Run DMC without Jam Master Jay is like Harold Melvin without the Bluenotes, they ain’t never gonna play (apologies to Snoop D oh double G). So without further ado, I’d like to introduce you lucky listners to the Reverand Run, aka Run from RUN DMC. I picked up his new album this weekend and it’s like taking a very cool trip back to 1988, but with newer beats and some wicked samples.

Hearing Run brag it like before and lay down the snide putdowns is cool and the gang, but most thrilling is hearing him in the challenging yet slick atmosphere Whiteboy creates. Sampling “Sweet Home Alabama” for “Home Sweet Home” is clever, but looping the stomp of Kiss’ “God of Thunder,” cutting Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock N’ Roll” into a razor-sharp loop, and lifting a part of Blondie’s “Rapture” that you’d never thought would be lifted is how he goes from nobody to the next underground, mash-up idol à la Diplo.

Half of the reason to love him is that despite his ability to create jaw-droppingly smart and fun loops, he’s a very intuitive producer and knows when to unclutter everything and let the Rev through.

Click here to check out the video… Old Skool!

As one time producer of Jay-Z, Kanye West realised the big money is on the other side of the mixing desk. He kicked off his own career with the kick-ass Late Registration last year. Anyone who’s heard Jesus Walks will know where I’m coming from. Anyhoo, his newest album - College Dropout is pretty damn good - I’ve yet to find a bad track on the entire CD, except for the skits. I hate skits… Eminem did an ok job, but then everyone wanted to add a few… I’m wondering when we’ll see the first CD full of Skits with the occaisional music track… Remember, you read it here first.