Earlier this week I was enjoying a few beers at a bar (set to the soothing sounds of a four-hour Japanese jazz and soul set courtesy of CRC representative Callum), and was soon joined by my old mate Debonaire, who proceeded to drop a bomb on me when he announced that he’s decided to shut-up…
Author: Robbie Ettelson
Looking back at the first hundred issues of The Source magazine
Issue #62 of The Source (with a cover date of November 1994) marked the point that co-founder Dave Mays said ‘fuck it’ and threw-in a four page special on the group he was managing at the time just before the issue went to press. As a result, Jon ‘J. The Sultan’ Shecter, James Bernard, Reginald…
Conservative Rap Coalition Radio returns
I got to play some records on the radio tonight, which included some bootleg Nas remixes, QB raps and a bunch of First Priority Music singles. Download link
Download: A Salute To Scratch Tracks On Rap Albums
Much like the dreaded Rap Ballad, Hip-House Track or the R&B Crossover Attempt, the DJ Scratch Track has long been relegated to the foggy past of old rap albums. While the Rap DJ eventually got to the point where they could release entire albums of them scratching at a billion miles an hour, following on…
Video: Doo Wop and Da Bounce Squad – 1994 Electronic Press Kit
This is amazing on a number of levels. If you’re wondering why Da Bounce Squad album never dropped on Noo Trybe, Wop discussed that with me in 2009: So how did you get the Virgin deal? I only ever saw the 12″. Doo Wop: ‘The Bounce Master’ and ‘Hit ‘Em In The Head’. That’s what…
Chill Rob G – Dope Rhymes (original demo version)
If you don’t know the Ride The Rhythm album by heart then I’m not sure that we can be associates, let alone friends. Hearing this rough mix of Rob’s ‘Dope Rhymes’ has made my year. Download: Chill Rob G – Dope Rhymes (original demo version) Thanks again to Wilizm for putting me onto this incredible…
D-Nice – Call Me D-Nice (original version)
Here’s another one I used to rock the shit out of when a kid from my street got his hands on some Red Alert and Chuck Chillout radio tapes. I left the Black Rock and Ron and Latee promos in there because why wouldn’t you? Download: D-Nice – Call Me D-Nice (original version)
Boogie Down Productions – South Bronx (Crackhead DJ Diss Version)
I just lost my shit hearing this on a KISS-FM rip tonight, thinking I’d unearthed some lost treasure for the first time in recent history…but quickly realised it had already been released on the Traffic Entertainment gun-shaped USB stick (and later the ‘Elite Edition’) of Criminal Minded. Regardless, it’s great to hear this new intro…
The Other Finesse and Showbiz
I guess these Canadian lads didn’t have a subscription to The Source magazine in 1992. Pity the fool who copped 64 Crayons by mail-order and expected some prime D.I.T.C. music to appear on their door step. To add to the confusion, it seems that Finesse & Showbiz is the name of the group – not…
Captain G. Wiz – Red Alert Promo
One of these dudes is G. Wiz I guess. Captain G. Wiz was a member of the Mighty Mike Masters, who held it down with Freddy B for the memorable ‘The Main Event’ and the not-quite-as-great ‘The Main Event (Round 2)’, plus that single they did with Ced-Gee and Paul C. (‘We’re Back’/’Coolin’ On The…
Ultramagnetic MC’s – Bait (original version)
Photo by Janette Beckman Super duper, extra-large shout out to Wilizm in the comments for finding this gem, long since removed from when I first posted the YouTube version. If this isn’t in your top ten then why are you even listening to rap? Download: Ultramagnetic MC’s – ‘Bait’ (original version) Source: A vintage episode…
Mythical Rap Songs That Never Made It To The Internets
Countless demo tapes and outtakes have appeared on Youtube and boutique vinyl releases over the last twenty years, yet these five tunes still elude me: 1. Showbiz and Diamond D – ‘Where’s AG?’ 2. Da Lench Mob – ‘Pin The Tail On The Honky’ 3. KRS-One – ‘Return of the Boom Bap’ [OG version with…