Despite having a voice that can shatter glass and sends packs of stray dogs running for the hills, Milk Dee has built an entire career on the back of one song, which he then managed to sample or reference in every single thing since. Unlike most unfortunate 80’s rappers on indy labels, Milk’s dad owned…
Category: Not Your Average
Never less than ill
Why I Don’t Trust ?uestlove
There’s always been something that’s irked me about Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson. Whether it’s his painful name-drop stunting antics on Twitter, endlessly banging on about watching Prince roller skate or recording increasingly self-indulgent albums with The Roots, I’ve long suspected that the internets most beloved “music nerd” isn’t all that he’s cracked up to be. Sure,…
That Shit I Don’t Like: Freestyle Fellowship – Innercity Griots
If there is one thing that really pisses me off, it’s pretentious Coffee Shop Art Rap. This album was released during the height of the “experimental” LA hip-hop movement, which gave us high-pitched whiny efforts such as The Pharcyde and The Wascals (who were just a shittier version of the former). I guess we should…
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…
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…
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…
Lakim Shabazz – The Unkut Interview, Part 1
With the exception of Queen Latifah, Lakim Shabazz proved to be the most prolific of the original Flavor Unit line-up, releasing two albums and a long list of guest spots on 45 King projects during his time at Tuff City. Despite his diminutive frame, Lakim wielded “the voice of power” with authority, as he combined…
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Remembering Record Labels and Rap Radio
The game has changed. I attempt to analyse the development. No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Remembering Record Labels and Rap Radio
Freshco – The Unkut Interview, Part 2
Concluding my talk with Freshco, he details what went down in the New Music Seminar in 1990, teaming up with DJ Miz, the mutual respect he shared with other top-tier lyricists and why his career as an MC didn’t turn out the way he’d hoped. Robbie: How did you get involved with the NMS? Freshco:…
Freshco – The Unkut Interview, Part 1
Freshco is best remembered as the being the winner of the 1990 New Music Seminar Battle For World Supremacy MC Battle who teamed up with the winner of the DJ Battle from that same year, DJ Miz. That story was covered in detail in the documentary World Supreme Hip-Hop, but there is a lot more…
Video: Live Squad – Game of Survival: The Movie
Stretch, Majesty, K-Lowe and Biggy Smallz of the Live Squad ensured that no shorts for this outstanding VHS exclusive which features random shootings, babies getting thrown out of windows, contact killings and hooker executions. Poor old Stretch also took the fall for Tupac getting shot and robbed in New York, which allegedly resulted in his…
Ten Great Flavor Unit Songs
Got a major Flavor Unit interview ready to drop soon, so I’m going in extra deep (pause) on their extensive catalog. Here are ten of sure shots from the greatest collection of MC’s that New Jersey ever produced.