Tapedeck #2

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien - "Neighborhood" from Hiero Oldies (1996, Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings)

An early 4-track recording from Hieroglyphics frontman Del Tha Funkee Homosapien. Originally recorded in 1992, "Neighborhood" chronicles the experiences of Del in his hometown of East Oakland. This track was pulled from "Hiero Oldies", a cassette compilation of early Hieroglyphics recordings assembled by the crew's longtime producer Domino. Reworked, remastered versions of the Hiero Oldies cassettes were released on CD in 2003. "Neighborhood" appears on volume two of that series.

OVM (Original Vibe Monsters) - "Sunshine Days" from Gods and Monsters EP (2001, Newkleus Entertainment)

Original Vibe Monsters: a New England crew consisting of MC's Alias, Nodoz and Sunny Black. Sunshine Days is a soulful, nostalgic reflection on the joys of childhood from the group's now hard-to-find debut EP, "Gods and Monsters". Production is handled by Soul Searchers. "All my wiffleballers, holla".

Swann Notty - "4 Steps (in tha Game)" from 4 Steps (in tha Game) 12" (2002, CNJ Records)

Boston resident Swann Notty details the uprise and subsequent downfall many MC's experience in their careers step-by-step on this addictive, guitar-laced headnodder. Production credit is split between Joey Beats of Non-Prophets fame and in-house CNJ Records producer 8th Wundah. Cuts are courtesy of DJ Mekalek from Time Machine.