I May Post This

The date has always been a memory trigger for me. Seeing 260526 reminds me of 070707. I had wanted to release a mix that was supposed to be hosted by a Toronto artist who goes by the name Rich London on that date. Why? I’ve been a James Bond fan since childhood, the date held significance to his double “O” seven title. I think I’ve mentioned this before through something I published, but I guess that’s insignificant. As is the story probably.

I’m home from work today letting my ankle/foot rest again. I’m sure that I’m suffering from gout in my right toe and the medication is making me a bit dizzy or foggy. The ankle itself actually feels better than it has in nearly 5 weeks, but I’m certain it has something to do with the meds as they’re anti-inflamatories.

I’m attempting to be productive typing this. I just finished sorting through 45 tracks for airplay on the radio show. I still contemplate whether I’ll carry on or stop… should I dump a 30 year old volunteer habit (no, it pays nothing) whereby I sacrifice over several hours a week to it. Or should I change things up and concentrate on a show I post myself online only. I fear that I’ll lose my momentum and consistency if I do the latter. Plus, despite the time it takes to do the radio show, I am both online and the FM dial which broadcasts to vehicles and tuners locally. I don’t think many people (if any) decide to tune onto a radio station at the time of broadcast using a computer or phone… In my case, the radio station website tells me that about 25 people usually listen online.

I keep arriving back at giving people something they wouldn’t necessarily hear otherwise – the curated tracks that get sent to me and I share with them. I guess I’m a little disappointed or bitter that I don’t get compensated on a similar basis for my contribution to the genre or local scene.

Which brings me to local music. I believe a small percentage shares their stuff with me. I see artists doing social media videos, music videos (moreso in the years passed) or offering it for sale through sites like bandcamp, but most of the time not releasing a traditional single, sharing a track with me to play on the radio, or the album itself. I never much understood this tactic, but I guess they maybe share it with other DJ’s that play their stuff and offer them promotion… Why not me?

I am appreciative though, whether I convey it enough or properly. I was out grocery shopping the other day and someone stopped me and said thank-you for the many years of doing the radio show. I’ve said to a number of people, it’s always nice to be recognized and stopped in this way. It’s the non-monetary reward I receive and I do appreciate it. It almost brings tears of joy to my face when it happens. Truth be told, I sometimes wonder if it’s oddly timed out with having doubt or thoughts of quitting when out of nowhere I’m stopped.

I purchased a new laptop and mixer a couple of months ago and I’m still pretty excited about it, despite having trouble carving out the time to practice and use everything. Things aren’t as easy as decades ago. My energy, body, and responsibility levels have changed at 50. The number is still crazy to me, as I’m sure like many others I still think I’m going to live forever and never put much stock in arriving here… or something like that.

I’m off for now. The medication is also making me drowsy and I’m going to switch off now. At least I’d like to shut down and just think for a little while. As opposed to switching the television on and numbing my mind with a movie or show. Enjoy what’s left of the day and drop me a comment.

 Life Goes On

I've just come from my close friend's service and I'm emotional to say the least. I've held it together fairly well during his two week stay in ICU. Complecks was someone I thought we would have grown closer and worked together more. Alas, not the case.

I'm just back home with family and drinking beer number three. I basically slowed my drinking down significantly in 2025, so three beers is out of the norm nowadays. I'll finish typing this and go spend time with family shortly. Perhaps more for them than me, and that's not a slight in anyway. But let's face it, it's 2026 and steering down a cliché path of booze soaked misery and self loathing won't do much good. I'm not interested in doing it anyways. I am, however, independent and would kind of like to loath in work. Sorting music, writing and thinking. Not tonight.

I love and miss my friend. I wish we had more time together to work again. To do things that maybe neither of us fully fathomed. To create more great things together. To help him with his incredible record label. To work closer on projects I'd like to work on. But life is short and that's the lesson here... at least I keep thinking is. Not to take things for granted. To spend more time with family and to take more action and do the things we want or are unsure we want. Just... live.

R.I.P. Complecks (Dust & Dope Recordings)

Captain's Log 250510

 I've always had great intentions, but life simply shuts a lot of them down by placing things in the way. It makes me think of the saying I've heard a few times recently, "Tell god your plans and he'll laugh." Something like that anyway.

I've been listening to a lot of Gary Vaynerchuk, who repeatedly says to create content on all the major platforms multiple times daily. Sometimes as many as 16 pieces. Things that are easy to do, are also easy not to do. The struggle continues.

I spun a nice little gig last night in Westboro at a coffee shop. The shop, to my surprise, closed at 2PM (standard Friday hours according to Google Maps). I was asked to spin from 6-10PM. I started around 5:15/5:30 and was pretty much done when the night came to a close around 9:40/9:45. Played a lot of music that I liked, and a nice chunk of 80s and 90s... probably more 90s. Chris was very pleased and several people backed his compliments up. Plus there was the one girl dancing a fair amount to 80s hip hop. She even roped in a friend at one point.

