#StoriesAboutSongs

This is the instrumental version of a mixtape I made celebrating my time on the Lake County, IL Hip Hop scene circa '87-'95 (North Chicago, Waukegan, Zion, Etc...). All these beats were made between 1989 and 1995 for various artists I was producing then, but they never came and laid verses to the songs. So I decided to clean them up, and make a mixtape. All the beats were digitized from cassette tapes, so don't mind the tape hiss and normal wear and tear. But they were also enhanced in Pro Tools with some light studio magic, so don't sound too bad for some beats made in my various living rooms through those years using either the Roland TR-808, Casio SK-5, and a Tascam Portastudio 4-track OR the later set up; SP-12 (5 seconds sample time), Quadraverb, and Tascam MidiStudio 688 8-Track. It's possible a couple were transferred direct from the SP-12 and further developed on KBATE's MPC-60, which I did some times, but not 100% sure if any of these apply. Anyway, take it back to the 90s on this one. Vocal version to soon follow...

This is the instrumental version of a mixtape I made celebrating my time on the Lake County, IL Hip Hop scene circa '87-'95 (North Chicago, Waukegan, Zion, Etc...). All these beats were made between 1989 and 1995 for various artists I was producing then, but they never came and laid verses to the songs. So I decided to clean them up, and make a mixtape. All the beats were digitized from cassette tapes, so don't mind the tape hiss and normal wear and tear. But they were also enhanced in Pro Tools with some light studio magic, so don't sound too bad for some beats made in my various living rooms through those years using either the Roland TR-808, Casio SK-5, and a Tascam Portastudio 4-track OR the later set up; SP-12 (5 seconds sample time), Quadraverb, and Tascam MidiStudio 688 8-Track. It's possible a couple were transferred direct from the SP-12 and further developed on KBATE's MPC-60, which I did some times, but not 100% sure if any of these apply. Anyway, take it back to the 90s on this one. Vocal version to soon follow...

This is the instrumental version of a mixtape I made celebrating my time on the Lake County, IL Hip Hop scene circa '87-'95 (North Chicago, Waukegan, Zion, Etc...). All these beats were made between 1989 and 1995 for various artists I was producing then, but they never came and laid verses to the songs. So I decided to clean them up, and make a mixtape. All the beats were digitized from cassette tapes, so don't mind the tape hiss and normal wear and tear. But they were also enhanced in Pro Tools with some light studio magic, so don't sound too bad for some beats made in my various living rooms through those years using either the Roland TR-808, Casio SK-5, and a Tascam Portastudio 4-track OR the later set up; SP-12 (5 seconds sample time), Quadraverb, and Tascam MidiStudio 688 8-Track. It's possible a couple were transferred direct from the SP-12 and further developed on KBATE's MPC-60, which I did some times, but not 100% sure if any of these apply. Anyway, take it back to the 90s on this one. Vocal version to soon follow...

This is the instrumental version of a mixtape I made celebrating my time on the Lake County, IL Hip Hop scene circa '87-'95 (North Chicago, Waukegan, Zion, Etc...). All these beats were made between 1989 and 1995 for various artists I was producing then, but they never came and laid verses to the songs. So I decided to clean them up, and make a mixtape. All the beats were digitized from cassette tapes, so don't mind the tape hiss and normal wear and tear. But they were also enhanced in Pro Tools with some light studio magic, so don't sound too bad for some beats made in my various living rooms through those years using either the Roland TR-808, Casio SK-5, and a Tascam Portastudio 4-track OR the later set up; SP-12 (5 seconds sample time), Quadraverb, and Tascam MidiStudio 688 8-Track. It's possible a couple were transferred direct from the SP-12 and further developed on KBATE's MPC-60, which I did some times, but not 100% sure if any of these apply. Anyway, take it back to the 90s on this one. Vocal version to soon follow...

This is the instrumental version of a mixtape I made celebrating my time on the Lake County, IL Hip Hop scene circa '87-'95 (North Chicago, Waukegan, Zion, Etc...). All these beats were made between 1989 and 1995 for various artists I was producing then, but they never came and laid verses to the songs. So I decided to clean them up, and make a mixtape. All the beats were digitized from cassette tapes, so don't mind the tape hiss and normal wear and tear. But they were also enhanced in Pro Tools with some light studio magic, so don't sound too bad for some beats made in my various living rooms through those years using either the Roland TR-808, Casio SK-5, and a Tascam Portastudio 4-track OR the later set up; SP-12 (5 seconds sample time), Quadraverb, and Tascam MidiStudio 688 8-Track. It's possible a couple were transferred direct from the SP-12 and further developed on KBATE's MPC-60, which I did some times, but not 100% sure if any of these apply. Anyway, take it back to the 90s on this one. Vocal version to soon follow...

JUST BREATHE….

