This is a brand new video for Core Rhythm’s King, a track from his new album “The Ecology.” You can also download the track for FREE here.

King is the first release from Core Rhythm’s new album “The Ecology” – which is scheduled to drop today. If you’re in the NYC area, you should definitely try to hit Core’s album release listening party tomorrow at the No Malice Palace in East Village. The party will feature Core’s new album as well as Bisco Smith’s “The Broadcast.” Click below to listen to Core Rhythm’s King:

[See post to listen to audio]

And click the following link to download the track for FREE: Download

This is a FREE track download from one of my favorite emcees of the NYC underground, Core Rhythm. Metropolis is basically a song about how living in a big city affects a person’s mental state, and features production and vocals by Amatus-Sami. If you like this, check out former HHL quotable of the week Ronin and Core’s video for 8 am Bluez – which made HHL’s best videos of ‘08 list. Click below to listen to Metropolis:

[See post to listen to audio]

And click the following link to download the track FREE: Download

A couple weeks ago, I posted a video for Core Rhythm’s 8 am Bluez, a track from his new album “Ronin.” This morning, I ran across this video on YouTube – it’s for Freedom Song, a track from his debut album “Nat Turner Reloaded.” It’s an oldie, but a goodie.

New video by NYC emcee Core Rhythm. 8 am Bluez was a former “Underground Track of the Week” here at HHL – one of my favorites from Core’s album “Ronin.”

 This week’s track of the week is Ronin, the titled track from Core Rhythm’s new album “Ronin.” We also featured a hip-hop quotable from his track 8 am Bluez a couple weeks back, so I’d recommend checking that one out as well. Click below to listen:

[See post to listen to audio]

Core Rhythm “Ronin” Album Review
Back in Japan’s feudal period, samurai warriors who lost their masters were called ronin, a word that literally means “drifting person.” Samurai became ronin upon the death of their feudal lords, or if they escaped their masters. These ronin were often shamed, discriminated against, and left without a means of survival. In earlier times they were even expected to commit “oibara seppuku” – or ritual suicide. Yet many went their own direction, continuing to live the way of the samurai. You often see a similar mind state in the world of underground hip-hop.

Many of us do not agree with the current direction of hip-hop. A lot of people believe hip-hop is dying – and if you only see the majority view, they may have a point. Yet many hip-hoppers refuse to commit oibara seppuku – they refuse to die with it. Many become drifting persons, those who stay true to the code and practice the culture. In creating the album “Ronin,” NYC underground emcee Core Rhythm demonstrates the mind state of these hip-hop ronin.

The majority of “Ronin” demonstrates a positive system of beliefs – a viewpoint that following what Core Rhythm might refer to as this “path of a ronin” leads to enlightenment despite the troubles and hardships it might cause. This can be seen in tracks such as Eagle, Power of Soul, Glide and Spread Ya Wings.

Power of Soul, one of my favorite tracks, claims that “with the power of soul, anything is possible.” The following verse from that song stresses a samurai-esque regard for wisdom and humility:

Street cred is for insecure monkeys/
Jungle gyms tear it down/
With words that astound/
Many rock blackface – can’t even see it/
Many talk revolution – can’t even be it/
So while your fists pump up in the sky/
I follow code of rhyme samurai/
No publicize, stay humble, disguised/
’Cause oft times blabbermouth means a timely demise/

However, other parts of the album focus on the struggles inherent or hypocrisies witnessed while following this “code of rhyme samurai.” This can be seen in 8 am Bluez, When, and Apocalypse Wow.

My favorite verse on the album is from 8 am Bluez, a track that expresses anger and depression towards the struggles of an artist trying to stay true to the code. This verse tells the story of a relationship turned sour due to “dreams of spittin’ urban poems”:

Used to have a girl who was down for the cause/
‘Til the cause became Nathan butter steady paws/
Codependent as fuck, enhance each other’s flaws/
Rude resentment to let bubble like a sauce/
Separate but together, dead words heartless tones/
Disconnected love making, obligatory moans/
Her claim was that I did not acknowledge all her groans/
Was too wrapped up in my dreams of spittin’ urban poems/
Smiled to stone grills, cheated with blue quills/
Artistic adultery practiced with no frills/
She left on a Sunday, gathered her broke will/
Now I’m left with memories of cold and a spine chill/
I did that man shit, said ‘Now she ain’t real’/
Knowing the truth, eagle could love kill/
Don’t commit your heart – son you will get nailed/
‘Cept hows, whys, and whats, life at a standstill/

Damn, man – I swear that verse was written about my last girlfriend and me. Just replace “spittin’” with “chroniclin’.” But I’m sure a lot of people could relate.