Her enjoyment of 80s has made me realise I need to sub-crate that era for easy reference. I had trouble finding more 80s tracks last night. I was looking at ALL though... the drive issue still needs further attention. "So much to do, in so little time." The Joker, Batman (1989).

Chip Fu "Like Us" (Official Video)

City Limits: Ottawa’s Hip-Hop Story

 We went to see a documentary about Ottawa's hip-hop scene, made by Ben Telford Visuals, and it was really well done. Several old school heads and a lot of new artists made up the various people involved in the project. Looked great and flowed very well. Ben Telford Visuals has stated he would keep me in the loop on it's widespread public release.

 Definitely a class act... I was fortunate enough to see Classified perform a few times and even met him at the radio station once. He was pleasant, interesting, and interested. My memory of Classified is nothing but positive. His stage show, one of the tightest I've ever seen IMO. Massive shout to Classified, Gray (who promoted him for years in Ottawa), and DJ IV. Salute!

Truth (feat. AL Skratch & Kurious) - Spit It (prod. by Da Beatminerz)

 Ran this one on the show last week. Entire album is produced by Da Beatminerz.

This Year...

 This year I'm going to try a bunch of things differently... need a touch up first. Rap is outta control.

REKS X Melks - Buss Shots (OFFICIAL VIDEO) ft. Ghost Of The Machine

Going on two decades, Reks is still so dope.

240120

 I had a friend or acquantance that used to say, "wishing is for suckers". I'm not sure how else to put it, but I wish I'd blogged consistently nearly 20 years ago when it... became. A gift or possibly a curse is my brain easily calculating numbers. Like how old I am and what year my parents were the same age. Which then leads to, where was I and what was I doing around that time.

I suppose I say this because I'm pushing 50 years old now and question where I wanted to be in life, what I wanted to be doing versus my present scenario. I'm happy, for the most part, but continue to strive for more. More equipment, more money, more vacations, more, more, more. However, also a little less, less, less. Less alcohol consumption, less drama, less bullshit, etc. etc. etc.

I'm hungry though... I'll be back after these messages...

Yesus

I've been following the Kanye thing a little bit lately, following the Drink Champs episode released (and then removed) a few days ago. I kept reading people's comments and most, if not all, of them are pro-Kanye. He's a truth teller, the best, etc. seemed to be the popular beliefs. I nearly posted my thoughts a few times, but was reluctant as I could see nothing but backlash, because I don't feel the same way. I don't think Kanye is a genius, nor do I think he's highly intelligent. I think he might have slightly above average or average intelligence, but he certainly doesn't deserve the credit he gets or for that matter gives himself repeatedly.

By no means am I trying to attack Ye, I think he's certainly an artistic and outspoken human. I don't agree with everything he says and personally wish he'd exercise more discretion before spewing his thoughts out on the public. He almost carelessly says whatever comes to mind, rather than pause and think before making statements. I'd say this is evident when he answers questions sometimes, like when DJ EFN asked him "how" he would solve world issues and eliminate the likelihood of a third world war.

Now granted they were drinking and smoking, but certainly not to the point that they were belligerent or unintelligible. Although to the latter... I found Ye a few screws short of speaking in tongues. I didn't think he made a lot of sense at times, to which I think will play against him should he actually run for president. His dad is right and he needs to articulate himself better. I'm sure with practice and such he will, but America would be foolish to elect another Trump. Just my opinion. America would be much better off with another Clinton or Obama.

Love him or like him, Ye certainly has attained a solid fanbase making him one of the most streamed artists out in 2022. I still think his first album, "College Dropout", was his best but I'm a hip-hop head from the old school and prefer boom bap.

Nixe, "King"

Leaving for the radio station soon. Newsince is stopping by tonight and the whole gang should be there... except Rookie (I think). Crashed on my friend's couch last night and feeling a bit tired from work too. Just checking out Nine's new album produced entirely by the Snowgoons... fucking dope.

Video: Classified, "Damn Right"

Off Classified's new EP "Tomorrow Could Be..." https://classified.lnk.to/tomorrowcouldbe. DJ IV on the one's and two's.

Psybo, "Wherewithal" Album

This morning I received an email from Hand'Solo Records with links to Psybo's, "Wherewithal". Apparently, it was recorded about ten years ago, but in terms of boom bap, it stands solidly today. I've been listening to it as I write today's post.

Psybo is a founding member of London, ON rap trio Toolshed, along with Timbuktu and Chokeules (currently of Swamp Thing), and they had three official albums before Psybo began recording his solo debut prior to relocating to Vancouver, BC to start a family. Production was provided by Fresh Kils and Timbuktu, while Uncle Fester and DJ Dubble contributed cuts.

