Back in the early days of Twitter, I complained about how DEZ interrupted KASE2 from rapping so that he could recite a bit of ‘The Message’ in Style Wars. The Drama King was frankly appalled that anyone would bring that up thirty years later, which is valid, but how do we know what kind of…
Another tragic chapter in the story of Queens super group Screwball this week, as news spread that Hostyle has passed away. Fondly remembered for his energetic delivery and stream-of-consciousness flow, the ‘One Eyed Maniac’ made his mark on a number of guest shots in the 00’s, and most recently returned in 2015 with a song…
Aretha Franklin passed away last Thursday at the age of 76, with a catalog of forty-two studio albums under her belt. Here are fifteen seventeen rap songs that made good use of the Queen of Soul’s music (not to be confused with Mary J. Blige – the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Roxanne Shante – the…
Here’s a long-overdue tribute to Craig Mack, who left this mortal coil back in March at age 47. The Mack Attack has the distinction of being the only rapper dude to release music on both the legendary FRESH/Sleepi8ng Bag label and The House That Puff Built while never having to adjust his rhyme style too…
Wastelandz, Queens legend Chyskillz passed away on 13 February 2018. Growing-up around the likes of Royal Flush, Neek The Exotic and Large Professor, Chy is said to have first gotten to play around with some SL-1200’s at the age of ten and never looked back. Looking through my interview archives, here are three quotes discussing…
Sad news that rap pioneer passed away from a heart attack on 8 February, 2018 while appropriately moving speakers, which seems a somewhat appropriate way to go for this rap pioneer. I don’t claim to know a great deal about him, but from what I’ve read Lovebug Starski no doubt saw and did things most…
Here’s a priceeless TV spot showing the late Combat Jack in his prime as a Rap Lawyer. The highlight for me is watching Combat smiling while the Problem Children are rapping in the parking lot at 4:29 – you just know he’s thinking ‘These guys are hot trash’. Fritz Celestin sez: ‘Reggie was my cousin…
Jazz fusion pioneer David Axelrod passed away today, leaving behind a legacy of incredible music and a wealth of eerie, atmospheric material for people to rap over. For the sake of keeping this to twenty tracks, I’ve only included his work with the Electric Prunes and his solo albums, rather than covering his equally extensive…
Prince Be of PM Dawn passed away on 17 June, 2016. While best remembered for Whisper Rapping over a Spandau Ballet loop by most music fans in the nineties, rap fanatics most commonly associate him as the victim of KRS-One being pushed too far by the disrespect of his peers. He was also an avid…
This is an update of my 2009 salute to the late Tony D, now with extra Zippyshare. Yet another example of how important New Jersey has been to the rap landscape. Download: A Salute To Tony D Track listing:
Photo: Alexander Richter Sean Price exemplified everything that the Conservative Rap Coalition stands for. He was a fan of self-depricating humor, blocking people on Twitter for the slightest of infractions and refused to catch buses since they’re basically for old people. He was also one of the few MC’s who managed to improve with age….
Pumpkinhead and Sucio Smash [Photo by: Photo Rob] As most of you already know, long-time indy rap champion Pumpkinhead passed away this week at only 39 years old, tragically leaving behind his pregnant wife and two kids. I’m not really qualified to speak on the man’s numerous contributions, but Chaz Kangas has put together a…