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.

I seriously don’t have a first clue on how to classify this.  But I do know that it frightens me a little. Upon first watch of this video, I seriously zoned the hell out.  Elucid is already one of my favorite criminally-snoozed on rappers.  And his voice and sharp flow fits this eerie, homicidal stalker drum (courtesy of Lyle Horowitz) like a knife in a sheath.  It’s the sort of stuff  destined for classic cinematic horror status.  5846 Films definitely was on some other sh*t with this video treatment.  You can find this joint on Lyle Horowitz’s new Aueter: Director’s Cut album.  TFB is not responsible for any bad dreams this may cause.

While 0ther underground creative collectives are being lackadaiscal with their the output and waiting for things to happen, The Lessondary is hard at work churning out their true school brand of hip-hop music.  And one of their principal beatmakers, Aeon, makes this abundantly clear with his new release.

What was originally intended as a quick “beat dump” to throw out to the masses sort of metamorphosized into a proper, high-quality instrumental album.  Glad he had that moment of clarity because folks should have BEEN hollered at Aeon for some heat.  I sense the stardom creeping even closer.  For the super duper cheap $3 sticker, you can’t go wrong. Philly (and the rest of the world), stand up!

In September of this year (Labor Day to be exact), the long-overdue Pea’s Gotta Have It, the debut solo album from Von Pea (one-third of everyone’s favorite rap group Tanya Morgan), will grace our eardrums and earbuds.  I’m pretty damn excited about it.  And to whet our appetites, Von graciously gives us yet ANOTHER project to add to his ever-growing high-quality complimentary mixtape discography.  This is how I like my hip-hop.  Good beats, good rhymes.  Why is that so hard to find sometimes?  Anyway, download it below.  And if you don’t understand the subtitle and super-dope cover artwork, you gotta peep this ASAP.

I’m gonna start this post off by saying that if you haven’t heard The Roots’ Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Sandwiches by now, bang your forehead on a flat surface really hard one time.  Now that we’ve got that out the way, partake in this nice, quick-and-dirty (and ?uestlove approved) beat jack release by two-thirds of Tanya Morgan, Donwill and Von Pea.  Nothing fancy.  Just dope instrumentals and Lessondary-seasoned lyrics delivered fresh to your inbox.  You can probably tell I’m trying to run this “sandwich” theme into the ground right now.  So I’ll stop right here.  Just download it.  It’s free.  These guys are dope even when they’re just effin’ around.

OK you should have purchased Donwill‘s new solo album Don Cusack In High Fidelity by now. Seriously. I’ve talked about it to no end on this site.  I even put you on to a free mixtape.  And guess what?  I have yet another free treat.  It’s something I’ve been bumpin’ for a couple weeks now.  The feel of the song totally reminds me of the two consecutive years I went to Cancun for Spring Break. 

It’s fun, debaucherous and free-spirited.  If you don’t dance around with a frozen drink and spill that sh*t all over the place, you’re not doin’ it properly.  Ladies and gents, the Wallpaper. remix of “Love Junkie” with help from Harlem’s Cash and Cali-based band The Park.  We got a magical collabo here, folks.

OK, how many of you remember this wonderful copy-and-paste video?  It caught the attention of alot of folks back in 2008.  For you slow ones, “Bed Stuy” (produced by Von Pea of Tanya Morgan) ingeniously appropriates a Take 6 sound clip from the classic Spike Lee joint Do the Right Thing.  The flick was set in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.  Spec Boogie is from Bed-Stuy.  2+ 2 = 4.  Well now it’s 2010, but the song is timeless.  In steps in the homie Ali Santana to give the song a polished and proper visual treatment.  Brooklyn, STAND THE F*CK UP.

p.s. ”Bed Stuy” appears on Spec’s 2008 mixtape Kid Gorgeous. Cop that.

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.

Just when you thought it was safe to go outdoors, a dark, stocky figure emerges from out the shadows and hits us with a full blast laser to the face.  At long last, Elucid has dropped his Sub Bass Diet EP (the follow up to hard body October 2008 mixtape, Police & Thieves).  And if you were around when I posted “My Mayor Is A Billionaire” (which is even more powerful now that Michael Bloomberg recently bought his 3rd term in office), you will know what to expect from this project. 

Some of you may be scratching your head a little bit regarding the title.  I can’t front.  I did too.  Well, here’s the explanation for that right here:

The Sub Bass Diet showcases my love for 8 bit electronic sounds and digital rhythms. Inspired by dub reggae/dubstep, global street art culture and free form experimental producers like Flying Lotus, The Sub Bass Diet explores the power of drum & bass as the vehicle for transcendence.  The material for this independent project was recorded during the early part of the year through July ’09.

