DJ Matthew Africa - 2 Busy Saying Yeah

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2010-04-29T12:20:00.001-07:00

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2 Busy Saying Yeah - Substitution

2010-04-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

Melvin Bliss's "Synthetic Substitution" is my favorite break of all time.

I love drum breaks and could go on for days about the greatest ones, but "Substitution" stands out. Those drums sound so immense, hit so hard and are so funky-- there's just nothing close.

On this week's show, I mix and talk about 47 of my favorite songs that sample "Substitution", plus play the song itself.

2 Busy Saying Yeah 19 - Substitution

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1. Ultramagnetic MCs: Ego Tripping
2. Xperado: Watch Your Step feat. O.C.
3. Divine Force: Holy War
4. Ghostface Killah: Mighty Healthy
5. N.W.A.: Real Zaggin Don’t Die
6. Too Poetic: God Made Me Funky
7. Onyx: Throw Ya Gunz
8. Pharcyde: Ya Mama
9. Pete Rock & CL Smooth: For Pete’s Sake
10. Public Enemy: Don’t Believe the Hype
11. Willie D: Put the Fuckin’ Gun Away
12. MC Jr. Cas: Walk On the Wild Side [Club mix]
13. Almighty RSO: One in the Chamba feat. M.O.P.
14. Group Home: So Called Friends
15. T-Wiz: Good Thing Goin’
16. Knowledge: Put On Your X
17. Def Jef: Black to the Future RMX
18. Top Choice Clique: Peace of Mind
19. Biz Markie: Cool V’s Tribute to Scratching
20. Supreme Nyborn: Versatile Extension
21. Ultramagnetic MCs: Pluckin’ Cards
22. Freddie Foxxx: Crazy Like a Foxxx
23. Percee P & Ekim: Now They Wanna See Me
24. Robbie B & DJ Jazz: Comin’ Correct
25. AMG: Trunk of Funk
26. Zhigge: Toss It Up
27. Public Enemy: Brothers Gonna Work It Out RMX
28. Public Enemy: Brothers Gonna Work It Out
29. Von Love: This Is How It Should Be Done
30. Choice M.C.: This Is the B-Side feat. Chill Phill & MC Sergio
31. Ol Dirty Bastard: Cuttin’ Headz feat. the RZA
32. Wu-Tang Clan: Clan In Da Front
33. Naughty by Nature: Yoke the Joker
34. Ghostface Killah: The Champ
35. Funk Lab All-Stars: La Da Da
36. Digital Underground: Tie the Knot
37. Too $hort: Hoes
38. EPMD: Mr. Bozack
39. De La Soul: Stone Age
40. Coolio: I Remember feat. J-Ro & Billy Boy
41. Method Man: All I Need
42. Scarface: Murder by Reason of Insanity
43. Eazy E: Eazy Street
44. Gang Starr: Code of the Streets
45. New Style: Drop the Bomb
46. C.E.B.: Get the Point
47. Brotha Lynch Hung: 24 Deep
48. Melvin Bliss: Synthetic Substitution

I'm currently working on turning this sprawling podcast into a streamlined, hard-hitting mixtape. When I get around to that, I'll share what I know about "Synthetic Substitution" itself and about Melvin McClellan, p/k/a Melvin Bliss.

2 Busy Saying Yeah - Why you gotta keep bringing up old hits?

2010-02-11T16:23:00.000-08:00

In this episode I play and talk about some of my favorite songs that got reissued in 2009. The bulk of it is soul and funk, although there's also disco, psych, gospel, rap and weird foreign hybrids of many of the aforementioned styles.

Most of the selections are from releases that are legitimately licensed and carefully assembled, with proper mastering, handsome packaging and thoughtful annotations. I have a lot of respect for those who take the time and effort to do it right. I hope you support them so that they can continue the work that they do.

2 Busy Saying Yeah 16: Why You Gotta Keep Bringing Up Old...

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1. Man: “And In the Beginning” Revelation
2. Little Francisco Greaves: “Moving-Grooving” V/A - Panamá! 3: Calypso Panameño, Guajira Jazz & Cúmbia Típica on the Isthmus 1960-75
3. The Blue Rhythm Combo: “Take the Funky Feeling” V/A - Tropical Funk Experience
4. Kukumbas: “Respect” V/A - Psych Funk 101
5. Chocolate Snow: “Inflation” V/A - Eccentric Soul: Smart's Palace
6. Lyman Woodard Organization: “On Your Mind” Saturday Night Special
7. Nite-Liters: “Valdez In the Country” A-Nal-Y-Sis
8. Demon Fuzz: “Disillusioned” Afreaka!
9. The Pretty Things: “You Might Even Say” Philippe Debarge
10. P.E. Hewitt Jazz Ensemble: “Bada Que Bash” V/A - Spiritual Jazz - Esoteric, Modal + Deep Jazz From the Underground 1968-77
11. Lizzy Mercier Descloux: “Hard-Boiled Babe” V/A - Ze 30 - Ze Records Story 1979-2009
12. Gichy Dan's Beachwood No. 9: “On a Day Like Today” (Todd Terje's Friendly Children Edit) V/A - ZEVolution: ZE Records Re-Edited
13. Chemise: “She Can't Love You” V/A - DJ Spinna Presents the Boogie Back: Post Disco Club Jams
14. Cubie Burke: “Down For Double” [JM After-Session M&M Mix] V/A - John Morales - The M&M Mixes
15. Herman's Rocket: “Hanged in the Universe” V/A - Jean-Pierre Massiera - Psychoses Discoïd (1976-1981)
16. Chorus Reverendus: “Dans Son Euphorie” V/A - Wizzz! Psychorama Français 1966-70
17. Apostles of Music: “Wade In the Water” V/A - Local Customs: Downriver Revival
18. The Metros: “Since I Found My Baby” Sweetest One
19. Willie Hutch: “A Love That's Worth Havin'” Soul Portrait
20. Ronnie McNeir: “In Summertime” Ronnie McNeir
21. Andrew Brown: “You Made Me Suffer” V/A - Light: On the South Side
22. Sugar Pie DeSanto: “Use What You Got” V/A - Go Go Power • The Complete Chess Singles 1961-1966
23. The Daughters of Eve: “Help Me Boy” V/A - 2131 South Michigan Avenue: 60s Garage & Psychedelia From U.S.A. & Destination Records
24. Brigitte Fontaine: “Il Pleut“ V/A - Dirty French Psychedelics
25. 24-Carat Black: “I Want to Make Up” Gone: The Promises of Yesterday
26. Sensational Saints: “How Great Thou Art” V/A - Forge Your Own Chains
27. Amazing Farmer Singers of Chicago: “I Got a Telephone In My Bosom” V/A - Fire In My Bones: Raw Rare + Otherworldly African-American Gospel (1944-2007)
28. The Relatives: “Don't Let Me Fall” Don't Let Me Fall
29. John Heartsman & Circles: “Up From Down” Music of My Heart
30. Azambuja & CIA: “Tema De Azambuja” V/A - Black Rio 2: Original Samba Soul 1968-1981
31. Tafo: “Karye Pyar” feat. Nahid Akhtar V/A - The Sound of Wonder!
32. The Animated Egg: “Sock It My Way” Guitar Freakout
33. Natural Elements: “Tri-Boro” 1999
34. Sport "G" & Mastermind: “Live” V/A - Random Rap
35. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou: “Koutoulié” The Vodoun Effect - Funk & Sato From Benin's Obscure Labels 1972-1975

