DJ Neil Armstrong
As a DJ, over the years I’ve developed a few routines that I like to break out here and there to keep my sets interesting. Sometimes I do this thing where I’ll play the sample source and mix it into the song using the sample. I call it “Single City.” Other times I’ll loop a section of lyrics and mix that into another song with the same or similar lyrics. I call this “Swing City. How do we filter out the teases? We don’t let them in. This goes for the guys, too, because sometimes the guys are tapped out. But check your lease man, because you’re living in “Fuck City!”
One better-known DJ who has also discovered the wonders of “Single City” (aka a standard DJ routine) is NYC’s Neil Armstrong, founding member of the 5th Platoon DJ collective and Jay-Z’s tour DJ. Armstrong has also appeared on Letterman, Carson Daly (is that still a show?), at the NBA All-Star Game and the Olympic Games.
Additionally, he has been steadily churning out mixtapes for over a decade now, among them Originals, which takes the sample->sample source idea to new levels and DNA of The Blueprint, which serves as Armstrong’s personal tribute to his current MC (both are available for download after the jump).
(more…)
Classic Hip Hop Mixes: Dr. Dre x DJ Riz
Years before I got into smoking weed, drinking malt liquor and doing drive-bys, The Chronic was released and I, like every other 12 year-old boy on my block, quickly put away the Cooleyhighharmony and jumped full force into G-Funk. It wasn’t that suburban white kids like me could really relate to the content, or that we held real animosity toward EZ or Tim Dog (or knew who Tim Dog was). Instead, it was Dre’s flawless production and the smooth, at-times angry lyrical flow of the Death Row camp that had me singing “bitches ain’t shit” as I rode my sweet GT bicycle home from school.
It’s been 18 years (do the math) and there finally seems to be real evidence that the often-talked-about, never-produced album “Detox” might actually see release this year. Scott Storch, who has apparently been doing some detoxing himself, earlier this month mentioned that the release of the album’s first single “Under Pressure,” which features Jay-Z, should happen sometime this summer.
With an album from Big Boi also set to drop in the summer months, this could be a good year for the aging stars of rap. In anticipation of these alleged releases, here are some olllllld throwback mixes from two of hip-hop’s best known DJs.
(mp3s after the jump)
(more…)
DJ Riz
Last week, I came across this mix by DJ Riz — co-founder of Crooklyn Clan and arguably one of the best hip-hop DJs alive. Now best known for his website, where DJs can buy the latest BEP song mashed up with “Love is Gone,” Riz is also kind of amazing behind the decks and apparently the favorite DJ of some of my favorite DJs.
In this short set, he quick mixes classic hip hop and soul. Enjoy:
DJ Jazzy Jeff
Brooklyn Circus made a last minute announcement today regarding their regular hip hop & soul party at Yoshi’s (SF) Le Cirque and it doesn’t get much bigger. The party has been moved downstairs to the main performance venue and headlining will be none other than DJ Jazzy Jeff. Friend of The Projects King Most and the City’s favorite DJ under 5-feet Shred One will provide support. Tix are $22 and you can buy them here. I will definitely be making this one.
(more…)
Stretch Armstrong
This weekend legendary hip hop turned house dj Stretch Armstrong pulls double duty, playing a pair of parties here in The City. First, Stretch headlines SF’s premier hipster rave Blow Up at The Rickshaw Stop, with support from regulars Richie Panic and Jeffrey Paradise. Saturday night, you can catch him playing 90’s pop hits at 111 Minna for their monthly party Club 1994.
Here’s an electro mix from a 2008 that was one of my favorites from that year (after the jump). Not for the faint of heart:
(more…)
DJ Excel
Ol’ head DJ Excel of Philly’s Skratch Makaniks crew is one of those rare DJs that possesses both insane turntablist skills and the rare ability to rock any party. After regrettably missing Edan’s set last week at SOM’s Change the Beat party (which was apparently unbelievable), I’ve been rabidly devouring classic hip hop sets in an attempt to make up for my absence on Tuesday.
Fortunately, DJ Excel just posted this gem up last week and it is sick. I just wish it were longer.