Core Rhythm’s “Ronin” is not one of those albums you can listen to one time and understand. I’ve been bumping this regularly for over a month now, and still find myself rewinding verses and pausing to dissect the rhymes. If you’re looking for a quick, easy, dumbed-down listen, you might not get this album. But if you’re down for a thinking man’s hip-hop, pick up a copy. Peace.

Album Track Listing:

1. Morning Breath
2. Eagle
3. Power of Soul
4. Glide
5. Ronin
6. 8 am Bluez
7. WHEN
8. Apocalypse Wow
9. Strange Dayz
10. Spread Ya Wingz
11. Dusk
12. The 6th Day

 This week’s underground hip-hop track of the week is 8 am Bluez, my favorite track of Core Rhythm’s new album “Ronin.” A review for “Ronin” is coming soon, so in the meantime click below to listen to the song:

[See post to listen to audio]

And follow along with the lyrics after the break.

[Verse 1]
Ring the alarm 8 a.m. has arrived/
April 29th and fuck I’m still alive/
Too much of a coward to commit suicide/
So I just bitch about the pressure that’s applied/
Perils that preside on my hives as a scribe/
Proletariat pros, grunts from the inside/
Behind bricks say fall time it ticks/
Maladjusted misfit live by my wits/
Pride keeps me on couch slothly slouch/
I’m better than menial laboring to feed my mouth/
Serial barrower/
Owe more folks than 40 acres and a mule promisers/
A commoner/
With common issues in common with the fact/
Common sense ain’t so common, in fact quite rare/
‘Cause if I had it, I would realize/
The Darwinistic doctrine is to leave your soul impaired/

[Chorus]
What do I do?/
Can’t press snooze on these 8 a.m. blues/
Trying to find the clues/
Oh so confused by these 8 a.m. blues/
What do I do?/
Can’t press snooze on these 8 a.m. blues/
Pains of the slave man’s shoes/
Oh so confused by these 8 a.m. blues/

[Verse 2]
Used to have a girl who was down for the cause/
‘Til the cause became Nathan butter steady paws/
Codependent as fuck, enhance each other’s flaws/
Rude resentment to let bubble like a sauce/
Separate but together, dead words heartless tones/
Disconnected love making, obligatory moans/
Her claim was that I did not acknowledge all her groans/
Was too wrapped up in my dreams of spittin’ urban poems/
Smiled to stone grills, cheated with blue quills/
Artistic adultery practiced with no frills/
She left on a Sunday, gathered her broke will/
Now I’m left with memories of cold and a spine chill/
I did that man shit, said ‘Now she ain’t real’/
Knowing the truth, eagle could love kill/
Don’t commit your heart – son you will get nailed/
‘Cept hows, whys, and whats, life at a standstill/

[Chorus]
What do I do?/
Can’t press snooze on these 8 a.m. blues/
Trying to find the clues/
Oh so confused by these 8 a.m. blues/
What do I do?/
Can’t press snooze on these 8 a.m. blues/
Pains of the slave man’s shoes/
Oh so confused by these 8 a.m. blues/

This is that second list – our favorite hip-hop albums from cats you’ve probably never heard of. The list below represents the best albums underground hip-hop had to offer in the year 2007 from what we consider minor independent record labels and unsigned artists. We highly recommend checking them all out!

The Best Underground Hip-Hop Albums of 2007:

1. ScholarMan – Candy Medicine
2. Ohene – Inner City Soul
3. Bisc 1 – The Stay Up Project Mixtape
4. Danny! – Danny Is Dead
5. Andromeda – Blue Collar Music
6. Y Society – Travel At Your Own Pace
7. Panacea – The Scenic Route
8. TrueBless – Mission IsPossible
9. Domer – Work With Me
10. C.O.N.C.E.P.T. – In the Moment
11. Random – Mega Ran
12. Core Rhythm – Nat Turner Reloaded
13. Sirah – Clean Windows Dirty Floors
14. Symmetry – Dusty Pickup
15. Super Chron Flight Brothers – Emergency Powers: The World Tour
16. Amsuno – Animated Stagnation
17. Propaganda Anonymous – Todo Corazon
18. Creature – Hustle To Be Free
19. brokeMC – Make It Better
20. Beyond Reality – A Souls Journey

If you haven’t done so already, pick up each album on this list. They are all examples of dope conscious underground hip-hop! Click here to view our list of the top 10 albums from artists you probably have heard of. Happy new year and PEACE!

