Before Wale was the voice of Washington DC, there was Questionmark Asylum. If you don’t know who I’m referring to don’t feel too bad, there’s not even a Wikipedia page on the group. The little known group consisting of four members: Mistafiss, Rosta Swan, Digge Dom, and Ding-Ding (love that last name) released one album on RCA before fading into Hip Hop oblivion. This was not due to the music, but timing and location. Their only album appropriately titled, The Album, was released in 1995 and was simply overshadowed by other albums now considered legendary. Other albums released that year include: Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, 2pac’s Me Against the World, and GZA’s Liquid Swords just to name a few. Being from Washington D.C. did not do them any favors. The rap world was consumed with East Coast vs. West Coast and if you weren’t taking shots at Biggie or 2pac, airplay and media hype was scarce.
The funny thing is if you listen to any of the tracks off the album you’re thinking these guys are coming straight from the golden state. They have that same distinct mid 90’s California sound you might expect from Pharcyde, Souls of Mischief, or The Coup. It’s the type of music you picture rolling down Crenshaw Blvd. or Venice on a warm summer’s day with palm trees surrounding your ride. Then again I’m sure it sounds just as good cruising down the mall in D.C. with Cherry Blossoms flanking your car. While you wouldn’t classify the sound as G-Funk, there’s undoubtedly some George Clinton/P-Funk influence in the beats. This sound is especially prevalent in songs like “Hey Lookaway”, “Freakazoid”, and “Get with You.”
Another factor that made Questionmark Asylum the red headed stepchild of the Hip-Hop community was their subject matter. Hip Hop was getting increasingly darker. It was before the Bling Bling movement of Cash Money in the late 90’s and right around the time Suge Knight was making members of Puffy’s entourage drinking cups of hot piss (literally). Every rapper had a shotty by the shower and was painting their Acura black with crack sale intentions. While other rappers were tallying their verbal homicides; Question Mark Asylum were slaying honey dips like Fillmore Slim. Nearly all 14 tracks on their album had to do with buttering biscuits and being cherries on top of ladies ice cream. This was not some sort of new phenomenon in Hip Hop i.e. 2 Live Crew and Too $hort, but it did kind of break away from the mold of their contemporaries.
So where are they now? Good question. They do have a myspace page and apparently Ding Ding passed away (RIP Ding Ding). They have one new video entitled “Sho’em What 2 Do Wit It” and if I were Ding Ding I would be less than impressed with the groups direction. It just sounds like some generic bullshit. This is not to take away from The Album, where all the tracks are pretty stellar. My favorite track would probably have to be “Get With You.” Other stand out tracks would have to be “We’re Thanking You”, “You Don’t Understand”, and “Hey Lookaway.” I would give “Got Dem Joints” an honorable mention. At first glance you might think that’s their weed smoking anthem on the album, but rather a cautionary tale of people who knowingly have H.I.V. giving it to other people.
So if you find yourself on a warm sunny day missing some classic fun loving Hip-Hop, go pick up a copy of The Album. They just don’t make MC’s like Ding Ding no more.
After over a year of speculation as to the release date of JFK’s (Jesse Keeler of MSTRKRFT) debut single, “Baby Techno” there is still no date in sight. However several months ago I came across a spot on remix by LA/SF’s own Verdis, which I have kept from everyone with respect to both parties. Now after all this time I have to share at least a little portion, so here is a teaser clip of the remix. Enjoy, I’m loving the heavy breakdown. Jfk – Baby Techno (Verdis Remix)
I feel like I am not the only one who is beginning to get impatient about the forthcoming debut album from Vancouver's Felix Cartal, and hearing a track as heavy as this only pours gasoline on the fire. While it is merely a essential mix rip (big ups to Felix Da Housecat) this tune will wet your whistle for sure. Tracks like this remind me why I love electro. Felix Cartal – World Class Driver (Em Rip)
After hearing a short clip of this punkish rework of the beetroots hit Warp 1.9, I couldn’t wait for the full version, in addition to the forthcoming release of the Romborama leftovers. Trust me, you’re going to want this track. The Bloody Beetroots – Warp 1977
Kapgun brings the heat with his new ghetto house mix “FRiSCODiSCO.”
1. Fortuna (Original Mix)-Tesla Da Vinci
2. Soma (Hy2rogen & Fr3cky Remode) – Deadmau5
3. Even – John De Mark Mix – Sebastien Drums, Avicii
4. Under The Water – Dada Life Remix – Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike
5. De Nada (Aniki’s Thank U Very Much Mix) – Jo Kira
6. Let Me Bang (Original Mix) – Paul Aanthony & ZXX
7. No More (Sharkslayer Nassau edit) – Hot City
8. Simon Says (Mikey Mic Remix) -Pharoahe Monche
9. The Good, The Bad & The Funky (Original Mix) – Jelo & Adam K
Get ready for another installment of party music mixed, matched, and jacked by Iron DJ’s very own KAPGUN. This time he is throwing down a funky blend of soulful house beats and tech.
1. Work It Out (Original Mix) – Tim Benjamin & Mell Tierra
2. Boulevard High (Gabriel Ben Remix) – Kube 72 [MP3]
3. Sonny Side Up Ep (Penguins) – Sonny Fodera
4. Bate Palma (Original Mix) – Marcao Rezende
5. The Beatdown Ep (Lose My Mind) – Sonny Fodera
6. Dirty Jazzz (Original Mix) – Jamahr
7. Ibiza 2k9 (Soulectrique Remix) – Louis Garcia [MP3]
8. Full English Ep (Lowdown N Blue) – The Sound Diggers
9. Beat That Bird (Donk Boys Remix) – Justin Martin & Claude VonStroke
10. Crack Whore (Jordy Lishious & Bjorn Wolf Remix) – Filthy Rich, Prok & Fitch [MP3]
11. I Came to Stomp – Funky Green Dogs
12. Stochastisch Serie (Leeks Remix) – Max Cooper
Today you get a little treat from Iron DJ resident, Kapgun. He is bringing you “POINTY-N-PUNCHY” a 50 MINUTE escapade through house/nu disco/tech house/fucking dance music. Warning! Please be advised, this mix contains many pointy and/or punchy hooks, breaks, and vocals that could get stuck in your head for hours. This a live DJ set recording. Big thanks to the boppers, kid city, we are wizards, GDD, raketa, librarian, broken fixie, and everyone else who helped Kapgun find these killer tracks.
Twocker – Stitch (Bass Kleph Remix)
Malente – I Like It (Riva Starr Snatch Mix)
Calvertron – Go 4 It
Mowgli – London to Paris (Orginial Mix)
Jay Woo – Kangaroo (Original Mix)
Shab Ruffcut, Tee Ski – Finger Midget (Original Mix)
Hardrive – Deep Inside (Harry Choo Choo Romero’s Bambossa Remix)
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