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)”

This was VERY unexpected.  I didn’t even know about this and I know these friggin’ guys personally. *shakes fist* On the way very soon is a brand new project called Lessondary Radio.  Intrigued?  Well now get ready to lose your mind from the following text that was included in the email w/ this joint: “The Lessondary crew have hijacked select frequencies from Exile‘s criminally underrated Radio album for proper aural assault.”  What else needs to be said? This is probably going to be off the meat rack.  Peep the first leak below.  You may wanna turn out the lights for added effect.

DOWNLOAD | Elucid, Von Pea & Donwill – “We’re All In Power”

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)

It’s good to see some visuals being thrown into the atmosphere for my favorite joint off of the Police & Thieves mixtape from the homie Elucid.  Definitely some exceptional homegrown work here.  The direction is courtesy of another Brooklyn representer Boombaye.  I think walking around the gritty city every day, you’re bound to get thrown for a loop every now and then (something that’s definitely captured within every black and white frame of this video).  Oh and Elucid has something to say as well:

If I learned one thing from the ‘Automatic Writing’ video experience it would be that there are only two ingredients necessary to accomplish any goal; vision and determination. Somehow the universe throws you in the path of whatever else required for the rest of your journey. This project was a true labor of love and testament to our resourcefulness. What started as late night random idea tossing via instant message (oracles, drapetomania, solar eclipses?!?) quickly morphed into a 4 page video treatment. Shot intermittently during the early months of 2009, without a penny’s investment, Boombaye and I trooped through the streets and subways of New York City in true hip hop/guerrilla style shooting illegally on lo-fi equipment without a proper permit. Five months and a number of sleepless nights later, I’m ecstatic to present this piece to the world. “Automatic Writing’s” message of self reliance and empowerment resounds even more so with the accompanying imagery.

Cincinatti duo / Lessondary extraordinaires Jermiside & Brickbeats (aka The Red Giants) have delivered the new material they have promised.  This would be a great time to familiarize with a great duo with a very strong future ahead of them.  If you have Tanya Morgan‘s Brooklynati  album, you’re already familiar with the superb production of Brick and heard Jerm black out a couple of times as well.  Here’s a whole EP of brand new material from the big men themselves.

p.s. Back in April, I posted one of the songs featured on this very EP, the posse cut “Never Seen A Thing.”  But it looks like they switched the beat up for the EP version.  So if you want an exclusive, get the OG version right here.

DOWNLOAD | The Red Giants – Chain Reaction EP

I hit you with “Laser Days” a while back.  It was a leak from the upcoming Sub Bass Diet EP that Elucid has been teasing the interwebs with for a minute now.  Well the EP isn’t out yet.  But here’s another leak to make you fiend even more.  In case you were wondering who our mayor is, both Elucid and I live in NYC.  So there’s your answer to that question.  The song eloquently explains the rest.

DOWNLOAD | Elucid – “My Mayor Is A Billionaire”

The Lessondary’s own Brooklyn bomber Spec Boogie is at it again.  And his next project is on the way.  Take a gander at two teaser videos for the upcoming Summer Movie Madness mixtape.  Spec took some of his favorite movies of all-time, mashed up key scenes, sampled music from the soundtracks / scores and then rhymed storyteller-style over them.  Above check out two totally opposite sides of the spectrum, Edward Scissorhands (1990) and The Warriors (1976). 

Yeah, I’m pretty sure you’ve never seen anything like this before.  We live outside of the box over here, folks.  Check back here when the mixtape officially premieres.

TFB supports The Lessondary to the very last breath.  However, not many know about a couple of the lesser-known members – Jermiside (emcee) & Brickbeats (producer), two halves that make up the whole of The Red Giants.  That has to change pretty damn quick.  You may have heard Jerm on various guest spots here and there and Brickbeats has done crafted some beats for some of Tanya Morgan‘s best joints.  On this track, the whole gang gets together for one of those mandatory posse cuts.  This will appear on The Red Giants’ sophomore effort Chain Reaction, coming soon.

DOWNLOAD | Red Giants f/ Spec Boogie, Che Grand & TM – “Never Seen A Thing”

For some reason, I love how the above picture looks it’s on some surveillance camera ish.  Anyway, some new heat from Elucid (as if we would expect any less).  Some more of that E-Gutta brand flow that may be harmful to children and small animals.  Listen to him tear up this Kode 9 beat.  This is from his upcoming Sub Bass Diet EP which he says is “influenced by the gutter straight-out-the-drum machine sound of early ’80s hip-hop to the retro futuristic sounds of dubstep.”  Ring the alarm.

DOWNLOAD | Elucid - “Laser Days”

I received some email treats yesterday from the one-and-only Brooklyn enigma Elucid.  According to his note, he says these joints are “to tide over whoever is listening until Cobra Tooth Necklace and Save Yourself arrive just in time to melt your face.”  I like my face though. 

