Ill Street Grooves

Ill Stret Grooves had the honor of having Sir Scratch, founding member of the highly acclaimed '90s Hip-Hop group Main Source, come on the show.  Not only did he talk about his Canadian roots and shed light on many of his production credits over the years with artists like Madonna, Micheal Jackson, Seal and more; but he also set the record straight about Main Source and everyone's role in the group.  On the 1's and 2's DJ 2-Tone Jones served up a set dedicated to Toronto Hip-Hop and the many artists who've represented from that area over the years.  

On Halloween night the crew from Ill Street whipped up a basket full of horror-filled Hip-Hop to help set the mood.  DJ's RBI & 2-Tone Jones traded off on the 1's and 2's to set things off just right!

The infamous duo from Queensbridge, Mobb Deep, came to DC to perform during Howard University Homecoming weekend.  But before they did the crew from Ill Street got a chance to rap with Prodigy on air about what they've been working on, their influences and they're take on the current state of Hip-Hop.  Plus, DMV's finest MC, Pro'Verb, joined us to talk about the release of his debut project entitled While You're Waiting.  And on the 1's and 2's was DJ 2-Tone Jones providing a mix of classic joints featuring the infamous Mobb Deep, Pro'Verb, Lyriciss and Ra the MC.

Alot of interesting things are brewing in the DC area, and as always the crew from Ill Street is there first to let the people know.  Helping us kick the night off were comedians Eddie Bryant and Lamont King who are gearing up for their event on Oct. 26th at the Riot Act Comedy Theater in DC called Trippin' on E.  Local promoter and MC, Von (a.k.a. Vendetta), stopped by to give away a free pair of tickets to the upcoming Mobb Deep show on Oct. 22nd (Howard Homecoming Weekend).  Also, Ill Street's own, DJ 2-Tone Jones, along with his creative partner, Gerald Watson, talked about the release of their new EP entitled The Gil Scott Suite: a SHAOLIN JAZZ tribute to the late Gil Scott-Heron.  Last but not least, the whole team took a moment of silence on honor of Sylvia Robinson (founder of Sugarhill Records) who recently passed away.

20 years ago A Tribe Called Quest released one of the most heralded hip-hop albums of all time; The Low End Theory.  On this episode of Ill Street we paid tribute in our own way to a Hip-Hop classic that influenced us all.  DJ RBI & 2-Tone Jones traded off on the 1's and 2's rockin' original samples, unreleased tracks, remixes and classic bangers from the album.  Check it out!

HE'S BACK!!!  DC Hip-Hop vet and still one of the nicest off the top of the dome, Black Indian, come thru Ill Street along with Judah on the Beats to pledge their support to WPFW, give their take on the legacy of DC Hip-Hop (past to present) and talk about Black Indian's new project entitled, I Tried to Tell Y'all.  We also had one of the best up-and-coming duo's from the Hip-Hop scene, DTMD, call in briefly to plug their debut album on the Mello Music Group label.  And as always, DJ's RBI and 2-Tone Jones held it down on the 1's and 2's.

On the 53rd bday of the King of Pop, Michael Joseph Jackson, the crew from Ill Street paid tribute yet again to his musical legacy.  DJ RBI put together an incredible set that highlighted many of MJ's collaborations with Hip-Hop artists.  Plus, we were paid a special visit by "The Mayor" Chris Thomas (former host of Rap City), Tony Woods and Alison Carney who all joined in on the conversation about the impact MJ made in music.  Enjoy!

On the eve of the anniversary of 2Pac's passing the crew at Ill Street along with our good friend JaySun pay homage to him and his Hip-Hop counterpart [in many ways], the Notorious B.I.G.  We were also joined by the homie J-Scrilla and VA MC, Sketch, as they hit us with some exclusives from their new mixtape (entirely produced by J-Scrilla) entitled VA-Tec9.  It's currently available for free download now.  And so is this show!

On this week's episode of Ill Street the very lovely and talented Alison Carney dropped by to talk about her journey thru the Rabbit's Hole in her debut album/mixtape Alison Wonderland.  Along with her was the multi-talented Jayne Kennedi of Studio 43.  Together they gave us an incite to some of their influences, their favorite artists from the area and more.  Check it out right here! 

On another Monday evening in the Nation's Cap, the fellas from Ill Street kicked off the week with a plethora of new joints and new area classics, including music by Edo G., Cornel West Theory, Jay-Z & Kanye West, Teflon, Gods'Illa, Rah Digga, The Package, Planet Asia, Elzhi and more!  DJ RBI held it down on the 1's and 2's, while 2-Tone, Toney and RNL kept things moving on the mic.  Check the flava right here!

A Hip-Hop trio from the DMV area is currently making alot of quality noise in the streets......and no, it's not Diamond District.  The superb street journalists, known as Gods'Illa, have recently released their much anticipated mixtape called CPR [Clothes | Promotion | Rapping] hosted by the one and only Erykah Badu.  The 3 brothers hit up Ill Street to explain the concept behind the title and to give us a chance to find out what they really think about some of their favorite Hip-Hop giants.  Also, DJ 2-Tone Jones dropped some cuts from the mixtape, along with some other gems by area artists including Alison Carney, Maverick, Kev Brown, DTMD, The Awthentik, DJ Roddy Rod, Apex, Asheru, Cy Young and Joe D.

