statik selektah Archives

Kxng Crooked Tears Into A Statik Selektah Soul Creation (Audio)

Statik Kxng was more than just a one-off for Kxng Crooked (p/k/a Crooked I) and Statik Selektah. The Showoff Records/Penalty Entertainment, Long Beach-to-Brooklyn duo exists beyond their early 2016 10-track EP. "Street Music" appears on Mike Epps' forthcoming Meet The Blacks soundtrack, but stands taller than a typical peel-away track.... Read more

April 4, 2016 Audio

Dot Demo Turns A Careful Whisper Into A Crazy Freestyle (Video)

Dot Demo is one to watch. With influences like Big Pun, Nas, Jay Z and J Dilla, the Bronx, NY MC has high standards and high expectations. He recently hit Statik Selektah’s Show Off Radio and wrecked a couple of beats, turning a careful whisper into a crazy freestyle. Dot... Read more

March 11, 2016 Video

Joey Bada$$ Carries On Tradition For Brooklyn And Biggie (Audio)

Today (March 9) marks 19 years since the world lost The Notorious B.I.G., but his legacy remains as strong as ever. His music stands the test of time as some of the greatest Hip-Hop ever recorded, and he has influenced countless artists since. One MC who has steadfastly carried on... Read more

March 9, 2016 Audio

Kxng Crooked Celebrates Those That Came Before Him As He Plots His Future (Video)

On Februay 12, Kxng Crooked and Statik Selektah released their collaboration album, Statik Kxng. The album was filled with Statik's hard beats and Crooked's complex rhymes, as they took Hip-Hop back to the basics. "Let's Go," featuring Termanology, was one of the album's standout tracks, and now Statik Crook' have... Read more

February 29, 2016 Video

Joey Bada$$’ New Single Shows He’s Ready To Do It All Again, In 2016 (Audio)

Joey Bada$$ has released his first proper single of 2016. "Ready" keeps one of the Pro Era front man MC's strongest music mates close to the fold in Statik Selektah. In the song, the Brooklyn, New Yorker promises to be around a mighty long time, as he stretches out his... Read more

February 22, 2016 Audio

Kxng Crooked & Statik Selektah Are Winning Against All Odds With Pure Hip-Hop (Video)

Over the last several weeks, Kxng Crooked (pka Crooked I) and Statik Selektah quietly have been releasing one amazing release after another. Rather than stir up controversy with Twitter beefs and other distractions, they've simply let the music talking, and it speaks LOUDLY. Today, they have released their album Statik... Read more

February 12, 2016 Video

Kxng Crooked Nods To Eric B. & Rakim As He Destroys Another Statik Selektah Beat (Audio)

Real recognize real. Even though he says he hates the term "Real Hip-Hop" (as do we...) at the end of his new song, Kxng Crooked is most definitely a fan of choice beats and raw raps. As he and Statik Selektah near the release of their joint album, Statik Kxng,... Read more

February 2, 2016 Audio

Your Old Droog & Termanology Bend A Soulful Statik Selektah Record Till It Curves (Audio)

Although Statik Seleketah said 2015's Lucky 7 would be his final solo album, he is still hard at work producing high quality tracks for other artists. The producer has a full album on the way with Kxng Crooked, and he seems to have a steady supply of sonic goodness at... Read more

February 1, 2016 Audio

Kxng Crooked & Statik Selektah Are Ruthless With This Music. Let’s Go (Audio)

The MC formerly known as Crooked I has been on a tear in early 2016. The same week he unleashed a beast of a freestyle at Tony Touch's radio show, Kxng Crooked returns with a fully-produced bar massacre. "Let's Go" teams with album partner Statik Selektah on the boards, and... Read more

January 30, 2016 Audio

Kxng Crooked Is A MONSTER. This Acapella Freestyle Is Downright Scary (Video)

Kxng Crooked has been lyrical royalty, long before he dubbed himself a King. The MC, formerly known as Crooked I, has been abusing microphones for more than 20 years, both as a solo artist and as a member of the fearsome foursome known as Slaughterhouse. In fact, it was his... Read more

January 28, 2016 Video

Black Thought Spits Fire About Lost Love on Unreleased Statik Selektah Track (Audio)

