stefanoneder EP

Zero Star – The Ink Pen Method EP (2011)

Artist: Zero Star

Album: The Ink Pen Method

Source: Kevin Nottingham

Tracklisting:

  1. Hanging Out
  2. Not Enough
  3. Testing

Note:

Obviously this is a very short project that is a prelude for greater things to come but I still thought it bore mentioning.  Zero Star has that uncanny ability to flow over any beat.  He sounds good over them all.  He is very intelligent without flying over people’s heads.  The best example of his ability can be found on the track, Testing.   The beat is really dope.  Unfortunately I can not supply you with production credits yet but I hope to update that shortly.  The track features a nice piano riff that Zero Star effortlessly flows over.    That’s actually the best word to describe Zero Star’s talents:  His flow feels effortless and never pressed. At any rate, it is most definitely an ill cut.

Check it out below!

stefanoneder Interviews

Hip Hop Dependency Artist Of The Year: K. Sparks

This is my first time putting thought into creating an Artist Of The Year accolade.  As I went through an enormous list of emcees it became apparent that a few names would rise to the top.  Ultimately, I believe there is one person who was able to separate themselves from the rest of the compestion: K. Sparks.

K. Sparks is the consummate professional. Along with being a supremely talented artist.  His ability on microphones goes unquestioned.  He has demonstrated hundreds of times this year alone his gift to rock mics.  But there are lots of talented emcees and talent alone may not merit this accolade.  What does separate K. Sparks from the rest of the pack is his committment to his craft.

K. Sparks defines what it means to be “prolific”.   He has released so many projects in the last few years and in this case increased quantity does not diminish quality  by any stretch of the imagination.  Each of K. Sparks’ projects have illustrated an incredible display of dopenesss.

I strongly encourage you to check out a few if not all of K. Sparks albums or mixtapes.  He has so much to choose from.  You can download and purchase music from his website.   I would recommend checking out the album A Day In The Life as that is a personal favorite.

Also be sure to seek the man out on Twitter, Facebook, and You Tube.

Below you will find that K.Sparks took time out of his busy schedule to answer some of our questions.   I found his responses very thoughtful and insightful.  I had no idea how organized the man is in his business.  It was actually quite inspiring.  Check It.

Continue reading “Hip Hop Dependency Artist Of The Year: K. Sparks” →

stefanoneder Mixtapes

No. 1 Reks – In Between The Lines Vol. 2 Mixtape (2010)

Artist: Reks

Album: In Between The Lines Vol. 2

Source: DJ Booth

Tracklisting:

  1. Intro / Once Again (prod. by ATG)
  2. Legacy (prod. by J. Lee)
  3. Represent (2010) (Freestyle)
  4. This Or That (prod. by Statik Selektah)
  5. My Word (ft. Dynas and Jon Hope) (prod. by Rain)
  6. What It Is (Freestyle)
  7. Successful Girl (ft. BK Cyph)  (prod. by Statik Selektah)
  8. Feel It Baby (prod. by Soul Theory)
  9. Different Breed (prod. by OhNo)
  10. Pray For U (Homicide Note) (prod. by Statik Selektah)
  11. Outta Control (Egos) (ft. Strong Arm Steady) (prod. by Statik Selektah)
  12. Money & Power (ft. Sonic and Termanology) (prod. by Statik Selektah)
  13. Eff You (prod. by Nottz)
  14. Get Rowdy (ft. Sha Stimuli and Reef The Lost Cause) (prod. by Bassheadz)
  15. No Hooks (ft. Lucky Dice and Chi Knox) (prod. by Nottz)
  16. In My Lane (ft. Ras Kass and Ekko) (prod. by Hazardis Soundz)
  17. Getting Ugly (prod. by Frank Dukes)
  18. Eat Or Starve (prod. by Statik Selektah)
  19. 6AM (ft. Slaine, JFK, and Steven King) (prod. by Statik Selektah)
  20. Setting It Off (ft. Slaine. JFK, Jaysaun, and Steven King) (prod. by Statik Selektah)
  21. Window Pane (prod. by Blaze P and Bing)
  22. The ETC (ft. Kali) (prod. by Statik Selektah)
  23. Night Sky (ft. S.O.L.) (prod. by Dom Dirtee)
  24. Hooked On Whateva (ft. Blaze P and J Tronious) (prod. by Blaze P)
  25. Lighter (ft. Ea$y Money and Sonic) (prod by Scotty B)
  26. Hndu Kush (GHOST) (ft. Lucky Dice and Steis)  (prod. by The Lion)
  27. Rapanomics (ft. Termanology and Sha Stimuli) (prod. by Rain)
  28. Strays (ft. Saheed) (prod. by Hazardis Soundz)
  29. Brainstorm (prod. by ATG)
  30. My Dark Skin (Willie Lynch Theory) (prod. by Soul Theory)

