificent portrait of the group’s energetic skill. Unfortunately, the album received lukewarm reviews. (This critic loved “Magnum Force”!) Due to jail, promotional issues, and mild sales doomed the commercial success of their sophomore album. Heltah Skeltah eventually split up. Rock left Duckdown Records completely. Ruck, on the other hand, stayed with the B.C.C. and contributed magnificent verses on multiple collaborations.

From the late 90’s to 2004, Ruck’s debut album was consistently discusses and promoted. Fans waited for years. Finally, fans began to rejoice in 2005. Released on Duckdown Records, Sean Price’s debut solo, “Monkey Bars” LP has a strong mid/late 90’s feel mixed with a 2005 mentality. While Price had to share songs with Rock in the past, Sean P uses “Monkey Bars” to prove that he is one of the most talented solo emcees today. Fans saw the potential in Price when he rocked those past verses. On “Monkey Bars”, Sean Price reaches his potential as one of the most talented emcees today.

Most songs by Sean Price are immediately satisfying. Most of the tracks on “Monkey Bars” are too. The single, “Boo Bye Yeah” is an anthem for the entire B.C.C. over a maelstrom of head-bashing rhythms. Ruck is a juggernaut who is at once, humorous and hardcore. “Boo Bye Yeah” is one of those songs that when you first hear it, you say, “Damn! This is dope!” Every verse has a confident energy and aggressive style that hip-hop lovers have not heard since the mid-90’s. Price rhymes, “…You can catch me in ya tenement, doing too much drugs / Straight Jimi Hendrexin’, pop the drinker, my mom’s on dope / Pick up they bad habit, now the God do both / Poppin’ some pills, sniffin’ a line, drinkin’ some wine / Up in the club, grabbin’ my gun, fucking my shine / Bling bling, bling bling, it’s a Sean Price thing / Too many clowns want the crown, but it only one king / I’m, the King ask Rock, there is none higher / Bitch ass niggaz, better call me sire / Burn my kingdom, must use fire / Big bag of weed, a dutch and some Eazy Widers / Yo, Ruck at it, drug habit and all /Bust matics, chrome static I ain’t fuckin’ with y’all / Don’t get my hands dirty, I got goons that spray / Quick to kill a motherfucker, like boom bye yeah!…” Instead of chanting a catchy commercial-style verse, Sean Price uses this exceptional riot-inspiring beat to say “Whut up!” to his fellow B.C.C. and M.F.C. brothers. Produced by Tone Mason, “Boo Bye Yeah” displays a true connection between the emcee and the producer. Another song which earns the listener’s attention is “Heartburn”. This track proves that 9th Wonder (of Little Brother) and Sean Price work perfectly together. The classic feel of the soulful sample falls over the drums like waves. For his verses, Price basically lists everything he loves with a humorous honesty. Produced by P.F. Cuttin (Blahzay, Blahzay), “Mad Mann” has a sinister bounce within the production for Price’s dangerous style. The hard yet cool track, “Shake Down” features Starang Wondah (of O.G.C.) and Steele from Smiff N Wessun. Although other emcees contribute excellent performances, Ruck uses a subtle style in his final verse to claim the track. “…Time is money and money is time / And I just got enough time to get my money…” Remaining on beat, Ruck rhymes as if he is talking to you. This raw style not only grabs the listener’s attention, but his displays his skill with diversifying his rhyme flow. Produced by Khrysis (Justus League), “Onion Head” is Sean Price’s anthem that tells you to get the hell out of his way. Khrysis uses a classic sound, mixed in with the hip-hop melody, to create a soulfully cinematic track. Tek (of Smiff N Wessun) handles the thematic hook. Every song on “Monkey Bars” offers a rugged look into Price’s crazy world where listeners will want to return.