Just one day after Black Thought tore through a DJ Premier beat alongside Royce Da 5'9" on PRhyme's "Wishin' II," the Roots front man is back again, this time lamenting on missteps in romance. "Couldn't Tell" is a brooding cut that didn't make it onto Statik Selektah's July album Lucky... Read more

December 11, 2015 Audio

Your Old Droog Is A Freestyle Fanatic, One Of The Best Around… (Video)

Less than two days after his crazy freestyle caught on VHS tape, Your Old Droog laces Statik Selektah's ShowOff Radio show. There, Y.O.D. gives the artist he's worked on albums with an animated freestyle over a vintage Busta Rhymes beat. Droog weaves in clever slang, commentary on wack industry events,... Read more

December 10, 2015 Video

Kxng Crooked’s “Dead Or In Jail” Verses Demand A Lyric Video

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Kxng Crooked (f/k/a Crooked I) and Statik Selektah gave Heads some food for thought. "Dead Or In Jail," which features Jessica Quintero, examines the skewed justice system, and how institutional racism is very much around, in the United States and beyond. Less than one week later,... Read more

December 1, 2015 Video

Kxng Crooked & Statik Selektah Serve Up That Good Food For The Soul (Audio)

Ever have someone say you wouldn't accomplish something? Kxng Crooked did, and boy were they wrong. The sometimes Slaughterhouse member (formerly known as Crooked I) links with Statik Selektah on "Dead Or In Jail" with a message to all those who said that's where he would be when he got... Read more

November 26, 2015 Audio

DJ Premier Remixes A Termanology Standout, Featuring Sean Price, Lil Fame & More (Audio)

Termanology has released a new EP, Term Brady. The Lawrence, Massachusetts native has released a combined 11 LPs and EPs in the last nine years, including collaborative work with 1982 partner Statik Selektah, as well as a celebrated project with M.O.P.'s Lil Fame. There have been 12 more mixtapes in... Read more

October 13, 2015 Audio

Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson & Statik Selektah Celebrate the Good Life from Croatia (Video)

Statik Selektah's Lucky 7 album has endured as one of the strongest of the year. The LP, touted as Statik's last as a solo artist, is a smorgasbord of MCs' MCs, including Sean Price, Royce Da 5'9", Rapsody, Big K.R.I.T., Bun B, Your Old Droog, Joey Bada$$ and Action Bronson.... Read more

September 3, 2015 Video

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of July 2015 (Audio)

July has traditionally been slow for Hip-Hop releases, but 2015 proved to be the exception. The month brought new music from a wide variety of artists and set the stage for a blockbuster August, with the return of Dr. Dre and Warren G. Here are the best Hip-Hop songs of... Read more

August 5, 2015 Mixes

Joey Bada$$ & Statik Selektah Address Knee-Jerk ’90s Hip-Hop Comparisons (Video)

Since his 2010 arrival Joey Bada$$ has been often compared to the 1990s litany of East Coast MCs. The Brooklyn, New York MC is not a fan of being always considered a throwback, when the Pro Era MC has worked to prove himself as an original. Similarly, DJ/producer Statik Selektah... Read more

July 27, 2015 Video

Buckshot & Smif N Wessun Have a Boot Camp Clik Reunion on a Statik Selektah Banger (Video)

Last week, Statik Selektah released his stellar Lucky 7 album on Duck Down Music. That compilation, which Statik says is his last solo project, features a smorgasbord of MCs, including Joey Bada$$, Action Bronson, Royce Da 5'9", Your Old Droog, Rapsody, Big K.R.I.T., Styles P, Bun B and more. Ever... Read more

July 16, 2015 Video

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of June 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

June brought a number of welcomed surprises in Hip-Hop. Method Man announced he would be releasing a new album in August and dropped three new songs. Jay Rock also revealed his new album was coming this Summer, and returned with some of the best music of his career. Chris Rivers... Read more

July 7, 2015 Audio, Playlists

Joey Bada$$ & Big K.R.I.T. Hope That You’re Listening To These Jewels (Audio)

