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…
Category: Not Your Average
Never less than ill
Gettin’ Kinda Hectic: Snap! and Chill Rob G’s Epic ‘Power’ Struggle
Newest latest for the good people at Cuepoint is an in-depth look at the story behind Snap! and ‘The Power,’ covering Chill Rob G‘s response, how Penny Ford was recruited to add new vocals and an unfortunate incident involving Turbo B and some drag queens in Boston. Gettin’ Kinda Hectic: Snap! and Chill Rob G’s…
Download: A Salute To The Rhyme Syndicate
Ice-T’s Rhyme Syndicate was one of the more unusual extended rap crews, with a core membership that included everyone from old school veteran Donald D, ‘Caucasian Sensation’ Everlast, rapper/crooner dude Bronx Style Bob and acid casualty Divine Styler. According to the Syndicate Facebook page, which looks like it’s run by Donald D, the official role…
Black Rob – The Unkut Interview, Volume Two
Back in 2013, I got to chat to Black Rob for ten minutes as he was on his way to the studio. This time around I tried not to repeat the same questions, but unfortunately I caught him as he was trying to catch some food. Guess some things just aren’t meant to work out,…
The Missing Ingredients – When Good Rap Chemistry Gets Abandoned
You know those times when groups are greater than the sum of their parts? Here are some examples of rappers and producers who, despite their talents, were less effective on their own. CL Smooth without Pete Rock Corey has always been technically strong but without Peter it was hard to care about what he was…
How might rap have evolved without the record business?
After transcribing my video interview with Tuff City founder Aaron Fuchs recently, I came across this intriguing quote: Aaron Fuchs: The Bronx and Harlem were worlds apart cultural by the time the 70’s happened, because Harlem’s a community and The Bronx was burnt-out, but they were geographically very close to each other. You had hip-hop…
Rap Albums To Get Stuck On A Desert Island With [2000-2015 Edition]
If, by some tragic turn of fate, all rap released prior to the year 2000 was somehow obliterated from the face of the earth and you were given the opportunity to take twenty CD’s to pass the time while I wasted away in exile on some deserted island (stay with me here), then what would…
Grand Daddy I.U. feat. Shawn Haynes – My Neck Of The Woods
R.I.P. Easy Rick. Taken from the Paper Is My Priority LP.
Flavor Flav – Party In My Pants [Early 80’s demo]
A few months ago Random Rap Radio dug up an early MC DJ Flavor tape from the Spectrum City era when Terminator X was still calling himself DJ Mellow Dee. The hook for this record is nothing short of incredible.
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Predicting Future Kanye West Collaborations With Aging Rockers
Following Sir Paul’s awkward connect with Ye and RiRi, I predict some future uncomfortable collaborations. No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Predicting Future Kanye West Collaborations With Aging Rockers
Non-Rapper Dudes Series: Freddy Fresh Interview
This morning I had a quick chat with DJ, producer and record collector Freddy Fresh about B-Boy Records, Breakbeat Lenny, The Rap Records book and the correct storage of 45’s. Freddy’s latest album, Play The Music, is out this March. Robbie: How did you get involved in remixing a track for BDP’s Man and His…
Ten Examples of Kid Rap That Aren’t Embarrassing
Kid Rap became a fad in the early 90’s, but youngsters rapping has been going on since the beginning of hip-hop. Matter of fact, some of them had more to offer than shaved heads and shouted choruses. Tragedy and LL were sonning their peers back when they were 14 and 16, respectively. Meanwhile, Jeff from…