2 Busy Saying Yeah - Willie Mitchell tribute mix

2010-01-22T14:20:00.000-08:00

Willie Mitchell passed away earlier this month. He produced some of the greatest soul music ever made, so this week's show collects 45 of my favorites, including some big hits from Al Green and Ann Peebles, as well as great music from a handful of lesser-knowns.

It's tough to talk about Mitchell without talking about Al Green, the artist Mitchell worked the most with and had his greatest success with. Green's gift is so overwhelming and his vocal identity is so established that it's easy to overlook Mitchell's role in shaping it. But to hear Green's work prior to recording with Mitchell, or even to hear their early recordings before Mitchell crafted Green's signature style, and to compare it with his mature style is to understand exactly how important a producer can be.

Mitchell plucked Green from relative obscurity, brought him to Memphis and recorded him for almost two years before they hit upon Green's sound. Early singles, like "Back Up Train", "Gotta Find a New World" or "All Because", show Green to be a better than average soul singer—strong, gritty, agile—but offer no clue as to how sinuous or graceful Green's vocals could be. It took two albums and a dartboard approach to find out what worked and apparently even Hi Records didn't recognize it at first; Green's breakthrough, "Tired of Being Alone", wasn't the first single from Green's second album with Mitchell, Al Green Gets Next to You, it was the fourth.

Once Mitchell hit upon a formula for Green, he worked subtle variations on a style that paired lush strings and jazzy chords with a restrained, lightly earthy backbeat. It was a perfect setting for Green’s music and their run of albums from I'm Still in Love With You to Livin' for You is almost flawless.

Mitchell’s touch was also evident in a host of other records he cut at Hi Records’ Memphis studio, both for Hi mainstays like O.V. Wright and Ann Peebles and for out-of-towners like the Detroit Emeralds and Denise LaSalle. Mitchell was not just a producer, he was an engineer, too, and the sound he coaxed from the room and from Hi’s band is instantly identifiable. Signature elements stamp all of these productions, like the wheeze of Charlie Hodges’s organ, the full, slightly tame sound of the Memphis Horns and especially the bone-dry snap of a snare drum, whether played by Al Jackson, Jr. or Howard Grimes.

The other acts Mitchell produced may have been less successful than Al Green, but many made remarkable music. When their songs were up to snuff, O.V. Wright, Syl Johnson and Ann Peebles all regularly made music that was nearly on Green’s level. Soul journeymen like the Masqueraders and George Jackson cut some of their best material with Mitchell, too.

I’ve tried to capture some of the breadth of Mitchell’s work in my mix. It’s not really his greatest hits (that would have required too much Al Green) or a selection of songs that have been popularized by sampling (though many were) and Mitchell’s work as a trumpeter and bandleader gets really short shrift (truth be told, I really dislike the music he made under his own name). I chose my favorites and tried to shape them into a mix that would function as an introduction or a celebration of his incredible body of productions. Enjoy.

Episode 15 - Willie Mitchell tribute mix

Matthew Africa's Podcast

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1. Al Green: Love & Happiness
2. Al Green: Love Ritual (Remix)
3. Ann Peebles: Somebody's On Your Case
4. O.V. Wright: Ace of Spades
5. Syl Johnson: The Love You Left Behind
6. Ann Peebles: It's Your Thing
7. O.V. Wright: A Nickel & a Nail
8. Willie Mitchell: Groovin'
9. Al Green: So You're Leaving
10. Al Green: Tired of Being Alone
11. Al Green: Let's Stay Together
12. Ann Peebles: I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down
13. Al Green: Call Me
14. Al Green: Your Love Is the Morning Sun
15. George Jackson: Aretha, Sing One For Me
16. Jean Plum: Here I Go Again
17. Syl Johnson: Anyway the Wind Blows
18. Ann Peebles: I Can't Stand the Rain
19. The Detroit Emeralds: Baby Let Me Take You In My Arms
20. Al Green: I'm a Ram
21. O.V. Wright: Are You Going Where I'm Coming From
22. Ann Peebles: Run, Run, Run
23. O.V. Wright: I'd Rather Be Blind, Cripple & Crazy
24. Ann Peebles: Trouble, Heartaches & Sadness
25. Al Green: I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
26. Al Green: I'm Glad You're Mine
27. Al Green: What a Wonderful Thing Love Is
28. O.V. Wright: Let's Straighten It Out
29. The Masqueraders: Let the Love Bells Ring
30. Al Green: La La For You
31. Syl Johnson: Steppin' Out
32. Syl Johnson: I Hate I Walked Away
33. Syl Johnson: Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
34. Al Green: I Wish You Were Here
35. Al Green: Simply Beautiful
36. Erma Coffee: You Made Me What I Am
37. George Jackson: Let Them Know You Care
38. Al Green: Something
39. Al Green: Strong As Death (Sweet As Love)
40. Syl Johnson: Wind Blow Her Back My Way
41. Betty Everett: Just a Matter of Time
42. Teacher's Edition: Sleepy People
43. Al Green: Jesus Is Waiting
44. Syl Johnson: It Ain't Easy
45. Ann Peebles: I Still Love You

If there's interest, I might break the mix into individual tracks and upload them as a .zip, but it's kinda a lot of work, so we'll see.

