The Witzard

I can picture it now: A young Action Bronson , sitting on the couch with a tub of Neapolitan ice cream... basking in self-pity as he re-watches Sixteen Candles . Now maybe it wasn't EXACTLY like that - But the one main conclusion you can definitely draw from "Contemporary Man" is that Action Bronson (27) was in fact an 80's-loving kid. Bronsonelli wastes no time @ all and immediately laces up Party Supplies' fine-crafted Boom-Bap riddim. For all intensive purposes, "Contemporary Man" draws inspiration from a wide range of unique sample sources: Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel , John Cougar [Mellencamp], Huey Lewis & The News , Charlie Sheen, and Lisa Lisa . Action Bronson & Party Supplies' collaborative effort, Blue Chips will be released to The Internet(s) sometime in February, by way of Fool's Gold . The mixtape seems to be a musical homage to Nick Nolte & Shaq/"Penny" Hardaway 's similarly-titled 1994 basketbal...

While I thoroughly enjoy nearly any and all permutations of modern day Hip-Hop ... I usually manage to pay even closer attention to interesting, left-field culled samples. Chef Raekwon has always been one of the most consistent rappers around, a favourite of mine since the "36 Chambers" days. After a few minor set-backs, Raekwon finally liberated his latest mixtape, Unexpected Victory @ the brink of 2011-12. The 17-track collection's made up of cold, hard "Boom Bap" Hip-Hop beats produced by Scram Jones , 9th Wonder, The Olympicks, Statik Selektah , and many other rising beatsmiths. Unexpected Victory boasts featured appearances from the like of JD Era, C.L. Smooth , Mobb Deep, L.E.P. Bogus Boys, Busta Rhymes , Capone-N-Noreaga, Altrina Renee , and Styles P throughout. Easily one of the collection's stand-out tracks - "Chinese Marines" showcases Raekwon & Mobb Deep chopping it up over a Scram Jones -crafted beat, which come to find out...