2021 Black Friday is around the corner! And although quite some drops of the Record Store Day list were cancelled or postponed due to the circumstances… There are still some Hip Hop releases that should actually hit the stores!
Let’s get started with the RZA. In the 90’s mainly responsible for all the classic music Wu-Tang brought out as a group and solo… In 1998 The Abbot decided to introduce himself to the world as Bobby Digital releasing his first solo album “Bobby Digital in Stereo”. Three years later, in 2001, the sequel “Digital Bullet” was dropped. Today RZA’s second album is almost unavailable – only very few used copies left with pretty high selling price.
It seems like the reissue unfortunately comes without the two additional songs “Odyssey” and “Cousins” which were actually featured on the Japanese CD release. However still a record to look out for!
Exclusively for Black Friday 2021 the reissue comes with hype sticker and will be pressed on translucent yellow vinyl – limited to 4500 copies.
RZA as Bobby Digital – Digital Bullet [2xLP]
Release date: November 26th, 2021
Format: 2xLP
Vinyl: translucent yellow
Label: Get On Down
Quantity: 4500
Furthermore Nature Sounds will be releasing the 2013 album of Styles P from The L.O.X.. Produced by Scram Jones – the project was never released on vinyl before.
The album of the Yonkers legend will be pressed on weed-green splattered vinyl. Exclusively limited to 1000 copies only – with a RSD hype sticker on shrink that reads feature guests: N.O.R.E., Jadakiss, Raekwon, Sheek Louch.
Styles P – Float [2xLP]
Release date: November 26th, 2021
Format: 2xLP
Vinyl: weed-green splattered
Label: Nature Sounds
Quantity: 1000
Out of print for more than a decade. Prodigy and Havoc published “Free Agents – Volume One” in 2003 after parting ways with their long-time label Loud Records. Except three songs the record was entirely produced by Havoc, pure Mobb Deep with only two features – one of them long term Queensbridge associate Big Noyd.
This piece of history will be pressed on smokey-clear vinyl – exclusively and never to be repeated. Including “Music From The Murda Mixtape” RSD sticker.
Mobb Deep – Free Agents [2xLP]
Release date: November 26th, 2021
Format: 2xLP
Vinyl: smokey-clear
Label: HHC
Quantity: 4500
Another release that will hit the vinyl crates for the first time is the second album from Non Phixion! The group was initially put on by MC Serch with founding members Ill Bill, Sabac Red, DJ Eclipse & Goretex.
In the timespan of 2002-04 the Brooklyn hardcore underground collective recorded two albums in total. So far their second project only had a CD + DVD release. For RSD Black Friday 21 the “The Green LP” will also be available on vinyl.
Non Phixion – The Green LP [2xLP]
Release date: November 26th, 2021
Format: 2xLP
Release Type: RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release
Label: Uncle Howie Records
Quantity: 1000
Also mentioned must be the first vinyl drop of the 2017 album by Chief Keef. The record is limited to 2000 copies with hype RSD sticker on sealing.
Chief Keef – Thot Breaker [LP]
Release date: November 26th, 2021
Format: LP
Label: RBC Records
Quantity: 2000
Another highlight is the re-release of the collaboration LP between Oxnard producer Madlib and Brazilian drummer Ivan “Mamao” Conti – member of the trio Azymuth.
On a trip to Brazil Madlib approached Mamao with an Azymuth tribute record that he created to play for him. After that it was a wrap. Later the project was recorded in Rio de Janeiro and was originally published in 2008.
Being out of print already for a while. Madlib Invazion will reissue the double vinyl with alternate cover artwork.
Jackson Conti & Madlib – Sujinho [2xLP]
Release date: November 26th, 2021
Format: 2xLP
Label: Madlib Invazion
Quantity: 4500
To make the list complete… RBC Records will be presenting “Pizza and Codeine” from the Memphis rapper Chris Travis. The 2012 release will be available on vinyl for the first time – limited to 1000 copies with hype RSD sticker.
Chris Travis - Pizza and Codeine [2xLP]
Release date: November 26th, 2021
Format: 2xLP
Release Type: RSD Limited Run / Regional Focus Release
Label: RBC Records
Quantity: 1000
Also never available on vinyl before. Eventually the first two mixtapes of Trippie Redd will come in a triple vinyl package. The cover art seems to be inspired or copied from Ill Bill’s album “What’s Wrong With Bill?”. Trippie Redd used the same throne and models in front of it just like Bill did on his debut.
Trippie Redd - A Love Letter To You 1/A Love Letter To You 2 [3xLP]
Release date: November 26th, 2021
Format: 3xLP
Label: Ten Thousand Projects
Quantity: ?
Finally Boot Camp Clik legend Rockness Monsta or simply Rock from Heltah Skeltah who together with Sean Price defined New York underground sound for decades will also present some new music. For this upcoming event the Brownsville MC recorded two dancefloor friendly but thoughtful odes to NYC street life pressed on limited 7 inch vinyl.
Rockness Monsta - He’s On Fire / Faith [7"]
Release date: November 26th, 2021
Format: 7"
Label: AMERICAN BBOY
Quantity: 500
That should be all Hip Hop drops for RSD Black Friday 2021. Like mentioned previously some releases were cancelled and are most likely to be seen on the official Record Store Day, April next year.
However if the list contains a record you are aiming at and you are planning to visit one of the participating record stores… In certain cases it can be recommended to bring enough time. Because shops must provide covid measures which can result in queues in front of the vinyl stores.
For all upcoming RSD event releases – stay connected with ELMSTREET.
