Let’s just face it. Music will never be what it was, but I don’t necessarily attribute that to what’s being released currently. I believe that with age you develop an experienced ear that knows what it likes. Does that mean you can’t like current tunes? Not at all. I dig contemporary rap. I just like what I like. When listening to a new artist I automatically pull out the yardstick and measure it against the gold medalist in whatever relevant category. Probably not the best thing to do.

When I first heard of Maffew Ragazino Sr. it was on a stern recommendation from DJ Clark Kent. Anyone that calls Clark a friend understands the pressure of his recommendation. It weighs a ton. Now Clark hails from Brooklyn, which is the same borough that has nurtured the lyricist Maff so off jump the scale was tipped. The difference between supporting an artist from home and celebrating the work of one of the best currently is the factor in which makes your word worth its weight.

Ragazino’s debut effort “Rhymes Pays” is a showcase in bare-knuckle word play without sacrificing production selections. It is rare when the quality of the words and beats line up. It’s that simple – and when they do, magic. Maff is a rare breed of emcee that channel the golden age without sounding dated. Be clear, he is not a throw back rapper who relies on 90’s mojo and haircuts to stand out. Maff is a beast living in 2011 that could hang with your 90’s fav but mangle your man who is on the front page on Nah Right today.

With all that said– ‘Rhyme Pays’ is an amazing debut that has Ragazino on the way to defining what NYC hip-hop once stood for and it’s unapologetic in its delivery.

On a side note – The Butcher’s Block own Paul Mighty mastered the album and took something that was amazing and made it that much more special.

Shouts to Maff, Sha & Paul.

Download Maffew Ragazino’s ‘Rhymes Pays’ HERE

Paul Mighty “Game of Life” f. Maffew Ragazino Sr. & “Reigning King” Produced by Paul Mighty

Frank The Butcher & The Butcher’s Block present Massachusetts rapper / producer Paul Mighty.

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Paul Mighty fuses crate diggin’ production principles of the golden era with a witty, modern & introspective rhyme style that is his own. Joined by Brownsville gunner Maffew Ragazino Sr. on ‘Game of Life’ and rolling solo over the dusty crackling sample of his proclamation ‘Reigning King’, Mighty shows that he gets it done on the boards and in the booth.

A couple weeks ago I ran out to NYC with my crew and directed a couple music videos for an upcoming Butcher’s Block music project. First to be released will be my good friend’s Chace Infinite’s video. Here is a couple shots from the shoot.

Setting up some shots in front of Prohibit in the L.E.S. Chace is a madman. #ThatIsAll

Nick Cangello is a film maker that joined the team recently. He basically listens to me rant and figures out how to capture it correctly (I say correctly because I am a little guerrilla with it). Amazing creative and addition to TBB. Welcome to the team!

Paul Mighty is my co pilot and is in charge of all audio on our projects (and tons of creative input). Probably the most reliable person I know. Everything I’m involved with he is probably not too far away. Incredible talent.

Video coming soon!

Cage’s “Depart from Me” tour came through Boston on Friday which features my homeboy Yak Ballz and was opened by my brother E The Real.

Yak Ballz has been touring in support of Cage’s new album and has been tearing it down rocking classics, currents and I even heard him flip a couple of instrumentals (bodied an RJD2 beat!). Yak has just put up his new site YakBallz.net where be blogs about his travels and day to day stuff. He has an upcoming EP on Def Jux called “Gas Galaxy” with the title track available for free on his site.

Guess what? Yak has a Cannon G10 too. You know what kind of conversations camera nerds have? Shutter speed, ISO settings and controlling level of flash! This camera is fuckin ill.  Above pic is a product of messing with settings I never heard of…

w Yak and Cage – Weathermen Album coming soon.

You all know Paul Mighty. Here’s the science on him— If I am considering robbing a bank, before I even verbalize it, he has a mask on waiting for me in the car. Its scary how on point he is.

My brother E The Real opened up for Yak and Cage rocking joints off of the new Nite People album. He had the crowd totally zoned into what he was doing. It was crazy! E’s is a genius but not in the weird “rain man” way. New music on the way!!

I know you know this guy!!

I told you it would be on!

This is the first installment of the new and improved Butcher’s Block Podcast here on TBB. I am continuing the tradition of The WeeklyDrop* and created a Hip-Hop show that embodies the same spirit as WD but incorporated it into my passion of music. Don’t let the “Hip-Hop” turn you off. I understand the current state of the genre and we are here to showcase an interesting combination of songs, early samples, breaks – always putting you on to something new or reminding you of something great.

You’re going to hear a new voice on the podcast but he is not new to the music by any means. Paul Mighty is my co-host and his love for music will show in his contribution to the show. I’ve watched him grow from an eager mid-high school kid to a grown man of many talents. He is family.

Stay tuned because we will be updating on the regular (approx every 2 weeks) but we’ll start you off with 2 bangers.

*Side note: WeeklyDrop is not dead and you might hear Jeff’s voice on the Butcher’s Block sooner than later!

(002 is the first episode… I Know, I Know, long story!)

Check it out here: www.ButchersBlockTV.com

Enjoy!