Green Ova’s Shady Blaze dropped this gem about a week ago. Spits quite quick. I fux widdit.

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Oh you wanna see Green Ova artists live in Boston? Hit the jump.
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I wasn’t gonna post this here. By the time I jumped on JTTS, both Trees and Marty had already written about CZARFACE, and I figured that I’d tend only to the Phoenix blog. But then I noticed the low quality of their coverage – a re-printed press release, and some sort of insider spiel from Caballero. Anyhow, while I wrote this post with a less rap-nerdy audience than JTTS in mind, I thought that some younger readers could use the history, and that an older reader (perhaps Eso himself) could point me in the direction of the Elemental column I’m referring to…

There’s no such thing as seriously awesome news in hip-hop anymore. Everything has more or less been done. Twice. If Tupac returned from Hawaii to cut a track with Sam Adams about how much he loves the FCC, I might find it blog-worthy. But if there’s a marathon of some Angie Harmon show or another on TNT, then forget about it. You’ll just have to read about it elsewhere.

Still I jumped at today’s news that Boston’s 7L&Esoteric are collaborating on a joint project, amazingly titled CZARFACE, with Wu-Tang’s Inspectah Deck. The reaction was probably because I consider myself an insider geek in the local scene, and, under most circumstances, would have known about this from the minute that Deck texted Eso to confirm. Rap music is supposed to pack an element of surprise, though – or at least it’s better when there is one. This shit really toppled me. So here I am.

I also appreciate how this isn’t out of nowhere – the result of an amusing studio session, in which a bunch of guys who like smoking blunts smoke a whole bunch of blunts together and decide to collaborate on a box set. There’s an interesting history between Deck and Esoteric, as the latter documented in a legendary Elemental Mag column (which I can’t find, so please shoot it over if you have a scan), and has told several times since. They met recording “Speaking Real Words” on some pay-to-play shit – one of the earliest documented instances of an up-and-coming underground act securing a verse from such a prominent MC. But over time, Deck came to respect the duo for their skill and hustle, and just last year collaborated on the full-circle banger “12^th Chamber.”

Lastly, this announcement has me psyched about the possibilities for Wu-Tang soldiers moving forward. We’ve heard Ghostface with Termanology and Action Bronson. Slaine rocked the U-God album. The Think Differently project was fucking fascinating. But the thought of this whole new wilderness is one that I truly hope materializes. In the least it’s enough to get me blogging about hip-hop.

Guess who’s back.

Straight No Chaser coming soon.

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DOWNLOAD: Reks x Statik Selektah – Autographs

It is a good day people. The long rumored, much anticipated long-form collaboration between the Rebel INS and Boston’s own 7L & Eso is finally happening. Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire, Roc Marciano, Action Bronson, Large Professor and Premo are all on board. See details below:

 

With his illustrious career spanning nearly two-decades now, it would be easy for Inspectah Deck to sit back and rest on his laurels; after all, he has helped create some of the best hip-hop music ever recorded. Despite his low-key persona, Deck carved out his own unique space in the Wu-Tang Clan, thanks to his stand-out verses from “C.R.E.A.M.,” “Protect Ya Neck” and his otherworldly verse on “Triumph” among many. Likewise, who could forget Deck’s contributions on Ghostface’s Ironman (“Assassination Day”), his many appearances on Raekwon’s OBFCL, GZA’s Liquid Swords (“Cold World”) or his collaborations with Gang Starr (“Above The Clouds”) and Big Pun (“Tres Leches” which also featured Mobb Deep’s Prodigy).

Throughout Deck’s career, whether it was beside his fellow Wu-Tang brethren or in a solo-capacity, he is as adamant today about his culture and pushing the creative envelope as he was before Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers became an epic masterpiece; hence the formation of CZARFACE, a new collaborative project with underground icons 7L & Esoteric. With rap fans again craving more substance and less polish, Deck realizes there is a tangible shift taking place- “The industry doesn’t need another well packaged, put together “act,” instead fans are once again gravitating to the seasoned vets and newcomers that are still true to the game.”

With a working history that dates back nearly as far as Wu-Tang’s, 7L & Esoteric are undisputedly Boston and underground hip-hop royalty. CZARFACE offered the duo an opportunity to pick up where they left off over a decade ago with Inspectah Deck, as he joined them on the title track to their revered Speaking Real Words EP (1999). Deck says “Speaking Real Words is one of the many reasons we are now CZARFACE. After doing that song, it was only right we collaborated on a project to cater to the millions of fans that still support hip-hop from the underground.”

With guest appearances from Action Bronson, Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire, Roc Marciano & Large Professor,  additional beats from DJ Premier, plus album art by Lamour Supreme from Mishka NYC (www.mishkanyc.com/home), you can expect nothing less then top notch production and rewind worthy lyricism from CZARFACE. “We are CZARFACE because they know our faces and they know us for being dope rhyme suppliers, like Tony Montana we are known for our balls and our word; lyrically we will conquer the world and everything in it” states Deck. Esoteric explains further, “CZARFACE is a vigilante, anti-hero character who serves as the face of the project, and his focus is on annihilating the media darlings that the mainstream caters to.”

