Zinc – Wile Out (Feat. Ms. Dynamite)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE

Mac Dre – Trill Shit (Unreleased)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE

Gucci Mane – Dope Boys (Bird Peterson Remix)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE

Captain Planet – Fresh Delivery

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE

Riva Starr – Black Cat, White Cat (Extended Version)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE

Marcus Fix – House In The House

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE

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.

Written by Alex Burton

you don’t understand

get with you (actual video)

Hey look away (actual video)

Got Dem Joints

So we have been slacking majorly these days. Here is a quick update with some tunes we have been loving…

The Partysquad – Murderer (Diplo & Jayou Remix)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE | AMAZING!

Tiffany Page – Walk Away Slow (Hostage Dub Remix)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE | Cool indie dubstep track

Little Jinder – Polyhedron (Supra1 Remix Dtl Edit2)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE | More dubstep

Jj – My Way (Ft. Lil Wayne)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE | YES!

Lorcan Mak – Brass My Ass

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE | Killer house track!

Edu K – Jumpin N Pumpin (Femme En Fourrure Remix)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE | More house

The Gunchback Boogie Band – Funn (Le Principle House Edit)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE | Killer disco house track from our good friend Figure aka Le Principle

Le Principle – Ever Since (Original Mix)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE

Dj Assault – Nut In Your Eye

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE | Booty bass!

Miike Snow – Animal (Mark Ronson Remix)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE | Indie remix

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)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE

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)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE

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

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE

Bonus Track:
Project Bassline – Drop The Pressure (Jack Beats Remix)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!

Sorry for holding out on y’all for so long, enjoy these massive tunes.

Craw

follow me on twitter

nhk photo

Sorry for the lack of posts. Here is some music…

Da Hool – Meet Her At The Loveparade (Mobin Master & Tate Strauss Remix)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE

Kool And The Gang – Fresh(Sonic C Bootleg Remix)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE

Boys Noize – Superfresh Original Mix

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE

Dbn – Intergalactic Move (Klik Klak Remix)

IRON DJ / DWNLD MP3 / VOTE