Pretty Tone Capone in the studio with Real Live, 2004. Photo: richdirection The infamous Pretty Tone Capone from Harlem’s Mob Style is about to return to the rap game. While I haven’t heard his new material yet, his work with the group and as a soloist has given us some of the most authentic street…
Category: Interviews
Q & A’s
Tom Silverman [Tommy Boy/NMS] – The Unkut Interview
Here’s the complete transcript of my talk with Tom Silverman, who created the Dance Music Report and Tommy Boy Records in addition to co-founding the New Music Seminar, home of the MC and DJ Battle for World Supremacy. There’s a lot that I couldn’t fit into the NMS oral history piece from last month, so…
Street Life – The Unkut Interview
According to his MySpace caption, those are not Street Life’s boots. Method Man‘s loyal right-hand man and road dawg Street Life talked about growing up in Staten Island, makes it clear that he wasn’t feeling the last Wu-Tang album and hints that this might be the second last solo album from Tical. The Meth Lab…
Devin The Dude – The Unkut Interview
I kicked it with Devin The Dude about how he came up in the rap game while somehow neglecting any direct questions about getting high. With a discography that stretches back to 1994 and a discography that features an impressive roster of big names including Dr. Dre, DJ Premier, Scarface and Nas, Devin has seen…
The Original Flavor Unit: An Oral History
This is the most complete Original Flavor Unit oral history I could put together without access to Queen Latifah or Latee. The Original Flavor Unit: An Oral History
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
Kool G Rap’s The Giancana Story: An Oral History
Here’s a look back at the ill-fated marriage between Kool G Rap and Rawkus Records that I put together for Red Bull Music Academy Daily: Kool G Rap’s The Giancana Story: An Oral History
Breakbeat Lou – The Unkut Interview
Here’s the full version of my Breakbeat Lou interview, some of which was used in my Ultimate Breaks and Beats: An Oral History feature. Robbie: How did you meet Lenny Roberts? Breakbeat Lou: Lenny I’d met at Saul’s Record Pool, back in the early 80’s. There was a feedback committee meeting that we had and…
The Avengers’ Age of Analog: The Power Records Story
If you’re nerdy enough to collect records and comics, then the Power Records catalog would be your holy grail. In my newest Cuepoint article, I’ve researched the label responsible for some classic childhood memories and some great samples for rap records. The Avengers’ Age of Analog: The Power Records Story
Psycho Les [The Beatnuts] – The Unkut Interview
Following on from last year’s interview with former Beatnut Al’ Tariq, I finally got a chance to speak with Psycho Les about the ups and downs of one of rap’s greatest groups. Turns out that Les’ history foes back even further than I thought, as he revealed he worked at Music Factory during high school…
Aaron Fuchs [Tuff City] – The Unkut Interview, Part Two
Concluding my discussion with Tuff City Records founder Aaron Fuchs, he talks about working with The 45 King, Lakim Shabazz and the Flavor Unit, the ‘Crack It Up’ single, the Ultramagnetic compilations and the highlights of his discography. Robbie: The 45 King had a big impact on the Tuff City discography. How did that relationship…
Aaron Fuchs [Tuff City] – The Unkut Interview, Part One
Aaron Fuchs‘ Tuff City label was the David to Def Jam‘s Goliath in the early 80’s. The label would go on to deliver important records from the Cold Crush Brothers, Spoonie Gee, The 45 King and Lakim Shabazz, to name but a few. Aaron talked extensively about how to keep your head above water in…