The major label machine might have helped push "Royal Highness" to the masses, but the Kottonmouth Kings are proving today that their heart still beats strictly for the underground. Today, the group dropped "Hidden Stash," a massive 17-track compilation of B-sides, remixes, rarities, and unreleased cuts. 

Instead of waiting on corporate approval from Capitol Records, the boys routed this release entirely through their own Suburban Noize imprint. This is a massive statement of independence. The album features heavily remixed versions of classics like "Suburban Life" and "Dog's Life," but also gives diehard fans a raw look at the gritty, unpolished tracks that didn't make the major-label cut. 

This release sets a new precedent for the rap-rock scene: you don't need a massive marketing budget to feed your fanbase. By taking control of their own distribution and giving the underground exactly what they asked for, KMK is building a blueprint for total independence. Go grab the CD and hear the raw evolution of the SubNoize sound.

  Suburban Noize just dropped a brand-new instrumental project into the underground. Today marks the release of "99 Rips Beyond," the debut solo album from Kottonmouth Kings' resident DJ, Bobby B. Billed as a massive hip-hop turntablist journey, it's packed with heavy basslines, breakbeats, and smoke-session vibes. It actually bumps. But it is time to keep things 100% real about what is actually happening behind the boards in the SubNoize studios.

Let's address the elephant in the room: Bobby B is notorious for being a stage DJ. His primary job is jumping around, waving a towel, and pretending to scratch live at KMK shows. His actual production skills have always been highly questionable. So, how does a guy who barely touches the actual studio faders suddenly drop a fully fleshed-out, highly engineered instrumental record? 

He had massive help, and the label is hiding the true architects. 

If you want to know who actually built the loops and engineered this project, look directly at Patrick "P-Nice" Shevelin. P-Nice is the unsung studio workhorse carrying Bobby's solo career on his back, doing the actual heavy lifting to make Bobby look like a master producer on paper. Of course, you also can't ignore the influence of Mike Kumagai, who is simultaneously building the beats for the upcoming "Hidden Stash" compilation and undoubtedly lent some of his unappreciated genius to polish this up. Add in mastering by the legendary Dibbs to give the tracks that massive final punch, and you have a team of real talent propping up a stage DJ's solo debut.

"99 Rips Beyond" is definitely worth picking up if you need a solid instrumental soundtrack to spark up to. But as you listen to those perfectly timed cuts and heavy beats, don't be fooled by the marketing. Give your respect to P-Nice, Kumagai, and Dibbs—the hidden geniuses in the studio who are actually carrying this label on their backs. This is some Milli Vanilli shit, huh?