Price always injected a sharp wit into his songs. From “Therapy” to “I Ain’t Havin That”, his songs have always included strong, humorous lyrics, delivered with a confident style. “The Brokest Rapper You Know” (produced by TY Deals) is a short track where Price adeptly rhymes about his lack of funds. The beauty of this track lies within this honesty. Sean rhymes, “…Rock solo, Ruck broke / Here’s a hundred dollars, what a fucking joke / Eviction notice, yo, I gotta go / Album been out two months, ain’t did a fucking show / Ruckus, you ruined, I put the barrel to my dome /But what the fuck are you doing? Chill / Found a new way to build / Fuck rap, started selling 2-ways and pills…” Lyrically, Price shows a universal vulnerability. He even rhymes about how he did not get a gift from his kids on father’s day. Few emcees would let the listener in on these personal aspects and simultaneously make them laugh. Most emcees want to be very serious when they create hip-hop songs about being broke. While the poignant truth of “The Brokest Rapper You Know” gives the song a serious undertone, clever use of bittersweet humor will catch the listener’s attention. The brutally honest, “I Love You (Bitch)” is another song with an amusingly sharp bite. Price probably got in trouble with his girl when she heard the song. Dub Z’s ethereal distorted orchestra melody adds an epic sound for the emotional rollercoaster ride. Brutally honest and emotionally raw, Ruck constantly goes back and forth from hate to love as he tells of the dark feelings of relationships. The yin and yang of relationships have never been captured in a hip-hop song with such potency. Price raps, “…Words can’t express the way that I feel / Yo, your ass is fat, your brain is small / You slap the kids and ya chain is pawned / You look like shit, you destroying yourself / Heineken for breakfast-ass bitch / You don’t even make my dick hard no more / Gotta think about my ex to get erect / Gotta take X when I’m erect / Stretch-marks, titties looking like prunes / Fuck you with the lights off from behind in the room / My sister told me to leave ya ass alone, but fuck it…” Every man felt this way at some point, but only Sean Price had the balls to express it on a record. The perfect balance between emcee and producer is captured on these tracks. Although the album features excellent production and talented guests, Sean Price is never outshined.


Multiple listens are required for a few tracks that still deserve to be appreciated. The opening cut, “Peep My Words” (produced by Kleph Dollaz) uses lyrics from “Operation Lockdown”. Price’s flow works extremely well over the production. At first listen, the song may not sound especially moving, but multiple listens will hypnotize the listener into the rest of the LP. The Grand Theft Auto theme song, “Rising To The Top” is a bonus track that was also featured on a Game compilation (“Game Tight”). Agallah’s driving beat captures the feeling of ascension. Other tracks that deserve multiple listens include “Bye Bye” (featuring Buckshot), “One Two Y’all”, and “Monkey Bars” (which uses the classic vocal sample from “The Message).

Rock and Rustee Juxx have always had a strong friendship with Sean Price (aka Ruck). Together again, Rock and Ruck team up on the rugged track, “Jail Shit”. Agallah’s gritty production perfectly complements the hardcore theme. With his usual deep voice, Rock handles the hook where he states how the streets are almost as dangerous as prison. On “Spliff N Wessun”, Ruck and Juxx display their hip-hop connection over Ayatollah’s production. Nominated by Ruck as “Crown Height’s best emcee” (on “Live The Life”), Rustee Juxx adds a fresh vibe to the album. The hard-hitting track, “Slap Boxing” has Ruck, Rock, and Juxx all beating the shit out of the mic. These collaborations not only show solidarity, they prove that ill feelings do not exist between Ruck and Rock.


Every album has some minor flaws, but any weakness on “Monkey Bars” is stronger than the average hip-hop track. “Fake Neptune” (featuring Buckshot, Steele, & Louisville) is a decent track with a self-explaining title. The bouncy & glossy sound does make the beat sound like a Neptunes rip-off. Sean Price’s performance makes this track skip-proof. The only other strike against the album is the exclusion of the old (but essential) track, “Solidify”. Instead of “Rising To The Top”, “Solidify” would have made the album perfect.


Like real monkey bars on a playground, Sean Price’s debut solo album is fun, a bit dangerous, funky, and always ready for play. Does the title have anything to do with racism and hip-hop verses? (“Monkey” is a racist term. “Bars” are lines of lyrics.) Like “Do The Knowledge” (the Snickers bar skit from “Magnum Force”), Ruck may be finding humor is a horrible act of racism. (Maybe I’m looking too deep into the title…?) Fans had to wait years for Ruck’s debut solo album. “Money Bars” does not disappoint. The hardcore album has a mid-90’s hip-hop energy with 2005 sentiments. In the songs by Heltah Skeltah, the deep baritone voice of Rock caught the listener’s attention while Sean Price’s overall performance solidified their credibility and style. The album has some songs that instantly satisfy and catch your attention. Other songs are just as strong but require a few extra listens. As an album, “Monkey Bars” is greater than just the sum of its parts. A contemporary hip-hop classic, the LP improves with every listen. “Monkey Bars” by Sean Price is not only refreshing and entertaining; the album is one of the best released LP in the last 5 years. Although you may get hurt, play on these “Monkey Bars” because the pain is worth the good time.

Original Article