Official label description: “Although it hasn’t been that long since the legendary Grand Wizard Theodore invented scratching and helped birth an entire genre in the process, it seems like the current generation is more concerned with fame and ratings than making timeless music. Here to squash the nonsense and educate the youth is the Queens’ turntablist/producer, DJ JS-1, and his latest joint “Turn The Tables,” featuring the legendary Diggin In The Crates emcee, O.C. The track plays out like a Hip-Hop version of Daft Punk’s “Teachers,” wherein the ‘Word…Life’ poet shouts out a number of influential forces who have blessed the wheels of steel over the years. Whereas any new jack can quickly get nice on Serato, auto sync some tracks, and call themselves a DJ, the duo take things back to a time where your credibility on the wheels and the m.i.c. was everything. “Turn The Tables” is the first single from DJ JS-1′s ‘It Is What It Isn’t LP,’ which drops next Tuesday (10/14). If you’ve let the turntable collect too much dust, this single is available as a limited edition 7″ 45, with an exclusive Acapella B-Side, courtesy of Fat Beats. Fire this up on your 1200s, as the tables turn!”

Tracklist:
01. Turn the Tables (feat. O.C.)
02. It Is What It Isn’t (feat. Blacastan, Illa Ghee &Trez)
03. 110 Percent (feat. Breez Brewin, Homeboy Sandman & Kyle Rapps)
04. Give A Damn (feat. Dynasty, Eternia & Sara Kana)
05. Forgotten (feat. Spit Gemz, Wes & Nutso)
06. Pay Attention (feat. Soul Khan)
07. Interference (feat. Esoteric & Ras Kass)
08. Letchuknow (feat. Strick & Eklips)
09. Whatever It Takes (feat Murs & Fashawn)
10. Higher Level (feat. Brother J & Professor X)
11. DieHard (feat. Erick Sermon, Rahzel & Buckshot)
12. Klick Clique (feat. KRS-One & Torae)
13. Groom Lake (feat. C Rayz Walz)
14. Show Shockin’ (feat. El Da Sensei, Tame One & Reef the Lost Cauze)
15. Infinite (feat. Ruste Juxx & Sav Killz)
16. Profreshionals (feat. Ill Bill & Slaine)
17. Love Me Not (feat. Kurious, Craig G & Smooth B)
18. My Neighborhood (feat. Pack FM)
19. Soo Real (feat. Rasheed Chappell & Wordsworth)
20. Sample Abuser (feat. AG, Sadat X & Neek the Exotic)
21. STCAF (feat. Lordroc, Eternal, Melo Malo, Lifelong, Truth & Cerebral)

From Hus Kingpin’s New York N***a In L.A. mixtape, coming soon.

Video animated and Directed by Orign of Futprnts Workshop 2014. “Light Years” ft. Roc Marciano, A.G., O.C., & Godfather III the single from DJ Skizz’s debut producer album B.Q.E. (Brooklyn-Queens Experience). Available on Itunes now.

Apathy took to Facebook to announce that he and O.C. have joined together to form a supergroup called Perestroika. The term refers to, “a political movement for reformation within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union during the 1980s (1986), widely associated with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and his glasnost (meaning “openness”) policy reform. The literal meaning of perestroika is “restructuring”, referring to the restructuring of the Soviet political and economic system.”

Ap and O.C. are currently recording an album together as Perestroika, he revealed today via Twitter.

“We’re about 5 songs deep,” Apathy told HipHopSite.Com exclusively. “I’ve been the biggest O.C. fan since he first came out, so it’s beyond an honor for me. This is classic O.C. and Apathy. Hard lyrics. Concepts and classic beats. High expectations will be met and exceeded.”

Meanwhile, Apathy is just about to drop his newest solo album, Connecticut Casual, on June 3rd. The solo project will include production from Da Beatminerz, The Doppelgangaz, Teddy Roxpin, Smoke the World and Apathy.

Announcement: Apathy & O.C. (DITC) have formed a group called "Perestroika" and are recording an album right now.

— IG: ApathyDGZ (@ApathyDGZ) April 27, 2014

Organized Konfusion reunites on the latest single from Prince Po and Oh No’s new album Animal Serum.

