With the departure of Ilyas, the almighty Tanya Morgan is now officially a duo, consisting of Brooklyn’s own Von Pea and Cincinatti transplant Donwill. But don’t think for a minute that they are losing steam. The same formula is still in place and quality hip-hop isn’t going anywhere as long as there’s a working mic, a beat machine and fans like myself who fiend for their brand of classic material.

The title of the EP, You and What Army, pretty much sums all of that up pretty concisely.  Peep brand new material (featuring production by Aeon, Astronote, Exile, Brizzo and of course, Von Pea) whetting our appetite for another full length project in the very near future. Brooklynati residents, rejoice.

It’s only a matter of time now before Donwill‘s highly anticipated solo album Don Cusack In High Fidelity (a thematic project based on one of my favorite movies, High Fidelity) hits the streets.  Like I’ve said before, you might wanna watch the movie before peeping the album.  The concept behind Laura’s Tape would make a little more sense too.  For those of you who are familiar w/ the flick, you will soon see how flawlessly this project was executed.  I need to pull my DVD back out. 

Peep this fantastic free mixtape (mixed by the Bay Area homie DJ KingMost) that is gonna get you ready for the real thing dropping on March 23rd.  Love and music go together like peanut butter and jelly.

A little while back, Tanya Morgan‘s label iM Culture hosted a remix contest for one of the joints off of Brooklynati, “Never Enough.”  Producers were given the acapella vocals and challenged to craft a new version of the song. 

The homie Chuck Mack (formerly known as Chuck P, from Chuck Tries R&B Again fame, one of my favorite mixtapes of 2009) entered and was chosen as one of the finalists for his gravy smooth rendition.  He didn’t win, but it didn’t stop him from getting the label’s blessing to let it fly free along with ANOTHER remix that he did not submit (which would be the “Wonderful Company” remix).  Both gems are below for your downloading and listening pleasure.

DOWNLOAD | Tanya Morgan – “Never Enough (Chuck Mack remix)”
DOWNLOAD | Tanya Morgan – “Never Enough (Wonderful Company remix)”

If you have Tanya Morgan‘s Brooklynati album (and if you don’t by now, shame on you), then you’re very familiar w/ what I’m about to present to you.  Nothing I say can top the press release I recieved along with the video:

HARDCORE GENTLEMEN is a early-mid 1990s rap group consisting of group members RAPZ KAOTIC, REEFER SUTHERLAND and KILLAH SILK. The group was based in Brooklynati, USA and saw great success with their classic and only single “HARDCORE GENTLEMEN” (DJ Jurx Records, 1994). Unfortunately, after selling a platinum single and a gold album (RUGGED & SMOOTH, DJ Jurx Records, 1994) their follow-up single, “BRUSH YA TEEF WIT IT” fell on deaf ears and led to the group’s destiny of being one-hit-wonders.

Immediately following the release of their hit-single “HARDCORE GENTLEMEN” and in promotion of their debut LP, Hardcore Gentlemen toured the United States and parts of Canada, but ended the tour abruptly when group member KILLAH SILK was slapped with 14 paternity suits from 13 different women. A State Court jury ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and the rap group was forced to return home and try to maintain their momentum doing local gigs in Brooklynati. After the lack of success surrounding their touring efforts, the group faded into obscurity and is remembered only for their successful, self-titled single. They are regularly revisited on countless “Where Are They Now?” television shows profiling hip-hop acts.

So where are they now? In May of 2009, Hardcore Gentlemen attempted to do a 15-year anniversary show celebrating their classic and only single. The plan was to headline a show at Humphrey Lefty’s and to perform their hit 15 times in a row. Tragically, during the 5th performance of “Hardcore Gentlemen” the group became entangled in a fight on stage, resulting in a drawn firearm by one of their hypemen. Shots were fired, and while nobody was killed, two of the group’s three members (RAPZ KAOTIC and REEFER SUTHERLAND) were arrested and are currently facing charges for concealing a weapon and endangering minors.

Something sorta brand new from dem Tanya Morgan boyz!    Tanya Morgan hand over their hit single “So Damn Down” over to duo Keelay & Zaire to breathe some new, fresh air into and the results are pretty damn proper.  The bassline is so mean.  Somethin’ to mean mug to.  I also like the fact that there are brand new lyrics as well.  Gives the song a totally different paint job. 

DOWNLOAD | Tanya Morgan – “So Damn Down” (Keelay & Zaire remix)

Von hit me with this via AIM a couple hours ago.  I listened to it on my shitty speakers at the office.  I liked it but it didn’t make me wanna kick any furniture over or anything. I got home a little while ago and let it knock again.  But this time on the Bose Companion 3 Series II speakers.  WHOA.  He did this for fun, by the way. 

I hope cats realize that Von Pea is one of the best producer / emcees in this underground game right now.  I know many who will agree to this fact.  The Tanya Morgan sophomore album Brooklynati drops on Tuesday, May 12th, 2009!

DOWNLOAD | Common – “Gladiator (Von Pea’s Midnight on Myrtle Remix)”
(re-upped November 14, 2010)

Audible Treats (now w/ a brand new, funky fresh design) comes through as usual.  If you were in Texas for SXSW and want to re-live this show or didn’t go at all (like me) and want to kick yourself in the ass for making that bad decision, I present the entire live Tanya Morgan set from the Nah Right / TSS showcase @ The Knuckle Rumbler in Austin, Texas.  This is one of the first times the general public gets to hear some of the brand new material off of the upcoming Brooklynati album, dropping May 15th.  And it’s nothing short of amazing. 

Tracklist below and download link follows right after. Plus an extra treat.

01 Sound Check Intro
02 “Cuddle Bums”
03 “She’s Gone” (snippet)
04 “Plan B” f/ Peter Hadar
05 “We Fly” (snippet)
06 “Morgan Blu” f/ Blu
07 “Bang n Boogie” (snippet)
08 “So Damn Down”
09 “Alleye Need” (snippet)
10 “Forgot 2 Say”

DOWNLOAD | Tanya Morgan – Live @ The Knuckle Rumbler (SXSW 2009)
BONUS | VIDEO – “Morgan Blu” (LIVE) (courtesy of Ruby Hornet)

You don’t know how long I’ve been feenin’ to post this up for y’all.  I got the green light this morning (shouts to Audible Treats, hi Michelle).  So here it is.  Ladies and gents, from the stupid-highly anticipated sophomore effort  from them Tanya Morgan boys, here is the first single, “So Damn Down” (produced by Von Pea). 

At first listen, it sounds like a really crazy party track.  And they highly encourage that you get your same ol’ two-step on.  But when you listen to the lyrics, it’s a totally different direction.  Great concept.  The new album, Brooklynati (a hybrid of Brooklyn and Cincinatti, the two cities that TM represents) is slated to drop in May.

DOWNLOAD | Tanya Morgan – “So Damn Down”

p.s. Have you been to the official site for Brooklynati’s Chamber of Commerce?