Black Star - Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star

Year : 1998

Label : Rawkus

Genre : Hip-Hop

Style : Conscious

Black Star is a Hip-Hop duo formed by rappers Mos Def & Talib Kweli associated to the producer DJ Hi-Tek. Mos Def and Talib Kweli are part of the Native Tongues collective including A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, the Jungle Brothers, Da Bush Babees and Common. The duo is born on the New York alternative rap scene of the late 1990s, taking the name of 'Black Star' in reference to Pan-Africanist movement lead by Marcus Garvey. Titles include featurings with jazz keyboardist Weldon Irvine from The Crusaders & DJ Evil Dee on "Astronomy (8th Light)", Vinia Mojica on "K. O. S. (Determination)", Apani B Fly on "Hater Players", Common on "Respiration" and Jane Doe, Punch&Words on "Twice Inna Lifetime".

Apani - Story 2 Tell

Year : 2003
Label : Miclife
Genre : Hip-Hop
Style : Abstract, Conscious

Apani Smith best known as Apani B Fly is a MC based in New-York, active since 1996, releasing her first single "Estragen" in 1996. In 1999, she released her first studio album within the Polyrhythm Addicts alongside rappers Corey Roberts, Marcus Vialva and producer DJ Spinna. Apani collaborated with Black Star (Talib Kweli & Mos Def), J. Rawls, japanese producers Nujabes and Shin-Ski or parisian Hip-Hop trio Jazz Liberatorz. "Story 2 Tell" is her debut solo album after eight-year career produced by DJ Spinna, DJ Crossfader, Celph Titled among others, including titles "Spot Me" featuring Sara Kana, "Airtight" feat. Chico's Son, Lee Boogalou & Sekou720, "Ichinisan" feat. Kojoe, "The Epidemic" feat. Jean Grae, "Abracadabra", "Stay Up" feat. Monet. "Airtight" contains a sample of "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)" by Bob Marley & The Wailers.

Nujabes, Various - Hyde Out Productions - First Collection

Year : 2003

Label : Hyde Out Recordings

Genre : Hip-Hop, Electronic

Style : Jazzy Hip-Hop, Downtempo

Jun Seba aka Nujabes is a japanese hip-hop producer, beatmaker and DJ, owner of independant label Hyde-Out Recordings. Mostly influenced by the Cool Jazz of Miles Davis or various works from Yusef Lateef, Nujabes performs downtempo, a blend of Jazz with electronic overtones. He produced various american, japanese and european rappers from the alternative Hip-Hop scene  including Five Deez, Substantial or his fellow countryman, Shing02. In 2002, he was recruited to collaborate in the development of the Samurai Champloo soundscape among others Fat Jon, Tsutchie & FORCE OF NATURE. This compilation showcases the Nujabes' touch productions, combining Hip-Hop & Future Jazz including instrumentals tracks by Nujabes, several of his productions, remixes by Fat Jon & Monorisick plus collaborations with rappers L-Universe, Substantial, Apani B, Funky DL, Pase Rock from Five Deez, Cise Star from CYNE & Shing02. All tracks produced & mixed by Nujabes except "It's About Time" by Fat Jon The Ample Soul Physician.

TRACKLIST : Nujabes - Moon Strut (Intro) / Funky DL Feat. Monorisick - Don't Even Try It / Apani B. Fly Emcee - Strive / Substantial - Home Sweet Home / Nujabes - Still Talking To You / Shing02 - Luv (Sic) Feat. DJ Top Bill / Nujabes - Steadfast / Substantial & L-Universe - Lyrical Terrorists / L-Universe - Lose My Religion (Remix) / Pase Rock - It's About Time (Fat Jon Remix) / Five Deez - Plazma Avenue (Remix) / Cise Star Feat. El-Orbit - D.T.F.N. / Funky DL Feat. Monorisick - People's Don't Stray / Shing02 Feat. DJ Dai Nasty- Luv (Sic) Pt. 2. 

LISTEN SAMPLE