Fresh Selects » yU http://www.freshselects.net Mon, 19 Apr 2010 03:09:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 UPDATED! FRESH VIDEO: Kev Brown – Making A Track Pts. 1 & 2 http://www.freshselects.net/kevbrownmakingatrack http://www.freshselects.net/kevbrownmakingatrack#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:23:55 +0000 Kenny Fresh http://www.freshselects.net/?p=4176 Low Budget crew – courtesy of DJ RODDYROD’s Humble Monarch design/film company. Kev Brown, the king of self-explanatory titles (i.e. Random Joints, Exclusive Joints, etc.) continues his reign with a video entitled, Making A Track – which gives you a candid look at his beatmaking process, shot live from Slimkat78’s house.

To go along with the video, I’ve also re-posted an exclusive joint from FWMJ’s Rappers I Know. It’s the OG mix of yU’s track, “Marvelous,” which Kev produced on-the-spot for yU years ago for one of his older mixtapes, and then recently went back to and remixed for his latest release, Random Joints.

Kev’s self-released Random Joints EP is on sale now at all digital retailers and will also be seeing an extended CD release in the near future – so be on the lookout for that. Also, stay tuned to right here for more videos from Kev, RODDYROD, and the whole Low Budget coming soon.

Kev Brown Making A Track Pt. 1


Kev Brown Making A Track Pt. 2



BONUS DOWNLOAD: yU “Marvelous (OG Mix)” (prod. Kev Brown)

SUPPORT: Kev Brown – Random Joints out now

]]> http://www.freshselects.net/kevbrownmakingatrack/feed 20 FRESH KEPT SECRET: yU presents… Charlie Ross – The Charlie Ross Project http://www.freshselects.net/charlierossproject http://www.freshselects.net/charlierossproject#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:48:07 +0000 Kenny Fresh http://www.freshselects.net/?p=3896


Keeping in line with this last week’s theme, I’ve got even more DMV area hip-hop for you guys today – and this time its an exclusive first look into an emerging talent from the region. Charlie Ross is a producer/MC that holds true to hip-hop’s more raw and bare-boned boom bap days, while still pushing things forward for today. Charlie is originally from Midland, Pennsylvania but is currently based out of the DC area – however, the EP in question today, entitled The Charlie Ross Project, was actually recorded in 2007 when he was living out in Okinawa, Japan.

I was first put onto his music through a mutual friend, yU of Diamond District, who has been working on a project with Charlie as of late and also appears on the Project’s bonus track, “Nuthin Can.” Be on the look out for yU & Charlie Ross’ Done Deal EP as well as Charlie’s Crate Music beat tape – both of which are on their way in the coming months.

You can preview three tracks from The Charlie Ross Project before downloading the full EP below and hit me some with feedback by leaving a comment. Also, big ups to 00Genesis for providing the artwork.


Charlie Ross “The Sparkoff”

Charlie Ross “Lights Low (It’s Time)

Charlie Ross “Nuthin Can” (feat. yU)


DOWNLOAD: Charlie Ross – The Charlie Ross Project

STAY TUNED: Much more from Charlie Ross & yU coming here soon

]]> http://www.freshselects.net/charlierossproject/feed 25 FRESHclusive: Low Budget Crew – Budget Is Low Mixtape Vol. 1Mixed by RODDYROD & Marshall Law http://www.freshselects.net/budgetislowmixtape1 http://www.freshselects.net/budgetislowmixtape1#comments Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:47:50 +0000 Kenny Fresh http://www.freshselects.net/?p=3961


Here’s the official debut of the brand new mixtape from the DMV’s finest – the Low Budget crew. If you’re really up on your Twitter game (twame?), you might’ve caught the leak of an early, rougher mix yesterday – but this is the official, tracked-out and finished version with artwork by LB’s own, DJ RODDYROD, who also mixed the “tape” along with fellow Low Budgeteer, DJ Marshall Law.

This first installment of the Budget Is Low mixtapes debuts a handful of new tracks from upcoming projects including the official release of Kev Brown’s Random Joints, as well as his concept-collabo with Kaimbr, The Al Green Project, RODDYROD’s Cuba After Market 1.5, Blunt Park Sessions re-release, and more. Also thrown in are some older tracks in case you missed em – plus some never-before-released rarities from the crew thrown in as well.

I’ve also included some footage from Low Budget’s 4th annual DC Loves Dilla fundraiser event this year. Included are performances from RODDYROD, Kev Brown, Grap Luva, Kaimbr, Kenn Starr and Alison Carney – all performing original songs over covers of classic Dilla beats by JLaine and his band. You can peep the tracklisting below, download the mix and then catch the live videos after the jump.