Psybo finished the album in 2006, but his focus on his family forced him to relegate its release to the back burner, a fitting place considering his membership in the cross-Canada Backburner crew, but unfortunate nonetheless. There it languished from laziness, a legend among those few who heard about it. Until now. Welcome to Wherewithal! Finally available as either a FREE download or pre-order the red hot old school cassette with a brand new bonus track.

Twitter: @psybo004
Bandcamp: https://handsolorecords.bandcamp.com/album/wherewithal

Right Back At You

Hindsight is 20/20 and I'd have certainly done things differently, however, I don't regret the past decade. Regardless, all I'm trying to say is (with Robin Williams in my head, describing the world being obliterated and nature would find a way, slide in, and say)... I'm back.

MOVED

Despite the fact that it's been quite sometime, I moved my blog and did not delete this one. Not sure if I'll keep this (for whatever reason) or delete it. I will retain it until the new year, at which point I will more than likely delete it.

Journey 081226

brand nubian , love me or leave me alone
pete rock & cl smooth , straighten it out rmx.
big daddy kane , ain't no half steppin'
cru , just another case
biggie smalls , party & bullshit
cypress hill , i ain't goin' out like that
ice cube ft. das efx , check yo self
gangstarr , just to get a rep
3rd bass , steppin' to the a.m.
jungle brothers , because i got it like that
eric b. & rakim , i know you got soul
chubb rock , nothing can stop us now
public enemy , brothers gonna work it out
run dmc ft. aerosmith , walk this way
redman ft. busta rhymes , da goodness
de la soul , say no go
tupac , holler if ya hear me
rob base & dj ez rock , it takes two
grand puba , what goes around rmx.
eric b. & rakim , don't sweat the technique
umc's , blue cheese
double xx posse , executive class

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common , the 6th sense
ol' dirty bastard , brooklyn zoo lord digga rmx.
akinyele ft. sadat x , loud hangover
the pharcyde , runnin' jay dee rmx.
the roots , don't see us
shyheim aka the rugged child , on and on
group home ft. smiley da ghetto child , the realness
wu-tang clan , protect ya neck
b.d.p. , feel the vibe, feel the beat
gangstarr , b.y.s.
diamond d & the psychotic neurotics , sally got a one track mind
masta ace , the inc ride
de la soul , breakadawn
souls of mischief , get the girl
a tribe called quest , elctric relaxation
brand nubian , punks jump up
digable planets , rebirth of slick
eric b. & rakim , what's goin' on
erick sermon , stay real

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Dj Ducats - "Back To The Future Vol. II"

jeru the damaja , come clean
special ed , neva go back
o.c. ft. changing faces , can't go wrong rmx.
n.w.a. , the dayz of wayback
mobb deep ft. raekwon & ghostface killah , eye for an eye
m.o.p. , illside of town
e. bros , funky piano
ini , fakin' jax
jay-z , friend or foe
mobb deep , up north trip
nas , one love one l main mix
o.c. & organized konfusion , you won't go far
pete rock & c.l. smooth , one in a million
the notorious b.i.g. ft. redman & method man , rap phenomenon
show & a.g. ft. d-flow & party arty , who't the dirtiest
thug life , pour out a little liquor
yo yo , pass it on
funkdoobiest , rock on
ice cube ft. k-dee , make it rough, make it smooth
ill al skratch , don't shut down on a player rmx.
redman , boodah break

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Peaceful Journey 081219

PART I

souls of mischief , tour stories
rise , bkny
blaq poet , ain’t nuttin’ changed
shaun boothe , music man
dom pachino of killa army , shot u down
ludacris , m.v.p.
heltah skeltah ft. buckshot & ruste juxx , so damn tuff
heltah skeltah & originoo gunn clappaz , leflaur, leflah eshkoshkah rmx.
a tribe called quest , check the rhyme
keith murray , get lifted
saukrates , hate runs deep
run dmc , down with the king
biz markie , nobody beats the biz
blackmoon , buck ‘em down beatminerz rmx.
nine , whatcha want
apache , gangsta bitch


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PART II

outkast ft. cee-lo , in due time
redman , i don’t care
rasco , you got the time
queen latifah , wrath of my madness dj premier rmx.
large professor , the mad scientist
gza , publicity
group home , livin’ proof
defari , never lose touch
d.i.t.c. , day one
blahzay blahzay , good cop bad cop
skillz , it’s goin’ down
paula perry , extra extra
notorious big , sky’s the limit
jay-z , a million and one questions
common sense , chapter 13
m.o.p. , rugged neva smoove
ghostface killah , motherless child
capone n’ noreaga , bloody money


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Video: KRS & Mickey Factz Droppin' Rhymes