"Let It Sound" is the first drop from my upcoming project A Side Breaks Vol. 2 — a soundscape built for b-boys, b-girls, and lovers of raw Hip Hop energy. This series is my ode to b-boying, born in the Bronx in the early ’70s to the funk breaks of Kool Herc, Bambaataa, and Flash. Explosive footwork, power moves, and freezes made it a global language, but its soul remains in the cypher.

Attending this year’s IBE reignited my drive to crack open b-boy breaks I’ve been sitting on for years. "Let It Sound" is straight to the floor: dusty drums, tough bass, and no filler. It’s a teaser of the heat to come when A Side Breaks Vol. 2 lands — and it’s out now on Bandcamp for dancers, DJs, and anyone who lives for the break.

I took Clipse’s hard-hitting “Whips & Chains” vocals and flipped them over Dr. Dre’s classic production “The Setup” to give it that unmistakable West Coast feel — raw, cinematic, and full of bounce. The result is a gritty mashup that blends Virginia coke rap with Cali drum science, creating a cross-coastal sound that knocks with attitude and soul. I’ve always loved reimagining classics, and this one felt like the perfect combo to breathe new energy into both tracks. You can grab this exclusive edit as part of Blends, Mashups & Refixes Vol 11, now available on Bandcamp and my website. Whether you’re behind the decks or bumping it in your ride, this one’s built to move heads.

For all the music lovers and sonic adventurers — Listeners Digest is here! This series dives into exclusive flips and bootleg edits of both well-known and hidden gem classics, spanning world music, funk, soul, and hip hop. If you’ve got a taste for the unexpected and love discovering fresh takes on timeless sounds, this one’s for you. If you vibed with my mix slot on The Good Vibes with DJ Ready D, you’re going to love this series. Let’s dig in!

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Originally released in 1984 as an a cappella track on her album Solitude Standing (1987), “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega is a minimalist storytelling masterpiece. Written by Vega and produced by Steve Addabbo and Lenny Kaye, the song paints a vivid picture of mundane life in a New York diner, which later turned out to be Tom's Restaurant in Manhattan — famously used in the TV show Seinfeld. In 1990, UK producers DNA remixed the track by adding a beat, giving it a new lease on life and making it a global hit. The remix marked one of the earliest mainstream successes of sampling and remix culture.

James Brown’s “Funky Drummer”

Released in 1970, “Funky Drummer” is one of the most sampled tracks in music history. Drummer Clyde Stubblefield laid down the iconic breakbeat that became foundational in hip hop. Artists who sampled the track include Public Enemy (“Fight the Power”), N.W.A (“Fuck Tha Police”), Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, and Nas.

Redman’s “Superman Lover” series is one of hip hop’s most creative and long-running narrative tracks. Debuting on his 1992 album Whut? Thee Album, the first installment introduced listeners to Redman’s hilarious, funk-laced alter ego inspired by Johnny "Guitar" Watson’s original. Each sequel, spanning multiple albums including Dare Iz a Darkside and Doc’s da Name 2000, continues the absurd, comic book-style saga with outrageous storytelling, humor, and gritty East Coast funk. The series became a cult favorite among fans for blending fantasy, satire, and sharp lyricism. Redman’s animated delivery and clever plot twists made each entry a standout moment on his albums. The beat featured - “Ill Bomb” by LL Cool J, produced by DJ Scratch, was released in the year 2000. It appeared on the Def Jam: Survival of the Illest compilation and also as a bonus track on LL Cool J's album "G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time)", which dropped on September 12, 2000. The track is known for its raw, boom-bap production and LL’s commanding delivery, marking a return to his hardcore roots.

lordkez (real name Keziah Zoë Meyers) is a South African R&B and neo-soul artist known for her soulful voice, genre-blending sound, and poetic lyricism. Originally from Kimberley in the Northern Cape, she was introduced to music through the church—her grandfather was a priest and her mother played the organ. This spiritual and musical upbringing continues to influence her deeply introspective and emotive work.

As a teenager, lordkez moved with her family to Abu Dhabi, where her passion for music was reignited through jam sessions with fellow South Africans. Upon returning to South Africa, she studied sound engineering at the SAE Institute in Cape Town. Her early music uploads on SoundCloud caught the attention of Stay Low, an independent label and management company, marking the beginning of her professional music journey.

In 2023, she released her debut album Testament, a genre-defying body of work that blends R&B, hip-hop, and neo-soul, with themes of love, spirituality, and self-discovery. The album includes collaborations with artists like Shekhinah, Bas, Mars Baby, and Jelani Blackman. It was critically acclaimed and won a South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best R&B/Soul Album.

Beyond music, lordkez is also a poet and visual artist. Her artistic expression is rooted in wellness and introspection—she journals daily, practices affirmations, and views her work as a healing process. Her authenticity and creative versatility have made her one of the most exciting voices in South Africa’s alternative music scene, with growing international recognition.

Kicking off 2025 with a fresh shift in energy, DJ Azuhl returns with Escapism Vol. 7, the latest installment in his acclaimed lofi series. Departing from the ambient, moody vibes of the previous release, this edition leans into classic boom bap textures—crisp drums, soulful chops, and gritty loops designed to move heads and stir nostalgia.

Escapism Vol. 7 is a sonic journal for beat lovers and crate diggers alike—a tribute to golden era hip hop sensibilities, infused with Azuhl’s signature touch of warmth and groove. Whether you're vibing out, zoning in, or seeking inspiration, this release delivers pure instrumental escapism, one loop at a time.

Kicking off 2025 with a fresh shift in energy, DJ Azuhl returns with Escapism Vol. 7, the latest installment in his acclaimed lofi series. Departing from the ambient, moody vibes of the previous release, this edition leans into classic boom bap textures—crisp drums, soulful chops, and gritty loops designed to move heads and stir nostalgia.

Escapism Vol. 7 is a sonic journal for beat lovers and crate diggers alike—a tribute to golden era hip hop sensibilities, infused with Azuhl’s signature touch of warmth and groove. Whether you're vibing out, zoning in, or seeking inspiration, this release delivers pure instrumental escapism, one loop at a time.

Kicking off 2025 with a fresh shift in energy, DJ Azuhl returns with Escapism Vol. 7, the latest installment in his acclaimed lofi series. Departing from the ambient, moody vibes of the previous release, this edition leans into classic boom bap textures—crisp drums, soulful chops, and gritty loops designed to move heads and stir nostalgia.

Escapism Vol. 7 is a sonic journal for beat lovers and crate diggers alike—a tribute to golden era hip hop sensibilities, infused with Azuhl’s signature touch of warmth and groove. Whether you're vibing out, zoning in, or seeking inspiration, this release delivers pure instrumental escapism, one loop at a time.

Kicking off 2025 with a fresh shift in energy, DJ Azuhl returns with Escapism Vol. 7, the latest installment in his acclaimed lofi series. Departing from the ambient, moody vibes of the previous release, this edition leans into classic boom bap textures—crisp drums, soulful chops, and gritty loops designed to move heads and stir nostalgia.

Escapism Vol. 7 is a sonic journal for beat lovers and crate diggers alike—a tribute to golden era hip hop sensibilities, infused with Azuhl’s signature touch of warmth and groove. Whether you're vibing out, zoning in, or seeking inspiration, this release delivers pure instrumental escapism, one loop at a time.