In 2005, I was put onto what would turn out to be my favorite album of that year, Triple P , by the Platinum Pied Pipers . Consisting of Waajeed and Saadiq, Triple P was a cross-genre showcase of their production was forward thinking but still banged hard across hip-hop, soul, latin, and everything else in their sonic grasp. Waajeed was cut from the same cloth as Dilla, frequently collaborating with him and releasing his own instrumental vinyl.

After Dilla’s passing, one could say that PPP and Jeed was one of the torch bearers for the Detroit sound in much the same way that Village was declared the continuation of Native Tongues by Q-Tip himself after Tribe’s demise. A bold statement, for sure, but the then relatively unknown Jeed and his discography were solid and seemingly endless. He continues on to this day, operating out of Brooklyn, NY, as an amazing remixer, artist, and even DJ (his guest set at the Rivoli in 07 has been decribed as “legendary” by many).

In July 2006 my crew was very much excited when we locked down Waajeed and vocal ingenue Tiombe Lockhart for their first Toronto date at our Academy of Sound showcase. To beef up promo, a mixtape of Waajeed’s notable past production was quickly whipped up. The homey Rod Skimmins pulled an all nighter in Jesse Ohtake’s humid as f*ck apartment getting this playlist and mix down pat. The final product became one of my personal favorite mixes. Triple P material, obscure remixes, and related artists from his native Detroit. Since I’ve lost a lot of the source music, I keep this mix around to enjoy great work of the man like Waajeed. Hope you enjoy it too.

PREVIEW:

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DOWNLOAD: ‘THE BEST OF WAAJEED & PLATINUM ARMY (circa 2006) (right click, save as)

PPP ft. Nico Redd – 1Luv2U
PPP ft. Tiombe Lockhart – I Got You
PPP ft. Tiombe Lockhart – Stay With Me
RES – Ice King (Waajeed Remix ft. Same)
Patty Hearst Beat Tape Selection
PPP ft. Zeno – Fever
Roy Ayers – Funk In The Hole (PPP Remix)
Domu – It’s You ft. Tiombe Lockhart (Waajeed Remix)
DJ Mitsu and the Beats – Right Here (Seoul City Waajeed Remix ft. Nico Redd)
DJ Mitsu and the Beats – Right Here (Rock City Waajeed Remix ft. Dwele)
PPP ft Lacks – The P’s
Marc de Clive-Lowe – It’s You ft. Tiombe Lockhart (Waajeed Remix)
PPP – Shotgun (Orig ft. Jay Dee & RMX ft. Invincible)
Guilty Simpson ft. Low Down – Git Up (prod. by Waajeed)
PPP ft. Jay Dee – Act Like U Know
Dilla ft. Nottz & Boogie – Fight Club
PPP – Detroit Winter ft. Invincible
Invincible – Place Where We Dwell (prod. by Waajeed)
Dabrye & Waajeed – Jorgy
PPP – Look of Love
PPP ft. Rogier – Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover
Greyboy – To Know You Is To Love You (PPP Remix)
PPP – Ridin’ High (Remix ft. Dwele)
PPP – Deep Inside ft. SA-RA
Tiombe Lockhart – Tip of My Tongue
Waajeed ft. Monica Blaire – Knives Out (Radiohead cover)

Many thanks to Theo Gibson for the dope artwork!

In the midst of our hottest summer yet, I compiled a mix that caters to the long bouts of loafting and ‘nothing doing’ often attributed to humidex and no A/C. The rolling greenhouse that is your car in traffic at high noon. Deal with it. Walmart and Zellers are sold out of electric fans. Bummer. Cones and Popsicles have a shorter shelf life in the sun. Finish it quick.

At least you have something to listen to.

Mind you, Toronto barely cracked 30 degrees all of last year, so take what you can get, people.

Vibes is real mellow. Small cresendo. Some hot exclusive blends. Enjoy!

