Promise, from Toronto, Canada, is a new artist working with Duck Down Music. Promise’s sound has a true inspirational message. On his latest album, ‘Awakening,’ Promise blends conceptual songwriting and potent lyrical content with a focus on life, love & the consciousness of mankind. “Against The Odds” is produced by RealBlazeMusic. Directed by Andre Rehal.
]]> http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/12/21/promise-against-the-odds-feat-jhene-aiko-video/feed/ 0 http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/09/27/dru-ha-speaks-on-the-state-of-ny-hip-hop/ http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/09/27/dru-ha-speaks-on-the-state-of-ny-hip-hop/#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:09:39 +0000 http://www.hiphopsite.com/?p=38686

Duck Down head cheese speaks with DJBoothTV for an exclusive interview to discuss the current state, and evolution, of east coast hip-hop.
]]> http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/09/27/dru-ha-speaks-on-the-state-of-ny-hip-hop/feed/ 0 http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/09/21/the-away-team-set-it-off-feat-talib-kweli-rapsody-take-air/ http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/09/21/the-away-team-set-it-off-feat-talib-kweli-rapsody-take-air/#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:11:39 +0000 http://www.hiphopsite.com/?p=38455

A pair of joints from The Away Team’s upcoming Duck Down release, Scars & Stripes, hitting October 11th.
]]> http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/09/21/the-away-team-set-it-off-feat-talib-kweli-rapsody-take-air/feed/ 3 http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/08/24/the-away-team-scars-stripes/ http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/08/24/the-away-team-scars-stripes/#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:11:10 +0000 http://www.hiphopsite.com/?p=37539

The Away Team presents their latest audio leak, “Scars & Stripes,” the title-track off their upcoming album out October 11th through Jamla / It’s A Wonderful World Music Group / Duck Down Music. Fans can pre-order the album now on iTunes.
]]> http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/08/24/the-away-team-scars-stripes/feed/ 1 http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/07/22/black-rob-breaks-down-game-tested-lp-video/ http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/07/22/black-rob-breaks-down-game-tested-lp-video/#comments Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:45:14 +0000 http://www.hiphopsite.com/?p=36605

Black Rob’s new LP, Game Tested, Street Approved hits July 26th on Duck Down.
]]> http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/07/22/black-rob-breaks-down-game-tested-lp-video/feed/ 3 http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/03/28/pharoahe-monch-w-a-r-we-are-renegades-12-review/ http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/03/28/pharoahe-monch-w-a-r-we-are-renegades-12-review/#comments Tue, 29 Mar 2011 06:21:30 +0000 http://www.hiphopsite.com/?p=32112 [cont.]]]> The curse of the classic album. Every artist in the world wants to release an LP that shifts the paradigm of music as a whole, and remains timeless to listeners decades later. It’s arguable whether or not Pharoahe Monch did this on Organized Konfusion’s Stress: The Extinction Agenda in 1994, or later with his debut solo LP, Internal Affairs (rated @@@@@ here in 1999). Whether or not the hip-hop collective consciousness agrees about these two records being classics, both were incredibly good LP’s, a point which nobody can contest. So the curse of the classic album is ultimately having to live up to that standard with each consecutive release.

W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) is a strong LP, but does not live up to the standard set by Monch’s previous works. A concept LP, the album cover trades Desire‘s mummy-wrapped Monch for a gas-masked one, setting it in a post-apocalyptic landscape, which just so happens to look a lot like the hood right now. Monch uses the LP as a platform to spread his brand of gospel, touching upon a multitude of topics in the streets and the industry, much like his previous works. “Clap (One Day)” is a scathing dis towards the po-lice, over M-Phazes’ 9th Wonder-esque chops, while “The Hitman” goes after the record industry with Pharoahe’s brilliant penmanship. “If you are not performing fellatio for radio-rotation / what’s the ratio for radio play at your station / if you’re not paying to play, the record is dead / puts a whole new spin on radio-head.”

Lines like that last one evoke memories of a young Pharoahe Monch, combining rhymes-within-rhymes, punchlines, a conscious message, and clever wordplay. That kind of thing is all over the album, but rarely do we get the type of verses that find Monch channeling other-worldly entities like he did on “Stress” or “Bring It On (Remix)”. The production is solid, but toned down in places. For instance, “Shine”, produced by Diamond D is of the classic D.I.T.C. variety, but Monch’s verses seem more like stream-of-consciousness rather than that of the Neo-Geo-32-bit-computer-chip-when-he-spits variety. The same can be said for the opening track “Calculated Amalgamation” or the somber, Exile produced “Evolve”. The message is there, the fire-and-brimstone Pharoahe delivery is not.

Still, when the beats are a bit more abrasive, the claws come out. The title track “W.A.R.” (feat. Immortal Technique) and the lyrical power-shake “Assassins” (feat. Jean Grae and Royce Da 5’9) find him in his element. The album closer “Still Standing” sounds inspired, acting as the record’s most personal track, speaking on events that have effected his life thus far.

While yes, we are being critical, W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) is still a solid LP and is recommended listening. As a fan of Monch since “Fudge Pudge”, this critic has a twenty-year catalog to put this album up against, so the bar is set pretty high. Definitely an improvement over Desire, Monch’s latest might not be his best, but shouldn’t have a problem pleasing fans old and new. W.A.R.‘s on.

Coming from Black Rob’s upcoming project on Duck Down, due next year.

LISTEN: Black Rob – “Up North” (Prod. by Bishop)

Black Rob – “Up North” (Prod. by Bishop)

Taken from Rustee’s Adamantine, in stores now on Duck Down.