At any rate, both of these are fire and I wouldn’t expect any less from duke.  “June To June” was produced by Tobacco of Black Moth Super Rainbow (best band name EVER) and “Feed the Machine” was a good ol’ fashioned beat jack from Black Milk.  And if you weren’t around when I posted Elucid’s Police & Thieves mixtape, I forgive you.  I will not be handing out any late passes.  Just get on it.

DOWNLOAD | Elucid – “June To June”
DOWNLOAD | Elucid – “Feed the Machine”

ONE DAY EARLY!  Trees for Breakfast is holding you down a full day prior to the official release of Von Pea‘s new mixtape, The Further Adventures of Von Pea (November 11th is also his b-day).  Von has taken (without permission, but with love) a bunch of Madlib‘s zaniest beats and proceeds to catch wreck on every single one.  And he gets some help from a few friends.  I don’t even have to tell you that you absolutely MUST download it.  Wait, I guess I just did.

DOWNLOAD | The Further Adventures of Von Pea (mixtape)

And just cuz I am a nice guy, I’m throwing in a bonus for y’all – “We Can Get Down 2003,” a fresh re-make of the ATCQ classic.  This is the song that basically introduced me to Von back in ’03.  I’ve been a fan ever since.  It was on the hard-to-find album The Beatmaker (ask around, maybe someone can slide you a copy on the low).  I figure not alot of people have it since it came out before the blogosphere exploded.  And I Googled the hell out of it and couldn’t find it anywhere.  So if you see this pop up some other blog like they claimed it, YOU ALREADY KNOW.  Enjoy.

(re-upped Monday, November 14, 2011)

A mixtape I have been waiting impatiently for just off the strength of the cover alone is here.  Brooklyn’s own solid spitter Spec Boogie has something cooked up fresh for the streets.  It’s called Kid Gorgeous and it’s not to be slept on.  Alot of nice gems on here.  Especially “Trendsetters,” (featuring Donwill of Tanya Morgan) “S.B.” (produced by Aeon) and an ode to his BK birthplace aptly-entitled “Bed-Stuy” (a Von Pea produced joint that is fairly old but has been getting ALOT of love on overseas radio thanks to Benji B).  And the best part?  It’s free.  You can thank me later.

DOWNLOAD | Spec Boogie – Kid Gorgeous (mixtape)

Pardon my slight lateness on this one.  Work has been killin’ me this week.  Here’s the latest street effort from the homie Che Grand in eager anticipation of that fateful day when his debut solo album, Everything’s Good Ugly, FINALLY dops.  He’s been going through some drama on that one y’all. 

However, one thing about all of the ZFTP mixtapes he’s put out (Breakfast @ Wimbledon being the 7th volume) is that you get to hear how he’s progressed over time and how he has come into his own.  It gives you the feeling that you’ve been with him for the journey.  If you enjoy this and wanna hear the older stuff,  hit him up.  Maybe he can lace you with the previous volumes.  For now, get ready to experience a motion picture for your ears.

DOWNLOAD | Che Grand – Breakfast @ Wimbledon (mixtape)

I’m kinda biased cuz I know the guy.  But to be 100% objective, Von Pea is one of the illest emcees I know.  And if you don’t believe me or are daft enough to not be jockin’ Tanya Morgan by now, then here’s yet another wake up call. 

On Tuesday, November 11th, Von will be releasing his first mixtape in a long-ass time, entitled The Further Adventures of Von Pea.  Nothing but Madlib beats jacked for your listening pleasure.  Peep the tracklist below (I CAN’T WAIT to hear that joint w/ Elucid & Median).  And after that, I left y’all a link to a quick, sloppy snippet mix of what you can expect on 11/11.  Not to sound cliche, but Brooklyn…stand up.

01 introduction
02 players!
03 web 2009
04 all day hell (f/ Donwill)
05 so supreme
06 the bubble (f/ Che Grand)
07 peagreenery
08 main jawn
09 starstruck / WHAT?
10 options (the great escape)
11 love (f/ Median & Elucid)
12 one man circus (co-starring Ilyas)

DONWNLOAD | Von Pea – The Further Adventures of… (snippets)

Uh oh…the homie Che Grand pulled a full-time jack move on Common and Pharrell!  Here’s a quick leak from Che’s upcoming mixtape Breakfast at Wimbledon (dropping on Saturday, October 25th) called “Restart.”  I just want y’all to listen to how he tears the “Universal Mind Control” beat a couple of new orifices.  Yikes.  And you can bet your sweet bippy we’ll have the mixtape up when it hits the air.

DOWNLOAD | Che Grand – “Restart”