Recently, a friend of mine tossed me an earful concerning the lack of Pittsburgh hip-hop represented on speed of the pittsburgh sound.  I couldn’t deny his accusation.  I paid attention to the biggies: Wiz Khalifa, Boaz, Discuss, Grand Buffet, Commonwealth Family, but not much else.  I decided I needed to search for a goldmine, a mammoth mix tape that would provide a primer to Pittsburgh’s (apparently thriving) underground hip-hop scene.

After my search had ended, I found two things.  1, STiLLTOWN, far and away the best hip-hop blog in town complete with album reviews, interviews, mixtape downloads and Pittsburgh scene news galore, run by upstart steel city producer and all around renaissance man Rory Webb. 2, Defining Ourselves Through Music Presents: Stilltown Vol.1, first of two consummate Burgh hip-hop compilations released late December 2009,  featuring heavy hitting MC’s (Jack Wilson, Apex, Jasiri X, Ayatollah Jaxx) and producers (Shade Cobain, Chim Beats, Spaed) from Pittsburgh and beyond.  I couldn’t help myself and reviewed my favorite cuts.  Tracks after the jump. Continue reading →