Core Rhythm “Nat Turner Reloaded” Album Review
My parents named me Nathaniel. But as far back as I can remember, everyone has always called me Nat. Now the problem with having the name Nat is that motherfuckers can’t ever seem to pronounce it correctly. No matter how many times I’ve explained that my name is Nat (which rhymes with FAT), people always call me Nate (which rhymes with HATE). And to be honest, I find it disrespectful that cats can’t even remember a simple obvious pronunciation difference.

That experience has always made me think about Nat Turner. Never before in my life have I heard someone refer to Nat Turner as Nate Turner – but I wonder if they ever did. I wonder if maybe ol’ Samuel Turner slave master called him Nate one too many times, and he flipped. I guess after you lead the largest and most distinguished slave revolt in American history, people will remember your name. In his debut album “Nat Turner Reloaded,” NYC emcee Core Rhythm aims to make people remember his own name through a different kind of revolt – a rebellion against the modern day state of hip-hop music.

Nat Turner Reloaded
The production starts with a revolutionary hip-hop feel but uses so many electronic tools that it comes out sounding much more futuristic. Core then injects all kinds of soulful blues and rock samples, horns, keys, electric guitar, and even a bongo or two to demonstrate his ability to meticulously put a beat together using a variety of sources. Top it off with crisp turntablism, and “Nat Turner Reloaded” offers innovative and eye opening hip-hop production.

Lyrically, Core Rhythm has a rhyme style that is very reminiscent of Brother J from the X-Clan – quick-paced baritone vocals with a complex rhyming scheme that uses syllable accentuations to enhance flow and lyrical emphasis. A good example can be found on the second verse of Reloaded:

Been a runaway slave
Since the dog days
Of triangle trade
Paved way by Blues People
“Nat Turner Reloaded” – the slave revolt sequel
Shank morphed to pen, airways form steeple
North star the beacon
Seeking oasis, leapin’
No traces left
Never no rest
For the weary
Scars and metal in-jeer-y
Endured for infinite scores – cycle of fury
Purified authority with themes deemed pristine
Concise in his mission to uprise like Battle of Algiers
Yeah, I shot your Black Hawk Down
Pay back for Rwanda and Mitilineos sound

It’s not quite as toned as Brother J, but it’s getting there. You know how every once and a while you’ll come across a lyricist who is a little rough around the edges but possesses the ability to be exceptional? An emcee that just needs to clean it up a little – perfect his craft? That’s where Core Rhythm is on this album – and it definitely makes me look forward to what we can expect from the next.

But what really impressed me about Core’s lyrics was his ability to offer verses that were both socially and politically relevant at the same time. The following verse from The Road allowed Core gives a good example of this sociopolitical lyricism:

Life is searching for answers and looking for them reasons
Why do we exist and yo what be the greater meaning
Dreaming that one day we’ll get it even-Steven
Debt will be paid by those slayed by demons
Grieving ‘cause freedom fighters seem like dying breed n’
Bleeding my heart and with this art I’m seeing
Achieving’s believing that freedom of Plebeians
Will happen contradicting back to ease my seething
Focus on my breathing when Mishima I’m reading
Sun meets steel in a balance that is breeding

Overall, Core Rhythm shows great promise as both beat maker and emcee. I’ve heard that he has something new dropping in ’08, so I’d definitely recommend keeping your eyes open for it. Better yet – pick up a copy of Core Rhythm’s “Nat Turner Reloaded” to get prepared. And stop calling me Nate you forgetful motherfuckers! Peace.

Album Track Listing:

1. For Blues People…
2. Freedom Song
3. New Rome
4. Reloaded
5. Slanguage
6. Live From Baghdad feat. Wells Knotty
7. Earth Blues
8. Oxygen feat. Wells Knotty and Grandmixer DXT
9. Atomic Weight feat. Wells Knotty
10. Ebony Eyes feat. Creature
11. Mutiny
12. The Road feat. Baba Israel and Farbeon
13. Rize