…For our third release, we have taken the original versions of “Hustle On The Side” and “Verbal Stampede” and their respective remixes and remastered them for this limited edition vinyl release. Also featured on this EP are the unreleased tracks, “Not Goin’ Pop” and “Can’t Fuck With My Crew”, all remastered from the original tapes.

This release is also notable for featuring (a reissue) of the first Hi-Tek production on vinyl. Mood tapped him for the remix of Hustle On The Side before formally introducing the world to him and his rhyming partner, Talib Kweli, on their masterful debut, Doom.

This release is limited to 250, hand-numbered copies, on three different colors. This round we have 85 green/black, 85 orange/black and 80 plain black. You can choose whichever color you prefer as supplies last. As well, we’re happy to announce that every single pre-order will be signed by Donte from Mood.

Ohio stand up.

MHz, Count Bass D, Mood And Various More – We’re On Top

Thus it should be no suprise that the first leak from Rawls’ upcoming album The Hip-Hop Affect (his first solo hip-hop album in nearly a decade) is an Ohio anthem of historic proportions. Featuring 23 (yes, 23) emcees from the state, “We’re On Top (#ohiotakeover)” is a posse cut for the ages.

via ugsmag

Circa ’95 demo tape from Cincinnati vets with unreleased tracks and early versions of songs that ultimately landed on their full length debut DOOM (if you’re not familiar, a regionally significant album pushed by TVT and sometimes accurately credited for launching careers of Talib & Hi-Tek). Link (via)

1.MOOD – Untitled Demo 1 (Unreleased)
2.MOOD – Untitled Demo 2 (Unreleased)
3.Talib Kweli – Untitled Demo 1 (Unreleased)(Cuts out for 4 secs at 1:00 mark)*
4.Talib Kweli – Untitled Demo 2 (Unreleased)
5.MOOD – Cincinnatti (Hi-Tek Version)(Unreleased)
6.Donte – Mr. Everything (Solo Version)(Unreleased)
7.MOOD – Doom Da feat. Pase Rock of Five Deez^(Unreleased)(Contains the interlude “Babylon The Great”, later used on the “DOOM” LP)
8.MOOD – Illuminated Sunz (Demo Version w/o Sunz Of Man)(Unreleased)
9.Talib Kweli & Rubix – Millionaires (Later released on “Mission Control Presents: Prehistoric Sounds” compilation)
10.MOOD – Untitled Demo 3 (Unreleased)(Main Flow’s verses from this were later used on DJ Greyboy’s “Uknowmylife” from the “Mastered The Art” LP)
11.MOOD – Peddlers Of Doom (Demo Version)(Unreleased)
12.MOOD – Empty Pages feat. Talib Kweli (Slightly different intro to the version later released on “Mission Control Presents: Prehistoric Sounds” compilation)
13.Talib Kweli – Untitled Demo 1 (Remix feat. Donte)(Unreleased)

previoiusly: Mood, Main Flow

Where’s Jahson?

Behind the scenes footage in Hi-Tek’s studio in Cincinnati during the shooting for Mood’s new video “Drugs War & Crime”.

Video for new single from Mood. They went all out for this one. Shot in four major cities I hope to visit one day, Cincinnati (Ohio), Tijuanna (Mexico), Caracas (Venezuela) and Bogota (Colombia). Like whoa! Second “night” version coming soon. Youtube is cool but to get a better picture you should get the qt version, courtesy of Vital Films.

New video from Mood. Vital Films presents Drugs War & Crime in HD. From the streets of America to the slums of the world, Drugs War and Crime is everywhere. Vital Films (www.vitalfilms.net) presents the music video for the new single from Mood. Off the new album “Hall Of Fame”.

This video is part one of a two part release for the song. One video is all day footage and the second one is a all night video. Drugs War & Crime was shot over a few week in four different countries (Cincinnati Ohio, Tijuanna Mexico, Caracas Venezuela and Bogota Colombia). Produced and Shot by Vital Films Inc. (Matt Hobbs and Cael Jones)

A Original Vital Films HD production
Shot by: Matt Hobbs and Cael Jones
Artist: Mood
Locations: Cincinnatti Ohio , Tawana Mexico , Carcas Venezuela, Bogota Colombia
Song: Drugs War & Crime
Album: Hall Of Fame
Label: Wanna Battle
Production Dates: June 2008

previously:
Mood – Drugs, War & Crime / audio

[Falls asleep, wakes up 2hrs later]

If indie artists were smart, they would recognize these bootleggers as their primary competitors. They would never send out promos, never press up cds. Stick to vinyl and downloads. The artist has to be first to the online market, or else they give up their strongest leverage.

