Once upon a time, around 1985 at Unique recording studio in New York city, Marley Marl accidentally sampled a snare drum. It was a mistake, initially, as he’d instructed the engineer to grab a vocal snippet for the Captain Rock song he was remixing at the time. When he played the sound on the keyboard…
Author: Robbie Ettelson
Searching For The Perfect Remix: Marley Marl
Engineer All-Star Marley Marl came from the era when a remix often meant turning-up the drums, dropping out the main loop occasionally and adding a horn blast and some echo, but even when the additions were relatively minor, they proved to be incredibly effective. The remixed versions of ‘Vapors’ and ‘Shootin’ The Gift’ both maintain…
Rick Ross’ Simple Simon Rhymin Kit
Any parent that doesn’t cop this for there kids this Xmas is a Bad MotherFuckin’ dad… Another Odds & Ends sure shot.
Did Russell Simmons Blackball Marley Marl?
Last week I received a book in the mail to review, called The BeatTips Manual, by Amir “Sa’id” Said. I haven’t finished it yet, since I’m also in the middle of reading How To Wreck A Nice Beach, but one of the first sections I checked-out were the interview transcriptions at the back. One in…
The Unkut Guide To Rap Battles That Never Happened
If there is one tried-and-tested topic of talk to get rap addicts animated, it’s imaginary battles. You know, shit like, ‘What would have happened if the Fu-Schnickens had squared-off against Das-Efx, yo?’ OK, maybe not so much that example, but you get the idea. Here are a few to chew over: LL Cool J vs…
Fat Beats Memories: Marco Polo
Yesterday saw the announcement that the brick and mortar stores of Fat Beats would be closing their doors in New York and LA after sixteen years: Fat Beats will celebrate the legacies of the stores, which are scheduled to close in early September (New York: September 4th, Los Angeles: September 18th) by throwing a series…
Are Weak Hooks Ruining Rap?
One of the many notable moments from the 2nd episode of The Combat Jack Radio Show was when the topic of ‘Verse of the Year’ came up. Dallas declared that Black Thought was the current holder of that title thanks to his rousing performance on ‘Walk Alone’ from How I Got Over. Despite being aware…
The Combat Jack Radio Show Will Slap Fire Out Your Ass
Not sure how I missed the debut last week, but I just caught the second episode of The Combat Jack Radio Show with Dallas Penn on PNC Radio, and I think it’s safe to say we’ve got a keeper on our hands. The Combat Jack Radio Show feat. Dallas Penn – ‘Episode 2’
Searching For The Perfect Remix: Diamond D
Diamond D was never too heavily involved in the remix game, but in the early days he cashed some checks where he could, and the was able to lend his sound to some otherwise forgettable groups like the Private Investigators and The A.T.E.E.M. His work for Brand Nubian and Ras Kass, however? Effin’ incredible. Welcome…
Double J – The Unkut Interview
From his independent heater ‘Cannibal Town’, through to his The Hitman album and his work as a member of the Maniac Mob on The D&D Project, founding Flavor Unit soldier Double J has been doing his thing to rep Jersey City over the years without getting caught out by the music game. Robbie: When did…
What Numbers Did It Do?
Another Home Office sure shot…
Why Rap Doesn’t Age Well
“These kids don’t appreciate music from last week, let alone ten years ago!” This is something that a lot of people – artists in particular – like to complain about. It’s a valid point though. Any mention of ‘older rappers’ in the media draws the inevitable comparisons with the Rolling Stones, who continue to tour…