Phade, Gizmo and Milk at the Latin Quarters, 1987 During the formative days of the mid 80’s, when Run-DMC, Kurtis Blow and the Fat Boys were the biggest names in rap, the New York club scene was a vital part of the hip-hop food chain, providing both essential networking opportunities and the chance for new…
Category: The 80’s Files
Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick – La Di Da Di [Live At The Polo Grounds]
Now that my entire vinyl collection has been reunited at the CRC HQ, I can get back to the time-honored tradition of ripping vinyl again. To set it off, here’s a live recording of the “La Di Da Di” from the Polo Grounds at some time in the 80’s. It cuts off before the big…
The Aaron Fuchs Debate
The wolves are out. Irate rap fans everyone are calling for Aaron Fuchs‘ head on a pike following with the recent news that his publishing company Tuf America was suing singer Frank Ocean for unauthorized use of Mary J. Blige‘s “Real Love,” which he sung a portion of in the track “Super Rich Kids.” Predictably,…
Timeless Classics Or Only Classics For Their Time?
Every now and then, one of these rap websites puts together a list along the lines of “The 30 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of 1993” and such, which in theory isn’t something I should have an issue with. The reason I mention it is that a decent proportion of these albums – most of which are…
DJ Cash Money – Echo Scratch
One of Philly’s favorite sons unleashing four minutes of fury on Lady B‘s The Street Beat radio show. Stuff like this reminds me of why I became hopelessly addicted to this here rap music. Bonus echo:
Sir Ibu – The Unkut Interview
Born and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant/Crown Heights, Sir Ibu cemented a place in rap folklore with a record called “Holy War (Live)”, which still stands as one of the rawest examples of beats and rhymes ever recorded, so much so that Ghostface recreated a portion of it on his own modern-day remake named “Mighty Healthy”. Beyond…
Hear A Legendary Brooklyn MC Attempt To Rap With An Australian Accent
Remember how you used to hang out with your pals, wondering outloud when somebody would make a rap record where the MC would promise, “I’m going to come Australian, then I’m going to come Reggae, and then I’m going to come Hip Hop”? Turns out that Sir Ibu did that in 1987 on the b-side…
Big Daddy Kane, Sir Ibu and Kings of Swing – Radio Freestyle
This has been floating around for a few years but I only just caught it now. Sir IBU is currently on my Top 5 most-wanted interviews list. dirty waters sez: “This is pretty rare material here, a freestyle session featuring Big Daddy Kane, Sir Ibu (of the Divine Force), and the Kings of Swing (a…
Video: The Tuff City Records Story, Episode Three
Aaron Fuchs discusses working with Pumpkin, addresses the Ultramagnetic Basement Tapes controvery, names his three favorite Tuff City records and reflects and how the music histroy books will view his legacy.
Video: Mantronix On Kids TV Show In 1986 UK
All praise due to grandgood for unearthing this piece of YouTube gold. As you see, I learned everything I know about interviewing rapper dudes from the host of Lift Off.
Video: The Tuff City Records Story, Episode Two
Aaron Fuchs continues discussing key moments in Tuff City history, including working with Teddy Riley, Spoonie Gee, Marley Marl, DJ Hot Day and the Cold Crush Brothers.
Video: The Tuff City Records Story, Episode One
Tuff City Records founder Aaron Fuchs discusses starting the label in the early 80’s, his history as a music critic and the story behind some of the first records he released in the first part of this in-depth interview.