• Blockhead – Duke Of Hazzard

From the 2007 release Uncle Tony’s Coloring Book on Ninja Tune Records. Blockhead temporarily abandons the lyrical sidekicks he’s made backdrops for (Aesop Rock, Cage, Slug, Murs) in exchange for creating his own piece of artwork.

NINE INCH NAILS – “Only (EL-P Mix)”

• Nine Inch Nail – Only (El-P )

The original track can be found on NIN’s 2005 studio album With Teeth. This remix featuring Def Jux founder and producer/emcee El-P appeared on a the maxi single EP Every Day Is Exactly The Same.

WEEN – “Baby Bitch”

• Ween – Baby Bitch

Pretty funny stuff right here from 1994′s Chocolate And Cheese album. Not surprising though as Ween has made a career out of this kind of crazy stuff.

SAGE FRANCIS – “Conspiracy To Riot”

• Sage Francis – Conspiracy to Riot

From the recently released mixtape Sick of Wasting…, which can be (legally) downloaded at Strange Famous Records. The fifth installment of the “Sick Of” series features a variety of unheard gems from 1996-2009. 

JON DOE – “The Mic Sounds Nice (w/ MF Doom)”

• Jon Doe – The Mic Sounds Nice (w/ MF Doom)

Out of Atlanta, Prophetix DJ/producer Jon Doe released Meet Jon Doe in 2004 with a variety of underground emcees playing featured roles, though only a handful of tracks truly stand out.

By – TimS

As the music business crumbles around the ancient ideals of rich white men, musicians are still creating. The music is still being heard. It’s still being performed. It’s still being passed along from friend to friend. So as the rich white men scramble to stay afloat in this digital age, the artists themselves continue to hustle. Flyers are posted physically and digitally. Music is given away for free to generate interest and to hopefully establish future loyalty amongst fans. But most importantly, the music is still being made.

A couple of those musicians are a New York City based hip-hop duo known collectively as 11:00A.M. They met at SUNY@Purchase, a liberal arts college 30 minutes north of hip-hop’s Mecca, and after establishing a friendship the two soon established a musical relationship as well. The dense sonic landscapes created by A.M. Breakups proved to be the perfect canvas for lyrically-driven Eleven to paint upon. Soon the two were linking up with fellow like-minded acts, performing shows and making a name for themselves within NYC’s progressive hip-hop scene. One of those links came by way of Uncommon Records, a label founded by former Def Jux engineer Nasa. I recently caught up with the two and grilled them with deep and profound questions. But instead, these are the ones we printed…

Pictured from left to right are DJ Dyllemma, Eleven, A.M. Breakups.

––– A couple years ago you guys almost won a digital album release with Def Jux via an MTVU contest. How did that experience play a part in linking you up with fellow artists (gain exposure, book shows) and are you happy it turned out the way it did?

Eleven – It’s crazy how that whole thing started. I remember sitting in class one day and I got this weird feeling that if I didn’t record something soon that I would be missing out on something big. And surprise, surprise. That next week this contest popped up on the web proving that I’m psychic and shit. So you know, I had to get in the booth that weekend and record those demo tracks so I could give it a shot.

The tracks weren’t even mixed down when we first uploaded them to the contest page. We were just trying to meet their deadlines. We actually re-uploaded them halfway through the contest because the mix was so bad. Getting all our friends to vote was madness since you could vote as many times as you wanted. Kind of defeats the purpose of voting, if you ask me. But we worked with who we knew and spread the word however we could. We didn’t even have an 11:00A.M. MySpace page when that started.

We ended up in the final deciding round of Top 5. There were a hundred-and-something acts in the contest. Didn’t win the gold. But I like to say we were the runners-up, though no offense to the other three acts. In the end it was great exposure, really. I remember Mod C was in Cali shortly after the contest and had a conversation with some random kids about hip hop and they asked him if he had ever heard of us, which was crazy cause we’ve never done a show in Cali.

A.M. Breakups – It definitely set a fire under our asses. We went from dorm room recording into a rigged microphone, on to decide that we needed to get up at our friends’ actual studio. And it sort of taught us a lesson in the value of Internet promotion. Those tracks were so exciting at the time (and they still are!) It’s always crazy to go to a place you’ve never been and find out you have fans there, too. I was up in Portland, Maine with Shortrock, Brzowski, and V8 and some girl walked past me and said “Oh my god! Are you A.M. Breakups??!” Shit is sort of strange.

As far as the contest, I’d already been working with Nasa at Uncommon, promoting a compilation he’d just released. I’m actually glad that it turned out the way that it did. From what I can tell, nothing ever really happened with the winner, whereas we refocused our energy on an Uncommon Release and in the process have met and worked with some of the artists that I’d held in the highest esteem prior to that. People I’ve been listening to for years!

––– Knowing the both of you a little from the short time we spent in school, I know you are both fans of as well as influenced by the roster of Def Jux. But speak a little on the fan/peer relationship you’ve developed with your Uncommon Records label mates.

