VA – QN5 Music: Asterisk One (CD) (2002) (FLAC + 320 kbps)

The imprint originally created by Tonedeff in 1997 as a means to independently release his debut project The Monotone EP and reformed in 2000 as the artist collective behind ‘the new hip hop’ movement, has established itself as one of the most refreshing, energetic and inventive brands in hip-hop history. With one of the most devout and outspoken fan communities in music today, QN5 Music proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that art-driven albums and a strict focus on fan-interaction are the keys to success in a an ailing industry driven by the principles of quantity-over-quality.

Following in the tradition of former indie-powerhouse, Rawkus Records, QN5 Music set out tocreate the next compilation that would serve as the definitve annual mixtape for the label. “Asterisk: 1” is a collection of exclusive & previously released singles, freestyles and b-sides 100% produced or featuring QN5 artists. The main purpose of this CD’s creation was to sell at Rocksteady Crew’s 25th Anniversary Celebration in New York City in 2002. Utitlizing the wonders of technology, the dextourously gifted DJ JS-1 mixed, chopped & blended the various QN5 cuts into one cohesive CD mixtape with no gaps or pauses between cuts.

This is 72 minutes of non-stop hip-hop music. This would also mark the 1st of many collaborations between the DJ & the label. Pressed as a mixtape, “Asterisk: 1” managed to introduce the label to countless throngs of hungry hip-hop heads, with such cuts as the Kno-produced, “Arrogant” and the very first appearance of Extended Famm on “The Evil That Pens Do”. Although,
much of what is contained on “Asterisk 1” is previously released material, there are a few truly exclusive tracks that can’t be found on any other release in their entirety.

Tracks such as The Plague’s now infamous “Most High (Plague Anthem)” (complete with a 13.5 syllables per second appearance by Tonedeff), Mr. Mecca’s first CD appearance on “Alphamale” and Deacon The Villain’s ridiculously infectious roller, “Woodgrain”. Although “Asterisk: One” pales in comparison to the concentrated effort for exclusivity made on sequel,
the mere fact that this is the first QN5 mixtape is reason alone to pick this one up.

Tracklist:

01 – DJ JS-1 – Intro
02 – Tonedeff, PackFM, Substantial, & Rise – Arrogant
03 – Extended Famm – The Evil That Pens Do
04 – Uncle T – Codename- Fuckyall (feat. iCON the Mic King, Tonedeff, & PackFM)
05 – Tonedeff – Heads Up
06 – Tee Soprano – Million Dollar Bill (feat. Nice2Ice)
07 – KRS-ONE – Clear Em Out (ft. Tonedeff)
08 – Mr. Mecca – Alphamale
09 – Extended Famm – How U Doin (feat. Mr. Mecca)
10 – Tonedeff – Spanish Song
11 – PackFM – Relay Remix (feat. Wordsworth & Rise)
12 – Mr. Mecca – Insecure
13 – Tonedeff – Shag!
14 – Deacon The Villain – Woodgrain
15 – Deacon The Villain – Against The Wall
16 – Tonedeff – Freeverse
17 – Tonedeff – Move In, Ride Out
18 – The Plague – Most High (Plague Anthem)

Download:

FLAC – Wayshare

320 kbps – Wayshare