Download/Listen To: Tightface “Treasures of the Five Boroughs”

Treasures Of The Five Boroughs is TightFace’s tribute to New York rap, matching his electric funk and soulful strut to vocals from the likes of Ghostface, Nas, Talib Kweli, Busta Rhymes, Biggie, and many more. It’s also the perfect showcase for one of the most promising beatmakers around.

RIP: Nate Dogg

One of the most distinct voices of the G-funk era in hip-hop, rapper Nate Dogg, passed away yesterday, March 15th, the rapper’s family confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter.

Nate Dogg contributed to over 40 chart-topping singles in his brief lifetime.

Watch: “80 Blocks From Tiffany’s” – A Documentary About South Bronx Street Gangs

In 1979, Gary Weis, known for his short films on Saturday Night Live, directed a documentary about South Bronx street gangs called 80 Blocks From Tiffany’s featuring the Savage Nomads and the Savage Skulls. NBC never aired the 67 minute documentary so 80 Blocks remained shelved until 1985 when it received a very limited release as an educational VHS. In the time since, 80 Blocks has become an underground sensation, especially with hip hop fans looking for the beginnings of the culture and documentary film buffs who respect Weis’ bold choices as a filmmaker.

Thanks to the internet you can watch 80 Blocks From Tiffany’s in its entirety below.

But before you do, read the following excerpt from Billy Jam’s article “A South Bronx Tale” to gain some context:

It was Koch-era New York when the South Bronx, one of the poorest areas in the nation, was such a rundown destitute place that both Presidents Carter and Reagan traveled there for photo ops to exemplify the most striking symbol they could find of urban decay in America. It was also the time and place when the subways were covered in graffiti and when a new music and culture called hip-hop was taking root in the “Boogie Down” Bronx.

80 Blocks, which Weis based on a 1977 Esquire article by Jon Bradshaw, offers a rare, intimate inside-look at the Savage Nomads and the Savage Skulls, two gangs that resided in the notorious 41st Precinct and ruled their ’hoods decked out in cutoff denim jackets with gang names proudly embroidered on their backs. “They think they’re outlaws. I think they’re bums,” Detective Bob Werner of NYPD’s Youth Gang Task Force says in the film’s opening. Along with the many colorful Skulls and Nomads members, community activists and other locals, Werner is a recurring figure in this character-driven time capsule that’s been recently recovered and fully restored for DVD release Nov 23, 2010.

Read more about the film here

Purchase the DVD with plenty of extras here

Watch: Eklips Beatbox His Way Through Hip Hop History in Four Minutes

French beat box phenomenon Ekilps explores the history of hip hop in a single mpressive take.

In the first minute alone Ekilps’ agile mouth takes you through Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rappers Delight”, Grandmaster Flash’s “White Lines”, Afrika Bambaata’s “Planet Rock”, Slick Rick and Doug E Fresh’s “La Di Da Di”, Eric B and Rakim’s “Paid In Full”, Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock’s “I Wanna Rock”, Public Enemy’s “Show Em What You Got” and Cypress Hill’s “Insane In The Membrane”.

New Music Video: Lil’ P-Nut “You Might Be The One”

Remember when we introduced you to P-Nut (now Lil’ P-Nut) awhile back, the freshest 7-year-old rapper in Memphis the world? Well the pint-sized emcee who looks like a kid version of Eazy-E is back spitting hard truths about school, like-liking girls and Tonka Trucks in his first official music video for the surprisingly catchy single “You Might Be The One.”

Best verse:
You can be my study buddy
teach me about social studies
and when we get through workin’
we can go outside to get money
so do you like me circle yes or no
cause the only thing I know for sure
You might be the one for me