#StoriesAboutSongs

Relatively Ill (Direct To The Fact reprise) Instrumental by RedefineHipHop

Intellectually Speaking In A B-Boy's Way Instrumental by RedefineHipHop

Demolition Instrumental by RedefineHipHop

Coolie Love is Down Instrumental by RedefineHipHop

Be Realistic Instrumental by RedefineHipHop

Psychostyle Instrumental by RedefineHipHop

Direct To The Fact Instrumental by RedefineHipHop

Battle Rhyme Instrumental by RedefineHipHop

Show Description: For part two of the The Jaz & Jay-Z special we continue to take a look at the greatness of The Jaz with his second album, and the follow up EP, and as he transitions into the mid 90s, which also saw him take his production skills to the next level. I also touch on some of the styles that The Jaz was a pioneer and/or helped popularize. And, all that leads into me getting a chance...

The Jaz and Jay-Z are certainly each worth of their own stories being told, but one of my favorite things is peeling back the layers of how various stories tie things together, and that's the adventure we begin on here, in this two-part special that touches not only on the history of The Jaz and Jay-Z, but touches on some other key stories along the way, including moments with Fresh Gordon, UTFO,...

I was lucky enough to do street promotions in Chicago for Sha-Key's debut album, produced largely by Earl Blaize, as I was, and remain a big fan of that album, "A Head Naddas Journey To Aidi Skizm" ('94). This is the story of that record, including input given to me from Sha-key and Earl Blaize to help fill in some gaps. it talks about her being signed to Imago Records, and what went wrong, as wel...

Final Failure What a difference a choice makes Raised stakes, pain, aches The right to remain sane, the same snakes Lay in wait, after hours of laying bait Staying straight walking on the path In this day and age I gave all I got all I got was a soul to save That’s so to say, I’m not OK, another one got away I got a way of losing everything on the field of play The hill to stay and die on, the one...

LIfe’s Pieces Monday to Friday, try to manage my stress Then got two measly days just to try n refresh Hit reset, yup, then the cycles resumes Cause life’s lot harder than the child assumes I was born to believe I could achieve anything But that dream hit a wall once I turned 18 But I still didn’t stop, I kept my eyes on the prize Then I failed so many times,that I lost count of the tries Decades...

Art on Sleeve Dim lights, dark nights, Poetic Art-types All rights reserved, all mics deserve to share These rare words, but they’re barely heard Success is blurred, I guess it’s a test, a lesson learned Crash and burn, come to terms or toss and turn The cost to earn, might cost the cost of urn Loss confirmed, along with my worst concerns Then I retreat, meditate, sync with beat Add to sheet, spee...

The Makings of a Trap My life woes got me wide awake with my eyes closed Deep in concentration, plotting means of survival Flashback to Prospect Ave, these are the brass tacks I wrote rap tracks while they sat around bagged crack Happened once or twice, I wasn’t bout that life But had some friends who were, they made a sacrifice Risked they freedom, society failed, streets could feed em They said...

Reserved Skepticism My motto is...bottle this energy quick Moderately slick, hits like a lottery pick You gotta be thick-skinned when you fall for the trick Appalling and sick, something I could fix with a brick Building blocks, then stop, watch the passersbys The mask disguise, matching when they plaster lies He has survived, but never got to cash the prize I slashed the price, still they got the...

Poetic Art Poetic Art, choose to write a rhyme, let it start Better part of life I’ve been set apart Head and heart, avant garde, that’s all he know He can flow new perspective like fan art Fan First, inspired, writing rhymes till his hands hurt Analyze the greats for the questions and answers Blueprints that grew trends, others more low key Both ends, spoke to the soul of the whole me Since 8-0 I...

2 Minor Flex (Instrumental) by RedefineHipHop

Absolutely Naught This one goes out to Too Short, K-Rob, Kool Moe Dee, Downtown Science, and the sound and feel of Hip Hop circa 1986 You had your time, now let this one step in With the burden of the truth as my best weapon Expressing a full range, on an emotional binge I’m not on the fringe, prefer to keep it deep when I cleanse Refocus my lens, study every specimen, since I’m on the fence, abou...

Gracious Giving What you see is what you get and I’m a sight to behold Or so I’m told…on that fact I haven’t been sold Life is cold, I’m naked in a room full of wolves It’s too dark to see their eyes, but I can hear the hooves Inching In, I pretend, this is the end Then I, hit em once, and then I hit em again 7-3, no A, still I have to say The Drums of Steel will heal when we’re led astray Better...

Deep Cleanse Great news, here’s the kind of thing you relate to Don’t make do, I make moves, master and break rules Lane choose, same shoes, don’t need a big splash Bridge gaps perhaps then relapse when the bridge collapse A Midge mismatch, emotions all dispatched Surface scratched, beats and the rhymes attach Form a whole new creation, that’s a brand new batch New plan, I’m BACK, no hat in hand,...

INHERENT VALUE I value time, my mind on theirs and mine That pair aligns with my whole life design Life is fine, remind myself all the time, hard to believe Despite small reminders received, went far to achieve Found answers hard to find, look at my needs How have they aided my peace, somewhat at least I got enough wounds to treat, a spoon to feed The mouth, leaving room to breathe The truth I ble...

Passion-Life Balance Elegance like King Tee, patterns like Kool G Abstract like Kool Keith, calm like Latee Still it’s all me, as far as the eye can see The mind concedes, let’s the heart take the lead I don’t foresee any other path for me I laugh with glee when I craft a masterpiece That has to be somewhere in my future I guess I’m laughing less and wondering if I’m passing the test I fasten my v...

1 Passion Life Balance (Instrumental) by RedefineHipHop

10 Art On Sleeve (Instrumental) by RedefineHipHop