2 Busy Saying Yeah - new rap music 3!

2010-01-08T16:56:00.001-08:00

Since my last new rap show back in November there's been a slew of major rap albums released, as well as some great indie and mixtape stuff. I've sifted through as much as I could find time to listen to and gathered some gems.

It's a diverse selection of songs, covering Oakland, Alabama, Tennessee, New York, Louisiana, Houston, Atlanta, D.C., Virginia Beach and other places, and featuring everyone from buzz favorites to past-their-sell-date superstars. A disproportionate share of the music comes from Huntsville, Alabama, but that's just because they've been making a disproportionate amount of great rap music. Enjoy.

Episode 14 - New Rap Music 3!

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1. Yelawolf: Box Chevy Pt. 3 feat. Rittz
2. Juicy J & Project Pat: Ike Turner Pimpin' feat. Slim Thug & New Generation
3. MJG: Dope Track
4. Webbie: Money Getting Taller feat. Pimp C & Lil Phat
5. G-Side: This Is Life
6. DJ Paul: Hi Way (I'm Gone)
7. Mia X: Grown Woman Shit
8. R. Kelly: Put Some Money On It feat. Rick Ross
9. Whitefolkz: Take a Picture
10. Wyld Money: G-Spot (Remix) feat. Gucci Mane
11. Korleon: Ray Charles feat. Bohagon
12. Mac Shawn: And You Do Know That
13. Drag-On: Money feat. Neo Da Matrix
14. Proton: Fuck the Economy
15. T-Boz: Get It Get It feat. Yung Joc & Too $hort
16. Tabi Bonney: Duhh
17. Souls of Mischief: Fourmation
18. Mos Def: 24 Hour Karate School
19. Kanye West: I'm So Appalled
20. Freeway & Jake One: Know What I Mean
21. G-Mane: 5th Wheel feat. Spyda, PT & Bentley
22. Z-Ro: Bottom to the Top feat. Mike D
23. RapTite: That's My Shit
24. J. Stalin: Pot of Gold feat. Mistah FAB & Kaz Kyzah
25. Messy Marv & DJ Fresh: In My Bloodline feat. J-Stalin, D-Lo & J-Mo
26. The Knux: Fuck You
27. Josie Stingray: Gotta Get It
28. Natural Elements: Off Beat Bop
29. Clipse: Counseling feat. Nicole Hurst
30. Jay Electronica: Glass Everywhere (Act I Encore)
31. Redman: Coc Back
32. OJ Da Juiceman: Frank Sinatra
33. Lil Jon: All the Way Crunked Up feat. Pastor Troy & Waka Flocka
34. Project Pat: Burglar Bars feat. OJ Da Juiceman
35. Cam'ron: Ooh Baby feat. Vado
36. 50 Cent: Strong Enough
37. Black C: Stay With Me feat. Hermanata
38. Betta Half: Cruisen
39. G-Side: In the Rain feat. Bentley
40. L.E.$.: Sittin' Low
41. Starlito: Magic Carpet Ride
42. Dude 'N Nem: McDonalds

Statistical shits & giggles

Songs by artists who were more popular in the 1990s: 12
Songs from the Bay: 6
Songs from New York: 6
Songs from Huntsville: 5
Songs from Atlanta: 5
Songs from Memphis: 4
Songs ripped from videos: 3
Songs by artists from New Orleans who don't sound like they're from New Orleans: 2
Songs featuring artists who were platinum in the 1980s: 1

2 Busy Saying Yeah - Holiday special: A very 2 Busy Saying Yeah Christmas

2009-12-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

This week's 2 Busy Saying Yeah is a mix of 38 Christmas songs, mostly rap, but with some soul, too.

As a genre, Christmas releases tend toward the superficial, the exploitative, the quick cash-in, but they can be pretty entertaining. This week I play a lot of seasonal-themed crap and also some of my favorite Christmas songs.

The rap portion of the show (roughly the first 70 minutes) features a lot of stuff I enjoy because it is so clearly throwaway product-- strip-club songs dressed up with tinsel (the Ying Yang Twins x2!), Xmas trees flocked with filth (Jiggie Gee), perfunctory remakes (Jim Jones, H-Town) and stuff that's only connected to the holiday in the most arbitrary way (the Jacka & Husalah). In many of the songs, the disconnect is gleeful.

The latter half of the show features some more traditional holiday music. There are plenty more throwaways, many of which nonetheless hit a nerve, like the Miracles' gorgeous take on "Merry Gentlemen", Sun Ra's goofy doowop or James Brown's "Let's Unite the World at Christmas", a song that never fails to put me in a more benevolent mood.

