Sample Sessions: Kanye West/Jay-Z & La Roux "That's My Bitch"

As announced earlier today via my twitter page the Weekend Jam is no more. That being said, I present to you something new. We call it "Sample Sessions". We are big music junkies at Kirin so enjoying music isn't enough, we want to unearth its origin. So we will use this forum to bring you some of our favorite songs and the record it sampled. Got it? Good.

First up is a new joint by Kanye West/Jay-Z & La Roux entitled 'That's My Bitch". This song boast a dope drum pattern featured in an oldie by Afro-Rock band Assagai called "Telephone Girl". Producer Q-Tip masterfully manipulated this sample to create something fresh for two of hip hops best. Check it out.

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam: Fabolous - You Be Killin Em

Here's Fab with "You Be Killin Em" in hopes that everyone kills em in 2011.

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam: Kurtis Blow - Christmas Rapping

On this special holiday edition of the weekend jam we are taking it back! All the way back to 1980 and the homie Kurtis Blow. Groove to "Christmas Rapping" and sip some egg nog. Tis the season...

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam: Nas - The World Is Yours (Q-Tip Remix)

Its hard to put into words just how dope this record really is. A sick Q-Tip produced remix to one of the best hip hop songs of all time (in my humble opinion), and a video to capture just how raw hip hop was back then. Nas at his best is masterful... Nuff said.

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam: Ghostface Killah - Daytona 500

On the strength of Wu Massacre and Only Built For Cuban Linx 2, the Wu is back and it seems like the 90's all over again. The Clan is on tour right now making a stop in Dallas tonight and Austin/Houston through the remainder of the weekend. Its only fitting that we pick one of our favorite Wu bangers for this edition of the weekend jam. Enjoy Ghost, Rae, and Cappadonna as they tear down "Daytona 500". Got to love this video!

For a full listing of tour dates click here.

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam: Outkast - Benz or Beamer

In anticipation of the Big Boi show in Austin Saturday we have a throwback Outkast joint for you today! From 1995's New Jersey Drive Soundtrack here is "Benz or Beamer". One of our favorite ATLiens jams from back in the day.

You know its vintage Kast when 3000 is rocking the kangol with no shirt and Big Boi is in a Braves hat and a jersey. And oh yeah, ATL just invented the "Bankhead Bounce". Those were the days...

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam: Tanya Morgan - So Damn Down

The trio from Brooklyn and Cincinnati Tanya Morgan is a not so new group with a somewhat new fanbase. Its mainly due to their 2009 LP "Brooklynati" which is a great album and received stellar reviews. From that record I give you "So Damn Down". I recently found out a few of my boys had no idea who these cats were so this is my gift to them. A gift that we can all enjoy.

-D. Griff

Weakend Jam: H.I.S.D. - Lando

As your attentive eyes my very well see the Weekend Jam is now the Weakend Jam. Hueston's own H.I.S.D. (Hueston Independent Spit District) recently released their sophomore album entitled the "The Weakend". It has already received great reviews which were fueled by the lead single "Lando". If you are curious as to what Lando means, its essentially a replacement term for the ever so played, swag.

This record is extremely dope. If you want to hear it live and you are in the Austin area today check out HISD at the Oxblood Music & Art Festival.

Get the new album here.

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam: Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Straighten It Out

The Weekend Jam is a little late this week but well worth it if you ask me. One of the best producers of all time (in my humble opinion) Pete Rock is back on the scene and I couldn't be more excited. Recently signing with Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music Label, the Chocolate Boy Wonder has been on a tear lately making some incredible beats for the likes of Raekwon, Red Cafe, Talib Kweli, Jay-Z, and of course Kanye.

I felt it was only right to take it back to 1992 and one of Pete's best, "Straighten It Out". If you haven't yet downloaded "The Joy" produced by Pete Rock featuring Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Kid Cudi, get it here.

D. Griff

Weekend Jam: Black Star - K.O.S. (Determination)

Considering we just saw Kweli in concert a few weeks back and Mos signing with GOOD Music last month, it only makes sense to take it back to where these two guys began. The Black Star album is without a doubt a hip hop classic and one of the best of 1998. One of my favorites from the album "K.O.S. (Determination)" perfectly describes my mood right now. Black Star keep shining!

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam: Foreign Exchange - Take Off The Blues

The third studio album by the Foreign Exchange "Authenticity" dropped this week and I must say I am loving the record thus far. Phonte & Nicolay stick with their signature sound and have easily put out another great album. So, in light of the new record today I decided to hit yall with a classic. This is literally one of my favorite songs of all time. Its what I like to call that "clean up the house music". Enjoy!

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam: Sleepy Brown FT. Pharrell & Big Boi - Margarita

If this song doesn't put you in a good mood there just might be something wrong with you. The first single from Sleepy Brown's 2006 debut album" Mr. Brown" never broke the top 100 on the Billboard charts but its always been one of my favorite joints. Check out "Margarita" and I guarantee it will put you in good mood. Enjoy!

-D. Griff

Weekend Jam: J*DaVeY - Slooow

We are going to slow it down on this edition of the Weekend Jam. No really, the songs called "Slooow". The record is from J*DaVeY's 2009 EP The Beauty In Distortion/The Land Of The Lost. This joint has always been hot and Miss Jack Davey is too in the video clip. Enjoy!

-D. Griff