From OutDaBox Radio:

“This week, Out Da Box Radio is happy to bring you an enlightening interview with Veteran Producer and Emcee, “Ray West” and “OC (of D.I.T.C.)”. Last month, the two artists released their debut collabo project, entitled “Ray’s Café”, a project themed around the atmosphere of a vibed out Jazz Club. We got the chance to speak to them on a number of insightful topics. The 1st, being their individual history and how their intent to do music as a career all began. They also spoke on the album’s theme and the importance of preserving Jazz and Blues music for today and future generations. In addition, they talked about what naturally evolving Hip Hop should sound like in 2014 and referenced artists like Roc Marciano and Ka as artists who exemplify the New York sound in its most authentic form today. On the beat making side, Ray took a moment to speak on the subject of Analog Vs Digital production as well as his thoughts on artists who use a software approach. He states “I try not to hate on anybody’s process, as long as they’re creating music that they feel good about and they can make it sound dope, then I’m a 100 percent with it”. As the interview progressed, OC gave some insight into his earlier career in reference to his debut LP “Word Life”, and the story behind his successful “Time’s Up” Record. He further touched on the success of being a part of the D.I.T.C. crew and offered up some advice for hip-hop crews of this generation (i.e. Pro Era) to continue to flourish. In conclusion Ray and OC spoke on their relationship with fellow D.I.T.C. emcee and friend “AG”. They also offered some insight into the reflective subject of “Rules They Would Break And Rules They Would Keep” if they had the chance to start their career all over again. This was truly an insightful interview that taught me a lot about these artists, their perspectives and their profound contributions to Hip Hop. I feel that fans of 90’s Golden Era Hip Hop will deeply appreciate this interview. It was a great pleasure to build with Ray and OC and I wish them much success in their future endeavors. Feel free to support their latest project entitled “Ray’s Café” out now via Red Apples 45, available on vinyl as well as on itunes. In the meantime, certainly take some time to listen to our in-depth interview with the two artists. We truly hope you are inspired!”

Prince Po and Oh No’s Animal Serum LP is out today, which features another new Organized Konfusion reunion cut, also featuring Omar Credle.

Ray West & OC (DITC) are gearing up for their collaborative album “Ray’s Cafe” which will be released on January 21st via Red Apples Forty-Five. Entirely produced by NYC producer, Ray West, the two decided to drop some tracks during the holiday season which didn’t make the final album, but recorded during the same album sessions. Today, check out this first non-album track for the song “Just Cause” which finds OC with plenty of room and space over Ray West’s atmospheric production. Additionally, check out the official album trailer below.

Red Apples 45 continues its boutique-style catalogue with Ray’s Cafe, this time around pairing the talent of OC of DITC and producer Ray West. This combination of talent is set in the theme of a smoky jazz cafe in the 1970s where OC is free of all boundaries and limitations. Timeless songs of love, life, loss, and glory fill the air of the cafe with mystique and inspiration. Brought to you by Red Apples 45 and Fat Beats. Also featuring DITC’s AG and Milano. Check out the album tracklist and trailer below.

Ray West & OC (DITC) “Ray’s Cafe” Full Album Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. Ray’s Cafe
3. Have Fun
4. Soul Kitchen
5. Go Back ft. Milano & AG
6. Lovers
7. Breaking Rules
8. YMI
9. Gotta Luv It

From Marco Polo’s October 24th release, PA 2: The Director’s Cut.

From DJ Skizz’s Brooklyn-Queens Experience project, coming soon from Soul Spazm.

Kid Tsunami’s The Chase will be released digitally on 6-18-2013 via Fat Beats with CD and Double Vinyl LP to follow shortly after the digital release.

1.) AR Toxic f/ Kool Keith w/ Chuck Chilla (guitar)
2.) Bang Exclusive f/ Sean Price w/ Chuck Chilla (guitar)
3.) Get It f/ Prince Po
4.) Catch Wreck f/ O.C.
5.) Twothousand40 f/ Masta Ace
6.) On Course f/ Thirstin’ Howl the 3rd & Sadat X
7.) What It Was f/ J-Live
8.) No Guarantees f/ Yesh
9.) Worldwide Connex f/ Craig G
10.) Take It Back f/ El Da Sensei
11.) Down Pat f/ Percee P
12.) Authentic f/ Bahamadia
13.) The First Letter f/ AG
14.) Art Of War f/ Kool G Rap
15.) These Are The Facts f/ KRS-One
16.) The Chase f/ Buckshot, Chubb Rock, Pharoahe Monche & Jeru The Damaja
***all tracks produced by Kid Tsunami