Eleven – We feel right at home with Uncommon, a real hip-hop label started up by Nasa who had been in contact with Breakups before the whole online contest. The tracks we submitted ended up being the Free* EP . Uncommon has talented dudes like Nasa, Karniege, Masai Bey and Shortrock who are all slept on, unfortunately.

A.M. – When you enter a preexisting circle of artists, it’s always interesting being the new guy. I grew up in Utica, New York (and the surrounding farm country), so I always sort of invented my own culture and style of music. There really wasn’t ever an enthusiasm for this kind of stuff there, especially such avant-garde work. So I had to reach out on the Internet, and through magazines, to find music that really appealed to me. I feel like at first we felt some pressure to pay dues and whatnot, which I feel is a normal reaction. What it honestly comes down to though is that these guys are some of the most humble and real dudes around, and as long as we all bring our A-game and create with passion and a genuine purpose, the rest comes natural.

As for Jux, I’ve always had a place in my heart for that crew. They’ve put out a lot of records that changed the way rap music is perceived. Cannibal Ox’s LP is one of my favorite records. Never duplicated. Though I think it’s worth saying that there’s never been a specific allegiance to any one brand for me. If music is fresh, then I’m down to check it out. It can come down to a matter of what music is readily available or promoted in places one can find it. Networking, networking.

A lot of the Uncommon Records’ family has strong ties to Def Jux, going way back. For example, Masai Bey, along with Cage, was the original founder of the Weathermen posse. He, Arcsin, Nasa, and Karniege have all worked on releases with Def Jux at some point or another.

––– Describe to me how it felt when your debut EP went up for sale on iTunes.

Eleven – It felt strange. I had already been in the iTunes store on the b-side to Arcsin’s “Scarlet Fever” so my virginity was gone already. Hearing those tracks remastered by Nasa was really the mind-blowing moment for me. The irony of the album name is something else though. It’s gone from being the free online demo for the contest, which MTV wanted to use in commercials but couldn’t because they would have to pay for sample rights, to being the free CD that we would give to friends, the not-free EP that we would sell at shows, and finally to the iTunes store for $5.94 on Uncommon Records. And of course again for free if you can find it, like everything else, on the Web.

A.M. – Even going under the name 11:00A.M. can be sticky business (he says with a laugh.) Especially on flyers for shows! Having our music on digital retailers is really cool though. It’s good to know that some kid like I was, with a flavor for the more abstract side of things, can stumble upon it while digging through all this online debris.

––– What’s going on with new and upcoming releases by you and the rest of the Uncommon artists?

Eleven – There will be remixes to the Free* EP released soon. I just heard the “Troubleshooting” remix by Teddy Faley which rocks bottoms. Expect Shortrock and others. I’m dropping a mixtape on Uncommon titled M-Theory. The vast majority of the tracks will be me rapping over Breakup’s whole catalog of beats (old, new, unreleased) but also featuring some production from Nasa, Dyllemma, Asonic Garcia, and others. It’ll be a free download and it’ll showcase the variety of topics and styles I can flip when rapping. That’s all I can say about it right now.

A.M. – There’s talk of the next We Are label compilation and some other secret projects. Also, the new Presence record will hit this year. As for me, I’ve been working my ass off with results I’m really proud of. There are two of my remixes on the physical pressing of the Super Chron Flight Brothers Indonesia album. Also, my next solo LP The Cant Resurrection is finished, and it’s really a cool record with great guests. Working on a project with Teddy Faley, and further collaborations with Billy Woods and Eleven. I just curated and organized a free download compilation, called Ceteris Paribus, and it’s available on mine and any of the featured artists’ webpages. It’s exclusively beatmakers, and quite interesting one’s at that. The response on that has been startlingly large. It’s a trip. And a great little package all around. Go grab it!

––– Best album out right now?

Eleven – DOOM – Born Like This.

A.M. – Super Chron Flight Brothers – Indonesia. Can I say that even though I’m involved in it?

––– Best Porn star not named Sasha Grey?

Eleven – Cuppy the Vag.

A.M. – Anita Pearl? I’m not too up on that shit. But that woman is bangin’!

––– Best reason to live in NYC?

Eleven – Bagels/progressive hip-hop.

A.M. – If you do, you have the opportunity to run into Eleven and I. That’s pretty damn good.

––– Best word in the English language?

Eleven – Dunno.

A.M. – Egalitarian.

Thankfully though, some of our favorite artists are still creating them. And they’re doing so with a message attached more times than not. Whether the music video goes hand-in-hand with the song itself, or brings a new perspective to the viewer, the cinematic quality of videos old and new should be celebrated for the masterpieces they are. And you best believe we’ll be celebrating our favorites, from all genres, from here on out…

• Eminem – “3 A.M.” – Maybe its the initial shock of it, but this is mad impressive. I was absolutely uniterested in Eminem’s comeback album and after hearing this song previously I was like “eh..” But this video is dope as fuck. The imagery is so incredible that I just had to keep playing it over and over after I first saw it. – Dank Lucas

• Ice Cube – “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It” – Seeing the kids being brainwashed (and the distributing of blame) in the classroom is not very different from the way we grew up ourselves. The history books, the churches, the ideals our parents passed down as the “right way” to live our lives, should all be subject to questioning should some confusion arise. Cube’s lyrics and the familiar images in this video are powerful. – J.C.