Our globe-trotting cousins from Nomadic Wax returned to Ill Street along with our good friend and ill MC from Zimbabwe, Outspkoen [Alpha Intellect].  We got into a good discussion on the parallels of Hip-Hop from the US to Africa, and position he plays as an MC in the ever-changing rap game.  He also blessed us with some new music from his most recent project which involves a band led by him called Outspoken and the Essence.  But before we got into all of that, we gave our listerners a taste of what they missed out on at the The One, Two Beat Showcase this past Friday (7/22); presented by Ill Street Grooves, and The Home Stretch & Bum Rush Shows on 90.1fm WDCE in Richmond.  Shouts out to Kleph Dollaz, Kev Brown, The Unknown, Antagonist Dragonspit and Grap Luva for their participation in the event. 

Who is the Cornel West Theory?  Psychadelic boom-bap, ecentric dopeness, creative chaos, and a collective of cool, hella-talented weirdos.  Members of CWT stopped thru Ill Street to debut selections from their upcoming album, The Shape of Hip-Hop to Come" which also features appearances by Dr. Cornel West himself.  Take our word for it....this group is DOPE!  Plus, DJ's 2-Tone Jones and RBI took turns droppin' new joints by Wu-Tang Clan, Kendrick Lamar, Edo G., Pete Rock & Smif-n-Wessun, T3, Random Axe, and Nas; and a couple classics by the late, great GURU (whose birthday passed on July 17).  Bang ya heads to this!   

For the past 2 episodes of Ill Street we've been holding it down with the freshest from the West, Tha Alkaholiks.  All 3 members hit us up and filled us in on the future of the Likwit Crew.  Well, after 2 good weeks..........we just felt like it wasn't enough.  So on this episode DJ's RBI & 2-Tone Jones went in on some undeniable joints by members of the entire Likwit Crew (King T, Alkaholiks, Xzibit, Lootpack, Defari, Dialated Peoples, Phil da Agony/Barber Shop Emcees).

Bottoms Up!  

Last week Ill Street paid tribute to the one and only liquid MC's, Tha Alkaholiks....but it wasn't enough.  So on this episode of ISG we kept the party flowing with more classic joints from the Likwit Crew.  DJ/MC/Producer extraordinaire, E-Swift, called back in along with his cousin and the crew's lyrical giant, Tash.  Both spoke on how humbled they are to have made such an indelible mark on the game and what they have in store next.  Plus, DJ RBI went in on a Likwit crew set along with help from DJ Roger and our lil' homie (and recent DC High School grad) DJ 40.   

Live and direct from Cali, the one and only Alkaholiks hit up the homies at Ill Street and rap'd with us about the past, present and future of the Crew.  E-Swift and J-Ro also talked about their upcoming, heavily-anticipated collaboration with The Beatnuts entitled, LikNuts (sh#t's about to go down).  DJs RBI & 2-Tone Jones took turns droppin' classic Likwit Crew joints and some E-Swift-produced gems.  Tune in next week for part 2 of ISG's tribute and interview with Tha Alkaholiks and The Likwit Crew.     

Since the gracious fans of Ill Street Grooves and WPFW Radio gave to us we felt inclined to give a lil' something back to them.  The lead singer for the legendary band The Bar-Kays, Larry Dodson, helped us kick off the show with a track featuring 8-Ball and DJ Paul from his upcoming [30th] album; internationally known comedian and DC native, Toney Woods came thru and took over the show; and calling in all the way from Digable Planets was Doodlebug.  Plus, O.G. Ill Street crew member Slim Chilly was up in the spot giving away tickets for The Jerk Off (pause...its a Caribbean Jerk cooking competition and bike scavenger hunt).  Last but not least, DJ 2-Tone Jones, along with the assist from the voice of God, dropped some new and old bangers by Random Axe, Ghostface, Elzhi, X.O., DJ 2-Tone Jones, Kev Brown, MF Doom, Goodie Mob and more! 

It's that time of year again...pledge drive.  To help stress the importance of independent/community radio the Ill Street received a special call from the one and only Devin the Dude who talked about not only his music, but how supporting the radio station helps support what he does.  Afterwards our good friend Munch stopped by to promote the Redbull 3Style Competition.  Things started heating up as fellow contestants DJ's Cuzzin B, Jerome Baker III, Petey C, Price and 2-Tone Jones all chimed in to put the pressure on one another.  And lastly, our honorly Ill Street member, comedian Toney Woods, dropped in to tell us about his trip overseas.  This one is definitely worth a listen.

When the weather gets better, so does the music.  On this episode of Ill Street DJ's RBI and 2-Tone Jones take turns spinning new songs featuring DJ Quik, Elzhi, Slaughterhouse, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Yelawolf, Big K.R.I.T., Sean Born, Kev Brown and more.  Nothing but gems.  Check it out.