THE PYRAMIDS THAT HIEROGLYPHICS BUILT

Tajai Massey heads up not one but two renown record labels/independent distributors, Hiero Imperium and Clear Label Records. Part-owner of Hiero Imperium with the other members of Hieroglyphics, the crew, he is the maker and owner of Clear Label Records, home to Beeda Weeda, Baby Jaymes, and a host of burgeoning talent spanning all genres. He’s also Tajai of the mighty Souls of Mischief (A-Plus, Phesto Dee, Opio and Tajai), the greatest Hip Hop quartet of all time.

He’s on the cover of the SF Bay Guardian this week, check the cover story The House That Hiero Built, that’s big for The Town, mayne.

There’s way too much crackin at Clear Label and Hiero Imperium (and Def Jux where Del’s LP ‘The 11th Hour’ is putting Def Jux back on the map.) So for the next week I’ll be featuring the Hiero OG’s and the Clear Label young stunnaz. Town bidness!

PHAROAHS IN PENITENTIARIES – John ‘Ras Kass’ Austin

I’m severely behind in my prison correspondence. Pardon self that the letters are slow on the rebound, Brothers, but now besides friends and family I’m juggling kites to my comrades, clients and colleagues doing time. Khadafi, Joker the Bailbondsman, DJ K-Pook, Jon Forte, Don Diego….I owe you all a letter. Ras, 7 pages are on the way.

Write to Ras Kass, he welcomes letters from fans and friends. He will most likely be released at the end of 2008.

Mr. John Austin
#T99907
W S P
P.O. Box 4400
Wasco, CA 93280

PYRAMID PLATTERS – “BLIND ALLEY” by THE EMOTIONS

Today’s solid gold oldie is ‘Blind Alley’ from The Emotions. The break was sampled by Marley Marl on Big Daddy Kane’s classic ‘Ain’t No Half Steppin’.

But I don’t love it just for the break. It’s basically a soulful diss record directed toward some nameless, clueless cat of the 70s.

Have yourself a listen here.
“Hey Boy/You got a good conversation/You got a real smooth line/But you’re not penetrating/Somebody else has got my time/You’re running up a blind alley”