Episode 13 - Holiday Special: A Very 2 Busy Saying Yeah Christmas

Matthew Africa's Podcast

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1. Run DMC: Christmas In Hollis
2. Jim Jones: Ballin' On Xmas
3. Ying Yang Twins: Deck Da Club
4. Hard Call Xmas: My Christmas Bells
5. B-Boy All Stars: B-Boy Christmas Shout Outs
6. Dana Dane: Dana Dane Is Coming to Town
7. C-Murder & Master P: Christmas In Da Ghetto
8. Kam: Holiday Madness
9. Poison Clan: Christmas Spliff
10. The Treacherous Three: Xmas Rap feat. Doug E. Fresh
11. Kurtis Blow: Christmas Rappin'
12. Super Jay: Santa's Rap Party
13. Jiggie Gee: Christmas Fuckin' Day
14. Juice Crew All Stars: Cold Chillin' Christmas feat. Big Daddy Kane, Roxanne Shante, MC Shan & Fly Ty
15. Sweet Tee: Let the Jingle Bells Rock
16. K-Nock: Where Dey At Yo! feat. 24-K
17. Snoop Dogg: How We Kick It On Christmas feat. Kokane
18. The Cold Crew: Rappin' Christmas
19. Audio Two: Christmas Rhymin’
20. Outkast: Player's Ball
21. Trick Daddy: Ain't No Santa
22. Ghostface Killah: Ghostface X-mas
23. Ying Yang Twins: Carol of Da Bellz
24. Snoop Doggy Dogg: Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto feat. Bad A$$, Daz, Nate Dogg & Tray Dee
25. The Jacka & Husalah: Halloween Christmas Gremlins
26. The Jackson 5: Christmas Won't Be the Same
27. Marvin Gaye: Purple Snowflakes
28. James Brown: I'm Your Christmas Friend, Don't Be Hungry
29. James Brown: Hey America
30. James Brown: Christmas Is Love
31. Chocolate Snow: Let Me Be Your Christmas Toy
32. The Emotions: What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas?
33. Lou Rawls: Christmas Will Really Be Christmas
34. Stevie Wonder: What Christmas Means to Me
35. Sun Ra: It's Christmas Time
36. James Brown: Let's Unite the World at Christmas
37. Smokey Robinson & the Miracles: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
38. H-Town: Knockin’ Boots For Christmas

I'm kicking myself for forgetting to put this on:

Ice Cube: "Put It in Your Egg Nog" (St. Ides, 199?)

2 Busy Saying Yeah - Pimp C tribute mix

2009-12-04T14:44:00.000-08:00

December 4, 2007 was going to be about the best day ever: my lady and I had fancy reservations to celebrate our first 6 months together, I had gamed my Netflix queue to get the first 3 discs of Season 4 of The Wire in the mail and two of my favorite rappers had albums coming out (Ghostface's Fishscale and Scarface's Made).

That morning I turned on the computer and saw that Pimp C had died and it knocked me sideways. The news hit me harder than most rap deaths because it was so unexpected and it seemed so unfair.

I've been meaning to do some kind of tribute mix ever since. A few days after Pimp C passed, I devoted a full KALX show to his music, but due to technical constraints, time constraints and the goddamn FCC, it wasn't what I wanted it to be. This is.

This week's show is not a best of or a greatest hits, it's just a mix of some of my favorite songs featuring Pimp C. I spent a fair amount of time on sequencing but mixed it live, so pardon me if it's occasionally choppy. Also, to keep the mix short and maintain the focus I had to omit a ton of great verses by Bun B-- don't forget him.

Episode 12 - Pimp C Tribute Mix

Matthew Africa's Podcast

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Here's what's on the mix:

1. One Day (UGK)
2. Playaz from the South (UGK)
3. Suicide Doors (David Banner)
4. Like That (Remix) (UGK)
5. Pourin' Up (Pimp C)
6. Chunk Up the Deuce (Lil Keke)
7. Sippin' On Some Syrup (Three 6 Mafia)
8. The Game Belongs to Me (UGK)
9. Big Pimpin' (Jay-Z)
10. Gravy (UGK)
11. Something Good (UGK)
12. Pregnant Pussy (UGK)
13. I Left It Wet for You (UGK)
14. Use Me Up (UGK)
15. I'sa Playa feat. Bun B (Pimp C)
16. Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You) feat. Outkast (UGK)
17. What Means the World to You RMX feat. Trina (Cam’ron)
18. I'm In Love With a Stripper RMX feat. Paul Wall (T-Pain)
19. Cause I'm a Playa (Project Pat)
20. 3 in the Mornin feat. DJ Screw (UGK)
21. I'm So Bad (UGK)
22. Freaky Deaky (Willie D)
23. Swang (Trae)
24. It's Supposed to Bubble (UGK)
25. Ridin' Dirty (UGK)
26. Swishas & Erb (UGK)
27. Comin' Up (Pimp C)
28. Ain't That a Bitch feat. Devin the Dude (UGK)
29. Havin Thangs (Big Mike)
30. Havin' Thangs feat. Big Mike (Pimp C)
31. Let Me See It (UGK)
32. Dirty Money (UGK)
33. Da Game Been Good to Me (UGK)
34. Get Crunk (Crooked Lettaz)
35. Murder Man Dance (Spice 1)
36. A Thin Line (Pimp C)
37. Cocaine in the Back of the Ride (UGK)
38. Talkin Smart (Project Pat)
39. Front, Back & Side to Side (UGK)
40. Used to Be feat. E-40 & B Legit (UGK)
41. Fuck You (Lil Boosie)
42. Choppin' Blades (UGK)
43. Murder (UGK)
44. Pocket Full of Stones (Port Arthur Remix) (UGK)
45. Overstand Me (Pimp C)
46. Look at Me (UGK)
47. I Don't Owe U feat. Ronnie Spencer (918)
48. Akickdoe! (C-Murder)
49. Family Affair (UGK)
50. Holdin’ Na (UGK)
51. Knockin Doors Down (Pimp C)
52. Bumpin’ My Music feat. Project Pat (Ray Cash)
53. They Down With Us (Scarface)
54. Pinky Ring (UGK)
55. Heaven (UGK)
56. I Miss My Homies feat. Silkk the Shocker (Master P)

2 Busy Saying Yeah - new rap music 2!

2009-11-25T15:59:00.000-08:00

This week's 2 Busy Saying Yeah is a mix of 37 new songs that remind me why I love rap music-- an ATL ex-stripper goes ballistic, Huntsville does what it does, a few old favorites show they can still rip, 50 Cent and Plies drop songs I can't front on and I finally stop sleeping on Curren$y and play four of his songs. In short, just another week of 2 Busy Saying Yeah.