• El-P – “Deep Space 9mm” – I never enjoyed NYC as much as I do when it’s portrayed in rap videos. Whether it’s the neighborhood of angry looking ruff-ryders popping wheelies on ATV’s, or the less than glamorous everyday feel of this video… this is as independent as the music itself.  So low-budget you say to yourself “I could’ve done better,” but guess what? You aren’t creative or cool enough, so you didn’t. – TimS

• Madvillain – “All Caps” – Hip Hop and Comic books. Need I say more? – TimS

• KRS-One and Marley Marl – “Hip Hop Lives” – Back when Nas declared “Hip Hop Is Dead” there were too many people that misunderstood what he was trying to say, which was that the Johnny-come-lately-on-the-radio garbage won’t stand the test of time. Since then former adversaries KRS-One and Marly Marl joined forces a few years back to create a criminally overlooked album that spawned this old school video, to help remind the young heads what it means to last forever. – J.C.

• Nas – “Be a Nigger Too” – This is the reason i fell in love with hip hop… uncensored expression, fly shit, and the denouncement of hate. Plus we get the sick spoken piece at the beginning! Nasty Nas at his finest. Oh yeah, and Rik Cordero owns music videos right now like Lebron’s gonna own the Magic next round! (Sorry Hawks and Celtics fans.) – Dank Lucas

As I sit here preparing to write a couple album reviews (not really reviews, just a couple short articles explaining why I like what I like in a charmingly obnoxious manner that infiltrates your brain matter, therefore causing you to deeply respect my opinion and adhere to it’s merits), I feel obligated to write a brief eulogy.

In the passing weeks and upcoming months we mourn(ed) some of hip-hop’s most brilliant contributors in the likes of J Dilla, Big Pun, Big L, and next month, The Notorious B.I.G. In some way or another the body of work created by these gentleman has shaped the way hip-hop will be remembered as well as the way it will be created henceforth.

But my eulogy is on a more personal note. I recently moved to North Carolina after a brief stint in Rochester, NY. I spent a couple years at SUNY@Purchase (located outside NYC) creating music, making an ass out of myself, consuming copious amounts of drugs and amassing an insurmountable debt. And before that I resided in Ohio, the land of cornfields and smoke stacks, Amish buggies and crack sacks. So it’s safe to say that even though the recent and unreasonably cold weather here in Tar Heel Country provided some slight similarities to my former homes, my time spent braving the brutalities of the northern winter is essentially over. And with that came the reality that I unfortunately will no longer be walking ice-covered sidewalks with a wind chapped face and snotty nose, headphones blasting the ultimate winter soundtrack – The Cold Vein by Cannibal Ox.

From the opening vocal sample “Yeah it’s a cold world out there, sometimes I feel like I’m getting a little frosty myself” to the opening line by Vordual Mega, “Life’s ill, sometimes life might kill”, this album is as dark and cold as your soul sometimes manages to feel when hoofing it after the sun’s gone down, and trying to avoid the wind drifted snow as you make it to your destination (pick a metaphor, any metaphor). El-P’s best work? Probably, if only because of the overall synergy between his production (I was going to use an adjective for his production but let’s be honest, there is none), and what Vordual Mega and Vast Aire bring over top it. The production manages to be so cohesive that it feels like the album is one song with multiple acts, yet the songs don’t bleed into each other in annoying redundancy.

And now, a ridiculously over-the-top winter analogy alert… the album plays like a bitter winter night itself in the way the tempo (wind) changes, yet the tone (temperature) remains the same. Those that walk the winsome walk of winter know that the thought process wanders, not aimlessly, but it wanders. Fingertips numbingly grip a cigarette tip, the smoke blends with breath in the frigid air. All this reminds me of the stream-of-conscious rhetoric provided by the Ox MC’s. The subject matter is hard-hitting and fragmented full of grandiose themes, socio-economic observations, verbal middle fingers, self-realization and a few moments of hope.

Sounds like a cold walk home to me. And to be honest, sometimes I miss it. But you know what, it’s not so bad walking home in a t-shirt in February listening to A Tribe Called Quest.

So goodbye old friend. And just know that every time the temperature begins to dip, I strap my boots tight and remember that on this Real Earth every Atom can maneuver through Raspberry Fields like a Pigeon on Painkillers, as long as you remember the F-Word and never Stress Rap. And I’ll never be a Ridiculoid because A B-Boy Alpha begins in my Vein and if the world wants to destroy my Iron Galaxy I’ll tell them to jump Straight Off the D.I.C. and then let the Ox Out the Cage as I prepare for the Battle of Asgard.

And if you don’t know, now you know…