As the first rapper from Cleveland signed to a New York label, MC Chill made history not only as a recording artist but later as the leader of a crew of local battle MC’s who had a major impact on the New Music Seminar in the late 80’s. From the days where it actually was…
Category: Interviews
Q & A’s
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…
DJ Too Tuff [Tuff Crew] – The Unkut Interview
Philly’s Tuff Crew were the result of throwing Public Enemy, Ultramgnetic and Schoolly-D into a blender. Hard rhymes and abrasive beats left no doubt that these northside b-boys were repping their town to the fullest. Best known for the catchy “My Part of Town”, their second and third albums still hold up today as a…
TR Love [Ultramagnetic MC’s] – The Unkut Interview, Volume 2
Around the same time I talked to DJ Moe Love in 2010, I also did a follow-up interview with TR Love, aka The Funk Ignitor, covering the early days of Ultramagnetic MC’s, his knowledge of the break beat game, connection with the Zulu DJ’s and how they used to put it down for live shows…
DJ Moe Love [Ultramagnetic MC’s] – The Unkut Interview
When I caught-up with DJ Moe Love in 2010, he sounded as if he was two-sheets to the wind as he explained why he and TR Love hadn’t been involved in the Best Kept Secret LP, and why they decided to release their own Ultramagnetic Foundation project. We also talked about the early days of…
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…
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…
Unsigned Skype: M. Will
Marlon Williams, Jr. is the son of the greatest hip-hop producer of all time, Engineer All-Star Marley Marl. That’s a lot of pressure to deal with. Nevertheless, this classically-trained musician eventually found himself drawn into the world of beats and rhymes. His last couple of instrumental projects – dedications to Dexter Wansel and Alan Parsons…
DJ Chuck Chillout – The Unkut Interview
In response to Mr. Magic‘s Rap Attack show on WBLS, New York’s KISS-FM mounted a counter-attack by recruiting DJ Chuck Chillout and Kool DJ Red Alert. The resulting competition meant that Tri-Borough residents were spoiled for choice in the mid to late 80’s when it came to hip-hop on the radio. Chuck was also a…
Lakim Shabazz – The Unkut Interview, Part 2
Concluding my discussion with Lakim Shabazz, he talks about leaving Tuff City, remembering his friend Apache, Queen Latifah incorporating the Flavor Unit name and plans for his final album. Robbie: So how long after the second album did you get off Tuff City? Lakim Shabazz: I was being managed by Dave Funkenklein. At one point…