2 Busy Saying Yeah 11 - New Rap Music 2

2 Busy Saying Yeah/Matthew Africa

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1. DJ Benzi: Pop Them Thangs feat. Donnis
2. Brisco: Thinking to Myself feat. Lil Wayne
3. Curren$y: The Jets Son feat. Dee Low & Jean LaPhare
4. Young Dro: Don’t Know Y’all feat. Yung L.A.
5. Pill: Coastin’
6. All Star: Weed Smoker Music
7. WarrenJae: Sleep feat. Playboy Trae
8. Gucci Mane: Follow Me
9. Z-Ro: Rollin’ On Swangas feat. C-Ward
10. Freddie Gibbs: Iodine Poison
11. G-Side: I Remember
12. B.o.B: Paper Chase
13. Aisha Sekhmet: White Man’s Bitch
14. 50 Cent: So Disresepectful
15. Beanie Sigel: All For It
16. T.D.: Going Off 2009 feat. Peedi Crakk
17. Fashawn: Bo Jackson feat. Exile
18. DoDat: Hot Spitter
19. De La Soul: La La La
20. Phil Adé: Try Out
21. KD: Someday
22. Curren$y: 16 Switches
23. Hit Boy: Ahh Shyt feat. Chase N Cashe
24. Kurupt: Bacon & Eggs
25. A.P.B.: Betta Chick
26. Del the Funky Homosapien & Tame One: Special
27. G-Side: My Aura feat. PT of Untamed
28. GLC: Let the Pimpin Commence feat. Cory Mo & Mistah F.A.B.
29. Curren$y: The Seventies
30. Jay Electronica: Suckas
31. Sean Falyon: Wonderful Life feat. Playboy Tre & Scar
32. Sandman: Here & Now
33. Plies: The Letter
34. Natureboy Rowe: Thanking Thowed
35. Bentley: Where I’m Comin From
36. Fly Gypsy: 2 Step
37. Curren$y: Rapper Weed

Many of the songs on here are things I first heard on one or another of the rap blogs I check regularly-- Cocaine Blunts, Southern Hospitality, Fool's Gold's Rappin Ass Thursdays, Burn One's BLVD St., etc.-- so props to them.

2 Busy Saying Yeah 10 - Matthew Africa & DJ Fuze Are So International!

2009-11-09T16:29:00.000-08:00

This week I'm joined by one of my favorite DJs, DJ Fuze.

Fuze is a Bay Area rap legend best known as the DJ for Digital Underground and the Luniz and for being one half of the group Raw Fusion. He has toured everywhere and has produced Digital Underground, 2Pac, Dru Down & the Luniz. He is also a phenomenally hard party rocker with great skills and deep knowledge of many styles of black music, from rap to funk to the music of Africa and the Caribbean. In the second half of the show, he joins me and drops a great mix of dancehall that's too new for the club plus some classic soca and African hits. I had no idea how big a Vybz Kartel fan Fuze is, but there it is.

In the first half of the show, I play a mix of some of my favorite African funk records. Since comps long ago outpaced my African digging, almost all are from those. Nearly a third were taken from Soundway's phenomenal Ghana Soundz 2, which is a great place to start if you want more in this style.

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The tracklist is this:

Matthew Africa

1. Ebo Taylor Jnr. & Wuta Wazuri: Mondo Soul Funky
2. Honny & the Bees Band: Psychedelic Woman [Bonobo remix]
3. Orchestra Baobab: Kelen Ati Len
4. Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo De Cotonou: Dis Mois La Verité
5. Marijata: No Condition Is Permanent
6. Matata: I Want You
7. Orlando Julius Ekemode: Alo Mi Alo
8. Ebo Taylor: Atwer Abroba
9. William Onyeabor: Body & Soul
10. Sir Shina Peters & His International Stars: Yabis
11. The Sahara All Stars of Jos: Take Your Soul
12. Oscar Sulley & the Uhuru Dance Band: Olufeme
13. Asiko Rock Group: Lagos City
14. C.K. Mann: Funky Hi-Life
15. The Ogyataanaa Show Band: Disco Africa
16. Shina Williams & His African Percussionists: Agboju Logun

DJ Fuze!

17. Demarco: Roof Over My Head
18. Vybz Kartel: Life Sweet
19. Vybz Kartel: Versatility feat. Indu
20. Konshens: No Money to Give You
21. Erup: Pop Dat
22. Laden: Time to Shine
23. Mavado: Mockingbird
24. Beenie Man: Stack & Pile
25. Beenie Man: Pop Off
26. Elephant Man: Horny Wine
27. Vybz Kartel: Mentally Insane (DJ Fuze’s Town RMX)
28. Vybz Kartel: Gaza Commandments
29. Demarco: Some A Seh
30. Mr. Vegas: I Am Blessed
31. Vybz Kartel: Dollar Sign
32. Serani: Badmind
33. Keak Da Sneak: Super Hyphy (DJ Fuze’s Anger Management RMX)
34. Mistah F.A.B.: New O.A.K. (DJ Fuze’s Anger Management RMX)
35. Vybz Kartel: Go-Go Club
36. Konshens & Dario: Do D Ting
37. Mr. Vegas: Gallis
38. Mavado: Never Believe You
39. Isaac Blackman: To the Ceiling
40. Machel Montano: Fly Away feat. Collie Buddz
41. Soca: Hot & Groovy
42. Traffik: Sweetness feat. Shayne Bailey
43. Busy Signal: Up In Her Belly (Magalenha)
44. Fay Ann Lyons: Wine Fast feat. Beenie Man
45. Benjai: Tanty Say feat. Scarface
46. Magic System: Premier Gaou
47. Awilo Longomba: Karolina
48. Les Championnes: La Ronde Des Fillettes
49. Ellon DJ & Mix DJ 1er: Bobaraba
50. Romain Virgo: Mi Caan Sleep
51. Marcia Griffiths: Keeping It Real feat. Busy Signal

2 Busy Saying Yeah - Disco Dance House Party!

2009-10-31T13:36:00.000-07:00

2 Busy Saying Yeah 9 - Disco Dance House Party!

2 Busy Saying Yeah/Matthew Africa

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This week I play a mix of dance music that kicks off with late 70s/early 80s disco, funk and soul, shifts into some current stuff (including new tracks from the homeboy DJ Eleven and the folks at Solid Bump!) and then loops back around to a few classic favorites. No talking, no drops, just music for dancing. The tracks I play are these:

1. Too Sweet: You’ve Got to Find Yourself
2. Idris Muhammed: Could Heaven Ever Be Like This
3. Candido: Thousand Finger Man
4. Kenix feat. Bobby Youngblood: There’s Never Been No One Like You
5. GQ: This Happy Feeling
6. Tony Silvester & the New Ingredient: Cosmic Lady
7. Sir Bentley: Street Shuffle
8. One Way: Music
9. Radiance: You’re My Number One [Dub version]
10. George Clinton: One Fun at a Time
11. Aaron Broomfield: Polyphase
12. Casper: Casper’s Groovy Ghost Show
13. Alton McClain & Destiny: It Must Be Love
14. Cloud One: Don’t Let This Rainbow Pass Me By
15. Final Edition: I Can Do It (Anyway You Want It)
16. Duck Sauce: aNYway
17. Laberge: We Don’t Know
18. DJ Eleven: Dance Our Way
19. Domu: Worldwide [Solid Groove’s Wednesday at Midnight mix]
20. Ultramagnetic MC’s: Poppa Large [Matthew Africa’s Switch RMX]
21. Dan the Automator: Rapper’s Delight [Tepr RMX] feat. Casual & Chali 2na
22. Malente: I Like It [Riva Starr Snatch! RMX]
23. The Juan Maclean: Happy House [Chateau Flight RMX]
24. Soul Central: In-ten-city
25. Fred Falke: Back to Stay
26. SoulPhiction & Move D: The Limelight [Trusme RMX]
27. Status IV: You Ain’t Really Down [Jazzanova RMX]
28. The Rolling Stones: Under My Thumb [Todd Terje dub]
29. U-Tern: Without You
30. Toby Tobias: In Your Eyes [Tensnake RMX]
31. Dayton: We Can’t Miss
32. Heaven & Earth: I Really Love You
33. Starpoint: Don’t Leave Me

2 Busy Saying Yeah - new rap music!

2009-10-21T23:47:00.000-07:00

For the latest installment of 2 Busy Saying Yeah I tried to catch up with a backlog of new rap music I've been listening to. People whine about where rap is now but if you pay attention there's a lot that's worthwhile. In this show I play some of my current favorites plus a couple older things that wormed their way into the mix. Oh, also, I talk a lot more than I have been doing lately.

1. Big Boi: Shine Blockas feat. Gucci Mane
2. Illie: Oh Noo
3. Phat Mob: Wrong Number
4. Raekwon: Ason Jones
5. Spank Pops: Beautiful Noise
6. Dizzee Rascal: Chillin' Wiv Da Man Dem
7. Frank Nitt: L.O.V.E. feat. DJ Quik & J. Black
8. Beanie Sigel: Don't Stop feat. Snoop Dogg
9. People Under the Stairs: Trippin' at the Disco [DJ Day RMX]
10. Kurupt: I'm One feat. Terrace Martin
11. Dam Funk: Hood Pass Intact
12. Meek Mill: Make 'Em Say
13. 5th Ward Weebie: Bend It Ova
14. Peedi Crakk: Smile (You Mad)
15. The Game: I'm So Wavy
16. Ghostface Killah: Guest House feat. Fabolous
17. G-Side: Be There
18. DJ Cunta: Bands on My Wrist
19. Rudi Deville: Yea Tall
20. SwagZilla & Stackamil: Wut2dayiz?
21. Mr. Marcellus: Think It Over feat. ST 2 Lettaz
22. Stanza: Amilliondollars
23. Big Boi: Fo Yo Sorrows feat. Too $hort & George Clinton
24. Remi: Phone Codes
25. Lil King: Bet She Can't Do It
26. Jay Electronica: Exhibit A (Transformations)
27. Mistah F.A.B.: Follow Me
28. Rhymefest: Angry Black Man feat. Lil Jon
29. Mac Meezy: New Boy (Cool Kid Flow)
30. Roach Gigz: Gassin' Em
31. Sam Bostic: Get Away feat. E-40

2 Busy Saying Yeah - Oakland rap special with DJ Fresh

2009-10-03T15:16:00.000-07:00

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This week I pay tribute to my city, playing an hour of the best new rap music out of Oakland and talking with Oakland representer DJ Fresh.

DJ Fresh was recently named West Coast Mixtape DJ of the Year on the strength of his excellent Tonite Show series of artist-themed albums. We talk about his incredible work ethic, his background as a top-ranked turntablist and DJ for Nas and upcoming projects including installments of the Tonite Show with Messy Marv, San Quinn and Raekwon. Also, we play songs from the brand-new Tonite Show album and PTB label boss J-Moe offers some thoughts on why Bay rappers can't separate the streets from business and describes D-Lo performing "No Hoe" at an Oakland middle school (!).

The show kicks off with a mix of some of the best of current Oakland rap from all styles: turf raps, political raps, cupcake raps, undie raps, you name it:

1. Philthy Rich: Straight from Oakland feat. Ros, J-Stalin, Stevie Joe, Kaz Kyzah, Shady Nate, Lil Blood, Eddie Projex, Beeda Weeda, Keak Da Sneak & Mistah F.A.B.
2. Lyrics Born: Block Bots feat. Trackademicks & Clyde Carson
3. Shady Nate: Head Doctor
4. Sleepy D: Sleepy Fuckin’ D
5. Stevie Joe: 80s Baby
6. D-Lo: You Played Me feat. Rico
7. Clyde Carson: Take It to the Hotel feat. R. Kelly
8. J-Stalin: Millionaire Status
9. Kaz Kyzah: Freeway
10. Beeda Weeda: You Don’t Hear My Tummy
11. Shady Nate: Jug feat. J-Stalin, X.O. & Gary Hawkins
12. Jern Eye: Blowin’ Up feat. Roc C
13. Brwn Bflo: Powerful People
14. Bicasso: Warz Over feat. Saafir
15. Crown City Rockers: Forever Song
16. Vell4Short: Shirts & Baggy Pants
17. The Grouch & Eligh: Say G&E!
18. StreetMedia: Push
19. Mayne Mannish: Flight to Boston
20. Casual: Town Bound
21. Guce & J-Stalin: Another Quelo
22. League510: To the Beat [Trackademicks RMX]

Three things:

I want to give a big shout to Nation of Thizzlam, 38th Notes and Southern Hospitality, all of which stay up on Oakland rap. I first heard many of the songs on those blogs, so credit is due.

