Stones Throw Records have quickly become one of my favorite labels – they have an incredibly diverse roster of artists, whom I like and respect, and the label seems to let their artists follow their muses. I recently came across this remix of Karriem Riggins’ “Matador” featuring Krondon of West Coast crew, Strong Arm Steady, Homeboy Sandman, Guilty Simpson and Jonwayne. If you dig real hip hop you’d recognize the fact that this track has a bunch of All-Stars doing their thing – spitting incredible lyrics. It’s probably the rare track in which every verse is the sort of can work within the song, and work by itself. And each emcee spits at least one or two really memorable lines throughout. 

It’s a shame that the Clear Channel/Starbucks/McDonald’s conglomerate radio stations won’t put this one into their rotations. After all, there just aren’t enough bitches, hos, boats, cars, watches, bottles of champagnes. And it ain’t a club banger. But you know what, this is real hip hop – the hip hop that fans truly give a shit about and play on their headphones on the way to work or school. It’s one of the hottest tracks I’ve heard this year. and I think you’ll think that too.