DJ Mensa presents LAZY DAYS

Slum Village ft. Samiyyah – Fall In Love (Reprise)
Jose James – Promise In Love
Common ft. Queen Latifah – Next Time
Miss Jones – Where I Wanna Be Boy (DJ Mensa Blend)
L-Marie – Already Fallen
Anita Baker – Sweet Love
Drake ft. Phonte – Think Good Thoughts
Theo 3 ft. Tona & Andreena Mill – How I Flow Pt. 2
De La Soul – Respect
DJ Agile ft. Liya – Focused
Janelle Monae – Oh, Maker
Erykah Badu – Fall In Love (Your Funeral)
Heart Attack – Untitled
The Dream – Veteran
Drake – Still Got It
The Roots – The Day
Outkast ft. Cee-Lo – In Due Time (DJ Mensa Blend)
Miguel ft. J. Cole – All I Want Is You
Electric Wire Hustle – Perception
Onra – Long Distance
Zo! ft. Erro & Darien Brockington – This Could Be The Night
Mya – Case of the Ex (DJ Mensa Blend)
Mayer Hawthorne – Your Easy Lovin’
Andre 3000 – All Together Now
Rick Ross ft. Ne-Yo – Super High
Camp Lo – Luchini (DJ Mensa Blend)
Nas – Hey Young World
Drake – 3am Freestyle In Dallas
The Roots – Doin’ It Again
Flying Lotus – Heave(n)

DOWNLOAD DJ MENSA “LAZY DAYS” MIX (Right Click, Save as)
DOWNLOAD DJ MENSA “LAZY DAYS” MIX (Right Click, Save as)
DOWNLOAD DJ MENSA “LAZY DAYS” MIX (Right Click, Save as)

P.S. Thanks to SIIK for the hot artwork!

Back in 2009, I had the great fortune of opening up for The Foreign Exchange in their hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. I was really excited because: 1) FE is one of my favorite groups of all time, and 2) it was one of the rare occasions I got to test out my sound in front of a completely unfamiliar crowd.

I knew the crowd was mature and knew their soul music, so I stuck to the standards. What could have been just some filler time in between acts turned out to be a mini-jam by the time I was done and a crowd ready to be entertained by the headliners. Definitely a memorable night for me.

Many thanks to Jodi from Cat’s Cradle, Carolina for the camera work, and the big homey DJ Forge for the look.

DJ Mensa – One Night in North Carolina from djmensa on Vimeo.

Thanks to GMan & Rizk for having me throw down alongside the big homey Rich Kidd & hometown hero Son Real. Vancouver was amazing, as per usual!

This is my set from their new night, Sup Fu? Wednesdays. 82 minutes of party vibes. Excuse my profanities.

Download Live at Sup Fu Wednesdays, Fortune Sound Club, 05/05/10 (right click, save as)
Download Live at Sup Fu Wednesdays, Fortune Sound Club, 05/05/10 (right click, save as)
Download Live at Sup Fu Wednesdays, Fortune Sound Club, 05/05/10 (right click, save as)

And all hail Zoltan!

What up everybody,

Been a couple months since I’ve hit you with some new mixes. Trust me, I’ve been fiending as much as you guys have. It’s been a hectic 2010 right out the gate what with defending Thre3style, the untimely closing of Social Experiment (RIP Octopus Lounge), my regular nights (Reign, Main Ingredient) going hard, and setting up a big West Coast swing in a couple weeks. Life’s been good!

But in the midst of all that, I let my hard drive fill up with a bunch of amazing tracks that hadn’t seen the light of day. Songs that had that “coolout” sensibility. So when the dust settled, there was nothing else to do but conduct some well-timed Spring Cleaning!

I’m getting back to basics with this new mix, though. In the spirit of Spread Love, and The Exquisite Mix, this here is my interpretation of music for the spring time. No crazy cuts, but some dope blends. No big crescendo, but definitely hot from beginning to end. I’m pretty ADD when I spin live, but I let a lot of these songs breathe, and deservedly so! Close to 140 minutes of goodness. Enjoy!

SPRING CLEANING – Disc One

Reflection Eternal & Co. – Just Begun
Rich Kidd – Ridin’ Solo
50 Cent – 21 Questions (Mensa Blend)
Erykah Badu ft. Lil Wayne – Jump In The Air
T. Ana Cole – Wait & See
Aloe Blacc – I Need A Dollar
Jackson 5 vs. Wu-Massacre – Almost To Our Dreams
Little Brother – Star
Saukrates ft. D-Sisive – Wednesday Remix
Jay Electronica – Suckas
Freeway & Jake One – She Makes Me Feel Alright
Drake ft. Von Pea & Phonte – My New
Stephanie Mills – Something In The Way You Make Me Feel (B.Cause Remix)
Janet Jackson – That’s The Way Love Goes (Royale Remix)
Letoya Tuckett ft. Ludacris – Regret
Melanie Rutherford – Gotta Be You
Chante Moore – Straight Up (Mensa Blend)
Teedra Moses – Kisses Never Taste So Sweet
Ayah – He Don’t Want It
Timbaland – Carry Out (Mensa Blend)
Nottz – Shine So Bright
Snoop Dogg – Gangsta Luv (Mayer Hawthorne Remix)
The Roots & Erykah Badu – Wanna Be Where You Are
Young Money – Bedrock (DJ Benzi Remix)
Andreena Mill – Picture Perfect (DJ Fase Remix)