Continue reading “No. 1 Reks – In Between The Lines Vol. 2 Mixtape (2010)” →

stefanoneder Mixtapes

No. 2 Slaine – The Devil Never Dies Mixtape (2010)

Artist: Slaine

Album: Devil Never Dies Mixtape

Source: Twitter

Tracklisting:

1. The Religion (prod. Silvamore)
2. My Girl, My Wife, My Mother My Bitch (prod. LuBalz)
3. The Deadzone (prod. Stoupe, cuts by Reel Drama)
4. Black and Blue Flag ft. Jaysaun (prod. Silvamore)
5. Thru The Rain ft. Blacastan (prod. Silvamore)
6. Off The Sidewalk ft. Cyrus Deshield (prod. Falside)
7. Going Down ft. Jaysaun (prod. Silvamore)
8. The Worst (prod. Statik Selektah)
9. Old English II ft. Esoteric (prod. Esoteric)
10. Burn ft. Amadeus & Chilla Jones (prod. Sicknature)
11. Envy ft. Termanology (prod. Moss)
12. It Ain’t Happenin ft. Amadeus & Blacastan (prod. Falside)
13. It’s Too Late ft. Amadeus (prod. Double Chamberz)
14. Science Of the Trife ft. Ill Bill & Q-Unique (prod. C. Lance)
15. Settin’ It Off ft. Reks, Jaysaun & Steven King (prod. Statik Selektah)
16. Trail Of Blood (prod. Statik Selektah)
17. Outro
18. Mind Of A Criminal (Remix) (prod. LuBalz)

Note:

Slaine was sure to be excited about the release of his debut album, A World Without Skies.  Then came word that he needed to pay for sample clearance and the project would not release on the anticipated date in October.   But rather than sulk over spilled milk, Slaine went right back to the lab and put together the mixtape, The Devil Never Dies for his fans.  This wasn’t just slapped together.  It couldn’t have been.  I do know that Slaine, according to his Twitter account and the Outro of this mixtape,  was hitting the studio for all night sessions trying to get this mixtape completed.  Not only did he succeed in completing the project, but he earns our #2 spot for Mixtape of the Year.

Continue reading “No. 2 Slaine – The Devil Never Dies Mixtape (2010)” →

stefanoneder Mixtapes

No. 3 Bambu x DJ Muggs – Los Angeles, Philippines Mixtape (2010)

Artist: Bambu x DJ Muggs

Album: Los Angeles, Philippines Mixtape

Source: 2DopeBoyz

Tracklisting:

  1. Gunfire
  2. Bullet
  3. Molotov Cocktail
  4. History Of Angels
  5. The Rock Rock On
  6. Grenade
  7. Firearm
  8. Smoke Smarter
  9. Pow Wow Drums
  10. Heist
  11. Check
  12. Kill A Man

Note:

Straight, no chaser.  That’s the effect that this mixtape has on you.  There are no guests.   There is no auto-tune.  There are no sing-song choruses.  Bambu and DJ Muggs stand in the midst of hip hop purity with, Los Angeles, Philippines Mixtape.

Continue reading “No. 3 Bambu x DJ Muggs – Los Angeles, Philippines Mixtape (2010)” →

stefanoneder Uncategorized

No. 5 Sean J – The Ego Egg Mixtape (2010)

Sean J is creating a buzz for himself through natural God-given talent and some hard work promoting.  There are a lot of deserving and talented artists who could be mentioned in this category.  Apparently, 90% of all emcees released a mixtape in 2010, but very few packed the punch that the Ego Egg Mixtape did.  His rhyming is superlative throughout the project and the original production is really impressive.   You can check out the review of the  #5 rated mixtape in 2010, here.

stefanoneder Uncategorized

50 Best Tracks of 2010

This is always the hardest thing to do.  It is incredibly hard to pick out 5o songs and label them the best of the best.  How hard is it?  I listened to 9009 songs from 2010 according to my Itunes.  And to pick the top 50 really is impossible.  Undoubtedly I left off some great songs, but if you are on this list, know that you made a very positive impression on me with your music and congratulations.

I have attached links so that you can listen to these songs.  I have used official and unofficial You Tube videos for the sole purpose of putting people onto the music.  I also used Bandcamp where appropriate.  If you have suggestions, comments, or questions please feel free to drop me a line.

