DL Presents: The Real WORD! Anthology (New SOLO Music 2011)

On April 3, 2011, I, DL, released a 100% independent anthology/mixtape titled 'The Real WORD!' to the public domain. This project is a culmination of my musical art talents as it reflects myself as an MC, producer, and engineer. The project showcases 15 other artists besides myself who I have had the privilege to work with over the years. It consists of two volumes, with 23 songs on each one. It is strictly meant for promotional use and not a "music industry" promoted, all hype album of some sort. This is a precursor to my upcoming projects which include a handful of EPs, mixtapes, solo album, and side collaborations. I am blessed to be able to make music while living each and every day to the fullest.

This entire project is FREE, and can be downloaded at http://dlbeatsrhymeslife.bandcamp.com/. From time to time, I also upload snippets and unreleased tracks to my soundcloud, which can be viewed here: http://soundcloud.com/dlbeatsrhymeslife

Here is the track listing to both volumes:

Track listing

Volume I:

01 Soul Spazms

Produced by DL

02 This Song Is For You

Produced by Max One

03 Hist-Oracle

Produced by DL

Scratches by E-V-O

04 Jamaica Funk (B-Boy Cipher)

Produced by DL

05 Keep It On The DL (Tres Perspectivas)

Produced by DL

06 The Best Secret (Unconditional Love) (feat. Diggles)

Production from Pete Rock, Statik Selektah

07 Pass Da Baton (Waitin' to Breathe)

(feat. E-V-0, Marat, Mello)

Scratches by E-V-O

08 Make'em NV (J-Dilla Tribute)

Production by James Yancey aka J-Dilla (RIP)

09 One (feat. Plaimaka)

Produced by Pro Teo

10 Play It (feat. Dominic Cobb & Mack E)

Production from DJ Premier

Vocals by Dominic Cobb

11 L.A.C.O.S.A. 101 (feat. Plaimaka, Mack E, Diggles)

Produced by Pro Teo

12 Real Deal (feat. Bones)

Originally featured on Bones' album "West 2 Def"

link to free download of "West 2 Def":

http://www.datpiff.com/Bones-West-2-Def-mixtape.151068.html

13 Emerald City (feat. Mello & E-V-O)

Production from Pharoahe Monch

14 So Blessed (Still Feel Me)

Production from Alchemist

15 Art Of Rhyme (feat. Max One)

Production from Madlib

16 Fresh (She Is) (Feat. Savant & Alexis)

Vocals by Alexis

17 On Fantasy Island (Interlude)

Produced by DL

18 A Love Dichotomy

19 Late Night Tip (Entr'acte)

Produced by DL

20 U Made Me Wanna...(no 2nd chances) (feat. Alexis)

Vocals by Alexis

21 Fake Love (feat. Max One & Mello)

Production from Statik Selektah

22 Revnost (Devotion)

Production from Kasta

23 Under The Stars (Curtain Call)

Produced by DL

Volume II:

01 Back Again

Production from Hi-Tek

02 Start To Think Back

(90s Nostalgia)

Production from 9th Wonder

03 All In My D.R.E.A.M.S.

(Daily Regular Exercise

Application for Mental Sanity)

(feat. Diggles, E-V-O, Plaimaka)

Production from Jake One

Scratches by E-V-O

04 I Can't Take It (feat. Suede)

05 Perserverence

Produced by DL

06 The Jungle

Produced by Black Jezzus (S.Ayele)

07 Four Muskateers

(feat. P.Smith, Mello, E-V-O)

Production from Erick Sermon

08 Tequila

Production from Alchemist

09 Hustler's Tragedy

10 Boomerang (Big Pun Tribute)

(feat. Bones)

11 Calm Down (feat. E-V-O)

12 Melodramatic (feat T. Arakelyan)

Produced by DL

Live Flute by Tigran Arakelyan

13 The Essence Of...

Production from Just Blaze

Scratches by E-V-O

14 Fakes and Truths

(feat. Mello)

Production from Ant (Atmosphere)

15 Hang Solo (feat. Alexis)

Produced by Tas (T.Yount)

16 Still Waitin'

Production from Statik Selektah

17 Haters, Haters

(feat. Alan Z)

18 Untitled (Acapella)

19 Rind Ding Dong Hustle

(Lyrical F.E.M.A.)