[Drinks warm cup of legal absinthe]

Ok, ok, fine. I see how bootleggers undermine artists currently. But don’t you see how they are ultimately making them stronger? These freakin’ bootleggers are responsible for bringing down an entire industry! Think about it thunnie, their voracious appetite and altruistic sensibilities have forced the collapse of the music industrial complex. The commodotization of culture is that much weaker because of them. And indie artists are lifting themselves up by the bootstraps, out of necessity. They’ll do it in the end. They’ll figure it out and blaze like the sun. Bootleggers will continue to share, but fans will support the real.

[falls asleep, wakes up next day]

Damn. I was trippin. Fuck bootleggers.

[Inspired by the recent bootleggings of Mood - Doom, Dj Clue - Blizzard '94, Ed 209 and Imam Thug - Karma 360, Envelope - Shark Bolt. All releases which I own or have ordered recently and which I think everyone should listen to. In other words, I want to share, just like these bootleggers. Deep down inside, I am one. Sort of.]

New track from MOOD, off of upcoming album “Hall Of Fame”. Peace to Main Flow.

Mood – Drugs, War & Crime

Link (via ProHipHop)

Commenting on the purchase, The Orchard’s President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Scholl said, “TVT has been a pioneering independent label that has operated since its inception proudly outside of the traditional music industry, and that pioneering spirit is a great fit with The Orchard’s mission and mandate. Along with a great catalogue of chart-topping music, TVT has a formidable artist roster, with major hip-hop talents and a phenomenal pipeline of developing artists. We look forward to working with these artists, and where it makes sense, in conjunction with other Orchard clients and partners, to support their artistic vision and maximize their commercial potential.”

TVT Records President Steve Gottlieb said, “After 23 years and 25 plus Gold and Platinum releases, I am delighted to see TVT’s catalogue and roster move to a company so deeply engaged in developing the digital future of the music business. My energies will now focus on the continued growth of TVT Music as a premier music publisher, as well as following on with my consulting and co-investing with VC’s in early stage internet ventures.”

Reading about T.V.T.’s recent bankruptcy filings made me reminisce about Mood’s classic album “Doom”. Back when I looked forward to Hi-Tek beats and Kweli lyrics. Peace to Jahson also, who had production credits for about half of this album and has recently hit the boards for G-Unit.

Lauren from Asita Recordings points us to a conversation on the la2thebay forum, in which two acclaimed yet struggling artists discuss some of the reasons why trying to stay independent with bills and no steady paper is a bitch. 2mex and Subtitle sound off a bit on their point of view. As some additional background, 2mex stirred a slight controversy earlier this year when he decided to auction verses on ebay (unverified). But he’s definitely not the only example of a hustling mc. I think we all know how Sean Price gets down. Not to mention recent mysp*ce moves by legends such as Kool G Rap and Craig G.

Should musicians be able to live off of their creations? Is it a moral necessity? Is it unethical to sell verses? Sell beats? Nah. But, if artists do not disclose what they do or talk sh*t about selling out and then fall back to selling verses or pushing Pepsi, then there’s an issue with insincerity and integrity. But I guess not everyone is looking for sincerity in their music anyway, so whatever. Oh yeah, the quote I used for the title is from a song from one of my favorite albums, Doom by Mood. Link (via Asita)

Download Esoteric Manuscripts by Mood

Download Black Gangstas by Capone-N-Noreaga

see also:
Sample / Sampler
Sample Check – Buckwild vs. No ID
[Sample Check] Glory Be vs. Spilt Milk
[Sample Check] A Clockwork Orange: Necro or Clinton Sparks
sample check: buckwild vs. mcenroe
Sample Check: “Surround Sound Table” or “We Want Freedom”