PURPLE TAPE PEDIGREE

Ghetto Dope With An Old Scale

By Geng-Grizzly, on December 18th, 2012

The one bright thing about this Louie V Mob shit is the prospect of having Gleesh and Alley Boy on a lot of songs side by side. This joint is no different as they both make it very worthwhile to sit through.

David Sabastian “Lame” (Feat. Master P, Fat Trel & Alley Boy)

Spotted via DGB

Gonna Be A Closed Casket

By Geng-Grizzly, on July 18th, 2012

T.I., Juiceman, and Trae get a signature sub-bass brooder by Mike WiLL, one of the best sonic trappists out there. The producer’s new project, Est In 1989 Pt 2, drops next Tuesday.

T.I., Juicy J, & Trae Tha Truth “Fightin’ Words” (Produced by Mike WiLL Made It)

Don’t Ask

By Note, on March 1st, 2012

Face Vega, the extended PTP fambo released this track over a Keyboard Kid beat a minute ago, but it didn’t get proper representation on the site earlier and a lotta you cats ain’t heard it. So guess what. It’s in the building.

Face Vega “Black Lodge” (Prod. Keyboard Kid)
<a href="http://facevega.bandcamp.com/track/black-lodge">Black Lodge by FACE VEGA</a>

Revelation

By Geng-Grizzly, on September 12th, 2011

So you’ve got a bad case of the “Mondays”…fear no more, unless you’re a Freemason. Today, I’m doing something special for all of you who ever carried a copy of Behold A Pale Horse in your backpack or bag. Yup. Time to get re-fitted for your tinfoil helmets…’cause there’s a whole lot of thought-provoking, conspiracy rap that has come out recently…and the music behind the message is actually good too. Really good. Educate the youth to be aware. In the immortal words of Willie Hutch, “the Mark of the Beast is coming…”

Fucked Up In Gators

By Geng-Grizzly, on August 1st, 2011

Vintage Jay-Z shit. More of it. The first sounds like a Chubby Chub mixtape intro…during which Jay and the BX’s Red Handed go verse for verse over the span of 6.5 minutes. Unpolished, not-so-gracefully aged, extra clippings for those enthusiasts.

DJ Chubby Chub “7.13 Freestyle” (Feat. Jay-Z & Red Handed)

Second comes from the shoebox of DJ Self…a pre-Reasonable Doubt verse. Good shit.

Jay-Z “DJ Self ’95 Freestyle”

Mostly Dreamin’ A Lot

By Geng-Grizzly, on July 1st, 2011

Jay-Z with RZA production? On the Purple Tape? Kinda, sorta.
Here’s 1995 Jay, right before Reasonable Doubt…but right after the Payday 12″, first solo video, and cameo on that Big Daddy Kane record. Pure gold!

Colby Colb talks about that first day of September in ’95…

This was before Rocafella, this was best friends Jay and Dame driving down to Philly in twin Lexus GS Coupes with records in the trunk. This was one of Jay-z first interviews outside of New York. You could see the potential in him, he was nervous yet confident. During this interview he talks about life before Reasonable Doubt which didn’t come out until 10 months later. Check out the freestyle over some Wu beats.

Jay-Z “Philly Radio Freestyle” (September 1st, 1995)

No Weak Link

By Geng-Grizzly, on June 13th, 2011

Some producers who’ve put together some of the illest hip hop full-lengths speak on another one of the greatest producers, and rap duos, and why the combination will make for a listening experience so seldom felt these days. The importance of both legacy and loyalty.

Pete Rock and Smif-N-Wessun‘s Monumental, out June 28, via Duck Down Records.

He’ll Hear Every Letter

By Geng-Grizzly, on June 10th, 2011

Rakim Allah puts out a little intel on his favorite verse he’s ever penned…which also happens to be one of my favorites from the supreme catalog he and Eric B. put together.

Them James Brown Kicks

By Geng-Grizzly, on May 27th, 2011

Peedi Crakk gets candid for a second…sorta. As simple as the premise is for this short video, being asked to list off his 3 most beloved things in life, it’s the way the answers are laid out that makes it a winner.

Strip Your Sleeve, Give Up Your Stripes

By Geng-Grizzly, on March 31st, 2011

First leaked by our man Robbie (of Unkut) two years ago…this is another rarely heard, vintage Mobb Deep banger from the Hell On Earth sessions of ’96. I am sure many of you forgot about/missed this…so grab your Henny bottle and get reminded.

Mobb Deep “Tha World” (Feat. Twin Gambino and Godfather Pt. III, Produced by Havoc)

As with many of these demo joints (and I’ve got many more to share), it’s always dope to hear how some of the most memorable verses from the finished product were first laid down (most of the time, on a different track). That being said, this joint is no different, serving as the original home for the dramatic narrative that was P’s part on “Nighttime Vultures.” What’s even crazier is the second verse he spits (one that was never recorded again, to my knowledge). Straight murda.

Generosity wins…so here’s another classic clip from BET’s Teen Summit…

Pardon the corny video tag, but it’s worth it for this dope two-fer of Mobb classics…from perhaps many people’s favorite era of Hav and P (once again, the same pre-Hell On Earth business as the above-posted). On a more technical side-note…it’s good to see that these cats (like Camp Lo) also knew how to NOT cuff the mics when performing on stage. I can’t name a MC who has come out in the last 5-10 years who can say the same for him/herself.

And yo, they had Mya as their background dancer…say word!