Based Podcast 9: The Resurrection

After the discovery of the lost tapes, Scotty Stark and I got back in the kitchen and cooked up another classic. Is it OK, that I start to call these podcasts "classic"? Probably not, anyways in this edition we try to get back into the groove of things after a 2 month break of not talking all these hip-hop. Topics include:

- Our thoughts on Frank Ocean's "Channel Orange"
- First impressions of 3 Kings off of Rick Ross' new album, "God Forgives, I Don't"
- Wakka Flocka Flame and Big K.R.I.T's first big label releases.
- My experience of watching the Roots in Saskatoon.
- A list of promises for the next podcast.

As usual, Right-Click and Save As. Enjoy

Based Podcast #9: Resurrection

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Based Podcast: The Lost Tapes

It's been a mighty long time since I've updated the good ol' blog. 2012 had been a good year for posting up til May it seemed. Unfortunately I had to leave town for a bit, but now I'm back. Before I left, Scotty Stark and I had recorded a couple of podcasts that I never got the chance to upload.

I present to you the Based Podcast: The Lost Tapes edition. While I can't recall exactly what we talked about during the podcasts, I have no doubt in my mind that they were quality podcasts nonetheless.

"Based" Podcast: The Resurrection

In the midst of the Tupac resurrection at Coachella a few weeks ago, you knew that Scotty and I had to talk about it among other things such as cell phone apps, books, and other minutiae things dealing with or around hip-hop.

Based Podcast: Scripture Edition

A Gentleman and A Scholar.

This time Scotty and I look at the monumental event this week that was the Based God himself Lil' B doing a lecture at NYU. Yes, you heard it right -- THE NYU. Other topics we divulge include: Kanye's new songs, "Theraflu" and his G.O.O.D. Label's first single, "Mercy", Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre's collabo on the recipe and who Dr. Dre sounds like on the first verse, and other hip-hop musings.

Per usual we give up the Based Podcast in 3 formats (Soundcloud, .mp3, and .m4a) so you know the rules: Right-Click, Save As and Enjoy.

Based Podcast - Scripture Edition


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Break Even Point: 2012 NHL Playoff Edition

We're finally here! While the Oilers are busy fiddling around with their 3rd #1 pick, 16 other teams will be battling for the be all, end all of championship trophies -- Lord Stanley's Cup. KD and myself breakdown the matchups in this 30 min set.

So without further hesitation I bring to you our predictions in podcast form

Break Even Point - 2012 NHL Playoffs Edition


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"Based" Podcast: #4

After a 2 week break, Scotty Stark and I are back with a full fledged convo on the ins and outs of the hip-hop game and other musings.

Oh, and here is the best introduction to a rapper ever. Simple and short.

Based Podcast

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Our soundcloud experiment maybe done soon considering the upload limit on a free account is so low. If anybody has any good ideas on hosting, please feel free to share. Otherwise, you know the deal Right-click, save as and enjoy.

SOTD - Protect Ya' Neck - Wu-Tang Clan

Guess what? Peyton Manning is a Bronco

Due to an irregular sleeping pattern I awoke around 12 pm today. I came across my phone which I had left upstairs to charge overnight. I glanced at the 3 unread messages, which all invariably carried the message, "Congrats on Peyton" in some form or the other. Later in the day, when I logged onto the facebook I would realize not all my friends were gracious in Mr. Manning's choice of the future. And if they weren't dismissing Manning signing, they were quick to jump on the other "go to" Broncos' insult -- dissing Tebow. I can note nothing more original than dissing a starting QB in the NFL. A position that only has 32 placements in entire world, in a manner of looking at a sports organization as any commercial entity that is looking to achieve max. success and profitability, you can't help but call the season of Tebow a success simply in the fact they were able to sell these and even more of these.

Break Even Point: Peyton Manning & NHL

Apparently KD and I can't keep up with the rigorous schedule of putting out a weekly podcast. Who knew the discipline it would take to make a weekly podcast.

