#TapeDecks2020 The 2020 Best of Tape

Lee's Favorite Music of...2020 Tape Decks
#TapeDecks2020

Got the idea when Barack Obama dropped his annual "Barack Obama's Favorite Music of 2020". At first, I planned to copy design the template exact, around 30 tracks, then I got the idea of what this blog is all about...the nostalgia of the tape and recording those tracks on both sides. This of course is an extended version, still representin' for both sides, A & B. Instead of the album shout outs (there were so many in 2020!) I decided to focus on just tracks and that's what I'll be doing every year. I credit that to the good folks over at Southern Vangard podcast radio (shout out to DJ Jon Doe & South Memphis East McLemore Meeks!)...also much love to OutdaboxMedia, Hip Hop Battlefield and a few podcasts out there including Hard Knock Radio and Mark Maron's WTF podcast for putting me on to some notable records through their conversations with the earth's creators. Even though I take deep dives and unpack whole records, this was more convenient to reference more artists/songs, especially as much time as I dedicate to Southern Vanguard dial and their exclusive rotation format...From one podcast to the next, the common fan accumulates a ton of listening homework wanting to absorb it all. It's a dump god movement going on outside and if I was still on radio it would be overwhelming to keep up. My audio contact these days is through those rides to and from, the workout times, gettin' busy in the kitchen with the headphones on, hours upon hours of lesson planning and grading and those out the class responsibilities that just gotta get done...music is always there. My second wind, my mind motivation. This has became even more pronounced during this treacherous pandemic. While there's things to be thankful for in this life to continue to connect, create & appreciate, I'm also in thought of those we had to speak with in spirit this year. Death was around every corner in 2020. This tape is about life & memory. God bless the dead. 

Respect to everyone listed on this tape. There's never room for it all. These tracks right here though, definitely hit me in the heart. 

Peace Hip Hop, can't stop, won't stop 2020.

check.

Lee  

Southern Vangard tracks...
'Dominican Church Eucharist' Codenine x Karate * 'God Tier' Supreme Cerebral feat. Napolean Da Legend x Rasheed Chappell x Rob Deniro * 'Remove 45' De La Soul feat. Styles P, Talib Kweli, Pharoah Monch, Mysonne, Chuck D x Supa Dave West * 'Falling Apart' Supastition * 'Smoke & Mirrors' Elzhi x Monica Blaire x JR Swiftz * 'Starks' Josiah the Gift x Freemind x DJ Jon Doe * 'On Won' Senor Kaos & Illastrate x 4-Ize * 'Think of the Lox' The Lox x Westside Gunn x Benny the Butcher x Large Professor * 'Numb Out' Ghost of the Machine & DJ Proof x Fredo Crespo

Tape Decks tracks...
'White Belt' stic * 'Phoenix Suns' One Be Lo * 'Roots of Blue' Blu & Exile* 'Unreasonably Doubted' Jay Royale* 'Amazing Grays' Goodie Mob* 'Gold Frames' Le$* 'No Lames' Curren$y*

The Baltimore Housing Project

 

The Baltimore Housing Project

Jay Royale

Hip Hop will always have a story to tell. Hip Hop is a product of it's environment. It's a deeper social lesson and connection to geography. Jay Royale for me is an introduction to a voice from Baltimore by way of the good folks of Southern Vangard Radio...that's how I heard about Jay Royale. A true wordsmith & everything a fan cares about if you were immersed in the timeless word play of some of the greatest eMCees that Hip Hop got to offer. No need to reference a specific eMCee or decade or none of that, cause at this point, if you listen to a Jay Royale record you hearing something new that's in the conversation with anything great you've heard before. I got access to his record digitally. But I know me, and this one of those I gotta feel. Purchasing options at the bandcamp: Jay Royale Bandcamp