Continuing my talk with Spyder-D, we discuss his relationship with Sparky-D, the saga of Kool Moe Dee ripping-off his song, record label headaches and why Run won’t talk to him anymore. Robbie: Was the Tuff City compilation of your early work an authorized release? Spyder-D: I wouldn’t be surprised if Tuff City didn’t have something…
Category: Not Your Average
Never less than ill
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Conservative Rap Coalition Style Guide
The CRC is deeper than rap. No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Conservative Rap Coalition Style Guide
Spyder-D – The Unkut Interview, Part 1
Photo: Talib Haqq Spyder-D has quite the forgotten legacy. He was the first MC to release a record on his own label (“Big Apple Rappin’”, 1980), was sporting the pork-pie hat that inspired Run-DMC, helped “The Smurf” dance spread across America and stalked Vaughn Mason, all before 1985. He later had a song ripped-off by…
Snaggapuss – The Unkut Interview
Bronx-bred MC Snaggapuss got his start with the Trackmasterz before joining DJ Doo Wop’s Bounce Squad and landing a solo deal with Virgin. After some false starts, Snaggapuss has returned with Black Rob and Doo Wop for a second go-round, this time balancing his Snaggapuss character with Snaggadon. Robbie: Why are you calling yourself Snaggadon…
Craig G – The Unkut Interview
MC Craig G started his recording career back in 1985 with “Shout” on Lawrence Goodman‘s Philadelphia-based Pop Art label in 1985, before “Droppin’ Science” for Marley Marl and releasing two solo albums on Atlantic before he took the independent route. Despite being initially known for his freestyle skills, Craig has since refined his song-writing abilities…
Ralph McDaniels – The Unkut Interview, Part 2
Continuing the session with Video Music Box legend Uncle Ralph McDaniels, he discusses his Classic Concept Productions music video company, dealing with the competition, working on the movie Juice, his Lifer’s Group documentary and why $amhill is ahead of his time. Robbie: When did it get to the stage where Video Music Box became your…
The Unkut Guide To Rappers Dissing The Source Magazine
It’s tough being the Big Man On Campus in the wacky world of Rap Magazines. The Source had a great run where they were basically unchallenged for years – despite some good work from Hip Hop Connection in the UK, they couldn’t match the access that the Mind Squadd had to cutting-edge New York music…
Ralph McDaniels – The Unkut Interview, Part 1
“Uncle” Ralph McDaniels is an institution in New York hip-hop. Creating the city’s first music video show – Video Music Box – in 1983, he delivered rap videos, concert footage and interviews years before Yo! MTV Raps and Rap City hit the airwaves. He was also involved on the other side of the camera, producing…
Vintage Episode of the Street Beat Radio Show [Birthplace of The Source]
To compliment the interview with Jonathan Shecter, here’s a classic episode of Shecky Green (aka The Sultan of Rap) and David Mays (aka Go-Go Dave) old radio show, which started The Source newsletter, on 95.3FM WHRB. Featuring Almighty R.S.O.‘s DJ Deff Jeff. Thanks to DJ 7L for passing this on.
Jonathan Shecter aka Shecky Green – The Unkut Interview, Part 2
Concluding my sit-down with Shecky Green (you can read Part 1 here), he explains catering to an expanding readership, getting Illmatic six months before the rest of world, the Game Recordings era and working the party scene in Las Vegas. Robbie: As you began to expand, you were able to start putting on shows like…
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Brown Ocean, Ross Pigs Out and Joey BASEDA$$
This week I channeled my inner teenage girl and made like a less mannish Wendy Williams. No Country For Old (Rap) Men – Brown Ocean, Ross Pigs and Joey BASEDA$$
Jonathan Shecter aka Shecky Green – The Unkut Interview, Part 1
Jonathan Shecter rose up from his humble beginnings rapping over Wild Cherry loops as a member of Big Men On Campus to starting The Source magazine, which was the definitive hip-hop bible for many years, setting the stage for other great publications that followed in the mid 90’s such as On The Go, ego trip…