We'll try to make an amends by giving you two podcasts in either .m4a  or .mp3 format for your listening pleasure. In the first podcast, we look at the Manning saga unfolding across America, as the newly neck fused Peyton Manning crosses back and forth between facilities looking for a team to quarterback next fall (here's hoping he lands in Denver).

In Review: Mitchmatic's "It's Probably Raining"

I first came across the hip-hop/jazz musician Mitchmatic in the summer of 2010 at the then annual Bank summer tent event. That July evening he opened for the likes of Big Boi of Outkast fame. Irrespective of any comparison talk, having the ability to say you opened for Big Boi is something that any musician could hang their hat on. Since that time, Mitch Holtby has honed in on his craft. And it hasn't just been his lyricism as an MC. The thing that one notices from this artist is how mutli-faceted he is. At the event I attended he brought along his MPC (an electronic drum machine) on stage. For me, back then this might have been my most memorable memory of the young MC that night. It seemed trivial that he'd be able to impress a crowd with a small machine that is better suited for the production studio than a stage. Instead he rocked his set with the MPC and lyrics to boot. Very early on in the set, the crowd was treated with  what can't be considered contemporary or traditional hip-hop. Mitchmatic's approach to hip-hop is enhanced with his rich music knowledge  which he uses to break down the traditional borders of what one expects to hear when they hear hip-hop.

Kilzor: "Risk"

2 years ago I made a post sharing one of the comics a good friend of mine gave me after all his failed attempts to make the school's newspaper. I meant to post a fair share of them online but have failed to do so over the last year and a bit. I feel it's absolutely necessary to share these comics to the world as I think they are absolutely hilarious but I guess I'll let you decide on that. Without further ado, I bring to you another installment of Kilzor: The Killer Robot

"Based" Podcast: A$am & Scotty Stark

Scotty Stark and I are back at it again. You'll notice that we finally gave a title to our formerly untitled hip-hop podcast. We're going by the name of "Based" Podcast, and if you don't know what that means, I can't help you. Ask Scotty though. He might help you out. Anyways in this 22 minute podcast we look at:

A$AM & Scotty Stark: Another Untitled Hip-Hop Podcast

Courtesy of NGYOFACE.COM

After a week long hiatus and a concert viewing that we both attended featuring Mr. Jo Thrillz, Scotty Stark and I are back. This time we touch up on:

- Rap Concerts in Edmonton
- My Top 5 Albums of 2011
- XXL Freshmen Class of 2012
- The Creation of the Podcast Soundboard
and hopefully some inside jokes that hip-hop heads will get.

In Review: Jo Thrillz' "The Gooniest"

I've decided to take a break from all the major billboard releases and look at some local content. First up, is a local artist's first official mixtape, The Gooniest by Jo Thrillz. Prior to the release for this FREE mixtape, Jo Thrillz had established himself as a social media maven. If you need some stats, check out his twitter page. Over 30,000 tweets, and over 41,000+ followers, with those kind of stats you can't understate the impact social media may have on anyone's budding musical career. In a music industry that is as competitive as ever, having a firm understanding of what presentation means in the long run of demonstrating your musical talent and many artists should take note of what this artist has done. That being said, you may have tweeted that you downloaded the CD to acquire it thus creating hype you still need to listen to the music to give the thumps up or the thumbs down. Again, probably through the use of social media. So we know Jo Thrillz can tweet, but can he spit?

Break Even Point: After Another Long Hiatus

Look at the production value.

KD and ASam are back at it again. This time we talk about the only thing anybody is talking about these days. Yes, that's right Jeremy Lin (How original right?). Don't worry we tackle everything from the genius puns to his ACTUAL play.

Break Even Point - Lin-Sanity Edition (Per usual right-click and save as. Enjoy)

Brand New Podcast

Last week I came across a Facebook message from an old friend, whom I have developed a budding social media connection over the last months. My friend, Scotty Stark, had been posting some vids for his "Movember" campaign which I described as, "funny and low budget".  He propositioned working on a podcast together citing my past experience and know how might help improve the project. In the end, we produced this 30 min delight about our mutual love for hip-hop.