DJ RODDYROD & DJ Marshall Law present…
The Budget Is Low Mixtape Vol. 001
1. Kev Brown – Another Random Joint
2. Oddisee – Hip Hop Is Cool Again
3. Sean Born – Go Hard (prod. Kev Brown)
4. The Al Green Project (Kaimbr & Kev Brown) – Grits
5. Kenn Starr – Say Goodbye (prod. Black Milk)
6. Kev Brown & RODDYROD – Down By The Riverside
7. Grap Luva feat. Kev Brown – Git Mines (prod. RODDYROD)
8. Diamond District – I Mean Business
9. RODDYROD feat. yU & Finale – Neva Find Me
10. RODDYROD – Take In Stride (prod. JLaine)
11. RODDYROD feat. Phonte & Carlitta Durand – This Time Around
12. Kaimbr feat. Kenn Starr – The Truth (prod. RODDYROD & Kev Brown)
13. RODDYROD feat. yU & XO – UNI-VERSE
14. Sean Born – Take It & Run (prod. Kev Brown)
15. The Al Green Project (Kaimbr & Kev Brown) – Songs (Hands Up)
16. Oddisee – Camera
17. Critically Acclaimed – Appreciation (prod. Sean Born)
18. Kev Brown feat. yU – Marvelous
19. Isaac Jones (Sean Born & Kenn Starr) – Keep It Movin (prod. Kev Brown)
20. Kev Brown feat. Raheem DeVaughn & Kenn Starr – Hennessey Pt. 3
21. Critically Acclaimed – Triple D (prod. Kev Brown)

DOWNLOAD: Low Budget Crew – Budget Is Low Mixtape Vol. 1

COMING SOON: New releases from Kev Brown, RODDYROD, The Al Green Project & more

BONUS VIDEOS: RODDYROD, Grap Luva, Kaimbr & Kenn Starr @ DC Loves Dilla tribute



Grap Luva & Alison Carney “Jealousy”


Kaimbr & Kev Brown “Gobstopper / The Official”


RODDYROD & Kaimbr “Fuck The Police”


Kenn Starr & Kev Brown “Let’s Take It Back”


]]> http://www.freshselects.net/budgetislowmixtape1/feed 13 FRESHclusive ALBUM: Diamond District presents… yU – Before Taxes (prod. Slimkat78, Oddisee, Kev Brown, etc.) http://www.freshselects.net/yubeforetaxes http://www.freshselects.net/yubeforetaxes#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:36:54 +0000 Kenny Fresh http://www.freshselects.net/?p=3511

Today brings us the first ever FRESHclusive album, courtesy of DC veteran MC/producer (and currently best known as one third of the Diamond District), yU. The album, Before Taxes was first released as a 7 track promo EP a few months back, but available here for the first time anywhere is the full 16 song version of album. The majority of the project was produced by the 1978ers (yU & Slimkat78), but it also features some guest production from Kev Brown, Oddisee & Bilal Salaam. yU is also joined by appearances from Finale, Grap Luva, OP Swamp 81 (Bilal Salaam & Da’Nedra), his fellow members in the Remainz crew, and more throughout the album.

Both yU and Slimkat78 are two extremely talented artists who have been making moves for years now. If you like what you hear, leave a comment and let me know and I’ll be sure to bring you guys much more from both of them in the near future.


yU “Almost Time” (prod. Kev Brown)


yU “Thought About It” (prod. yU)


yU “BreakDown” (feat. & prod. Bilal Salaam)



DOWNLOAD: yU – Before Taxes

ALSO SEE: Diamond District – In The Ruff

TRACKLISTING: Before Taxes tracklisting & credits after the jump




yU – Before Taxes
1. Before Taxes Intro (prod. Slimkat78)
2. Beats&Rhymes From March 25 (Kick Styles) (prod. yU)
3. Almost Time (prod. Kev Brown)
4. Thought About It (prod. yU)
5. BreakDown (feat. & prod. Bilal Salaam)
6. Corners (feat. I.Q.) (prod. yU)
7. The Up & Up (prod. Slimkat78)
8. Close (feat. Isabella Banneker) (prod. Slimkat78)
9. Fine (prod. yU)
10. Lunchin’ (prod. Oddisee)
11. Native (prod. Slimkat78 & yU)
12. Memory (feat. ERK) (prod. yU)
13. The Rock (prod. Slimkat78)
14. InTheReign (feat. I.Q. & Omun) (prod. yU)
15. MmHmm (instr) (prod. yU)
16. Brainwash (feat. Grap Luva, Finale & OP Swamp 81) (prod. Slimkat78)

]]> http://www.freshselects.net/yubeforetaxes/feed 35 Oddisee, X.O. & yU present… Diamond District – In The Ruff album http://www.freshselects.net/diamonddistrictintheruff http://www.freshselects.net/diamonddistrictintheruff#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:40:55 +0000 Kenny Fresh http://www.freshselects.net/?p=3479

Swiped from the Diamond District blog:

“In The Ruff is the highly anticipated debut album from new DC hip hop group The Diamond District, created by state veterans Oddisee, X.O. & yU. In The Ruff is the answer for any lover of hip hop who asks the question – ‘Where did that grimy East coast sound go?’