Tomorrow, Statik Selektah will release his Lucky 7 seventh album—on 7-7, no less. One of the ShowOff Records/Duck Down Music release's highlights is "In The Wind." This moment is the latest run-in between Joey Bada$$ and Big K.R.I.T., alums from A$AP Rocky's "1 Train" as well as the obvious connection as... Read more

July 6, 2015 Audio

Royce Da 5’9″ Says It So It’s Crystal Clear: Soft Artists Are Winning In 2015 (Audio)

"This year, we've got the softest group of artists in the history of Blues, R&B, Soul / For y'all to be so willing to be so blast-off honest / Black Pride, I'm astonished / I'm a full-contact guy, in a flag-ball climate..." Royce Da 5'9" is not mincing words in... Read more

July 3, 2015 Audio

Action Bronson & Ab-Soul Join Elle Varner For Differing Perspectives On Relationships (Audio)

Amidst the 2010s finest crop of MCs, Action Bronson and Ab-Soul have both succeeded in rapping about relationships, from the devoted to the dissolved. "All You Need" is a Statik Selektah-orchestrated moment from Lucky 7 (July 7) that shows that range. While Bam Bam celebrates a trist-turned-true love, Soulo looks... Read more

July 1, 2015 Audio

Bun B, Styles P & Sean Price Are Top Tier MCs, On A Statik Selektah Track (Audio)

Last year, DJ and producer Statik Selektah released What Goes Around, an album featuring verses from Ab-Soul, Action Bronson, B-Real, Dilated Peoples, Freddie Gibbs, Joey Badass, Logic, N.O.R.E., Posdnuos, and Sheek Louch (just to name a few!). The album was his sixth since the Massachusetts native launched his solo career... Read more

June 24, 2015 Audio

Action Bronson & Joey Bada$$ Celebrate Success While Staying True (Audio)

It was just 30 months ago that Action Bronson and Joey Bada$$ appeared on A$AP Rocky's "1 Train," a unified front of a new, nostalgic New York City Rap crop. In 2015, a lot's changed, but a lot hasn't. All three MCs have 2015 albums, all garnering a lot of... Read more

June 8, 2015 Audio

One Week Later, Ea$y Money Is Still The Motive (Audio)

Bars come easy for Ea$y Money as the Show Off recording artist unloads a brand new single just one week removed from the release of his album, The Motive Of Nearly Everybody, Yo. The aptly-titled "One Week Later" conjures a looming Boom-Bap production from Billy Loman, allowing the Haverhill MC... Read more

June 4, 2015 Audio, Fresh

Prodigy & Rick Gonzalez Make That Rugged & Raw Relationship Rap (Audio)

As an actor, Rick Gonzalez can play many parts. As an MC, the artist formerly known as Realm Reality can do the same. Teaming with mentor Prodigy and producer Statik Selektah, "Love & Money" moves Rick's traditionally-aggressive pastiche over to something softer, intimate and reflective. Aimed at relationships, this moment... Read more

May 20, 2015 Audio

Masta Ace, Stricklin & Wordsworth Make You Look With A Ferocious Freestyle (Video)

Group eMC, now consisting of members Masta Ace, Wordsworth and Stricklin, made a guest appearance on Showoff Radio with Statik Selektah this week. The Penalty Entertainment trio came very prepared as they delivered a remarkable freestyle over Nas' "Made You Look" instrumental. The group's album The Tonight Show is their second album without former member... Read more

May 19, 2015 Video

Lil Fame Takes ‘Em To Church On A Funeral Freestyle (Audio)

Lil Fame is more than 20 years deep in making music that speaks to angst, aggression, and abrasive street life. The Brooklyn, New Yorker known for his work with M.O.P. is a close affiliate of Statik Selektah. Fame (a/k/a Fizzy Womack) teamed with Statik's other 1982 half, Termanology for an... Read more

May 14, 2015 Audio

Your Old Droog Goes All-City On A Statik Selektah Holdover (Audio)

Your Old Droog crosses paths with Statik Selektah. It's a complementary fit, as these are two Brooklyn, New York-based B-boys strongly pull from past generations and nostalgia, while flipping things with a modern slant. Droog takes a Statik-produced dusty arrangement, and goes all-city with "Unlimited Metrocard." The swipe of the... Read more

