Another one from Linkin Park’s Recharged remix LP, featuring guest verses from Cody B. Ware and Styles Of Beyond’s Ryu. Not quite a Fort Minor reunion, but close. “Fort Minor, we major / let’s take it to phase 2 / I’ve been on the internet / Hearing fans talk / maybe we should consider it.”

From THE LAYOVER hosted by: DJ Woogie. Directed & Edited By ALIWOOD.

As long as they’ve been putting it down in the game, it’s hard to believe there’s never been a Demigodz full-length LP before. We did see a little heard EP back in 2002, courtesy of Ill Boogie Records, which would lay the foundations for this very album. Ten years later, Apathy, Celph Titled, Esoteric, Ryu, Blacastan, and Motive come together and form like Voltron on their first official album, KILLmatic.

What’s interesting on this reverse-Wu-Tang approach is that the Godz built their careers first as individual acts, then came together a decade later to record their debut album. This might have actually been the best approach, as the crew has had a bit of a revolving door roster, with names like L-Fudge, Louis Logic, and Rise seemingly disappearing. Still, the core of the group remains the same, stronger than ever before, as each core member has matured into a polished, seasoned emcee.

The who-gives-a-fuck mentality of KILLmatic comes through in both it’s brazen lyrical content and it’s flagrant sample selection. The lyrical content is a contest of jabs, designed to shock the listener and instigate friendly competition within the crew. While longtime fans will snicker, rather than gasp, at their barbs, this is sure to offend your mom, your little brother, and your local pastor, while Big L and Big Pun smile from beyond the grave.

But back to those samples. We won’t blow up their spot here, but the album opens with the previously released “Demigodz Is Back”, which informally compares them to America’s favorite fictional boxer, boldly sampling his theme song without regard for clearances. The same can be said for the dead-bent “Dead In The Middle”, which borrows a classic line from Pun for it’s hook, as well as another famous theme song from an animated gang and their dog, who we’ve always assumed smoke just about as much as the Godz. These familiar samples give the average listener something to grasp ahold of, while the crew tears the mics to shreds each time.

The 80′s cartoon influence goes well beyond that however, rearing it’s head later in the album as well. “Tomax & Xamot” is a brilliant lyrical tribute to everything Hasbro, while “Captain Caveman” is a hilarious collaboration with R.A. The Rugged Man, who still might be a little sour about Ice Cube’s “Cave Bitch” record. The latter’s sample works so well, we couldn’t believe it took this long for someone to build a track around it. And the influence of Cube and company extends further onto “Raiders Cap”, which finds each Apathy, Ryu, Motive, Celph Titled working as some kind of Bizarro World, millennial N.W.A.

With the exception of one Premier track (“Worst Nightmare”, which shows ever-improvement from the Gang Starr legend) and a closer from Marco Polo (“Audi 5000″), most of the album’s production is handled in house, or by the group’s usual collaborators (Snowgoons, Scoop Deville). Playing solidly throughout, this formula shows the “hot producer checklist” isn’t needed.

As hip-hop music continues to deteriorate into something only used to sell bottles (whether it be champagne or soda), it’s nice to see a crew of dudes like Demigodz still holding it down after a decade plus in the game, especially when many of the cats that came up in their era have more or less hung up their mics. While it may have taken longer than we would have liked for this LP to come to fruition, timeless hip-hop has no expiration date. Peace to the Godz.

In order of appearance: Apathy, Ryu, Blacastan, Esoteric, Motive, Celph Titled. Cuts by DJ Premier.
Directed & edited by “Open” Mike & Greg LaRose. KILLmatic in stores now.

Rap conglomerate, “The Demigodz”, deliver their long-awaited full length album. After years of strongly cultivating their fanbase and branding their stamp within the underground hip hop scene, this supergroup of sharp soloists unite to create a force of witty lyricism and authentic, classic-style East Coast hip-hop production. The crew consists of many recognizable names, including Apathy, Celph Titled, Ryu (of Styles of Beyond/Fort Minor), Esoteric, Blacastan and Motive. Each member has built up their own following over time — and now they all combine to create a powerhouse album that their fans have always wanted. While Apathy, Celph Titled and Esoteric are also part of Jedi Mind Tricks’ best-selling “Army of the Pharaohs” clique, the Demigodz are an old school crew that have a strong alliance with their Pharaoh brethren dating back to the late 90′s. Additionally, the Godz have been highly heralded by Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda, as he recruited them to be a part of his RIAA Certified Gold “Fort Minor” project and tour in 2006.

This new album is the first official follow-up since 2002′s “The Godz Must Be Crazy” EP and 2007′s “The Godz Must Be Crazier” deluxe re-issue; both top-selling indie hip-hop titles. “Demigodz is for true, hardcore hip-hop fans,” Apathy says. “This KILLmatic album was made to reflect that. We always try to keep it grimy, dirty, creepy, spooky and f–ked up.” The LP features production from DJ Premier, Marco Polo, Snowgoons, and Will C. among others, including Apathy himself. Outside guest appearances include shots from R.A. The Rugged Man, Termanology, Scoop Deville, Eternia, Planetary (of Outerspace/Army of the Pharaohs), and Panchi (of NYGz). The album is due March 5th.

