Yo! UPPERHANDS Raps Part 2 - Strictly 90's Y'all!

I've been empty since YO! MTV Raps went off the air, so I figured I'd bring it back in my own way.

In the New Years 2014 edition of YO! UPPERHANDS Raps,

I bring you some of the classics and some mostly unknown videos.

 

 So sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

 I originally saw this remix video on an episode of Beavis and Butthead back in the day.

What always stuck with me about this video was one of the best matchups between two similarly styled bands, Onyx and Biohazard. Always loud and always in your face!

 

 

Onyx - Slam (Bionyx Remix ft Biohazard)

The song "1nce Again" was one of my first introductions to 

A Tribe Called Quest and the J Dilla sound. This video here epitomizes 

the relationship between the beats and the emcees.

 

A Tribe Called Quest - 1nce Again

The Roots telling us all to keep it real and never do what the mainstream do.

The Roots - What They Do

Just a fun video of big dudes going crazy in a Hip Hop video and also marks the 

beginning of two rap careers that went in two complete different directions, Pharoahe Monche and Prince Po. 

Reminds me a lot of the Gravediggaz style of early hardcore rap.

 

Organized Konfusion "Stress"

 I had no idea there was a video for this song by Digable Planets, but it is a classic 

unknown video and a classic "walking down the Brooklyn streets" video.

 

Digable Planets - 9th Wonder

I chose this video to just marvel at how young and immature this version of Nas is.

 

 

Nas - It Aint Hard To Tell

 In a Hip Hop ode to the movie, "Blues Brothers" Method Man and Redman bring their 

first on camera acting talents together and create the brainchild that 

would become the "How High" movie starring the two rappers. 

This video is a must see for any fan of Hip Hop, Wu Tang Clan or the blunt smoking Redman.
If you're like me, that's a win, win, win, win.

 

Redman Ft. Method Man - Whateva Man 

Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Common Sense in the early years of their rap careers,

chilling out in New York City, black and white film style.

  

Blackstar Ft. Common Sense - Respiration

 The song "I Used To Love H.E.R." by Common Sense is by far one his top five tracks of all time.

The song is a soliloquy to the days of the old.
Each verse tells a different stage and story in the life of Common Sense and his love for Hip Hop.

Verse 1 : Trying to get to know the girl (Hip Hop) and "dating" her

Verse 2 : Hip Hop a.k.a. H.E.R. starts to branch off from Common and steer in other directions.

Verse 3 : Losing faith with Hip Hop and ultimately needs to make Hip Hop himself to bring it back.

What I love about this video is that it too coincides with the story of the lyrics and really 

opens up the rest of Common Sense's incredible career.

Common Sense - I Used To Love Her

"Midnight In A Perfect World " is an artistic look at the life, times and 

production habits of DJ Shadow in the very early years.

  

 

DJ Shadow - Midnight In A Perfect World

 A great remix of the song "It's Like That" by RUN DMC was remixed by 

electronic producer, Jason Nevins. In honor of RUN DMC's influence on breakdancing culture,

the video features some very ill breakdancing routines and is very entertaining.

 

 RUN DMC Vs - Jason Nevins - Its Like That

 

 Special Thanks to : Chron.

Urban Archaeology: Famed Designer Ben Drury Picks His 10 Best Mo'Wax Record Sleeves

One of the most influential record labels of the 90's is without a doubt, Mo'Wax. Started by James Lavelle, this seminal label gave us DJ Shadow, DJ Krush, UNKLE along with some of the best compilations and recored sleeves we've ever seen. The main Mo'Wax designer was Ben Drury, who did most of the famed album sleeves and teamed with Lavelle to also feature street artists like Futura.

Now as Mo'Wax celebrates over 20 years with a proper retrospective art show (thanks to Kickstarter), Drury looks back with The Vinyl Factory at 10 of his all-time favorite record sleeves from the Mo'Wax era.

Here's a few of our favorites from the story:

Sam Sever And The Raiders Of The Lost Art
What’s That Sound?
1995

Money Mark
Mark’s Keyboard Repair
1995

DJ Krush
Meiso
1995

DJ Shadow
Endtroducing…
1996

Various Artists
Headz 2
1996

Unkle
Psyence Fiction (Promotional Package. Contains 12″ in pop-up gatefold sleeve, 5″ record, promo CD, sticker pack)
1998

Special Thanks: Mo'Wax for changing my life, James Lavelle, Ben Drury, The Vinyl Factory, DJ Shadow, Colin Kaepernick defying stereotypes and Lightning in a Bottle 2013

DJ Shadow : Midnight In A Perfect World (Music Video)

DJ Shadow : Midnight In A Perfect World (Music Video)

It's a classic and I was just feeling this track right now. 

Have fun making the connection between the cover of the "Endtroducing"

and this music video.

Front Cover of DJ Shadow : Endtroducing

DJ Shadow : Midnight In A Perfect World (Music Video)

DJ Shadow in the studio

Special Thanks to: Dusty crates and dusty fingers.

Free Download: DJ Shadow Offers Free Download of DJ Set that Got Him Kicked Off the Decks in Miami

It's New Year's Eve and what better way to kick off 2013 than with a dope free download from the legendary DJ Shadow! You've probably heard the story of how Shadow was recently booted of the turntables in a posh Miami nightclub for playing music that was dubbed "too future."

Shadow vowed to release that set so we could all be the judge and today he has done just that! Download the genre-blurring set below and be sure to blast this loud as you usher in 2013:



Special Thanks: DJ Shadow for always innovating, 2013 being the dawning of a new era, The San Francisco 49ers back in the playoffs, Solomun, Headtron New Years Eve party in Santa Monica, good friends and much love