  1. Grieves – Smile For The Blade
  2. Sene x Co$$ – Phenomenal (Nazareth)
  3. Intuition x Falside – Al Bundy (Remix)
  4. Wrekonize x Bernz – One Foot In The Grave
  5. K-Beta – Come Closer
  6. John Regan – Suicide Edicius
  7. Joell Ortiz x Audible Doctor – Battle Cry
  8. Mayday – No 1s Watching
  9. Laws x Emilio Rojas x Big K.R.I.T – Hold You Down Remix
  10. Skyzoo x Illmind – Frisbees
  11. Markmywords x Blame One x Chino XL – Dying Breed
  12. Cold Heat – Jakin’ Our Slang
  13. Epsilon Project x Kev Brown – Inspiration
  14. K. Sparks – Karma
  15. XL – Appetite For Dynomite
  16. Johnny Spanish x Chops – Shining
  17. The Left x Hassan Mackey – How We Live
  18. Apollo Brown x Rapper Big Pooh x Black Milk –Hungry
  19. 5 O’Clock Shadow Boxers – No Resolution
  20. The Burnerz x Mick Luter x The Grouch – The Edge
  21. Diabolic x Nate Augustus – 12 Shots
  22. JustMe x Deacon The Villain – The Prodigal
  23. Black Milk x Royce Da 5’9″ x Elzhi – Deadly Medley
  24. Kno x Thee Tom Hardy x Tunji – Rhythm Of The Rain
  25. Freddie Gibbs – Crushin’ Feelings
  26. Strong Arm Steady x Planet Asia x Fashawn – Questions
  27. A.Sesay x D.O.E. C.I.G.A.P.O.M x Napoleon Da Legend x Adversary – Sinking With The Ship
  28. Brokn.Englsh x The ARE – Can’t Fuck W/ Detroit
  29. Laelo Hood – Trust Nobody
  30. Clockwise – Medicine
  31. Gotham Green x DJ Quickiemart x Freddie Gibbs x Jes Hudak – Tell Me Something
  32. Co$$ x Numonics- Paranoid
  33. Block McCloud – Crazy Man
  34. Chapter 13 – Johny vs. Death
  35. Centric – Teflon Rap
  36. Chaundon x Carlitta Durand – Ya’ll Don’t Want It
  37. Eternia x Moss – Goodbye
  38. Jermiside x Danny Diggs – Afraid
  39. Voli – Deja Vu
  40. Kali x Termanology x Statik Selektah – Rock Starr
  41. King Mez x Commissioner x Tab One x Charlie Smarts – So Long
  42. Reef The Lost Cause x Guns-N-Butter – Lazy Sundays
  43. J. Pinder – All That Fire
  44. Slaine – Mind Of A Criminal Remix
  45. Pack FM – Nasty
  46. Kil Ripkin – Strong
  47. JFK x Xperience – Still Running
  48. Bambu x DJ Muggs – History Of Angels
  49. Soul Khan – Place That Birthed Me
  50. Black El x Durkin – Sunday Drive
stefanoneder Uncategorized

No. 4 Kil Ripkin – The Quickening Vol. 1 Mixtape (2010)

The fourth best mix tape of 2010 belongs to our previously discussed, Kil Ripkin’s The Quickening Vol. 1. One of the reasons that artists put out mixtapes is to introduce themselves to new fans. The Quickening Vol. 1 does just that and puts the best foot forward in doing so. Kil Ripkin does an excellent job putting together great tracks that represent his talent both musically and intellectually. Check the previous review here.

stefanoneder EP

No. 1 Epsilon Project – Audacity EP (2010)

Artist:
Epsilon Project

Album:
Audacity EP

Source:
Bandcamp

Tracklisting:

  1. A.O.D. Intro
  2. Audacity Of
    Dope (prod. by Seize)
  3. Turn It Up (prod. by
    Soopa Koopa)
  4. Inspiration (prod. by Kev
    Brown    )
  5. America (prod. by DJ
    Vadim    )
  6. In God We Trust (prod by DJ
    Sean)
  7. Poor World (ft. Mr Lee) (prod. by OhNo)
  8. Sleeping
    Giant (ft. Dopamine Rush of P.O.E.)
  9. Deranged
    Vets (prod. by V.I)

Note:
Our #1 EP from 2010 goes to the Epsilon Project’s
Audacity. To say that this project is quality
would be severely understating it’s worth. This is one of the most
solid projects that dropped in the last two years because it knocks
from start to finish. The array of emcees and production really
adds to making Audacity the dynamic project that it is.
Continue reading “No. 1 Epsilon Project – Audacity EP (2010)” →

stefanoneder EP

No. 2 A.Sesay – A Special EP (2010)

Note:  We have already reviewed this EP earlier in the year.  You can view the original post on A Special EP….HERE.  Quite simply this is a great sample of the music that this producer is capable of making.  I believe that the full course serving from A.Sesay will reveal the full compliment of his gifts.  The guests on this EP all shine.  Every song is a great listen.  So if you haven’t heard this EP yet, please so so immediately!