DOWNLOAD – SPRING CLEANING – DISC ONE (right click, save as)
DOWNLOAD – SPRING CLEANING – DISC ONE (right click, save as)
DOWNLOAD – SPRING CLEANING – DISC ONE (right click, save as)

SPRING CLEANING – Disc 2

Eric Roberson – The Newness
Erykah Badu – Gone Baby (Don’t Be Long)
Saukrates – Soarin’ To Heaven Part 2
Common, Talib Kweli, Consequence – G.O.O.D. Music
Little Brother – Curtain Call
Mos Dub – Travellin’ Underground
Trey Songz – I Invented Sex (Benja Styles Remix)
Jovi Rockwell – Bucktown
Ashanti – Rock Wit U (Mensa Blend)
Rishaard – Keepin’ It Movin’
Lucy Pearl – Dance Tonight (Siik Remix)
Dwele What’s Not To Love
Jaheim ft. Jadakiss – Ain’t Leavin’ Without You (Remix)
Joell Ortiz – Call Me
Rhymefest ft. Phonte – Say Wassup
Whitney Houston – Fine (Mensa Blend)
Kardinal Offishall – We Gon Go
Nas, Ludacris, Doug E. Fresh – Virgo (Big Jacks Remix)
Big Boi – Shutterbugg
Ray Robinson – Just For The Night
Michael Jackson – This Is It (Rob Dinero Remix)
Yahzarah – Why Doncha Call Me No More
Janelle Monae – Tightrope
Alicia Keys – Unthinkable
Erykah Badu – Window Seat

DOWNLOAD – SPRING CLEANING – DISC TWO (right click, save as)
DOWNLOAD – SPRING CLEANING – DISC TWO (right click, save as)
DOWNLOAD – SPRING CLEANING – DISC TWO (right click, save as)

Artwork by the ever incredible Bozack Morris for Black Rap/Graphic Violence. Always been one of my favorites. Hit him up for your forward-thinking design needs!

Feel free to hit me up on Twitter, , or e-mail, and let me know what you think!

A lot of other dudes have their own respective tributes to Christopher Wallace. A lot of them are much greater productions than mine. But so long as we honor him, any tribute is a good tribute, in my opinion.

So with very little fanfare, I present to you my “Breaks For Biggie” mix, circa 2007.

REST IN PEACE, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE, AKA THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.

DOWNLOAD: DJ MENSA – BREAKS FOR BIGGIE (right click, save as)

I had to balk on making a Valentine’s mix this year because I had to prep for my title defense to great results. Luckily, more than a few of my peers came through with some stellar mixes to set the mood right for all the lovers in the blogosphere.

My fellow Main Ingredient resident and current Stylus Mixtape Award winner DJ AGILE whipped up this mix of recent love bangers just in time for V-Day. You can grab it from his p0domatic page.

(1) Intro
(2) Tweet – Love Again – (2009)
(3) R. Kelly – Like I Do – (2009)
(4 Eric Roberson Ft. Lalah Hathaway – Dealing (2009)
(5) Usher – There Goes My Baby (2010)
(6) Maxwell – Bad Habits (2009)
(7) Keri Hilson – Knocks You Down (Acoustic) (2010)
(8) Andreena Mill – Picture Perfect (2009)
(9) T-Pain – Know Your Name (2009)
(10) K. Michelle – Fallin’ (2009)
(11) Ledisi – Goin’ Thru Changes (2009)
(12) Angie Stone Ft. Ronald isley – Kiss All Over Your Body (2009)
(13) Chris Brown – Holding On (2010)
(14) JoJo Ft. Drake – Houstanlantavegas (RMX) (2009)
(15) i15 – Drug Of Choice (2010)
(16) Marsha Ambrosius – Don’t Matter To Me (2009)
(17) Mike Winans – One Statement (2009)
(18) Maxwell – Pretty Wings (2009)
(19) Omarion – Wet (2010)
(20) Darien Brockington – Girl It’s You – (2009)
(21) Marsha Ambrosius – Take Care (2009)
(22) Robin Thicke – Sex Therapy (2009)
(23) Ryan Leslie – I Choose You (2009)