May 13, 2015 Audio

Pro Era’s Dessy Hinds Gives Thanks On A Statik Selektah Track (Audio)

As the Pro Era crew continues to diversify, Dessy Hinds is one to watch. The MC has a lot of soul to his step, and seems to wave the Brooklyn, New York clique's flag strong. Dessy kicks off the week with a cut produced by crew big brother, Statik Selektah.... Read more

May 11, 2015 Audio

Rapsody Drops a Thunder Clap Freestyle Over Biggie’s Who Shot Ya (Video)

Rapsody's profile has taken on new heights over the last few weeks after her inclusion as one of only two guest MCs on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly album. Now, she and Kendrick have something else in common as each has dropped rough and rugged freestyles over The Notorious... Read more

April 10, 2015 Video

Fashawn Adds To A Major Week In His Career With A Dazzling Freestyle (Video)

With The Ecology out, Fashawn may be having the week of his career. The Fresno, California MC hit Statik Selektah's ShowOff Radio show. There, the 100 Proof collaborators linked up to allow Fash' to kick a quite-nice freestyle over beats by Souls Of Mischief and Gang Starr. With wit, impeccable... Read more

February 26, 2015 Video

Talib Kweli Freestyles About Suge Knight. Too Soon? (Video)

Featured in the 2000 film, Freestyle: The Art Of Rhyme, Talib Kweli has built his skills in the cyphers, and with the impromptu improvisation that is freestyling. These days, Kwe' is busy touring, making albums, and co-running a label conglomerate. The days in the parks may be few and far... Read more

February 19, 2015 Video

Mr. Cheeks Sounds Great On A Statik Selektah-Produced Cut (Audio)

The last decade has been a quieter one for Mr. Cheeks. Since his days with The Lost Boyz, the Queens, New Yorker certainly scored solo success, making party music rooted in vibes. However, when the LBFam front man hits the mic, he's still got it in full—evident in his appearances... Read more

February 2, 2015 Audio

DJ P. Makes An All-Vinyl Mix With New Joints By Joey Bada$$, A.G., Quasimoto & Lord Finesse (Mixtape)

UPDATE: It turns out that this DJ P actually hails from Lyon, France—no relation to the Phoenix, Arizona-based DJ P below. However, this mix still beckons many listens and much enjoyment. DJ P. is an underground DJ legend. More than a decade ago, as DJ Z-Trip's partner, P. made Uneasy... Read more

February 1, 2015 Mixes

On His 20th Birthday & B4.Da.$$ Release Date, Joey Bada$$ Reflects In Song (Audio)

In just 20 years on Earth, Joey Bada$$ has accomplished a ton. That being said, January 20, 2015 may be the biggest day in his life to date. Hours ago, the Brooklyn, New York released his debut album, B4.Da.$$, and turned 20 years old at the same time. The benchmark... Read more

January 20, 2015 Audio

With Sounds By The Roots & J Dilla, Preview Snippets Of Joey Bada$$’s B4.Da.$$ (Audio)

Over the weekend, the full artwork, tracklisting and production credits for Joey Bada$$' studio debut, B4.Da.$$ (January 20) were released: 1. Save The Children (prod by Statik Selektah) 2. Greenbax (prod by Lee Bannon) 3. Paper Trails (prod. by DJ Premier) 4. Piece of Mine (prod by Freddie Joachim) 5.... Read more

December 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Joey Bada$$ and Statik Selektah Serve Up Some Curry Chicken (Audio)

Joey Bada$$ and Statik Selektah have teamed several times over the last few years, seemingly always to good results. The pair link again for the latest release from Joey's forthcoming B4 Da $$ album. "Curry Chicken" features a trademark soulful loop from Statik accompanying Joey's ever-maturing vocals about what he... Read more

December 23, 2014 Audio

Your Old Droog Shows Off Over Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers (Video)

For the second time in less than a week, Your Old Droog goes HAM over DJ Premier music during a freestyle. This time, he flows for Statik Selektah during his Showoff Radio show. About halfway in, Statik flips the beat to Premier's classic "Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers," and Droog... Read more

