THE BATTLECAT COLLECTION

Quik and Dre are rightfully lauded as the giants of West Coast hip-hop, but one guy that deserves to be mentioned in the same breath is Kevin “DJ Battlecat” Gilliam. This dude is g-funk in the flesh. Amazing. Originally a radio DJ at KDAY, he blew up as a producer in ’93 with Domino’s huge hits “Getto Jam” and “Sweet Potato Pie,” adding a cooled-out, jazzy R&B flavor to the funk-based sound of the minute (Doggystyle came out two weeks before Domino’s debut).

Since then, Battlecat has become a West Coast staple, producing hits and hidden gems on a slew of classic albums, from Ras Kass to Snoop. I was watching video video of him in the studio recently (this one), and it really made sense that he would be such a big Tribe Called Quest fan. He’s sort of gotten pigeonholed as a niche West Coast-only producer for whatever reason, despite his creativity, track record and amazing musicality. A lot of great producers come and fade away, but a Cat track is still as dope today as it was in 1995. Take a listen to this week’s release and you’ll hear what I mean. I compiled some highlights from the last 20 years…

UGGH…NICE WATCH PRESENTS:
THE BATTLECAT COLLECTION: SIDE A
1. Kam “In Traffic” (1995)
2. Tha Dogg Pound “Stop Lyin'” (2006)
3. Domino “Getto Jam” (1993)
4. Lucy Pearl f/ Snoop Dogg & Q-Tip “You” (2000)
5. Mr. Short Khop f/ Kokane “Dollaz, Drank & Dank” (2000)
6. Bloods & Crips “Bangin’ On Wax” (1993)
7. Dru Down “Playa Fo’ Real” (1996)
8. 213 “Keep It Gangsta” (2004)
9. Kurupt “We Can Freak It” (1998)
10. Ras Kass “Marinatin'” (1996)
11. Snoop Dogg f/ Kokane “Stacey Adams” (2000)
12. Joi “Tennessee Slim Is The Bomb” (2006)
13. Faith Evans “Faithfully” (2001)
14. Quo “Quo Funk” (1994)
15. King T “Skweez Ya Ballz” (1998)
16. Dazzie Dee “Everybody Wants To be A Gangsta (1995)
17. Spice 1 “Busta’s Can’t See Me” (1994)
18. Golden State “Bounce, Rock, Golden State” (2001)
19. Mr. Mike f/ Mack 10 “Why Fall In Love” (1999)
20. Bookie “These Nutz” (1999)
21. Tha Eastsidaz f/ Butch Cassidy “G’d Up” (1999)
22. Battlecat f/ Hot B, Ras Kass & Skitso G “On Top Of The World” (1995)

UGGH…NICE WATCH PRESENTS:
THE BATTLECAT COLLECTION: SIDE B
1. DJ Battlecat “DJ-N-Effect” (1988)
2. Tash f/ Snoop Dogg, Kurupt & Xzibit “G’z Is G’z (Remix)” (2000)
3. 2Pac “Temptations (Battlecat Hip Hop Mix)” (1995)
4. Domino “Sweet Potatoe Pie” (1993)
5. Dazzie Dee f/ Ice Cube & K-Dee “Ain’t No Busta’s This Way” (1995)
6. Xzibit “Get Your Walk On” (2000)
7. WC “Just Clowin'” (1997)
8. Bobby Jimmy & The Critters “Prankster Prankster” (1990)
9. Tyrese f/ Snoop Dogg “Just a Baby Boy” (2001)
10. Busta Rhymes f/ Kokane “Ass On Your Shoulders” (2001)
11. I Smooth 7 “Coolin’ In Da Ghetto” (1995)
12. Doggys Angels f/ Snoop Dogg “Baby If You’re Ready” (2000)
13. Tom Jones “I Don’t Think So” (1994)
14. E-40 f/ Nate Dogg “Nah, Nah…” (2000)
15. Battlecat “Blue 64” (1995)
16. Playa Hamm “Wit’ My Truz” (2001)
17. Poppa LQ f/ Menace Clan “Die Like A Gee Or Live Like A Trick” (1995)
18. A Lighter Shade Of Brown “Paquito Soul” (1990)
19. Boo Yaa TRIBE f/ Fiji “Carson City” (2003)
20. Gonzoe “You’ll Neva Get Next To Me” (1998)
21. Blak Czer “Sick As A Bitch” (1994)
22. Tha Dogg Pound “Cali Iz Active” (2006)

DOWNLOAD: SIDE A / SIDE B

ALL SONGS WERE PRODUCED, REMIXED AND/OR PERFORMED BY THE LEGENDARY DJ BATTLECAT!