UPPERHANDS

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Nightime Maneuvers 4

: Juxtapositions

Pico Blvd and 4th Avenue

Los Angeles, California

Photo By : Upperhands

Upperhands Kickin Flava In Ya Ear : P-Money - Gratitude

P-Money - Gratitude

Who said dudes form New Zealand don't have swag?

All I know is they've got great mussels, real kiwis and the Oklahoma City Thunder just

drafted a native of the down under region Steven Adams,

rocking his flag on the inner lining at 2013 NBA draft.

Despite popular understanding of P-Money's production history, "Gratitude" is actually his fourth

full length album. A Hip Hop and Electronic producer extraordinaire, P- Money

became most well knownin New Zealand in 2004 and '05 when he and his Hip Hop homey Scribe collaborated to create the album "Magic City" which featured Hip Hop

singles that made it to #1 on the New Zealand singles chart.

Never truly leaving his Hip Hop roots, P-Money has now relocated to an American city

near you known as New York. With his first official move to NY and his first official American release, P-Money has teamed up with famed Hip Hop record label Duck Down Records.

Duck Down Records is better known for being home to the Boot Camp Clik who are

responsible for some of the best old school blunted Hip Hop of all time.

Don't expect blunted Hip Hop on this release though.

"Gratitude" pays homage to many different elements of Hip Hop, the fast paced 90's style beat,

the laid back smooth beat, turntable scratching and a ton of emcees.

Featuring artists like Talib kweli, Freddie Gibbs, M.O.P., Pac Div and a parting

shot verse that basically says "Fuck the game" from Duck Down's very own

Buckshot, "Gratitude" brings a duffle bag of dough to the table.

Special Thanks to : White wine, Broken pocket watches, the sun, salt licks, my tripod and my bike.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Listen: J Dilla's Lost Record Collection Rediscovered on NPR

After emerging from another stellar Lightning in a Bottle Festival from The Do LaB over the weekend, we came across this great NPR piece on J Dilla's recently discovered lost record collection and productions during the ride home. The story of how it all shook down is pretty mindblowing...so get listening!

Special Thanks: J Dilla, Jeff Bubeck, The Do LaB, Lightning in a Bottle 2013 and all the beautiful freaks we call family

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Nighttime Maneuvers 3

Pico blvd and Arlington Avenue.

Photo By : Upperhands.

Special thanks to : Teamwork, Sucker punches and Grilled cheese.

Keepin It Real : Yasiin Bey better known as Mos Def, Voluntarily Force Fed Under Standard Guantanamo Procedure

Yasiin Bey better known as Mos Def, Voluntarily Force Fed Under Standard Guantanamo Procedure

Special Thanks to : The US Government, Performance Art.

Apologies For : The horrible posted freeze frame for this Youtube video link.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Keepin It Real : Epidemic "Somethin' For Tha Listeners", Full Album

Epidemic "Somethin' For Tha Listeners", Full Album

Anyone who knows me well enough is familiar with my theory that all Hip Hop artists should
still be making beats that sound like they were cut up in some dusty, claustrophobic basement studio
by some producer who has a vast knowledge of how to fine craft underground classics.
Yeah... you know what I'm talking about.
That Pete Rock shit.
That DJ Shadow shit.
That DJ Premier shit.
That J Dilla shit.
This is that Epidemic shit.
Like a raw East Coast version of People Under The Stairs, from the opening tracks
of the duo's album "Somethin' For Tha Listeners", it is no doubt
some of that pure unadulterated underground shit.
Whether cruisin in the jeeps, riding on the train, bombing the system
or just straight kickin' it old school,
Epidemic's album is that shit for you.

Below you will find the entire album streaming on Youtube.

Special Thanks to : Epidemic for keepin' it real.

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