Hip-Hop

Known to many as the group Y Society, Insight the Truncator and Damu the Fudgemunk celebrate 10 plus years of friendship and a creative partnership that hold the two in high esteem of their fans.The MC & producer's new 7" is a compelling display of why the duo have always been at the top of their game despite their reserved output since debuting as a team in 2007. Surprising the world at the top of the year with their full length, "Ears Hear Spears" was a great way to sound the alarm for the excitement of new activity.Selective by nature, Insight and Damu's calculations have served advantageous in making moves and presenting listeners with the right music at the right time. The latest incarnation of this truth can be heard in the previously unreleased b-side track entitled "Pyramids to the Ghetto."Although it was recorded in 2008, it was archived and remained unreleased until now. Now in 2017 this particular song couldn't be any more relevant in how the artists analyze the effects racism of the past & present and it's correlation to black plight throughout the Americas (both Insight & Damu drop verses on this track).Continuing narratives of such legends as Public Enemy and Jeru the Damaja in which the track title quotes, the group individually presents short essays in rhyme form that give a candid account of what they've witnessed as black U.S. citizens living in the 20th and 21st Century. Not only are the social effects on the table for examination, but the positive and negative impacts a racist society has had on black contributions to art and culture are discussed.For the songwriters, "Pyramids to the Ghetto" is therapeutic in which harsh realities are confronted in an unapologetic manner contrasting the previous socially charged material in Insight and Damu's back catalog. For the listeners, it's a history lesson and a call to motivate us all that history doesn't always have to repeat itself even when it's been the norm for centuries. Adversity and oppression historically have hold some back and made some stronger, but acknowledgement is the first step of progression.The A-Side, "Never Off (On & On)" speaks on just that. It's a roadmap to dealing with everyday adversity, maintaining faith in self and striving to reach your full potential. Insight presents sermons of encouragement to the everyday person over the Fudgemunk's uplifting beat. The producer chimes in on the chorus with a few words of his own that insists to keep on your path and never fall off. The old saying goes, "Life ain't easy", but the group knows success is not unrealistic. "Never Off (On & On)" was the debut single from the debut album, "Travel at Your Own Pace" which has remained a staple in Insight the Truncator's and Damu the Fudgemunk's legacy. This the song's first official reissue and it's first appearance pressed on a 45.

A collection of improvisations and loops from a 2 hour session @ the studio compiled into a limited edition beat tape....much love. Limited edition.

Limited Edition, Numbered, 300 copiesDeluxe heavy cardboard old school Tip-On cover with glossy paper on front and mat on back.Credits insert printed on 160gr yellow paperOld school press kit photo insert printed on glossy photo paperHigh quality polylined black innersleeveshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr2gvPQUkT8&t=7s

DJ Harrison is Richmond VA-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Devonne Harris.The son of a radio DJ who introduced him to the world of record collecting, Harris grew up with music, progressing from violin, to high school drum-line, to the Jazz Studies program at Virginia Commonwealth University. He also continued working with other instruments and developed an interest in sampling. His development as a producer – at first, without a computer or sampler – came first learning to replay samples on the drums, piano, bass or guitar.DJ Harrison finds himself inspired by local musicians in the Richmond scene that’s as diverse and nonexclusive as they come. Among rappers, producers, punks and bluegrass bands, he falls within reach of an expansive pool of musicians to collaborate with. He lives and works in Jellowstone, a house turned recording compound occupied by his band mates in Butcher Brown, a “garage punk jazz funk” group.HazyMoods, DJ Harrison’s Stones Throw debut, was recorded there completely on tape, where the living room functions as a communal recording studio.

Californian keyboardist & beatmaker Kiefer (birthname Kiefer Shackelford) drops his debut LP. Catch Kiefer crushing the stage NOW in the touring Mndsgn LIVE trio (Ringgo, Swarvy, Kiefer).

Ill Camille, LA hip hop's female perspective. Ill Camille has been a vital member of the LA music scene for some years. Kendrick Lamar used her vocals prominently for the "good kid, m.A.A.d city" track "Sing about me", she has been working with other TDE artists occasionally and spend a lot of time writing for different projects Terrance Martin was involved with.At the same time Camille was developing her own material with her fellow peers such as MNDSGN, Iman Omari, DJ Battlecat, Like (Pac Div) Georgia Anne Muldrow & SIR who are all featured on her album “Heirloom” just like TDE co-president Punch. “Heirloom” productions range from smooth, g-funk esque west coast beats to live & organic soulful beats, working as the perfect backdrop for Camille's powerful, intelligent and thought thru lyrics.The album is deeply personal revolving around the issues that mater in her life from friends and family, her role as a woman and the heirloom of her and her surrounding: “I feel like everyone are heirlooms of our mothers and fathers. An heirloom is just something that’s passed down through a family. We get heirlooms in the form of game, encouragement or wise words. I know everyone has an aunt or uncle that’s given them some bars about life in general. I have a village around me that have given me heirlooms in the form of conversations”.

Illa J takes us on a trip to his hometown Detroit with his third solo album HOME. following his self titled LP, Illa J sometimes known as "John Regal" (born October 13,1986 in Detroit, Michigan) is a singer, songwriter, rapper, producer, multi instrumentalist. He takes us on a trip to his hometown Detroit with his third solo album HOME. His last LP successfully took Illa J out of his brother and hiphop legend J Dilla‘s shadow to show he is in his own lane. Yet, Yancey still felt as though he was in a box labeled rapper. Teaming up with producer Calvin Valentine, who entirely produced the album, HOME is Illa J‘s first album to properly showcase the full extent of his vocal range to put him in the singer-songwriter conversation. The listener can feel the soulfulness of this LP through Illa J‘s singing and Valentines‘ smooth production.On „Sam Cook“ which is an ode to Illa J‘s father who ghostwrote for Motown, Yancey dives into his falsetto that is reminiscent of D‘Angelo, Bilal and Al Green. While keeping his focus on singing. Illa J sprinkles the album with rap verses. On „7Mile“ his vocals smoothly float over the more raw/alternative cut laid by Valentine. The album title track „Home“ completes his album and solidifies Illa J‘s artistry as a well rounded singer who can rap.Illa J is a solo artists, former member of legendary group Slum Village. Active in the music industry since 2006 in L.A and Detroit, Illa J has released two solo albums, 2008’s Yancey Boys via Delicious Vinyl and 2015’s self titled LP Illa J via Bastard Jazz Records. In 2014, while refocusing on his solo career and stepping out of Slum Village, Illa J relocated to Montreal for a fresh new start. He has since entrenched himself in the Canadian music scene by collaborating with some of Canada’s finest emcees and producers including Moka Only, Potatohead People and Kaytranada.His recent collaborations have been with jazz legend, Robert Glasper in concert and on record for his Miles Davis tribute project Everything’s Beautiful. Illa J also had the privilege to collaborate with hip hop legend Phife Dawg from ATCQ on his double LP nutshell. Other features include Slum Village’s critically acclaimed album YES & famed UK producer Tom Misch Beat Tape 2.