I.U. is joined by his brother DJ Kay Cee as he discusses the making of Smooth Assassin, why he changed his style up for Lead Pipe, record label problems and why shit went bad with Treach from Naughty By Nature.
Category: The 90’s Files
Boogie Down Productions – Duck Down [Alternative Version]
More BDP action with this vinyl rip from Rob Pursey of Southern Hospitality. Apparently the UK pressing of the “Duck Down” 12″ features an alternative version of the Pal Joey produced track, despite being labeled as the “LP Version”. Sporting a looser deliver from KRS, an extra bassline and an extra verse going at X-Clan,…
Video: Joe Fatal Live at CBGB’s, 1992
Some rare footage of Joe Fatal’s brief rapping career, at a showcase that also included Artifacts, YAGGFU Front, Total Pack, Hard 2 Obtain and Legion of D.U.M.E. I had to emancipate this from the original account since they deaded embedding. You can catch footage of the other performances over there.
Unkut TV: Episode 21 – DJ Quik and Kurupt Live At The Laundry, 2013
DJ Quik and Kurupt came into town, so I wandered past to relive some 90’s LA rap action. The highlight of course was Quik beatboxing “New York, New York” for Kurupt, and his generous dispensing of booze to the front row while performing “Tonite”.
Macklemore Ripped-Off His Haircut From A 90’s Washington Rapper
For anyone who doesn’t have pale-faced “indy” rap sensation Macklemore condemned to death by firing squad based on his musical output, this should convince you. MC Class B-Max, aka Robert Bassett Ben Saunders from The Source‘s “Unsigned Hype” winning crew Brothers Of The Same Mind can clearly be seen sporting the same “funkee” hair-do as…
Video: Brand Nubian – Live In 1990
Apparently this Elektra Records showcase was filmed by Video Music Box (which I posted some of back when it dropped in 2012), and is notable for a number of reasons, not least a live performance of Brand Nubian‘s “The Devil”, which eventually appeared on one of those limited-edition vinyl releases from One Leg-Up, and make…
B-1 – The Unkut Interview
Queens resident B-1 is best remembered for his work with Kool G Rap and Large Professor, but with a lost tape single from 1997 dropping soon through Ill Adrenaline on 45 and cassette and a new album in the works, it turns out that his history in Queens rap runs deep. Not to mention I…
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…
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…
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…