Something You Got

I have a small collection of cassette tapes that I've held onto over the years...mostly stuff that I've never come across on record, or mixtapes and the like which were never released in any other format. I appreciate tapes, not just because they are a cheap way to experience music I don't otherwise have, but because there's no easy way to skip over the music and move on to the next track. You actually had to listen to the music on a tape...the limitations of the medium acted as a sort of quality control measure, or at least that's my theory.

I remember getting my hands on a couple of these tapes, "The Staple Sessions," back around 2001 when I worked with the FADER magazine/Cornerstone Promotion. Jeff Staple and Staple Design did a bunch of work for the magazine then, and so I landed these tapes from hanging around the offices.

Anyway, I was recently listening back to DJ Chillout (aka Harry Chronic) "The Sessions: Volume One" and heard a number of songs that I want to track down. And in most cases, I've been able to figure out the Artist/Title of these songs, but there's one tune in particular that I can't pinpoint who it is...

If you have any thoughts on who the artist might be, please throw some ideas up in the Comments section. I can't seem to get this out of my head...

Something You Got (reggae version)

(and for those interested, here is Side one of the tape in its entirety)
DJ Chillout (aka Harry Chronic) "The Sessions: Volume One" side one

Live from New York...

Considering how bad SNL was for the longest time, I have to imagine that NBC (and probably Lorne Michaels as well) are counting their lucky stars these days to have some of the new writers and talent on their weekly staff. In fact, I'd be curious to see the ratings over the years for the show, just to see how many viewers they lost over the past 5-10 years. There are certainly still some weak links on the cast (I see you Kenan), but with cats like Andy Samberg and those other two dudes, the show is in a much better place. Anyways, it's about time they got their act together.

These digital shorts are as close to must see as it gets:

As I was saying, SNL has only become watchable again in the past few years really. Kanye's post-Katrina appearance in 2005 was dope, and then he killed it again on the 2007 season premiere hosted by Lebron James. If you can find them online, check the videos of Kanye's performances from either 2005 (Gold Digger/Touch the Sky & Heard Em Say) or 2007 (Stronger/Good Life & Champion/Everything I Am)...in all cases, pretty sick, especially with the live string section. But with that said, it must be said that Lebron definitely showed his acting chops as well.

Another name that definitely needs to be mentioned as we talk about the reemergence of SNL is Justin Timberlake. For those of you J. Timberlake haters out there, check your ego at the door because his stints as host on SNL have been quite possibly the most memorable shows in recent years...consistent throughout.

Finally, since I'm on the topic, this is something I got off a mixtape from some friends years ago. From May 7, 1983...

Stevie Wonder - Overjoyed (Live on Saturday Night Live)

The DJ is the Cornerstone of Hip-Hop

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.)

Premier / Ras Kass / Connekt 4

DJ Premier - Intro / Guru freestyle

Ras Kass - Golden Chyld (Premier, Capitol)

Connekt 4 - Just One of Those Days (unknown, On Point)