Benz and a Backpack

Ricky Shabazz & the Boom Bap Boys and Juan Deuce present No Sweat. After the major success of his collaborative tape with Falside for The Mechanics EP, Juan recruited a team of slick producers to craft the music on No Sweat: Falside, J57 and Audible Doctor (of The Brown Bag All-Stars), The Doppelgangaz, Fonzi Wells, pJAYd, Fakts One (The Perceptionists), and ACB. Juan flexes over the diverse production, showcasing his growing lyrical muscles with a little help from fellow New Englanders Jon Hope, Romen Rok, and Dj Emoh Betta. Stream, download, share and enjoy! Note: Physical copies of No Sweat and Sweat Band Bundles will be available for purchase via Strange Famous Records later this month.

Tracklist after the skip!
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Written on a Thursday, recorded on Friday afternoon at J57′s studio in Brooklyn and shot that same evening in Lower Manhattan, “China Town” is a testament to Doss The Artist’s relentless work ethic and impeccable flow. Over a zany pJAYd-produced track, Doss spits as if he were a painter during the Impressionism era, using broad and narrow strokes to paint a vivid picture of the world as he sees it. With New York City’s Chinatown as his backdrop and talented DD172 director Shruti Parekh behind the lens, Doss manages to crystalize a fleeting moment in time and lend weight to the legend of the Honda Odyssey.

Hit the skip to watch the video for “China Town” and download the fifth installment of 9Lives.

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Round 2 of J57′s 2057 releases leading up to the album, which drops in the near future. Stream and D/L under the cut!

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The good homie J57 dropped this joint off earlier today, an absolute banger featuring some of the heavier emcees in the game right now (Bronsalino and Maffew are two of my favorites). “The Main Event” is the first single off J57′s upcoming tape 2057, due out in the near future. Cuts on the track courtesy of DJ Brace, shouts to the BBAS!

Download: J57 ft. Meyhem Lauren, Action Bronson, Maffew Ragazino & Rasheed Chappell – The Main Event (Single)

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Here goes Soul Khan on his Jack Donaghy, or Brain (of Pinky and The Brain), flow, burying a dead body as he lays out his plans to take over the world. Catch Soul Khan at the A3C Festival on Saturday 10/8 and CMJ Festival 10/21. Shouts to J57!

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fwmj’s Producers I Know Presents: J57′s “The Analog Tape,” inspired by early an early-to-mid 90′s sound complete with dirty, dusty tracks that hearken to the Stretch & Bobbito era of beats. Shouts to Dart Adams for overseeing the project!

Download: J57 – The Analog Tape (Beat Tape)

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The homie J57 dropped off Soul Khan’s newest release, Resolution, earlier today. Proverbial music to my ears, Soul Khan has figured out a very simple formula for making high-quality music: thoughtfulness. His music is at once lighthearted and sober, and always purposeful. The album was produced by Brown Bag AllStars’ producer Marink, with some help from J57 and Audible Doctor as well. Stream the lead single “Lord Khan Almighty” featuring Big Chief and Akie Bermiss below, then hit the skip for a full tracklist, download link, and a Soul Khan freestyle over a classic Lauryn track.

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Koncept of Brown Bag AllStars notoriety just put word out regarding some freshy new tees he just dropped. Head over here to order one online now. If you have a shape, they have a size.

Previous: J57′s 5 Freshest 90′s Hockey Jerseys (And More)

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This past week the homie Soul Khan graced the stage at the famed Arlene’s Grocery on the Lower East Side, and BarrelhouseBKLYN was in attendance to catch it on camera. Soul Khan rocks steady on the mic, and with a little help from talented singer/songwriter Akie Berniss on the chorus “Speeding Bullets” a bonafide winner. Hit the skip to see BarrelhouseBKLYN’s video of Kendrick Lamar tearing the stage down at Southpaw, and check out their website for the rest of their outstanding work.

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The Brown Bag All Stars dropped their version of the Beatnuts “Psycho Dwarf” last week for free download. Check out their tribute to the classic Beatnuts track below. After the jump, peep the homie Audible Doctor’s work on Consequence’s new album Movies On Demand III. The Audible Doctor is both an emcee and a producer, and his work on Cons’ album should not be overlooked due to Cons’ recent…erm…issues. Shouts to BBAS!

Download: Brown Bag AllStars – Psycho Dwarf 2011
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Whether you’re a fan of no-beat emcee battles or not, you gotta see Soul Khan in this one. He comes absolutely correct in every round, showcasing wit, wordplay, and complex metaphors (see especially: Soul Khan’s line that begins “You’re from Woodhaven…”). Historically, some battle rappers have had a tough time making the transition to making well-rounded rap songs, but Soul Khan never suffered this widespread ill (Jin, Murda Mook, etc.). Keep tabs on Soul Khan and the Brown Bag All Stars via their website. Shouts to J57!

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5. Buffalo Sabres

I grew up in the 90’s like millions of other people. [Hockey] was my shit growing up, it was all I did from when I was 8 or 9. I played for the school team and was the captain and all that shit, which was pretty cool. My drive with music is pretty much the same as it was with hockey. That’s why I was successful at hockey and was doing what I was doing, but it took a backseat [to music] later on. I’m not gonna be one of those people like, “Yo, hip hop changed my life.” Yea, it totally did, but I’m not gonna be a fake person and be like hockey never existed for me. – J57

When I first approached J57 about putting up a list of his favorite things, little did I know he would suggest digging into his too-deep knowledge of 90′s hockey. I had a few minutes to catch up with the producer from the Brown Bag AllStars, and we shot the shit about his favorite sport growing up, working at Fat Beats and the formation of BBAS.

4. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim's Wild Wing Jersey

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