RIP PH Pumpkinhead, Method Man, Doppelgangaz, Joell Ortiz, J.Monopoly

Our Father’s Day Doin’ It In The Park hip hop and soul music jam was a complete success, but it set us back a bit. Here’s a quick update that was sitting in the queue for a minute. Some good stuff in here, and of course, we’ll have more soon!

RIP Robert Diaz aka PH aka Pumpkinhead

The hip hop world, especially in the New York indie scene, recently was left reeling over the sudden loss of a veteran MC, inspirational leader, good friend and family man, Robert “PH” Diaz, known to many as Pumpkinhead, shown above. Several tributes took place in the NY area, including a dedication at the weekly Legendary Cyphers event at Union Square Park, a special edition of weekly bastion of hip hop, End of The Weak, and our own weekly New York hip hop talk show, The NY Hip Hop Report. This episode paid tribute to the late Brooklyn representative, with special audio messages by some who knew him well. Check it out, and join the mailing list to hear about upcoming episodes and events.

Method Man – The Meth Lab [VIDEO]

The charasmatic member of legendary hip hop crew Wu-Tang Clan, M.E.T.H.O.D. M.A.N. returns to the fray with a full album on the way, led by the Breaking Bad meets New Jack City influenced “The Meth Lab,” featuring Hanz On and Streetlife. Expect more from one of Shaolin’s finest, as Meth’s LP Meth Lab is due out in August.

The Doppelgangaz – Scintilla [VIDEO]

The ghastly duo are back with a video for “Scintilla,” directed by The Doppelgangaz and Kobi Anibok of Anibok Studios. The Doppelgangaz represent Orange County, NY, or as they put it, “Parts Unknown,” and the video showcases a bit of what’s around their way, along with the sound that gives us more than a scintilla of hope that this eclectic duo is cooking up good things for 2015 and beyond. If you dig, be sure to check their full, surprise EP release, Parts Unknown, here.

Joell Ortiz & !llmind ft. Bodega Bamz, Emilio Rojas & Chris Rivers) – Latino Pt. 2

One of Brooklyn’s hijos favoritos, Joell Ortiz, enlists some of hip hop’s Hispanic heavyweights to jump on “Latino Pt. 2,” a follow-up of sorts to “Latino,” Ortiz’s original tribute to his heritage from The Block Project. Knowing “how tough it is to get into the hip hop scene and be respected/validated when you’re a Latino,” Ortiz took the opportunity to share the spotlight with Emilio Rojas, Bodega Bamz and Chris Rivers on this track, slated to appear on Ortiz’s upcoming collaborative album with producer !llmind, due out July 17.

https://soundcloud.com/empire/joell-ortiz-llmind-latino-pt-2-feat-bodega-bamz-emilio-rojas-chris-rivers/

J.Monopoly – XXVI

J.Monopoly (Operation Industry Shut Down) drops this introspective gem, looking back, and forward, with some personal thoughts that introduces, or re-introduces, the listener to the Queens MC. With lines many can relate to, smooth production and sharp engineering, “XXVI” is worthy of your eartime.