The calendar says it's September, but it must feel like Christmas for Valley hip-hop fans thanks to a pair of free, downloadable releases from PHX hip-hop mainstays Random (aka Megaran) and DJ John Blaze.
Random recently released a free 10-track album, Heroes, Volume One, as a gesture of thanks to his fans, who have contributed more than $3,500 (and counting) to fund DVD and vinyl versions of his recent collaboration with K-Murdock, Forever Famicom. Heroes is a tribute to classic R&B and soul artists who have influenced Random's music. It features samples from such artists as James Brown, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and is available for free download at this location. Check out a streaming track from Heroes and get the lowdown on DJ John Blaze's star-studded (and also free) mixtape after the break.
The mixtape is a joint collaboration by three of Arizona's most popular hip-hop websites - ArizonaBeats.com, OnTheBlockRadio.com and PhoenixHipHop.net - and features such artists as Willy Northpole, Juice, Trap, Mav, Random and Mr. Miranda, among many others. The mixtape will be available as a free download on all three websites beginning tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 11, but local hip-hop fans can check it out early at a free listening party tonight, Friday, Sept. 10, at Stray Cat Bar & Grill in Tempe. The listening party is part of the weekly WTFunk Fridays at Stray Cat and will feature performances by several of the artists on the mixtape.
Finally, here's a video for the track "Fly As Us" by Mav featuring Lucky Luciano and G-Moe. The track appears on Fresh Out the Oven and the video features Mav, Lucky and G-Moe indulging in three of God's greatest creations - poker, blunts and strippers. Sounds like a great way to kick off the weekend. (Fair warning: this video is probably not appropriate for viewing at work, unless you happen to work at a casino, head shop or strip club.)