(feat. Mello)

Production from Dr. Dre

20 CAN YOU FEEL US?

(feat. P.Smith, Mello,

E-V-O, Marat)

Scratches by DL

21 Stop Fronting

(Don't Sleep)

Production from Alchemist

Scratches by E-V-O

22 SHOUTRO

Produced by Myke B (www.mykeb.bandcamp.com)

23 Hendrix Out Cipher

(feat. Henry Bi )

Produced by DL

Bass Guitar by Dominic Cobb

Drums and Electric Guitar by Henry Bi

A note about the project:

The entire project was executively produced by DL. The majority of the recordings

were done at LACOSA studios, where all of the mixing was handled as well.

DL is a musical artist who MCs, produces, engineers, and DJ's within his art, among other

things.

This collection of music features many talented artist I have been fortunate enough to work with in my growth as an artist dating back 5+ years. For their contribution, I am forever grateful. I hope to continue this trend in my future works.The entire "Real Word!" project is a showcase of eclectic hip hop styles and sounds, as well as a dedication to my love of hip hop culture itself. There is a yin-yang relationship established between both volumes, which the listener will pick up upon if critically evaluating both volumes from front to back, as if walking through an art gallery.

At the same time, each track can be listened to individually with no fear of misunderstanding. The name of the anthology, as well as the motif, derives from a certain pop culture reference, which plays an important role in tieing all of the tracks together. I hope you enjoy this 100% independent hip hop product, courtesy of myself, and my fellow artists who worked so hard to provide the world with the best music we possibly can. Thank you and enjoy! And if you like what you hear, please spread the word to anyone and everyone.

Best,

DL

download the record for free, 2+ full hours of ill rhymes, dope beats, and nothing but that flavor. Spread the word and the link if you like.

FEBRUARY HIP HOP SHOWS I'M EXCITED ABOUT

WHAT IS GOING ON WORLD? It has been over a year since I posted anything on this blog (my bad...but you know how life gets) but from now on I will be back on my e-grind promoting, hyping, discussing, selling, and doing just about anything it requires to get the world excited about something more than their usual morning cup of 'starbuck's' joe....Howard Shultz WHO??? Yea, we haven't forgot who sold the Sonics out...

What a month it's been already for the Seattle Hip-Hop Community. As UW's CHID250 class is currently underway as the only UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE LEVEL hip hop academia class that I have any knowledge of in the NW...the amount of talented individuals releasing music and doing shows is staggering. I wanna give another HUGE SHOUT OUT to Third Andreson and Jeanette Bushnell for hosting the class again which started last year. If you have no idea about what I am referring to, ask a fellow UW student or local Hip Hop Ambassador such as the legendary MC Geologic or Gabrial Tiedros. There was an article written about last year's class in either "The Stranger" or The Times...might wanna google that if you're interested.

So to wrap up I just wanna highlight some shows that have me excited this short month of February. Local MC Scribes had back2back shows at the Nectar Lounge last Friday to start the month off right...here's the rest of the shows I'm reggie 4:

Nuemos:

Thu.Feb.10.11 Busdriver, guests 8PM :: $10 ADV, 21+

Thu.Feb.17.11 Shabazz palaces, Thee Satisfaction Doors at 8 PM :: $15 ADV, 21+

Thu.Feb.24.11 Twista feat Neema, guests Doors at 8 PM :: $15 ADV, 21+

Nectar Lounge:

WED FEB.23rd Black Milk feat Grynch, Sol, guests,

Studio7:

SAT FEB.19rd Smoov-E, LACOSA, guests (early show 7pm) ALL AGES

Anyways, there's probably way more local MC's bringing the heat at local venues that I forgot to mention so don't forgot to be on the lookout for your favorite MC's dropping mixtapes and doing shows for the love of Hip Hop Culture point. blank. period.

