Time and time again I read claims that the reason why the producers who cut their teeth in the 12-bit sampling era aren’t bringing the same level of beat-making wizardry to the table is because they’ve moved on from their dusty old SP-1200’s, MPC 60’s and EPS’. I’m claiming bullshit. Sure, there’s no denying that…
Author: Robbie Ettelson
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Pain of the Ignored Diss Record
Nothing worse than pouring your heart and soul into shitting on another rapper only to be greeted by deathly silence. No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Pain of the Ignored Diss Record
Introducing The 90’s Rapper Where Are They Now Detective Agency
Do you ever sit around and wonder ‘What the hell happened to that marginally talented rap crew who released an album in the early nineties?’ If so, I’m here to help. It turns out that some of your old favorites didn’t all go back to working ‘civilian’ jobs after the roller coaster ride that is…
Dream Team Rap Combos
There’s going to be a Sean Price album produced entirely by Lil’ Fame, which is a true reason for the CRC to celebrate since it means that we don’t have to hear Termanology waste any more Fizzy Womack beats for a little while, but also because they both continue to put in some fine work….
Download: A Salute To Howie Tee
Hitman Howie Tee got his start as part of CD III, before laying down the demo version of ‘Roxanne Roxanne’ for UTFO and helping out Full Force with some material, before lending his talents to Whistle, Chubb Rock, Special Ed, the Real Roxanne and Little Shawn. Later in his career he branched out into reggae…
The New Music Seminar Battle For World Supremacy: An Oral History
The NMS Battle for World Supremacy was the place to be if you wanted make a name for yourself in the late 80s. Here are some of those involved reporting directly from the front line… The New Music Seminar Battle For World Supremacy: An Oral History
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Drawn-Out Demise of the Diss Record
As the WWF (World of [W]rap Fuckery) continues to flourish, I can’t help but pine for the days when rappers would make actual diss songs in between the theatrics. No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Drawn-Out Demise of the Diss Record
Whistle – From Rap Group To New Jack Swingers
Forgive me if this is common knowledge, but I only just realized that the group Whistle, best known for their 1985 hit ‘(Nothing Serious) Just Buggin,’ released four albums on the Select label. Jazzy Jazz, Kool Doobie and DJ Silver Spinner were the original line-up, with Kraze and Terk joining in ’90 after Jazzy Jazz…
Rap Game DeLorean
So Doc Brown shows up and says you can borrow the modified DeLoran to go back in time. Where do you go? Here are a few rap related suggestions once you’ve tired of trips to ancient Egypt, seen the dinosaurs and punched Hitler in the throat: 1. Checking out Kool Herc DJing his sister’s rent…
Video: Ghostface Claps Back At Action Bronson
Ouch. Let’s give them four minutes each over ‘Impeach’ to settle this.
Download: A Salute To Hurby Luv Bug
Hurby ‘Lug Bug’ Azor played a big part in exposing a different style of Queens rap to the world as his Idol Makers crew concentrated on dressing fly, club hopping and bagging the opposite sex, largely favoring story-telling over the classic brag and boast technique. Hurby’s appreciation of go-go beats, DMX shakers and classic breakbeats…
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Sugar Hill Records – The Hit Factory That Robbed Everybody Blind
Following the death of Joey Robinson Jnr. this week, I take a look at how his family’s legacy of great music and bad business. No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Sugar Hill Records – The Hit Factory That Robbed Everybody Blind