I know I messed up by leaving out some Oakland rappers that belong in there (Zion I, Mistah F.A.B., etc.) and including a Berkeley rapper that doesn't (Lyrics Born), but it's due to my general unfocused-ness, not hate. I tried to make the mix as comprehensive as I could but I'm sure there's a lot of great stuff I don't know or just spaced on.

Big shout to my dude XJ, who figured out how to get me mp3s for two of the highlights of the mix, Mayne Mannish's "Flight to Boston" and Casual's "Town Bound".

Mellow soul mix with DJ Anonymous

2009-09-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

Episode 6 - Mellow Soul with DJ Anonymous

Matthew Africa's Podcast

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My man DJ Anonymous from Helsinki passed through town last week and I persuaded him to drop a live set for 2 Busy Saying Yeah. I hadn't planned on making another soul mix so soon after the Soulful Disco one, but his set inspired me to dig out some more mellow soul gems.

Several of Anonymous's selections have previously been featured on his excellent blog, DJ's Delight, which features a ton of great dance music of every stripe and is among the blogs that inspired me to do it. If it's not in your bookmarks already, jump on it.

New Yorkers can catch Anonymous tonight with the #1 homie DJ Eleven at Fam at Von Kellar or on Saturday with Chairman Mao at Grand Groove at APT. I had the pleasure of rocking with him, B.Cause and Vinnie Esparza last Friday and can tell you he really puts it down.

1. The Commodores: Oh Yeah
2. Brenda Lee Eager: When I'm With You
3. Pure Gold: I Miss You
4. The Bar-Kays: Feels Like I'm Falling in Love
5. Sylvia: Sweet Stuff
6. Harry Ray: The Next Time I See Your Face
7. Wyndchymes: Unconditional Love
8. Arawak: Acaddi A Bali
9. Isaac Hayes: Vykki
10. Dave Grusin: Either Or
11. James Ingram: Ooo
12. Ronnie McNeir: Sexy Mama
13. Tony Silvester: Verry White
14. Benny Golson: I'm Always Dancing to the Music
15. Quincy Jones: 100 Ways
16. Heatwave: Mind Blowing Decisions
17. Jimmy Sabater: Mind Blowing Decisions
18. The Gimmicks: You Can't Hide Love
19. Leroy Hutson: Never Know What You Can Do (Give It a Try)
20. Eddie Fisher: It's That Music
21. The Inner Drive: Party Man
22. Wee: Find Me, Love Me
23. Deliverance: Loving You
24. Jorge Dalto: I've Got You On My Mind
25. Vytas Brenner: Avila
26. Twilight: You Know It's Me
27. Leo's Sunshipp: Madame Butterfly INST
28. West Wing: I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby
29. Mighty Ryeders: Lovely
30. Willie Tee: Get Up
31. The 3 Pieces: Backed Up Against the Wall
32. Sunni Nash: The 3rd Movement
33. Trilogy: (K.C.) In the Ghetto
34. Side Effect: Private World
35. Willie Hutch: Love Me Back
36. Brenton Wood: All That Jazz
37. The McCrarys: On the Other Side
38. Barry White: You're the One I Need
39. Joe Thomas: Mr. Mumbles
40. Frank Walton: Safari
41. Sylvia Striplin: You Can't Turn Me Away
42. Funk Factory: Rien Ne Va Plus
43. The Nights: Hangin' Tough

As always, you can subscribe to 2 Busy Saying Yeah via iTunes or readers like Google and Yahoo.

Jerk mix

2009-09-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a live, 2-hour mix of jerk songs I did for 2 Busy Saying Yeah last week:

2 Busy Saying Yeah Episode 5 - Jerk Special

Matthew Africa's Podcast

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These are the songs I featured:

1. Cold Flamez: Miss Me, Kiss Me
2. Jaye Cooley: Drippin Wet
3. YT: Call Me Daddy feat. New Era & TayF3rd
4. Dizzy: Swagg It Out
5. YG: AIM Me
6. Looney Toonz: Cock A Doodle Doo
7. Swagg City: That Hoe Crazy
8. Asia Lynn: Bad Bitch
9. Vixen Ent: Toot My Shit
10. Clothes Off Movement: Better Than You
11. J.R.: Inhale It feat. TayF3rd & Ashlii
12. NHT Boyz: Introduction
13. Dinoo Supreemo: Dirty Ass Vans
14. Rude Boyz: Go Hard
15. Go Go Power Rangers: Tippin on My Dick
16. New Boyz: You're a Jerk
17. Rude Boyz: Tight Jeanz
18. Fresh Boyz: I Rock Skinnies feat. New Era
19. YT: Skinny Ass Nigga
20. Pink Dollaz: I'm Tasty
21. Camille Tianna: Hot Commodity
22. TayF3rd: Heard About Me feat. Project & New Era
23. Turfeazy: In a Tree
24. Vixen Ent: Bust Me a Nut
25. The Lowz: She Poppin' feat. Nie'Starr
26. Julian: Jerkin Song
27. L7: Knock Knock
28. YB: 2 Step
29. Ro2co: Toot It Up Done
30. Dinoo Supreemo: Step To
31. Aeiress Ent: Billy
32. Wes Nyle: Dougie
33. Nokio: Hi I'm a Jerk feat. YT
34. YB: I'm a Jerk
35. Jayy Starr: Where the Functions
36. New Boyz: Cricketz feat. Tyga
37. YG: I'm Still Poppin
38. Young Sam: I Do My Thang feat. Asia Lynn
39. Payso: Beat That Pussy feat. Cold Flamez
40. New Era: Dumb Bitch
41. Draft Pick: Get It Jerkin
42. Julian: Do It Don't Stop
43. The Bangz: Get It Girl feat. Pink Dollaz
44. Asia Lynn: Tip Toe feat. Aaliyah D
45. Fly Guys: We Jerkin
46. Ro2co: Shooting Dice
47. TayF3rd: Conceited

As always, you can subscribe to 2 Busy Saying Yeah via iTunes or readers like Google and Yahoo.