Till next time,

DL

http://www.studioseven.us/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/SmoovE_feb193.jpg

links:

www.nectarlounge.com/

http://neumos.com/neumos.php?action=calendar&month_offset=0&start_date=&PHPSESSID=a6f9d7738c7c2392396974956a68c5a6

http://www.studioseven.us/category/shows%20and%20events/2011-02/

My hip hop history

Here's an essay about my outlook and background in hip hop that I wrote for Comparative History of Ideas (CHID 250). If you go to UW and you want a great class, I highly recommend this one.

"At exactly what point do you start to realize, that life without knowledge is death in disguise"

-Talib Kweli (legendary MC)

My history with hip hop music began during my second grade year in 1996 when I was exposed to the sounds of Tupac, the Notorious B.I.G., Coolio, and Will Smith through my teenage friend who played KUBE 93 all day long. I had also started playing piano at the time so my love for music simply caught on from the catchy and popular songs I was hearing on the radio. Quickly though, my childhood listening activities evolved into a lifelong adoration of the music, the culture, the history, and the knowledge of self (K.O.S.) that became apart of me since my teenage years. Hip-hop has been my "third" parent: incorporating the words, melodies, and rhythms that the music expresses to help me form a much deeper understanding of myself and the world that surrounds me.

In early high school I took my love for hip hop and started to truly learn the history of how the most popular culture on earth evolved from the slums of New York City in the late 1970s - the Bronx. Right after Nasir Jones (Nas) released his follow up 'Stillmatic' album in 2001, I picked up his first classic album 'Illmatic' and it changed my life forever. As a 14 year old, the lyrics on that album spoke to me like nothing I had ever heard before. From that moment I became obsessed on engulfing myself with all of the early classics so I could become a "wise hip-hop sage" someday...

My quest took me from legendary rap pioneers such as A Tribe Called Quest, Main Source, and Rakim, to mainstream acts such as Nelly, Jay-Z, and Eminem. In the process I discovered how hip-hop had become a commercial byproduct of the music industry and how the purity of the culture had only truly remained in the underground circles. From there I discovered underground legends such as Atmosphere, Slum Village (RIP J-Dilla and Baatin), Murs, Little Brother, and hundreds more who opened my eyes even further in terms of how I perceived hip hop culture as an entity. I had already organized my own social commentary from Illmatic but it was when I heard a plethora of MC's speak about socially conscious topics (that are universal in terms of the human plight around the globe), I knew that Hip-hop was the voice of the people. It is not the voice of the corporate media, the government, or my parents, but rather the tone of an economically oppressed, yet intellectually stimulated community.

"We not Confused, rap's the nigga news/

Each rhyme a "Minority Report," fuck Tom Cruise"

-Ras Kass (legendary MC)

In our post-modern society, economic wealth is the end-all measure of success, but what happens to the 99.99% of people who never achieve that certain tax bracket? Or worse, what happens to the people who do make it but feel like there's a hole missing in their hearts? This is the only true failure in life I believe. Money can make you happy...but only temporarily at best, and even that is questionable at times. Being a first generation immigrant to the USA, I find it amazing that such a young culture as hip hop has already spread the entire globe in less than 30 years time. Even disco, rock'n'roll, and jazz couldn't achieve such a feat. And the most interesting part is how hip hop provides guidelines without boundaries, which is why I find it fascinating to hear what MC's from other parts of the world discuss in their lyrics. Although drum beats and poetry are universal elements of a hip hop track, there exists no "definite sound or style" as to how the music sounds or what topics are up for discussion. In essence, hip hop music to me is the combination of all music under a rhythmic background which provides a sense of order to the chaos that is in the world. It was inevitably that I contributed something to such a rich culture.