With his debut album Elegant Aggression set to hit stores on September 25th, the latest edition to the Nature Sounds family is launching a new remix series. On Elegant Remixes, Sureshot Symphony Solution will be giving classic tracks across all genres a funky, psychedelic makeover. First up is O.C.’s classic “Time’s Up,” which gets laced with funky live drums and powerful horn stabs courtesy of Sureshot. Elegant Aggression features vocals from Ohmega Watts, Coultrain, Myron & E, The Mighty Pope, and more.

As promised, Showbiz & AG’s upcoming album Mugshot Music will be released soon. To start things off, check the first leak from the upcoming album for the track “Everytime I Touch The Mic” featuring DITC affiliate OC and Frank V on the hook.

After hip-hop’s golden era of the 90′s ended, a lot of rappers found themselves trying to adapt to new standards set by commercially-relevant-yet-street-saavy acts like the Jay-Z, Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, and Snoop Dogg. Soon, every New York emcee was trying to carve out the next “Hypnotize”, resulting in a lot of our favorite emcees releasing lackluster singles and misdirected LP’s. After releasing his classic debut, Word…Life – with one of the greatest hip-hop singles of all time at the helm (“Time’s Up”) – O.C. followed up an arguably perfect album with Jewelz. While O.C.’s sophomore release undoubtedly had it’s share of raw bangers buried within (hence the title), it was led with a pair of crossover attempts, the forgettable radio single “Far From Yours” with Yvette Michelle, and the uninspired jacking of Sugar Hill Gang’s “8th Wonder” for “Dangerous” with Big L. Looking back, these two singles were better than what today’s major labels shovel at radio, but despite giving O.C. some quick sales, neither were the national hit singles he needed. Like many other rappers of the era, this set Omar Credle on an unfortunate path that would not allow him to recapture the magic that was found on his debut.

O.C. touches upon this on Trophies’ final track, “Fantastic”, recounting the last five albums of his career, all which have led to this point. He admits some slip-ups along the way, suggesting things got back on track with the release of the little heard Starchild and Smoke & Mirrors. While both LP’s were reviewed solidly, O has struggled to strike the chord found on his Buckwild-helmed debut. Trophies seems to remedy that – putting O.C. back in prime form – thanks to the wall-to-wall production from Detroit producer Apollo Brown and ultra poetic lyrics from O himself.

Being the work of one producer, the album is perhaps O.C.’s most cohesive yet. There are no radio-ready “singles” interrupting the flow of the record, there are no guest appearances, no requisite DJ Premier tracks, and most of all, no bullshit. As mentioned on “Fantastic”, there couldn’t be a more honest rapper than O.C. – a simple blue collar worker that likes to smoke his pipe after a hard days work (“Another One”), or one that pays homage to his favorite rapper ever – The D.O.C. – in a revealing cover of “The Formula”.

And it’s O.C.’s knack for constructing such incredibly lucid poetry that makes him easily one of the greatest emcees currently holding a microphone. O doesn’t go for cheesy punchlines, thug bravado, or finger-waving preachiness; instead, he describes the world around him with Blu-Ray clarity. “Nautica” for instance, speaks on the destructive nature his own flow, driving an extended metaphor of hurricane-like proportions, which will go over the heads of many. The same can be said for “We The People” – where he lambasts neighborhood folk for worshipping the villain, or “Caught Up”, which examines how far young ladies will go for fame.

O suggests on “Fantastic” – “Take away the music / Listen to my acapellas / my shit is art / with texture and colors…” While a true statement, all of this could not be possible without the production of Apollo Brown. Brown’s classically driven, sample based hip-hop production brings something vintage – yet not dated – to the table, as he creates bittersweet backdrops for O to rhyme atop. A newcomer to the game, Apollo has struggled a bit to get the same amount of props as other underground stalwarts like Preem or Pete Rock, but this may be the album that later defined a turning point in his respective career. All in all, despite being among both the midnight hours of the indie hip-hop movement and well past that of the golden era, O.C. and Apollo Brown have teamed to truly create something special with Trophies.