Tracklist:

1. Intro (Gods On The Earth)
2. Demigodz Is Back
3. Dumb High (feat. Open Mic)
4. Never Take Me Out (feat. Termanology)
5. Just Can’t Quit (feat. Scoop DeVille)
6. Worst Nightmare
7. Can’t Fool Me (feat. Eternia)
8. DGZ x NYGz (feat. Panchi of NYGz)
9. Dead In The Middle
10. The Gospel According To…
(feat. Planetary of Outerspace)
11. Raiders Cap
12. The Fallen Angels
13. The Summer of Sam
14. Tomax & Xamot
15. Captain Caveman (feat. R.A. The Rugged Man)
16. Audi 5000

On 3-5-2013, the Demigodz (Apathy, Celph Titled, Ryu of Styles Of Beyond, Esoteric, Motive, Blacastan) will release there first official full-length LP, KILLMatic, and it will feature appearances from RA The Rugged Man, Termanology, Panchi (of NYG’z), Planetary (of Outerspace), Scoop Deville & Eternia with production from DJ Premier, Marco Polo, The Snowgoons, Apathy, Teddy Roxpin, Chumzilla, Skammadix & Will C.

While it’s a frozen tundra over much of the east coast, Demigodz (Apathy, Celph Titled, Ryu, Esoteric, Blacastan & Motive) take you back to the “Summer Of Sam” and go in over a Snowgoons production.

This already classic single from 2011 is working as the first single from the Demigodz upcoming LP, KILLmatic, due March 5th. Video directed & edited by Andrew Camacho for Flawless Visuals.

Styles of Beyond’s Reseda Beach has been in the works since 2007, the follow-up to their last LP, Megadef. After a short stint with Mike Shinoda’s Fort Minor project, the project has been in development for years now, having tracks recorded with Celph Titled, RZA, Apathy, Micheal Buble (!), and Holly Brook (aka Skylar Grey) in the can. While it is uncertain whether or not this is the same album that was recorded during those sessions, or if they have fine-tuned it for a 2012 release, Ryu announced on Twitter today that it will be released within the next two months via Celph Titled’s Dirty Version Records.

Apathy, Ryu and Celph Titled are back and will release a new LP in 2012. Here is the first single, produced by Ap.

Download

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Directed by – Alex/2tone. This video was shot unplanned and unscripted and on the move. Most was shot in Vegas at the MAGIC tradeshow for TLFI and the rest in LA. Cameos from – Kid Sister, 40 Glocc, Paul Wall, Divine Styler, Terry Kennedy, Kristina Rose, 87 Stick Up Kids, and Sick Jacken of Psycho Realm. Enjoy. This video was a blast. Slump.
]]> http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/05/03/get-busy-committee-pay-me-in-ass-video/feed/ 0 http://www.hiphopsite.com/2010/12/21/ryu-i-did-it-to-myself-prod-apathy-mp3/ http://www.hiphopsite.com/2010/12/21/ryu-i-did-it-to-myself-prod-apathy-mp3/#comments Tue, 21 Dec 2010 22:59:27 +0000 http://www.hiphopsite.com/?p=27903

Down since day one Demigodz crew delivers some new shit. Ryu voices some regrets over this Apathy instrumental, inspired by the Vincent Guaraldi Trio.

LISTEN: Ryu – “I Did It To Myself” (prod. Apathy) (MP3)

Ryu – “I Did It To Myself” (prod. Apathy) (MP3)

New video from the Scoop Deville, Apathy, and Ryu, directed by Alex/2Tone.

The GBC delivers the posse remix of “Dancin’ On Your Grave”.

LISTEN: Get Busy Committee – “Dancin’ On Your Grave (Remix)” (feat. Xzibit, Paul Wall, Murs)

Get Busy Committee – “Dancin’ On Your Grave (Remix)” (feat. Xzibit, Paul Wall, Murs)

Looks like the GBC is back to work, as Apathy, Ryu, and Scoop Deville deliver new material on Tokyo Sex Whale Records.

LISTEN: Get Busy Committee – “Dancin On Your Grave” (feat. Brevi) (MP3)

Get Busy Committee – “Dancin On Your Grave” (feat. Brevi) (MP3)

Get Busy Committee is Ryu (Styles of Beyond, Fort Minor), Apathy (Demigodz, Army of The Pharoahs) and Scoop Deville (son of Kid Frost, producer of Snoop’s “I Wanna Rock”). Despite the group only officially forming one year ago, the trio have managed to use their past experience to cultivate a solid sound, at once a throwback to days of hip-hop past and its future. And while their subject matter may be considered lighthearted to some, there is no end to the serious level of craftsmanship put into the group’s songs; they manage to successfully know when and where to emphasize lyrical content and when to hold back for lighter fare. Their full-length album, “Uzi Does It”, was released late last year to critical and consumer acclaim.