Needles » steppers

John Legend – Casino

needles — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:53:04 +0000

I’m a sucker for that Chicago steppers music, that’s all I can say. This here is an unreleased track from John Legend’s last album. It’s June, I’m happy, so enjoy it with me, just like John appears to be enjoying himself in this photo…

John Legend – Casino | unreleased

Charles Hamilton – November 10th, 2008

needles — Fri, 15 May 2009 05:05:17 +0000

As many of you keen readers may have noticed, this is the my second Charles Hamilton post on this blog. It seems that the last post I made about his music has been the most popular, most searched and most commented on, so it is only appropriate I do it again. The name of the track instantly dates it, but I find this a somewhat unique piece of material for someone to put out on their birthday. (Charles’ birthday is November 10th, just like the Marine Corps.) I don’t think it got too much play on the interwebs when he dropped it in November, so here goes…

Charles Hamilton – November 10th, 2008 | self-released

Zion I – Antenna

needles — Wed, 13 May 2009 05:03:01 +0000

Zion I tends to be in many different places stylistically, kind of like Blackalicious. I am not a fan of everything they make, but that is exactly what makes them so interesting. This steppers track caught my ear a few months ago, so I wanted to share this with you. It was the Oakland duo’s first single off their 6th album “The Take Over”. Again, it’s unique, let me know what you think…

Zion I – Antenna | Gold Dust Media

Nacho Lovers – Go On (Blu Jemz Remix)

needles — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:19:17 +0000

This Canadian duo from T-Dot (Toronto) is better known for their house and techno tracks, but New York DJ/producer/artist Blu Jemz grooved out this remix for the Scion music compilation with the Fool’s Gold label. You may recall I profiled a Chromeo remix of a Treasure Fingers track just over a week ago. It was from the same comp (it’s a good comp!). The Blu Jemz remix here has slowed the track down into more of a steppers groove, good ol’ Chicago style! This is for all my heads that dance in the name of love, just nacho love…
Nacho Lovers – Go On (Blu Jemz Remix) | Fool’s Gold

Heavy Rotation – 2008 September

needles — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:47:36 +0000

This is the first of my monthly posts on some of the stuff I think is worth checkin’ out (Prodigy, Jadakiss, DJ Cam and more). Some of the tracks are notable for lyrics, some have great beats, while others are just treats from artists we haven’t heard in a while, from New York to Los Angeles… even Boston! This month there is a lot of rap, but also some neo-soul and r&b. I’ll be posting a new month’s worth of tracks every week until I catch up with the current month.

[click to listen, files will be available for six months]

DJ Babu – Dearly Departed (f/M.O.P.) | Stones Throw

Heltah Skeltah – D.I.R.T. (Another Boot Camp Clik Yeah Song) | Duck Down

Q-Tip – Gettin’ Up | Motown / Universal

The Foreign Exchange – Daykeeper (f/Muhsinah Abdul-Karim) | Nicolay Music

T.I. – Let My Beat Pound | unreleased

Terrance Martin – The Martin & Blake Jam Session | unreleased

DJ Babu – For Whatever It’s Worth (f/Evidence) | Stones Throw

John Legend – Green Light (f/Andre 3000) (Diplo Dade County 1988 Mix) | independent

DJ Revolution – King of the Decks (f/Sean Price, Tash) | Duck Down

Statik Selektah – Mr. Popularity (f/Consequence) | Showoff / Brick

Prodigy – Stop Stressin’ | Dirt Class

Fusion Unltd. – The Sun (f/Little Brother, Nickelus F, Hall of Fame, Mad Skillz) | Grind Date / ABB

The Game – State of Emergency (f/Ice Cube) | Geffen / Interscope

Jadakiss – By My Side (f/Ne-Yo) | Roc-a-Fella / Island Def Jam / Universal

Johnson & Johnson (Blu, Mainframe) – Wow | Tres

DJ Cam – For Minnie Riperton (f/InLove) | Inflammable

Ne-Yo – Closer | Island Def Jam / Universal