Download DJ AGILE – THE LOV LANE (direct link)
Download DJ AGILE – THE LOV LANE (direct link)
Download DJ AGILE – THE LOV LANE (direct link)

My dude from D.C. Quartermaine aka Supa Qool DJ Uncle Q has been a beast with his “best of…”mixes, after making epic compilations of Maxwell, Erykah, and Raphael Saadiq. His latest is an amazing concept: the best love songs by Lenny Kravitz. Perfect for the winter time, Q showcases the best of one of my favorite artists ever.

DOWNLOAD: Supa Qool DJ Quartermaine – Lenny For Lovers

DOWNLOAD: Supa Qool DJ Quartermaine – Lenny For Lovers

DOWNLOAD: Supa Qool DJ Quartermaine – Lenny For Lovers

Lastly is the epic banger from two of Toronto’s biggest DJ’s. Lissa Monet & P-Plus put out this dual mix taking you on a ride of love in flight, and love done wrong. Sure to be imitated for years to come (as well as having people mad at them for having used the Commes Des Garcons logo first), this double disc is a reflection of how the T-Dot gets down with music.

Plus! If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a physical copy, you can appreciate the production value of this joint, because the packaging rivals a lot of store bought ish, for real!

DOWNLOAD – DJ P-PLUS & LISSA MONET PRESENT “LOVE LETTERS & BROKEN HEARTS” (usershare)
DOWNLOAD – DJ P-PLUS & LISSA MONET PRESENT “LOVE LETTERS & BROKEN HEARTS” (usershare)
DOWNLOAD – DJ P-PLUS & LISSA MONET PRESENT “LOVE LETTERS & BROKEN HEARTS” (usershare)

I know I’m a couple days late, but eff it: Valentine’s Day is manufactured: but sex is as real as it gets! Get ta coitusing!

And while we’re on the Vancity tip, shouts to my man DJ AREMS from FACTION SOUND CREW who are killing the club scene. My man Arems found a great niche tapping into the slept on reggae market in Van. He just put out a hot new reggae mix highlighting all the hot riddims from 2009. Get with it, and gunfinga inna di air!!

DOWNLOAD DJ AREMS – FIYAH FI BUN DEM PART 4 (zshare
DOWNLOAD DJ AREMS – FIYAH FI BUN DEM PART 4 (zshare
DOWNLOAD DJ AREMS – FIYAH FI BUN DEM PART 4 (zshare

My peoples The Freshest Kids are the dudes out in Vancouver. There isn’t a genre of music they don’t rep with deep crates, and they encapsulate everything a sound crew does: you can have them all, mix and match, or have them play out separately and guarantee they’ll kill your dance and still rep for their team all in one fell scratch. And of course, they keep it fresh to death.

Their podcasts have been getting a lot of attention as of late, and they just put out a new one, this time with some prrrrrroper packaging (as seen above). You can preview the mix below then cop it from their website.

What The F by TheFreshest.ca

Fat shouts out to crew RICO UNO, DJ SEKO, DJ MARVEL, & KUTCORNERS

THE FRESHEST KIDS WEBSITE

Hot off the presses! In preparation of the HUGE CONCERT coming to town Thursday, Me and the big homey DJ SURREAL SOUND whipped up this mixtape comprised of the biggest tunes from Masta Ace & Edo G! Expect to see a good cross section of tracks from both of their DEEP discographies, rare joints and, of course, tracks from their duo LP “Arts & Entertainment” & “Extra Entertainment” It’s also hosted by Masta Ace & Edo G. themselves! So if you’re trying to catch up and looking for a crash course of Ace & Edo, it’s only right that you grab this mix!

DOWNLOAD DJ MENSA & SURREAL SOUND – BEST OF MASTA ACE & EDO G. MIXTAPE (right click, save as)
DOWNLOAD DJ MENSA & SURREAL SOUND – BEST OF MASTA ACE & EDO G. MIXTAPE (right click, save as)
DOWNLOAD DJ MENSA & SURREAL SOUND – BEST OF MASTA ACE & EDO G. MIXTAPE (right click, save as)

P.S. All my Toronto people, DON’T FORGET TO COP YOUR TICKETS NOW!