These are available for pre-order now via UGHH. Bootleg your favorite albums in style with this handy flash drive.

Black Rob is the newest affiliate of Duck Down Music. The former Bad Boy, Harlem rapper is poised to release his first studio album in over five years. This past May, Black Rob was released from prison after serving four years for failing to show up to a previous sentence hearing for a grand larceny charge. Over the past seven months Black Rob has returned to the studio where he’s always felt most comfortable.

Black Rob explains the LP is a “testimony of what I stand for and how I feel. The people have been asking for true hip hop music, and that’s what I’m giving them. I stayed away from features. I’ve been away for 4 joints, so I feel the people deserve to hear me. When I came home, I went right to work, and didn’t have time to reach out to cats. On my next project you will get that. As for producers, I have some up-and-coming cats on there. I believe in giving cats a chance. As far as named producers you may hear a joint or two from Buckwild, Self Service, Bishop, Scram Jones and Pete Rock.”

On his decision to work with Duck Down Music, Black Rob reveals that he “always respected their movement and also been a fan of their music. If I’m going independent why not go with a team I respect, and they have always had a true family setting & environment.”

During the course of his career, Black Rob has recorded several successful projects. In 2000, he released ‘Life Story,’ which has sold over 1 million units & featured the well-known single, “WHOA!” Five years later, he returned with ‘The Black Rob Report,’ which surpassed sales of 100,000 units. Again, five years later, Black Rob is readying a new album entitled ‘Game Tested & Street Approved.’

Skyzoo & !LLMIND present their video for “Frisbees.” Music off the album ‘Live From The Tape Deck,’ in stores October 5th on Duck Down Music. Video directed by Derek Pike.

In celebration of Duck Down Music’s 15 year anniversary, Rocksmith Tokyo has designed a limited-edition T-shirt paying homage to the milestone. Inspired by Nintendo’s classic ‘Duck Hunt’ video game from 1994, Rocksmith has re-created the game’s cover artwork to resemble Duck Down Music’s iconic running man logo. High quality material, sewn in custom tag, poly bagged. Available now @ Duck Down.

New Flud Duck Down watch features the Duck Down XV Logo on the face, which rotates along the hour masking disc. Comes packaged with an engraved Duck Down Dog Tag chain that reads “DUCK DOWN TIMELESS INDEPENDENCE”. Available in white and red. Preorder now @ Duck Down.

Duck Down Music is celebrating its 15 Year Anniversary with a commemorative album that pays homage to what the fans voted to be the strongest record from each of the 15 years. There are two bonus tracks from 1993 & 1994 to offer tribute to Black Moon’s hit record “Who Got The Props,” and Smif N Wessun’s classic “Sound Bwoy Burial.” An exclusive track was recorded for the year 2010 called “Better Than You” featuring Buckshot, Skyzoo, Promise & Sean Price, produced by Double-O of Kidz In The Hall.

A timeline poster was created to unveil the official track listing which showcases key imagery associated with each song.

An NYC album release show is scheduled at BB KINGS on July 13th featuring performances by Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, Buckshot, Smif N Wessun, Kidz In The Hall, Skyzoo, Marco Polo, Torae, Ruste Juxx & plenty of special guests. Music by DJ EVIL DEE. Hosted by Angela Yee & Amanda Diva. Tickets can be purchased here.

Official Track Listing:

1993 (BONUS):
Black Moon – Who Got The Props (Enta Da Stage)

1994 (BONUS):
Smif N Wessun – Sound Bwoy Burial (Da Shinin)

1995:
Fab 5 (Heltah Skeltah & O.G.C.) – Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka (Nocturnal)

1996:
O.G.C. – No Fear (Da Storm)

1997:
Boot Camp Clik Headz R Readee Part II (For The People)

1998:
Cocoa Brovaz aka Smif N Wessun – Black Trump feat Raekwon (Rude Awakening)

1999:
Black Moon – 2 Turntables & A Mic (War Zone)

2000:
Smif N Wessun – Super Brooklyn (Single)

2001:
Sean Price – Don’t Say Sh*t To Ruck (Single)

2002:
Boot Camp Clik – And So (Chosen Few)

2003:
Black Moon – Stay Real (Total Eclipse)

2004:
Smif N Wessun – D&D Soundclash (Collect Dis Edition)

2005:
9th Wonder & Buckshot – No Comparison (Chemistry)

2006:
Boot Camp Clik – Here We Come (Last Stand)

2007:
Sean Price – P-Body (Jesus Price Supastar)

2008:
Kidz In The Hall – Drivin Down The Block (The In Crowd)

2009:
KRS-ONE & BUCKSHOT – Robot (Survival Skills)

2010:
I’m Better Than You – Buckshot, Skyzoo, Promise & Sean Price (produced by Double-O of Kidz In The Hall)

We had to dig this one up. This disastrous freestyle session isn’t quite a battle, but goes crazily awry when an over-excited Freaky Tah “goes in” live on Tim Westwood’s show. It begins with Spigg Nice doing his thing, only to be over powered by his pal Tah (R.I.P.). Heltah Skeltah try to salvage the thing, but then Tah comes in again spitting on the mic over Ruck and Rock’s rhymes. The thing becomes such a mess, you can envision the program director losing his mind. Suddenly, mics are faded out before the station begins “experiencing technical difficulties”. Check out a bonus Evil Dee freestyle from Buckshot and Rock of Heltah Skeltah as well.

- Lost Boyz vs. Heltah Skeltah On Tim Westwood (1996) + Buckshot and Rock of H.S. with Evil Dee (1996) (.zip)