I started writing lyrics in high school, which progressed into recording tracks at home with a few close friends. From there, I visited local venues to watch shows where I chopped it up with artists in the game. Once I considered myself an MC, I began to work on my craft, pursuing the ultimate goal of releasing an LP one day. After a few talent shows and open mics I continued my craft by making songs and writing lyrics with my closest fellow MC's (who not by coincidence share my love for hip hop with me). The past year my coming of age has truly shown how passionate I am about the music. Currently, I am halfway done with my audio engineering certification and I have set up an home studio for my production and DJ needs. If it's got something to do with hip hop and I can get my hands on it, I'm all over it. The future is now and the time is here for me to share my knowledge and outlook to the hip hop community and the world as a whole. From there, activism and social change are inevitable if you are true to yourself and believe in what you stand for. The music is a platform to express yourself but life is much deeper than music. It doesn't start and end with hip hop, rather, hip hop is a medium of expression, originating hundreds of years ago with a rhythmic style from Africa, that has connected an entire globe through peace and expression. It is truly amazing when comparing hip hop's outreach to much international diplomacy going on in the world, which all stems down to how society is distributing it's resources: fairly, effectively, evenly? In the process the privileged maintain authority over the entire social spectrum. Using the tools in hip hop, the lost and forgotten and be remembered again, while collectively bringing new social change to our current planet. Only the people can chose to make it happen.

ALI'YAH

If you live in Seattle and listen to hip hop and you still haven't heard of D.Black you need to step your local rap game up! Blue Scholars are on Duck Down and Jake One has achieved mainstream producer accolades while acts like D.Black, Grynch, Dyme Def, and many others are releasing music worthy of notoriety...so having heard D.Black's verse on Jake One's "White Van Music" I was hooked and eager to hear what the Sea-town MC will release next...

9.15.09 - D.Black - Ali'Yah

The album just dropped with beats courtesy of legendary Seattle Indi-hip-hop legend Vitamin D a well as hit-maker Jake One. The rest of the production is handled by Black as the man also produces and engineers his music while leading a righteous path for his family, community, and the city of Seattle.

With 2 hiphopdx.com features under his belt in one month (Ali'Yah review and a fresh interview) D.Black has been grinding to release the purest music his heart can physically express. Don't take my word for it, just listen to his music and read about his lifestyle and it's hard not to respect the man.

Video: D.Black feat Grynch LIVE performance

Peace and much success to D.Black on this project and his future endeavors

Anyone...JOR-DAN...!

Thank you MJ for everything you have done in your career...the world needed a reminder of your career and you did just that this past weekend during your hall of fame induction speech. Only a legend like MJ can possess such *swagger* while remaining gregarious and humble at the same time. Naysayers misunderstood what he was trying to get at, but any common person who isn't a sports pundit will understand the fire that has been burning in MJ's life. While MJ didn't have to say anything at all...he took the time to be personal with the public and show the world that it's possible to overcome any obstacle if you put your entire body and mind into it. I love how he finished his speech with the maxim - "...limits, like fears, are often just an illusion..." Let's all listen to MJ, honor him as the greatest overall player that has ever played the game of basketball, and takeaway something bigger and more important to our own lives. Thank you MJ-23.

Is September the most hip hop month of '09?

All right so it just hit me...09 has been crazy already with the return of Eminem and the super-group Slaughterhouse doing their damn thangs all summer long...but one week into September...I don't think we've had a month with so many prolific and talented artists dropping albums all in the same month for quite some time now. For starters, arguably the biggest rapper of our generation, Jay-Z, already dropped his third installment to the blueprint series with moderate critical acclaim...say what you will but this is the man's 11th studio album! And I won't knock Jay for staying relevant when he's in an absolute league of his own in terms of music, money, and overall statute...they dude can flat out rap...period...top 5 all time. But on a different note...here are some albums that have me absolutely going papayas and mangoes this fall season:

Raekwon - Only Built for Cuban Linx 2 - The purple tape follow up has already received near classic approval from heads all over the net and with a stellar line-up of producers and MC's to pay homage and continue the tradition of the original Linx album this is sure to be a time-tested album...just picked up my copy...back2back listening session anyone??

