The Curse Of The Shirtless Rapper is very, very real. Also, pause at the artwork that accompanies this week’s column. No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Keep Ya Shirt On
Author: Robbie Ettelson
Two More TJ Swan Demos Unearthed
Back in 2010 I received a recording of a TJ Swan demo recorded from Tim Westwood‘s show in 1988 titled “Mellow Love”, although someone claiming to be affiliated with Swan then contacted me and demand that I remove the track on the grounds that: “This was a practice session. Swan wrote and sang the song…
Milano Constantine – The Unkut Interview
Having cut his teeth working with the Diggin’ In The Crates crew at the beginning of his career, Milano Constantine went on to sign a deal with Warner Bros. but was let go before the project was released. Thanks to a handful of independent singles, four mixtapes and notable guest spots with The Beatnuts and…
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Day The Weed Carriers Took Over
The rap food chain is all over the place right now, as weed carriers are suddenly getting top billing… No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Day The Weed Carriers Took Over
Rewind Wednesdays: Mobb Deep – The Infamous Track By Track Review
Just helped out on this piece over at Takin’ Mines: Released just a week after the one year anniversary of Nas’ Illmatic, Mobb Deep’s Loud debut, The Infamous, is nothing short of a masterpiece. Although historically, Illmatic has been held to the standard as the best rap album of all time, it’s fair to consider…
R.A. The Rugged Man – The Unkut Interview
Trying to interview R.A. The Rugged Man without treading over the well-worn ground of his expulsion from Jive Records and working with Biggie Smalls was challenge I was more than willing to meet. Having experienced the major label glory days, the independent vinyl boom and having managed to not only survive but actually thrive in…
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Case Against A&R’s
Time to play the “blame game” for all those token love/dance/radio songs that spoil otherwise great albums… No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Case Against A&R’s
Is All New Rap Drug Music?
What with the current influx of Molly Rap, Acid Rap, Loud Rap, Lean Rap, Yayo Rap, Bath Salts Rap and whatever the fuck else these characters are getting bent off, it seems like we’ve returned to the Slow Rap era that Cypress Hill heralded in the early nineties. Does that mean that we need to…
Pudgee The Phat Bastard – The Unkut Interview, Part 2
Following on from Part 1, Pudgee explains his involvement with Main Source‘s “Live At The BBQ”, his shelved second solo LP, the importance of The Bronx and dealing with the deaths of Tupac, Biggie and Left Eye. Robbie: On the intro to your album, the Trackmasterz seemed to include a larger crew than just Poke…
Tragedy and Craig G – Live At The In Control Show [1989]
Here’s some Rap Radio gold courtesy of my man’s Will C: “Tragedy the Intelligent Hoodlum back to back with Craig G live on arguably the greatest rap radio show of all time. This is the Marley Marl In Control Rap Show on 107.5 WBLS from what appears to be April or May 1989. Seeing as…
Pudgee The Phat Bastard – The Unkut Interview, Part 1
Pudgee The Phat Bastard was on the forefront of punchline rap in the early 90’s. As part of the Trackmasterz crew, he delivered a strong debut album called Give ‘Em The Finger, which featured appearances from Kool G Rap, MC Lyte and Snaggapuss. His future was looking bright, but problems with his second record label…
Why I Was Wrong About Illmatic
Like many of you, the first time I heard Nasty Nas was through his stirring performance on Main Source’s seminal “Live At The BBQ”, but it was initial exposure to “Halftime” on a local radio show that really got me amped. I was so impressed with the track that I eventually went on to describe…