Mixcloud Marauders

Download links get killed off far too quickly these days and I don't really have the time to keep up with requests for re-ups on old posts so from now I'll uploading as many of the old mixtapes and radio shows as possible from the OBFZL archives on this mixcloud page .

I might eventually embed the mixcloud page into the original blog posts. This site will still get updated as normal but once the initial download link has gone, it'll only be streaming audio. There's a few sites out there that will let you convert mixcloud to mp3 so you can still get 'em for keeps.

Alternate title for this post was 'When They Reminisce Over Kim'

R-E U-P B-L-O-G

I'm still going through all the old posts and re-upping dead links so bear with me if you've emailed any requests. Most recently I've just added fresh links for:

2 Raekwon freestyles from 1995

Freestyles by OC, Das EFX and Lord Finesse & Triple Seis

DJ MK 'Volume 8' from 1995

DJ Harry Love on Westwood from 1998

DJ Mastermind mixtapes #36, 37 & 42

Chuck Chillout on WBLS from 1989

Roc Raida on Hot 97 from 1994

Evil Dee on Hot 97 from 1994

For those of you down since day one, there will be some new stuff coming in the next few days.
If anyone has the Shortee Blitz & TY 'Full Frontal guest mix' I posted ages ago can you get in touch - my copy is corrupted.

y'all can't copyright no beats!

I received my first warning/take down notice from Blogger this week, for uploading this of all things. I emailed them back (to no response)to ask exactly who's copyright I had violated as the record in question isn't an unofficial release and I was curious as to who had beef: the dude that put it out, Ice Cube, Puffy, DMX or Survivor. That's 4 different record labels.
In the 3+ years I've been doing this I've generally stayed away from uploading commercial releases and things that are easily available to purchase but I was suprised that in over 400 posts that was the thing that got picked up on. It wasn't even listed on Discogs until a couple of weeks ago.
Anyway, at the risk of getting this whole thing shut down, I'll attempt to press on.

Media Assassin

Mark 563 has set up a new tumblr dedicated to posting up scans of classic Hip Hop magazines like HHC, The Source, Represent etc. GO HERE

On a similar tip, the ever reliable Martorialist shared this article from the November 93 issue of The Source with rappers and journalists selecting their favourite music and memories from back in the day. Highly recommended as there's some great anecdotes in there.

I had a ridiculous amount of mags from the first issue of HHC in 88/89 onwards but had to ditch the lot when I moved so its good to see things like this appearing!

I've been lucky enough to receive a nice batch of tapes in the post recently(lots of Westwood, along with a few others) so expect some treats to appear very soon. I'm off on on holiday next week so I'll try and throw a few bits up before then.

quick update...

Back off holiday. Shout out to everyone who made it over to SunceBeat in Croatia! I've had a lot of messages asking for re-ups on dead links so just to say that I'll get to them all eventually, hopefully within the next couple of days. Once they're out of the way it'll back to more of the usual. Stay tuned...

"Dont call it a comeback..."

I know that recently I said that the posts would be more regular now I had the new laptop hooked up but the weather has been way too good to be inside ripping tapes and blogging!
My apartment gets insanely hot in the summer so the less I'm there the better. Other excuses on my list involve work, women, beer, barbeques and the World Cup. This heat never lasts long in the UK though so normal service will be resumed soon!

halftime...

something for the people...

I haven't had much time to rip tapes or make mixes recently but I'm aiming to get back on track this week.
Here's a few things I've come across that are worth checking in the meantime:

Rakim & Biz Markie live at a Wyandance High School jam back in 1985

The best rap singles of the noughties

Good piece on Rap-A-Lot's production team

Dope (and seriously thorough) write up on UK legends London Posse

A seemingly endless supply of classic mixtapes

Shout to all the blogs that regularly update with original content!

As I come back...

Following on from the last post, things seem to be sorted out - for the moment anyway.
Firstly, thanks to DJ Mystery for sorting out my laptop and getting Adobe Audition up and running again. Audacity doesnt quite cut it as far as editing/tape ripping goes.
Secondly, massive big up to DJ MK for responding to my last post and letting me have a dig through his crates of mixtapes. He's got a sick collection and although I only had time to scratch the surface I definitely came home with some treats for you.
Check back over the next few weeks for some classic Funkmaster Flex, Lord Finesse, Tony Touch, Stretch & Bobbito and more.
On top of all that, and after fighting my way back from North London in some shitty traffic, I get home to see that Liverpool have beaten Man Utd. Again! A good day all round then...

UPDATE

Just a brief note to let those of you that check this site regularly know that it might be a bit quiet around here for a minute. The reasons are several (none of them federal) but its mainly because:

- The programme I use to record and edit has suddenly thrown a bitch fit and decided it doesnt like Vista (again) so I'm trying to sort that out.

- I've nearly exhausted my supply of tapes. I'm not that keen on re-posting things that are generally available elsewhere and I'm waiting to see if a couple of people come through and hook me up with some treats as promised.

In the meantime I recommend you investigate some of the good peoples on my blogroll.
If you're in need of a some classic Hip Hop to get you through the week DJ MK has just posted this DJ EV & Funkmaster Flex mixtape so go see him about that.

Stay tuned...