This interview was originally conducted ten years ago, while Mr. Barrier was promoting a new rapper he was working with who none of us can remember. Since I was compiling some material for a Queens book idea that never panned out, I held back the best parts – namely, the stuff about the park jams…
Agallah Don Bishop feat. Peedi Crakk, Atare Godspeed, Malik B and Mars Co-op – Spread
This has been out since late September, but in case you missed this surprise Malik B cameo from the Live At Your Own Risk album. ‘Made It Crack’ is another standout if you haven’t caught it.
Straight Outta Crompton and LA Kimshabazz on Future Rap 20
Not sure if Timmy had terrible handwriting or the NME intern wasn’t particularly bright. Shout out to ya mans MC Mell OW.
Video: Sugarhill Gang perform Rapper’s Reprise on Italian TV [1980]
Sylvia really went outchea and pretended to be The Sequence.
Gang Starr – One Of The Best Yet Album Review
Considering the tragic circumstances surrounding the end of GURU’s life, it’s not surprising that this project has taken nine years to arrive. As opposed to the ghoulish cash-in of Born Again and seemingly infinite posthumous Tupac albums, One of the Best Yet delivers a heart-felt farewell to the beloved MC Keith E.E. from members of…
?uestlove blocking me made my day
There are several reasons why this may have happened. It could have been when I named him as one of Twitter’s biggest blowhards, the piece titled ‘Why I Don’t Trust ?uestlove’ or just my general disdain for his name-dropping antics and claims to be the ultimate rap nerd. I will out Rap Nerd any of…
Preview the next DITC Studios and David Bars albums
Next month sees the release of a new DITC Studios compilation and a new David Bars solo album. DJ Premier, Buckwild, Lord Finesse, Showbiz, Da Beatminerz and Breakbeat Lou contribute to The Bar Code, while Showbiz handles the compilation exclusively. Hopefully Bars does another project entirely produced by Show at some point as well, based…
The Wacky World of ‘Cold Gettin’ Dumb’ Sequels
Also now available on pointless 45 format … Not content with releasing one of the best hardcore rap songs ever made, Just-Ice aka Sir Vicious aka The Original Gangster of Hip-Hop went and recorded the almost as great part II which arguably featured better rapping but over a less varied version of the beat. A…
The BBC Declares War on the CRC (aka What Are The Actual Best Rap Songs of All Time?)
In one of the most obvious snubs in recent history, some limey bastard over at the BBC music website went and ran a poll on the best rap songs of all time by surveying 108 international ‘critics’. From this list of retired bloggers, Twitter pests and two bit hacks (with a handful of actual legitimate…
Lost Showbiz & AG ‘Bounce Ta This’ Remix Instrumental Appears
Showbiz and AG recently released the proper instrumentals from their first album as Runaway Beats digitally, and as is often the case with these sort of things there was this never released remix of ‘Bounce Ta This’, using a loop from one of the album interludes, a new vocal hook and a new chorus sample….
Is Ghostface the most productive rapper from New York?
The recently released Ghostface Killahs album marks the twenty-first officially released album (outside of Wu-Tang group LP’s) from Tony Starks aka Ghostface Killah aka Ironman aka Action Bronson’s Dad. I’m including the Theodore Unit LP, the first Raekwon, Wu-Block and the record with Czarface since Stark’s appears on nearly every track, but I’ve omitted remix…
The Unkut Guide To Steady B Solo Albums
After realising that I only own one Steady B album (and all of his Pop Art singles), I thought I might revisit his catalogue in order to fill in some gaps in my Philly rap knowledge. Bring The Beat Back Fresh off his run of popular answer records and duets with Shante, the rapper formerly…