The group was founded by rapper/producer Oddisee, who has a long list of production & collaboration credits with the likes of Freeway, Talib Kweli, Saigon, Little Brother, Trek Life, Charles Hamilton, Jazzy Jeff, Buckshot, Royce The 5′9″, Nikki Jean, Muhsinah, J-Live, Lil Fame of M.O.P. , Skyzoo and many more. Oddisee’s soulful, haunting samples over bass-heavy beat breaks create the perfect instrumentals for him, XO & yU to match with their street savvy, politically conscious lyrics.

In The Ruff is a raw mid-90’s Boom-Bap themed album for the DC state of mind, destined to appeal to all lovers of hip hop’s golden era, managing to travel back in time and push the boundaries of DC Hip-Hop simultaneously.”

This is a limited edition, free download of the clean version of the album. Mello Music Group & Oddisee Music will be partnering up for the official, un-edited retail release of the album with added bonus tracks, so look out for that coming soon. I’ve also got some dope exclusives from the different members of Diamond District coming to the site in the next week, so as always, stay tuned.

DOWNLOAD: Diamond District – In The Ruff (clean version)

STAY TUNED: In The Ruff retail version coming soon

]]> http://www.freshselects.net/diamonddistrictintheruff/feed 9 Oddisee, X.O. & yU (still) are… DIAMOND DISTRICT “I Mean Business” http://www.freshselects.net/diamonddistrictimeanbusiness http://www.freshselects.net/diamonddistrictimeanbusiness#comments Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:04:17 +0000 Kenny Fresh http://www.freshselects.net/?p=3277

Just in case you missed it – the latest leak from the forthcoming Diamond District project dropped today. The song, “I Mean Business,” is the second track to be released from the forthcoming Diamond In The Ruff album.

The song sticks to the album’s theme of having that distinct “mid-90’s boom-bap” feel to it, and even flips the classic break that was most famously used for Gang Starr’s “Mass Appeal.” For more on the Diamond District project, including the first leaked song and a short documentary about its members, be sure to check out this previous post.

To go along with that, I’ve also included another recent Oddisee leak – “Hip Hop’s Cool Again,” which originally premiered on Rosenberg Radio. The self-explanatory anthem is the lead single from Oddisee’s upcoming production album, Mental Liberation, dropping May 5th on Mello Music Group. The song is also available on iTunes now as the lead track on the pre-album EP which also features tracks with Hassaan Mackey, Bilal Salaam and Motion Man. I’ll have much more from the Mental Liberation album soon, so stay tuned for that.


DOWNLOAD: Diamond District “I Mean Business”

BONUS DOWNLOAD: Oddisee “Hip-Hop’s Cool Again”

COMING SOON: Diamond District’s In The Ruff available for limited free download April 14th

SUPPORT: Oddisee – Mental Liberation digital EP out now

]]> http://www.freshselects.net/diamonddistrictimeanbusiness/feed 6 Oddisee, X.O. & yU are… DIAMOND DISTRICT “Who I Be” b/w mini-documentary http://www.freshselects.net/diamonddistrict http://www.freshselects.net/diamonddistrict#comments Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:48:41 +0000 Kenny Fresh http://www.freshselects.net/?p=3012


In case you missed it – the very first leak from the DMV all-star project, Diamond District, dropped today. The trio is compromised of MC/producer, Oddisee, and MC’s X.O. and yU. With all three members already being established solo artists with seperate styles of their own – they’ve all come together to cement the DC/Maryland/Virginia area’s place on the hip-hop map.

Diamond District’s debut album as a group, In The Ruff, will be available as a free download for a limited time on their new website starting April 14th. Plans are also in the works to give the project an official retail release with exclusive bonuses through Mello Music Group in the coming months (more info on that coming soon). But before all of that, we have the first leaked single, “Here I Be,” – an anthemic track with a raw feel but yet still has a polished knock to it, combined with a simply stated ODB-sampled hook and all three members catchin wreck in their respective styles.

As an added sneak preview of the project, they’ve also released a mini-documentary about the group. It highlights the Diamond District group as a whole, and also has individual segments with all members giving a tour of their cities, homes and studios – plus an on-the-spot, acapella verse from each. The video was shot by T. Purcell and edited by Humble Monarch (which is run by Oddisee’s fellow Low Budget crew member, DJ Roddy Rod).

You can watch the documentary and get your free download of “Here I Be” below. Also be on the look out for much more from Diamond District and its members before the album drops.





DOWNLOAD: Diamond District “Who I Be” (prod. Oddisee)

COMING SOON: Diamond District’s In The Ruff available for limited free download April 14th

SUPPORT: Oddisee – Mental Liberation & New Money (w/ Trek Life) both on CD May 5th

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