When I was in school, I spent some time working for The FADER magazine/Cornerstone promotion out of NY. This is when I first discovered the Cornerstone mixtape. Back then (a bit moreso than today,) these joints were pretty consistent and on point. Cats like Babu, Jazzy Jeff, Vice, Hi-Tek, Tony Touch, and many other top-notch producers and DJs were at the helm from month to month doing what they do.
I could probably post some other dope moments from past Cornerstone tapes, but I'll focus on the man who I think has best represented on these mixtapes over the years: DJ Premier. Premo always seems to have more input as far as the tracklist goes when he is hosting the tape (which certainly helps set him apart,) but he also brings more quality music and exclusive music to the table. And not your typical 'exclusive' as other fools point out on their mixtapes...we're talking dope tracks that you can't get elsewhere, but wish you could.
The audio here is (mostly) from Mixtape #47, where Premo and Green Lantern hosted (right around the time D&D closed if I'm not mistaken.) The first part of the audio is how the mixtape opens...Guru setting the stage. Next up is Ras Kass. If you recall, when Ras was still held captive by Capitol, the single 'Golden Chyld' sort of made the rounds...classic record. Ras Kass in top form, and Premier likewise. Finally, I'd never heard of Connekt 4, but it's a nice little track and just a simple example of how Premier does his own thing and breaks new music (maybe not to the masses necessarily, but he breaks records no less.)
DJ Premier - Intro / Guru freestyle
Ras Kass - Golden Chyld (Premier, Capitol)
Connekt 4 - Just One of Those Days (unknown, On Point)
