Lest ye young pups forget, Boss Dogg is an O.G. for the Boys in Blue. When he’s not laid up with your baby mother in Vegas after she lied and told she was just going down the street, he’s out on the corner, saggin’ and flaggin’ with the 20′s. Read the rest of this entry »

Mobb Deep may have ruined the game for a lot of cats. Choosing to back down or access a situation with your brain first doesn’t make you shook in the slightest. You win some. You lose some. But you live to fight another day. Those are words from the wise. Those are words from Pops from Friday. Read the rest of this entry »

“Supreme Clienteleeeee!!! Ain’t no love to be found…”

Oh wait? What’s that you say? “Buck 50” was a decade ago? Then what is this rough, raw and rugged audio dope that is stimulating and so to pleasing my ear drums? It’s hypnotizing yet so grimy like a throwback to the days when a hoodie and ice grill was enough to freeze any posturing lame in their tracks trying to sugarcoat the realness. Read the rest of this entry »

“Wonder why Stim Pack didn’t sell a milli when/clearly everywhere they go/they starvin’ for our audio…”

Well, for starters Mr. Way, the good people who patrol the Internets © Dallas Penn are cheapskates. Even with extravagant gift-wrap, they’ll settle for the invisible set of MP3s any day of the week. But that’s an whole ‘nother convo all together. Read the rest of this entry »

So a couple a weeks ago, I’m chilling with Freeway after his show and he comes over with this iPad, excited about the new music he’s created for his upcoming album (his second of ’10), Diamond In The Rough. When asked about the status of his working relationship with Jake One, he immediately turned it over to “Beautiful Music.” Concocted by the Seattle Supersonic, a light piano riff and subtle drum loops were all that was needed for Freeway to deliver that some his rugged yet vintage Hip-Hop. Read the rest of this entry »

Rise Up, the latest album from High Times cover boys Cypress Hill, is an exercise in meeting expectations,. Multiple odes to marijuana? Check. Token attempts at rap-rock crossover? Of course. Cheech and Chong in the interludes? What do you think? Read the rest of this entry »

When he’s not in the studio, splitting Swisha’s and similes, Philly Freezer & Jake Uno are known to mack a b*tch–or three. Still sticking to their more for less motto, the latest video for the duo’s Congress approved city renewal project mixes splashes plenty of eye candy to match up each cutie per verse fairly nicely. Read the rest of this entry »

The weather’s broken and it’s no more appreciated than here at TSS.  The boots have been put away and the sneakers are out. Wireless hotspots & internet cards begin to look like sound investments when the sun begins to shine through the windows. Through it all, the content continues to fly fast and furious. Take a look back at some of the highlights of the past week: Read the rest of this entry »

With budget cutbacks affecting the maneuvers of the Hip-Hop culture in several different areas, sometimes the best answer is taking it back to the bare essentials. No frills, no gimmicks, just raw, urban renaissance in the truest sense. As key numerators of the movement, Freeway and Seattle-based producer Jake One have devised a plan to eliminate fan displeasure by offering more bang for your buck. With motivation not for financial gain but for the betterment of the rap mankind, The Stimulus Package serves up a great solution for the lost art of replay value. Read the rest of this entry »

While most members of the Roc dynasty have chosen to air their grievances against Hov instead of putting in some actual work, Freeway has been one of the few to move on and carve a strong following, going the semi-indie route. Arguably, the only other individual has been Young Chris, who linked up onstage last week with his aforementioned Philly brother from another.

In this second part of our video footage from “The New York Stimulus Package,” reflect on some of the Roc’s glory days as Free & Chris revisit “Roc The Mic” and a few other recognizable records.

Footage by North Tower Media.

Previously Posted — Freeway & Jake One – “She Makes Me Feel Alright” Live @ Highline Ballroom

Last Tuesday, Freeway and Jake One took to the stage at the Highline Ballroom for the “The New York Stimulus Package,” which is coolspeak for the NYC stop on their city-to-city tour of album release parties. Gettin’ their independent grind on the right way by making each market feel special, if only for one night. After being introduced by Miss Info, the duo charges right into the album’s first single, “She Makes Me Feel Alright,” highlighted by the timeless Rick James-sample and Free’s professions of adoration and devotion in verse.

Thanks to Frank, Big Machine Media and team @ Highline for the accommodations. Respect to North Tower Media’s Matt Mitchener (director), Kristopher Rey-Talley & Dustin Nakao-Haider (cameras), Eric Swiecinski & Devin Chanda (producers) for putting in work. Watch for additional footage in the next day or two.

On February 16th, Freeway and Jake One will be bringing their two-man show to NYC’s Highline Ballroom for The Stimulus Package album release party. Joell Ortiz will be in the building as well as a slated special performance by Brother Ali. Lastly, the final attendees will be THREE lucky TSS visitors and one of their friends as we’ve got SIX FREE TICKETS to give away. Read the rest of this entry »

Much like the CD, the vinyl to Freeway & Jake One’s collaborative album The Stimulus Package features an extravagant packaging that’s surely destined to become a collector’s item down the line. There’s still time to pre-order your copy to have a chance to win one of those $100 prizes as well as get The Beat Made Me Do It and Freelapse for the five-finger discount. Read the rest of this entry »

Prime example on why I opt to support via physical copies of albums opposed to digital media stores. The tireless efforts of the design team, photographers, etc. get largely ignored when you’re just hoarding those MP3s. And who wouldn’t want to have this Hip-Hop architecture, derived from the genius of Brent Rollins, Freeway & Jake One in their collection? Read the rest of this entry »

This winter, no one can bitch ‘n moan that Hip-Hop didn’t bail them out from a drought of monotony. Joining forces for the greater good of purity, Freeway & Jake One are set to give a jolt into rap’s economy with their collaborative effort The Stimulus Package on Rhymesayers Ent. Consider yourselves beneficiaries as a result because aside from exceptional music, there’s prizes to be won. Read the rest of this entry »