Ghostface Killah - Wizard of Poetry - Although the track listing hasn't been posted, any Wu head is salivating at another Ghost album dropping the same month as Raekwon...Ghost has been killing the game the past couple years with his Fishscale series so this new and supposedly "alternative" style is sure to entertain Ghost fans with some fresh material from the Iron Man. At this rate when it's all said and done Ghost will have the best solo career out of any of the Wu members. (Drop date: Sept 29)

Brother Ali - Us - From the Hiphopdx 2 part column about this album...I think Brother Ali will shock hip hop nation with another groundbreaking record. (Part 1 and Part 2 can be found here) The Rhymesayers "Reverend" has one of the most passionate deliveries in hip hop as his topics always touch on serious subject matter and not the fluff that most hip hop songs are full of. Check out the album previews linked above for more info but I have a feeling this is going to be one hell of a soliloquy-esque type classic from the Minnesota MC. Look out for a joint featuring Freeway and Ortiz to shake things up from the traditional Brother Ali record along the way. (Drop date: Sept. 22)

Q-Tip - Kaamal The Abstract - Mr. ABSTRACT...ORIGINAL...finally got his own and got ahold of the 8 year old record which his old label shelved indefinately...phew...thank goodness they let the man take back what is rightfully his and let the world hear it without the bootleg copies. Funny story is I remember a petition on line to get Q-tip's old label to release his album...I guess something must've worked. Either way T-I-P has already dropped "The Renaissance" last November so 2 albums in a one year period is quite a success for the legendary rapper who's been killing flows since Bonita Applebum in the late 80s! The man still sounds and looks barely a day over 30...that's real talk...eat your veggies kids! (Drop Date: Sept 15)

Slum Village - Villa Manifesto - Anyone who knows me personally knows how much impact Slum Village: aka Slum Dilla (RIP) have had on my life. With the tragic passing of Baatin in the middle of the summer it looks like the upcoming album has been delayed. A video was shot for "Actin' Normal" and a second single has been released titled "Cloud 9" but it looks like this album won't see the light of day in this month. Either way...the music will be released soon this quarter I'm hoping (along with the rest of the Dilla-Dawg repping Slum heads out there) to pay homage to both James Yancey and Baatin. Illa J, Jay-Dee's younger brother has been added as an "unofficial" member of the group...not like it matters...it's all love in that clique so the final product will be another classico I'm hope. (Drop Date: Unknown at this date and time)

So there you have it...only a small handfull of albums I'm excited about to drop this month but don't miss on the rest of the hot material coming out from Skyzoo (1st solo album), Killah Mike, Beanie Sigel, KRS-One and Buckshot (!), Kid Cudi, and many others...let's hope 09 will go down as one of the best years in recent memory with this onslaught of amazing music we've been hearing so far this year.

ONE,

DL

Slum Village - Acting' Normal

A fresh start...Ahhh...

Welcome all...I guess it had to be done. First myspace, then facebook, now twitter, and in that plethora of social media a blog seems like the most appropriate choice to update the world on the things that are around me, my friends, and my family.

I'll keep it brief: check out my new blog featuring regularly uploaded media from hip hop artists and musicians alike as well as discussions on the activities going on in our world.

Please feel free to drop a comment on anything at all...let's keep the discussions fresh...

Anyways, it's September 7th and as I've already linked on facebook earlier, my man Savant (Repping Chi-town all day!) has released his first ever digital EP the same day as his birthday...I highly recommend everyone to check out his music and his EP will surely be a launching pad for the man's career...don't say I didn't warn you when you see him in your town rocking the mic right! (Check the link below)

Savant of RAREBREED- The Delayed Entry EP (2009)