JUST BREATHE…

JUST BREATHE…

JUST BREATHE…

JUST BREATHE…

The breath of life, feel it in the pit of your soul

LET GO, let the feeling take control

If your alone in your home, then just bop your head

But if you’re in a nightclub I need to see some sweat

Out to get the perfect feeling cause my time is due

Then Imma mix it in the music just to share with you

So if life got ya tripping, then I’m here to relieve

Put your ears near the speakers…and just breathe

JUST BREATHE…

JUST BREATHE…

JUST BREATHE…

JUST BREATHE…

Sheridan RD to Lakeshore Drive (SHOUT-OUTRO) by RedefineHipHop

Breaks beats blend with my fractured soul

I practiced till I was perfect then I cracked the mold

Act like ya know battlin’ aint practical

I track a foe, verbally crack his skull

I take control, invade your space like Krull

If you thought ya had a chance, that’s void and null

I’m annoyed with toys taking all that bull

So shh… be quiet, the pasture’s full

The past is full of answers, and disaster too

Just passing thru, trying to show what passion do

Ill-rational, how I choose to crash a crew

If I have to lose gonna be after YOU

As I grew, learned how to mangle words

Deciphered clues, learn what the angles were

Then things occur that can’t be explained for sure

I prefer to stay fly; angels, birds

The same ole nerd, but still ain’t the one to test

I’ll test ya reflex with a kick to the chest

Quick to invest in anything that solve for stress

Cause, effects, eliminate what cause regrets

Pause and let time have a moment for self

Too late to change the bet once the card is dealt

On knees I knelt, prayed to be saved, please HELP

But then I heard a voice yell, ‘Best ta save yourself’

The voice that I heard came from the depths my own brain

And made me realize I was locked in my own chains

Old pains left me all worn and complacent

Then I finally I faced, yeah, now I’m back in basement

The rap ain’t amazing, in fact this to back to basics

React to a track, post it, then track my engagement

Factual statement, I ain’t earned no actual payment

That ain’t the goal, that don’t mean I ain’t trying to change it

Let me explain it in a different way so ya get it

I more than committed, pouring out my heart when I writ it

Totally submission to self, and ain’t scared to admit it

This is a visit, my homeworld? That’s what this isn’t

Trust in the vision, but feels like I’m trapped in prison

Crafted a prism from colors that I found on spectrum

Mix and dissect em, bend em any way I direct em

The mind is weapon, the rhyme has some minor aggression

I am an artist, never mind my actual profession

Time is a blessing, timing is a separate investment

You may suppress it, but you could never sever the essence

Forever connected, metaphors, most wouldn’t catch it

I don’t expect it, humility, pride is protected

But if you’re feeling me, please, keep buying the records

No trying or guessing, focus on a style that’s effective

Wild and reflective, effort of ill-rational method

Wauk-town get down, cause I’m back again

It’s the Almighty Chiller, that’s a fact my friend

Back to wind, crowds, bout to pack em in

To opposing MCs, keep practicing

I’mma see ya on the streets, maybe Sheridan

And I’mma serve ya with a rhyme, so embarrassing

And there within perhaps yall can find a path

And I’ll review yall style when I need a laugh

Ya need to ask where to make a demo to send?

The Rage Cage, Talent Investment, or Studio M

Make songs… it’s time to the leave battling alone

Because chances too slim when I sit in throne

Heads flown, high risk like rent to own

Wanna beat this man, better find his clone

But make it known, there’s plenty who I do respect

Who keep the Lake County scene in full effect

Cool Or threat? Fine line; spool of thread

Most Illinest B-boys, true Hip Hop heads (True)

Richard Ray used to drop that Soda Pop

The VFW is where I first seen em rock

That grew to Chapter 2, Deejay Bird is Crew

Black Man Zeke, he a freak, but a poet too

Going thru the names on the scene I’m respecting

Like Lethal Weapon, now it’s time pause for a second

The gangs out creeping, and the streets is gritty

Like fights breaking out at Neon City

And a Youth Center party is the place to go

I saw His Majesti rock, I was there, first row

Captain 2 Fresh, cutting up the dopest tracks

And I bugged out when he played Dog’N the Wax

Just one year later at the Genesee

2 Fresh cutting up the Kaos LP

Shout to Fresh City & DJ Reese

7-4 Posse & MC Council, PEACE

That’s our OGs, MC’s known to please

Can’t forget K-Prince and Jammin JG

But those who leech, watch out, he’s off his leash

A wild beast, Wildstyle, fully out ya reach

We stand tall, D.B.I to Criminal Law

From the 80s to 90s, we was Simply Raw

And to the Hard Brotha and Brotha Cold

Keep Executing rappers with a style that’s bold

And I was told, Badd Mixx got wrist control

Cool Breeze mix with ease got so much soul

And, Blaze raise the heat, mixtape king

DJ Gee, give that man a champion ring

And, I don’t sing, hardcore like Fire & Ice

I don’t play nice, on my comp I’ll be firing twice

Got a whole lotta rhymes cause I just can’t stop

And I’mma bring my own mic every place we rock

Like, Fiesta Palace or the JM Club

And the PR Society, it’s all love

Hip House reigned supreme, but when they need a break

Wildstyle stepped in with that 808

Shake the place, try to get the crowd all hyped

And I’mma say these words, once I grab that mic

‘Any MC, who wish to try their luck, speak up

I’ll meet ya outside to crush…’

And I won’t rush, I’mma take it slow and smooth

Ride the groove, cause I ain’t got nothing to prove

I can’t lose, this ain’t no game to me

And too many MCs sound the same to me

Shamefully, and I don’t need to name no names

They know me, and know that I can’t be tamed

I walk for miles, with headphones mumbling styles

The Wildstyle Files, there for MCs to browse

But still I’m proud of all those with their own sound

Full Deck, talent show; tear the whole house down

MC Action, DJ Dread, D.O.P.E

Eze T, Lonnie C, and Vicious D

Mannie Jilla, true killer on the cipher scene

Uno Phelps on the beat is a MC’s dream

Hardrock’s my team, too many to name them all

But you can catch us all hanging at the Lakehurst mall

Years Ahead (Flesh & Bone) (120 BPM MIX #3) by RedefineHipHop