In the last jerk-related post, I referred to this Bay goofball classic:

Mac Mill: "Arabian Hump" (In-A-Minute, 1995)

Mac Mill was a Berkeley/Oakland rapper who put out a couple of singles and one EP, 1995's One Mill-Yon. When "Arabian Hump" came out I have a distinct recollection of a local TV news story about the controversy the song was generating and Mill offering some hilariously unconvincing rationalization about building cross-cultural understanding through imitating the speech of dudes who ran the liquor stores where he shopped. I"m pretty sure he knew "sand ni**er" was a slur, though.

Soulful disco mix

2009-09-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

After years and years of doing a relatively freeform college radio show, I've been wrestling with how to adapt it to internet radio with my new show, 2 Busy Saying Yeah.

My sense is that you can't really grow an internet audience through serendipity like you can with broadcast radio-- people who happen to be switching the dial, get seduced by a song and stick around to see what else you have. Instead, I think you have to offer something really identifiable and desirable to get them to go out of their way to check you out in the first place and then, if the quality's good, maybe they'll be impressed enough to keep coming back, subscribe, etc.

Last Friday's show is a step in that direction. I wanted to create a mixtape-quality set that would merit repeated listens and hopefully some word-of-mouth. It's a live, two-hour mix of late 70s/early 80s soul music with no back-announcing and minimal talking. The selections are drawn from a bunch of sub-genres-- boogie, modern soul, disco, jazz-funk, etc. Some are obvious, some rare, others just neglected, but it's all great music.

Listen and if you enjoy it, please spread the word.

2 Busy Saying Yeah Episode 4 - Soulful Disco Mix

Matthew Africa's Podcast

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1. Brief Encounter: Human
2. The Jones Girls: When I'm Gone
3. Jean Terrell: Rising Cost of Love
4. Cream De Coco: Disco Strut
5. Donna McGhee: It Ain't No Big Thing
6. Quietfire: Makes Me Wanna Shout
7. Bill Cosby: You're Driving Me Crazy
8. Breakwater: Work It Out
9. The Sugarhill Gang: Passion Play
10. Carly Simon: Why
11. Sister Sledge: Reach Your Peak
12. Rick James: Moonchild
13. Flowers: For Real
14. Rance Allen Group: Reason to Survive
15. Raw Soul Express: The Way We Live
16. Chocolate Clay: Free (I'll Always Be)
17. Heaven & Earth: Let's Get It Together
18. James Bradley: I Can't Get Enough of Your Love
19. Hunt's Determination Band: No. 1 Lady
20. Stevo: Pay the Price
21. Leon Ware: Can I Touch You There
22. Roy Ayers: Love Will Bring Us Back Together
23. Don Blackman: Heart's Desire
24. Azymuth: Dear Limmertz
25. Junior: I Can't Help It
26. Karin Jones: Here I Go Again
27. Linda Clifford: Runaway Love
28. One Way: Hold It
29. Hipnotic: Are You Lonely?
30. The Strikers: Hold On to This Feeling

2 busy saying yeah!

2009-08-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

I'm super-psyched to announce my brand new weekly radio show, 2 Busy Saying Yeah!

A few months ago, my old KALX homie Mike Biggz p/k/a Big Mike approached me about doing a show for All Day Play, a new internet radio spin-off of Oakland's Youth Radio program. I got interested when he told me that the station had already signed on some local heavyweights to do shows-- Sake One, D-Sharp, the Oakland Faders, Zumbi from Zion I, etc.-- and once I saw the facilities I was sold.

For me it's a chance to do a real mix show without the technological or legal constraints of my college radio show-- I can blend and cut live, I no longer have to spend hours each week editing curses and I'm not required to break the flow of the show all the time with announcements.

I'm still figuring out the musical scope of the show. I think it'll be a little more narrowly focused (e.g., less psych and jazz) but I'll have some exciting guests and overall the quality will be better. I'm trying to make each and every episode a great listen-- something that will introduce you to some new music, but also be worth listening to next year.

The show airs live on Friday nights from 7-9 p.m., currently through youthradio.org. Cached episodes are at Podomatic, where you can stream, DL or subscribe through iTunes and various readers (Google, Yahoo, etc.).

I've done two episodes so far. Here's last Friday's show:

Too Busy Saying Yeah Episode 2

Matthew Africa's Podcast

Download 2 Busy Saying Yeah Episode 2

There's some psychedelic funk, some slept-on rap, both new and classic, some disco, some commercial R&B I can't front on and a questionable house remix. I think it's the shit.

Tracklist:

Pete Rock: Truth Is feat. Black Ice

Cane & Abel: Girl, You Move Me

Minnie Riperton: Every Time He Comes Around

Leon Haywood: As Long As There's You (I Got Love)

Jo Ann Garrett: Walk On By

Carl Bradney: Slipping Into Darkness

Chico & Buddy: Cracklin' Bread

Lyn Collins: Do Your Thing

D-Rock & Swift C: Let It Rip

Ray Cash: Dope Game

Juicy J: Purple Kush feat. Project Pat & Gorilla Zoe

Marc DeCoca: J's At the Door RMX feat. Backbone, Big Floaty, Don P, Rasheeda, Mac Boney & Big Kuntry

Red: I Should Tell Ya Momma On You [Dam-Funk RMX]

Young Squad: Fire Start

Loleatta Holloway: We're Getting Stronger

Whitney Houston: Million Dollar Bill

Busta Rhymes: Don't Touch Me [U-Tern's Disco RMX]

Four Below Zero: My Baby's Got ESP

Crown Heights Affair: I See the Light

Ron Hall & the Mutha Funkaz: The Way You Love Me feat. Marc Evans [Dimitri from Paris RMX]

Outkast: The Way You Move feat. Sleepy Brown [Johnny Toobad RMX]

Kurupt & Terrace Martin: You Know

Rafael Casal: Bay Area Slang Top 100

Askari X: Ward of the State

WC & the Madd Circle: Ghetto Serenade

King Tee: Ya Better Bring a Gun feat. Mixmaster Spade

DJ Quik & Kurupt: Do You Know

The Coup: Tiffany Hall

Usher: Certified feat. Pharrell

Erk tha Jerk: Right Here

R. Kelly: Take It to the Hotel feat. Clyde Carson

Redman & Method Man: Mrs. International