 

 

Blac is throwing a couple record release shows.. this one is in Boston. There is one in Hartford too if you can’t make this.

Pretty fucking stellar lineup if you ask me. Only $10.

I’ll be out of town.. but definitely hit this up if you aren’t at SXSW (or wherever).

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Cormega has released a teaser video for “M.A.R.S.,” a collaborative effort featuring ‘Mega, Action Bronson, Roc Marciano and Saigon.

The four emcees recently joined forces to shoot the video for the cut, which was produced by Large Professor. Chris Cook is behind the lens for the song’s visuals.

The video is currently without a release date. In the meantime, check out the trailer for the clip below.

Black Rob’s “Life Story” album remains one of my favorite of all time. I was at this show @ The Tunnel rockin a Pelle Pelle and a straw cowboy hat. I was so wrapped up in the thoroughness of it all, I lifted some chick on my shoulders as she donned my straw hat.

Sean P shares my feelings about females in rap. The only acceptable female mc’s in history are Rah Digga and MC Lyte. Otherwise, they always have been and will be gabbaj.

Trigga Happy Pappi has moments when his every day brain comprehension comes into question…but he handled this whole situation superbly. His man Remy was disrespected and the gawd went in.

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Shouts to the homies at Brick for always hooking me up ahead of the curve. This is 100% authentic jewels.

3.13.2011

If you’ve no clue what I’ve been up to since September, then you must have missed the perpetual flatulence that my JTTS colleagues have blown in my direction over the past few months. In that event I can only assure you that I was working on a project that’s at least half as important as my duty here, which is primarily to remind one and all that any hip-hop recorded after 2001 is guilty until proven innocent.

By now it’s no secret that the shit-ass Frat Rap Tumblr is nominated for a Phoenix award, while the illustrious JumpTheTurnStyle is not. Anyone who thinks I’m the reason for that is precisely right; on account of an obvious potential conflict of interest, we can’t nominate a blog that I personally fuck with. Which raises the serious issue of whether Chris Faraone – the swiftest damn punslinger on this motherfuck – even writes for JTTS anymore.

As a matter of fact I do. I’ve just been equal parts lazy, busy, and inebriated, not to mention in need of a significant break from hip-hop. You see, I’m completely comfortable with being that old guy who hates every shred of success that Lil Flame and Waka Flocka Wayne attain, but it takes a whole lot of work to identify the errs of my contemporaries and recommend substantial alternatives to needy rap fans. I can only prop Action Bronson so many times. It’s ridiculous already.

Which is why I’m making a commitment to start listening to shitty hip-hop. Or southern hip-hop. Or whatever the stupid kids and college pukes are calling it these days. I’ll be taking all of your suggestions – even though most of you don’t know shit about rap music, and are probably still reeling from your cheap two-month tango with dubstep, which still doesn’t show up in my spellcheck, and probably never will now that I declared it dead and done.

So here’s the big, unanswerable question: what did I miss during my hiatus? I got that new Homeboy Sandman shit, and it’s amazing. Also feeling the new Jake the Snake, and looking forward to what Reks has cooking. There’s a new Tajai album in my box that I’ll be bumping, and I heard that I should check the new Copywrite. And Blacastan too. Word to Blacastan. But otherwise, why shouldn’t I have taken a few months off? Fuck you. And did I mention Action Bronson?

Lastly – I just wanted to make one last point about how the scum-sucking Frat Rap Tumblr is nominated for the Phoenix Best poll while this blog isn’t. The other reason for the omission is that, to be frank, I don’t trust Trees around awards. The last time he wrapped his no-good libertarian fist around a trophy, dude started cursing out his friends for no reason. Haven’t seen him that mad since he lost funding to star as Rick Moranis in the sketchy interpolation skin flick, Honey I Blew the Kids.

So I’m returning home. At least as much as I can be for now. I actually have a bunch of emails and press releases that I need to mush through my meat grinder and get up on this blog. But other than that I’ll be pushing my new book, which I don’t really expect anyone who frequents JTTS to be interested in anyway. I’m heading to SXSW in a few weeks, and will no doubt return with a whole heap of hip-hop to hate on. That’s my promise. My name is Chris Faraone, and I approve this message.

Like I said – Kenny Powers ain’t the only one back on the mound.

So he really is home? Do we still care? Is Odd Future relevant again? What about Purple Swag? Good timing? What?

A new video from MR. “my HD clearer than real life..”.

Blacastan is coming out with the Master Builder Pt. 2 in March.

I booked him a show at Church on the 15th. Record release party and all that.

JTTS Sponsored + Approved.. even though naturally I might be out of town. I am literally out of town each and every fucking time Blacastan performs in Boston..

 I think he thinks I’m ducking him, when in fact HE SHOULD BE DUCKING ME.. Muhfugga owes me $450 for T-Shirts.. hahaha.. I’ll see that money on the day I see my 10% management fee I guess..

I QUIT BLAC!! You hear me?! ahhhhahaha

Nah.. but for real..  I always got mad love for the god. Blac is fam till the end. Can’t wait for MBII !!!