Benz and a Backpack

Last week we debuted the final, mixed-down version of Pistol Pone’s new single “She Only Smiles.” After a week of waiting with bated-breath, the visuals for the track have finally arrived. Alipone fleshed out the concept of “She Only Smiles” very nicely, celebrating wholesome women both on a broad scale and in his own life. The Honcho-produced cut has been popular on our radio show for a minute, and the message is undeniably positive and unique in an era of hip-hop that undermines and vastly under-represents its female population. Hit the skip for a link to the HD version of the video and a download link for the final version of “She Only Smiles”!

Alipone – She Only Smiles [prod. DJ Head Honcho]

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This week in sports, Nyjer Morgan of the Washington Nationals gets the inaugural “Tell Em Why You Mad” award (shouts to Killa & Bill O’Reilly). This season, Morgan is racking up a discipline rap sheet longer than Manute Bol (R.I.P.). On August 21st, Morgan threw a baseball into the stands at Philadelphia’s Citizen’s Bank Park. There is NOT good footage of this incident that would really support the statement that he threw it at a fan, but the MLB doled out a seven-game suspension anyway. Unfair? Probably. Morgan appealed the suspension shortly after receiving it. Last Saturday, Morgan ran over Cardinals catcher Bryan Anderson, who did not even have the ball at home plate. Building up a reputation at this point? Absolutely. On Tuesday against the Marlins, Morgan ran over catcher Brett Hayes in the 10th inning. A pattern of aggression is, at this point, completely supported. Then on Wednesday, Morgan got hit by a pitch from Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad in the fourth inning, and Morgan responded by stealing second AND third base.

It gets even better. In the sixth inning, Volstad threw behind Morgan. Morgan paused momentarily while looking towards the third base dugout, then he BOLTED towards the mound. Watch this clip- Morgan manages to get his elbow protector off while running towards the mound. He gets one good left cross in before first baseman Gaby Sanchez decks him to the ground. Nyjer Morgan, if you read this, I am not passing judgment, but its hard to watch these events pile up and not want to say…”YOU MAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!”

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The hip-hop world is abuzz with the promise of a follow-up from one of rap’s most prominent and skilled female emcees, Rah Digga. On the heels of her inclusion in BET’s recent documentary ‘My Mic Sounds Nice’, Digga delivers a taste of what’s to come with the remix of “This Ain’t No Lil Kid Rap,” the lead single from Classic. Featuring Redman, the pairing is only natural, as the Digga and Redman are good friends and New Jersey natives. Despite the long-running friendship and shared geographic location, this track marks the first time the two have ever appeared on a song together.

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In honor of Fat Beats’ 16 years of business, Duck Down Music artists Buckshot, Smif N Wessun, Pharoahe Monch, Rock of Heltah Skeltah, Skyzoo & !llmind, Torae and Ruste Juxx will be making appearances and signing autographs this evening at Fat Beats in-store event. If your in the tri-state area and want a dose of real hip-hop mixed with nostalgia, make sure you’re there.

Date: Tonight – Thursday, Sept 2nd
Time: 7-9PM
Location: Fat Beats NYC
Address: 406 Avenue of Americas (Between 8th and 9th Streets), New York, NY

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I had the pleasure of hosting Juan Deuce, Jahpan and Little Bastard Clothing Co.’s end of summer show at Jerky’s Music Hall last week, and to reiterate: it was really dope. It was a night of hip-shaking music (shouts to Mekalek), delicious drinks, a lively atmosphere, and good people. For the most part, the overwhelmingly positive turnout was a reflection of the good-natured people behind the show: Deuce, JapLo, and Long & company at Little Bastard. The tag team of Juan Deuce and Jap are a force to be reckoned with on-stage: they bring endless amounts of energy, wit, and good humor. Today marks the digital release of Juan Deuce’s newest effort: Juance Upon A Time. Tracklist, download link, and live footage of Deuce and Little Bastard Co. at Jerky’s after the jump!
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Flick Brown hails from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and given the resurgence of treehugging lyricism right now (see: Wiz, Curren$y, Smoke DZA) it’s only right that Flick gets some shine too. “Passing Time,” produced by Akello Light, is a lo-fi, bass-heavy cut with deeply embedded vocals that seem to emanate from the beat’s core. Click here for the “Passing Time” visuals, and for more on Flick Brown check his BandCamp!

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New York-born Chicago-bred emcee K. Vincent’s newest joint “Ain’t A Thang Chang” knocks like cops at the door: with force. Featuring soulful production from Nabs (as well as Excel Cruz & Black Lion), K. Vincent displays his skill with the lyrical paintbrush, vividly depicting the influences that shaped his former lifestyle and those that direct his current path. Peep more K. Vincent on his BandCamp, all infused with a similarly soulful approach both lyrically and musically. Shouts to Dante!

K. Vincent – Ain’t A Thang Change

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After a hugely successful album release party this past Saturday at Jerky’s, the official digital release of the homie JapLo’s second release It’s Always Sunny In Providence. Jahpan enlisted two of Rhode Island’s top DJs for the production on the album, Mekalek & CR The Beast, but he also rocks over a host of recognizable industry beats. Jap’s earnest flow is infectious; his raw hip-hop sensibility and deep-seated love for the form are discernible upon first listen (see: the Mekalek-produced joint “Better Than Before”). Features include Jap’s squad Fedd Hill, fast-rising emcees Shawn Jackson, Double K, Juan Deuce, and former Main Source member Large Professor. Hit the skip for the download link and track list, and get at Jap on Facebook!
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I have a confession to make. Alipone and I were chillen in the studio one night, and upon hearing “She Only Smiles” I had to put it on my hard drive right away without him knowing. I knew it was gonna be a smash hit, and Lo(Life)-and-behold it was. Pistol Pone wasn’t angry about it, but he did want to make sure everyone got a chance to hear the final, mixed-down version of the track, so he dropped it off to Clutch and me last night for Midnight Madness. The video for “She Only Smiles,” shot by Sev-One, will premier right here on Benz And A Backpack next Sunday night at midnight. We got a chance to preview the visuals, and they are unequivocally official. Check back next week for the official “She Only Smiles” video as well as a download link to the mastered version of the cut.

Alipone – She Only Smiles [prod. Honcho] by BenzAndABackpack

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The nation’s smallest state is teeming with talented musicians. Falside is a producer out of Rhode Island and part of the Poorly Drawn People collective.  To put it lightly, he’s a monster on the beats. His resume boasts production for a variety of MC’s including Papoose, Planet Asia, Reef the Lost Cauze, El Da Sensei, Pace Won, Slaine (of La Coka Nostra), Reks, C-Rayz Walz, Vast Aire, Pack FM, and Jeru the Damaja. Fal handled the engineering on Action Bronson’s track “Imported Goods,” which was recently featured on XXL.com. His most recent beat tape, Jesus Shaves, shows an ambitious mind and eclectic ear for beat making, pulling together samples from many varied genres. The tape caught some serious shine and was featured by URB Magazine on their website back in June. Keep tabs on Falside and his music via his website or on Twitter!

Falside by BenzAndABackpack

Download: Falside – Jesus Shaves (Beat Tape)

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