Demo tapes/CD’s, as a means to getting signed to a label, are officially dead. The days of the 3-5 song rule are done, kaput, and finito hermanito. These days, if your not coming with a mixtape mixed by a known DJ, an EPK with a halfway decent video, or a finished album with a soundscan of 10k plus; you ain’t getting signed. There used to be a time when demo tapes ran ish though. A time when if you were good with your craft, your 3-5 songs could at least get you a meeting. We’re gonna take a step back to that time and peep some songs that actually helped get people signed. We are also gonna look at some raw and unreleased songs from signed artist (yes signed artist still made demos). After all, a demo is just a sketchpad of ideas and there are some signed artist who actually still have original ideas.

First up comes “Blame It On Me” from LL. Right from the start, you already know what it is (or at least you should know). I personally like the more polished version of this song but it’s nice to get an insight into where LL’s head was at when he made this.

LL Cool J – Blame It On Me

[audio:http://www.thekaoseffect.com/blog/audio/blameitonme.mp3]

Next up, listen to this version of a well know song that actually was released. I heard about this version of “Feelin’ It” years ago but I just recently acquirred it.

Camp Lo feat. Mecca – Feelin’ It

[audio:http://www.thekaoseffect.com/blog/audio/camplo-feelin.mp3]

Now we get a couple from Nas. If your a big Nas fan then you know that for every album that he releases there is a whole nother album of material that gets left off the released album. Nas has got to be one of the most prolific artist ever. Here’s the original version of “It Ain’t Hard To Tell” and an unreleased song from the period between “Illmatic” and “It Was Written”.

Nas – Nas Will Prevail

[audio:http://www.thekaoseffect.com/blog/audio/nas_will_prevail.mp3]

Nas – Life Is Like A Dice Game

[audio:http://www.thekaoseffect.com/blog/audio/likeadicegame.mp3]

From the west coast, we got this one from Ras Kass’s “Soul On Ice” demo. This song was allegedly removed from the album lineup because Sade refused to clear the sample. Ras Kass later sent a little shout-out to Sade just to let her know how he felt about her. LOL

Ras Kass – Won’t Catch Me Runnin’

[audio:http://www.thekaoseffect.com/blog/audio/ras_kass-wont_catch_me_runnin.mp3]

Last but certainly not least, we got a nice little joint from the almighty Wu-Tang Clan. This song, “Enter The Wu-Tang”, didn’t make the cut of (ironically) “Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). No matter though, RZA recycled the beat for The Gravediggaz “Diary Of A Madman”.

Wu-Tang Clan – Enter The Wu-Tang

[audio:http://www.thekaoseffect.com/blog/audio/enterthewutang.mp3]

Alright peoples, there you have it some bonafide demo material from back in the day. It’s nice to hear some “sketches” of songs that came out sounding a lot differtent from these demos (a couple them actually had different artist on the same beat). Well anyway, I’ve got to get back to my side project. I’m working on a combination mixtape/EPK/commercial CD and y’all better buy one when it drops. One

Gucci Inspired Tee

Tee & Jacket

Swag is in Session

Edit: Wallstreet of Sol Munki corrected me on another post. These joints are not Gucci inspired (Gucci uses green red green). This collection was released to commemorate Black History Month. Go holla @ Shay & Lion @ 130 Cone St Atl, Ga 404-420-0294 & tell ‘em ChicaGOrilla said to hook you up!!!!!!

Will.I.Am has apparently put together another “We Love Obama” video. Im not mad at that at all. Obama looks like he’s got alot of star power behind him. Good stuff!

For those who don’t know I co-host “Da Show” on 89.3 WRFG Atlanta, Ga every Tues Nite/ Weds Morn from 3am-6am & then we back on Weds Nite @ 12am. If you live outside the ATL log on to www.wrfg.org to listen live. So this past Tues after Brand Nubian we had “Mr. Read A Book” Bomani Armah fresh off his Mic Club debut. Great interview! Dude is an exceptional human being. Very intelligent.

I know we posted this before but in case you forgot

Here’s the new video that serves as a follow up to all the “Read a Book” controversy.

Check him out online Here

Black AG – “No Type of Drug Dealer”

Twista – “Mr Tung Twista”

New Episode of The Squeeze Radio Show from Thursday Feb 21st, 08. With special Guest “P Casso.”

I didnt know this dude by name, but he made one of the joints I’ve been rocking too lately, “Mr Hollywood.” Check The Show out. And make sure you check them out tonight (Thurs) from 1am – 5am. You can catch it live on the net at WKCR or if you miss it just check here, we’ll have the Podcast info for you weekly.

Oh.. Click Here to get to the podcast