During the course of the podcast we talk about:

•  How Lil B and Rick Ross may not be so different after all. 
•  Thoughts on Odd Future/Tyler, The Creator and especially their coming out part on Jimmy Fallon 
• Scotty reminiscing about working in a Tommy Hilfiger with upcoming artist, Jo Thrillz and their rap battles at work.
• Other random hip-hop musings.

A$AM & Scotty Stark - 01

If that wasn't enough to get you to listen then I don't know what will. Enjoy. Per usual right-click and save as. We have moved to .m4a, instead of .mp3 though I doubt it really matters. 

In Review: Mac Miller's Blue Slide Park

Another product of the XXL Freshmen classes.

The first time I heard Mac Miller was on MuchMusic's RapCity during the summer time (Yes, they were playing music videos). At first, I didn't catch the title of the song or even who the artist was during the intro credits. I allowed bias to get the best of me and assumed it was a Canadian artist. This is thanks in part to the lack of use of props and other flash that is often noted in hip-hop videos. Alright and the fact he is white. Though with clever visuals and even more clever rhymes I was won over by the man they call Mac Miller (born Malcolm McCormick). I was quick to grab his mixtapes which are numerous considering his age (He's only 19). I was astounded by his delivery and energy put into his rhymes. There isn't much fluff to be had before Blue Slide Park came out this year and solidified XXL's choice to put him up with the rest of the freshmen class of 2011.

Friday Night Lights: Pilot and Explanation of the Panthers' First Playcall

So I've finally taken the plunge and decided to watch Friday Night Lights, the highly acclaimed and now ended television series. Before you commend me for taking so long to watch a show that is already off the air, let me try to defend myself. From the show's early beginnings I had been aware of the show's critical acclaim and as the show progressed I kept on hearing from more and more people that I should jump on board. Clearly time got in the way, the rise of bad reality TV shows (that shall not be named) grabbed my attention and I turned my back towards this TV series, based off the movie which is, based off the book which is based off the reality of any rural town in Texas. Though I imagine this setting plays out in many more communities throughout the United States.

HIp-Hop Christmas: Day 9 & 10

So I think an apology is in order. To all my dear fans or just Scott, you may have noticed I didn't post a day 9 Hip-Hop Christmas track and for that I must apologize. I had a Christmas party to attend and I was pretty strapped for time. Nonetheless, that shouldn't be used as an excuse. If anything it would be my ingestion of "festive drinks" would be better to blame for the lack of posting. Anyways with all that being said, it's time for a DOUBLE POST!!!

Hip-Hop Hanukkah: Day 8

Today we are going down a different route. In search of broadening the scope of the hip-hop inspired December holiday theme songs. Up to this point we had focused primarily on Christmas with the one tangent song that featured a fictional Jehovah's Witness' interaction with Christmas. Today though will be Christmas free. Instead we will look at a few Hanukkah inspired songs.

First, I'd like to send out some 'Happy Hanukkah' love to all my Jewish fam out there. While I couldn't find any well-known rappers who had produced Hanukkah inspired rap songs; I did find some amateur musicians who I thought still did their best to convey the spirit of the holidays. Though if we are lucky we could possibly see a Shyne track that could change the whole Hanukkah rap game.



 Alright so that first song is alright. These American kids seem to have taken the appropiate rap styles and were able to apply them to the holiday. But it's the next song that I truly tip my hat to.




Use of the Kanye Beat and a more than accurate title makes me label this one a hands down winner. Let me know what you think on the comments or twitter.

Hip-Hop Christmas: Day 7

Day 7 of the Hip-Hop Christmas is upon us. Today, I have probably found the most unlikely of Christmas songs. Even after the obscenity filled Yuletide greetings of Eazy-E, after the sexual overtones of Kanye West or even after the straight from Harlem stylistics of DipSet; I still have that one song that you'd never think, "Oh yeah, that's a Christmas song?"