I recently threw Dilated People’s “The Platform” into digital format and then onto the iPhone so I can listen to the album from beginning to end. I had mixed feeling about doing that because it’s been a while since I’d listened to the album, and the last time I did this, it was during the huge “Underground vs. Commercial” fake war that I bought into so well…
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Showbiz & AG part of the Diggin’ In The Crates supergroup. Straight out of the Bronx, New York, they fit right into the mold of mid-nineties Hip-Hop perfectly. There are few producers that can pull off the stab and stutter style made famous by Marly Marl and Premier, like Showbiz does it. The first time I heard the Goodfella’s album I was wondering why I couldn’t find a better sounding copy, and then my friend told me that THAT is how the whole album sounded…..
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I mentioned Lazurus last year (2nd Coming Of Nice: Lazurus – Hey Baby), and I wrote:

“D.R.U.G.S. is an up and coming dope producer, and Laz is from Raleigh, NC……Both artists combine here for something special.”

What I didn’t know at the time was how great of an artist Lazurus really is. I mean it was apparent he could rhyme and put together a dope track, but with the release of “So To Myself I Say” and a few other joints, I have to say that this cat is probably the illest up and coming Hip-Hop artist right now….

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It’s been a while since I’ve updated the Beats and Music Page here at AscendedMasta.com. I’ll be updating the site with Beats and Music every week. The last update I did, I added a couple new Beats, as well as the 2005 Instrumentals from the unreleased “Eve of Destruction” album. Since Soundcloud is stingy with space, I might have to either open a new account or start taking down some of the older beats…Haven’t quite decided. Anyway, head to the Beats and Music Page and check out the new music, or just check them out after the jump…..

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I’ve heard the name Dro Pesci whispered here and there for the past few months now, and I’ve heard a few tracks that impressed me. Including Warpath ft. Ruste Juxx However, “Lost My Way” is my favorite track from him so far…

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I’ve been producing for a long time, and there are only a few people I’ve met that have as much knowledge about Hip-Hop as Art Kuel does. DJ Ashraf and him together were practically unstoppable when it comes to Hip-Hop trivia. When I used to make beats in Las Cruces, New Mexico, I always welcomed them to join because I valued their input, and prized their knowledge of Hip-Hop. More than once I was corrected by them, and schooled but when others might have shyed away from that, I actually gravitated towards it. In the end, I thank both of them because they helped me become a better producer.

His knowledge goes beyond Hip-Hop, though. He also knows a lot about other types of music related to Hip-Hop, and other bordering counter-cultures and movements. I think he’ll bring a great perspective to AscendedMasta.com

Peace,
The Ascended

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Over the past 15 years, I’ve grown to appreciate the Wu Forever album more than ever. Hip-Hop music isn’t immune to “Sophomore Syndrome”, and many times you’ll see artists try to duplicate success and fail miserably. In the case of Wu-Tang in ’97, they had all the makings of falling into the same traps that many Hip-Hop groups tend to fall into. They’d already created a cult following, many of the group’s artists had gone on to release amazing solo albums, and Rza was well a well known and respected beatsmith. In these situations, pulling together 2-3 artists into one studio, much less 9 artists, to produce something amazing seems almost impossible, even if you only factored everyone’s egos. Turns out, all you need is a studio in a mansion, some rich California sun, and copious amounts of drugs and alcohol. Enter the Wu….

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After a a few months on hiatus due to work, and some hosting issues, Ascended Masta is BACK! Daily posts, more music, and new content! Stay tuned!
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Saigon has all the elements that make up a Hip-Hop Legend. Dope Rhymes, Dope Producer, and he’s passionate about speaking his mind. Last year he finally dropped the highly anticipated “Greatest Story Never Told” and although it wasn’t everything I was expecting, it was more than a solid album. But over the past year or so I begin to realize that his legendary status is right there, staring right into our faces.

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Alchemist is one of the few producers out there that has carved a niche out for himself in Hip-Hop in the the last decade. He created a very unique style and has done very well for himself in Hip-Hop. He’s been criticized for not changing up his formula enough, but I think that’s part of his charm. Like Primo, Pete Rock, Showbiz, and other niche producers, their unique styles sets them apart from the leagues of producers with a similar sound and progression.

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