December 22, 2014 Video

Joey Bada$$ Rolls Deep. They Terrorize The Borough & The Beat (Video)

Just one day after releasing "No. 99" in audio, Joey Bada$$ drops the video for his Statik Selektah-produced sophomore single. The visual features a faux Brooklyn news report of a menace on the loose. "Badman" is none other than Joey, who with his Pro Era crew is causing mass destruction... Read more

December 9, 2014 Fresh, Video

Joey Bada$$ Unleashes A New Album Single. He & Statik Selektah Have Chemistry (Audio)

For an artist who puts art above image, music above interview antics, and the engaged live show above dedicated social media presence, January is a great month to release an album. Slow burn and long consideration will go a long way for Cinematic's longtime emerging star. With January 20, 2015... Read more

December 8, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Alchemist & Statik Selektah Co-Produce A New Term Joint With REKS & Willie The Kid (Audio)

In 2014, co-production in from some producers is very rare. Two such cases are Alchemist and Statik Selektah. Eminem's DJ and Q-Tip's (onetime) DJ are two respected sources on the boards, and while they work with a lot of the same cats (Action Bronson, The LOX, Dilated Peoples), they aren't... Read more

November 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Joey Bada$$ Goes to Work on A Tribe Called Quest’s Scenario Remix (Video)

Joey Bada$$ has been on a freestyle tear, as of late. After wrecking a Toca Tuesday freestyle last week, he shows off with Statik Selektah now. Statik cues up A Tribe Called Quest's Scenario Remix track and Joey goes to work. Check out the video. Related: Joey Bada$$ Says He’s... Read more

September 25, 2014 Video

Jared Evan & Ransom Know It’s Cold Outside, So They Pack A Hoodie (Audio)

From Jared Evan's forthcoming #StillBlue release (October 28), the onetime Interscope/Zone 4 singer/rapper links with his homie Statik Selektah, and Statik's partner Ransom for "Outside." As a result, brash deliveries about the warmth "inside" are depicted on a track that also chronicles the cold realities of the outside world. Related:... Read more

September 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

20 Amazing Hip-Hop Projects From 2014, So Far (Videos)

2014 is entering its fourth quarter. As a whole, the year has seen some amazing musical developments in Hip-Hop. Mainstream artists like Common, The Roots, and Rick Ross (coincidentally, all Def Jam Records acts) have made statement albums, adding to respected and evolved catalogs. Veterans such as Cormega, Pharoahe Monch,... Read more

September 8, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Video

Statik Selektah, Joey Bada$$ & Freddie Gibbs Hit The Park In Style (Video)

For early What Goes Around single "Carry On," Statik Selektah set his turntables up in Lower Manhattan's famed Washington Square Park. There, the ShowOff shows off on a random afternoon, while Joey Bada$$ and Freddie Gibbs (who recently moved to Harlem) plug in, and put on. The vibe of the... Read more

August 19, 2014 Fresh, Video

Snoop Goes All the Way in on an Exquisite Statik Selektah Track (Audio)

Statik Selektah drops one more cut, "All The Way (Pimp Hop)," just before the release of his upcoming album, What Goes Around. Snoop Dogg, who is no stranger to pimping himself, leads off the cut with Ransom, Wais P (The Ranjahz), and CharlieRED to spit their pimp game over some... Read more

August 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Despite Fame, Action Bronson Says It Hasn’t Been A Long Time (Audio)

It's been a curious rise to fame for Action Bronson. Sometimes dismissed as a pop-up new artist, there are J-Love mixtapes and Internet videos that show the Queens, New Yorker's trajectory long before he was a recognizable face and name. But if you ask, Bam-Bam, he maintains that he's only... Read more

August 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

UGK’s Bun B & De La Soul’s Posdnuos On The Same Track? Statik Selektah Knows (Audio)

Known for assembling jaw-dropping collaborations, Statik Selektah's biggest feat may be "God Knows." Taking a Jared Evan-sang riff from the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds classic, the album's closer pairs UGK's Bun B and De La Soul's Posdnous, an unlikely pair of '80s Rap vets, who take a similar stance on... Read more

August 12, 2014 Audio, Fresh