Toney Rome and Large Professor go way back, and share a lot more history than simply a production credit on the b-side of ‘Mad Scientist.’ Toney talks about growing up in Flushing, Queens, facing music industry hurdles and memories of having the hottest tape in school. Robbie: How did you first get involved in hip-hop?…
Raekwon – F.I.L.A. Track-By-Track Review
Raekwon’s long-awaited new album is here, after what seems like years of hype. Is it that official tissue or some old punk smoove shit? 01. ‘Intro’ Faux British accent customs agent informs The Chef he needs a new passport. Gripping stuff. 02. ‘4 In The Morning’ (feat. Ghostface Killah) A perfectly serviceable RAGU track. 03….
Guru – The Modern Fix Interview
Editor’s note: The following interview was conducted by Bill Zimmerman in 2007 for the now defunct print edition of Modern Fix magazine prior to the release of Guru’s Jazzmatazz, Vol. 4: The Hip Hop Jazz Messenger. This Sunday marks the fifth anniversary of Guru’s passing. On April 19, 2010, the rapper born Keith Elam died…
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,…
Ho or Hoe? Finally, A Practical Use For Twitter!
Here’s something from my drafts folder that I forgot to post from a couple of years ago… For many people, Twitter is nothing more than a self-indulgent stream of fuckybergs telling the world how many pieces of French toast they consumed at brunch. Last Monday, that all changed, after some struggle “comedian” lady finally got…
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Too white for Kendrick, not white enough for Bronson?
My annual attempt at writing something vaguely serious about rap writing. Normal service will resume shortly. No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Too white for Kendrick, not white enough for Bronson?
Cosmic Force – Cosmic Punk Jam [unreleased 1981 acetate]
Unlike Cold Crush Brother‘s ‘Punk Rock Rap,’ this vaulted Cosmic Force entry into the ‘punk rap’ canon is redeemed by a lack of fake cockney accents, the always reliable vocoder and the fact that it interpolates Michael McDonalds’ ‘I Keep Forgetting‘ 13 years before Dr. Dre’s stepbrother Warren G enlisted Nate Dogg to give it…
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…
Download: Bob James Unkut, Volume 2.1
Following up the the first Bob James Unkut compilation from 2008, here are 24 more sure-shots based around my all-time favorite sample source – ‘Nautilus’. Considering that Bob James’ masterpiece is so chock-full of ill sounds, every interpretation takes on a life of it’s own, from the mournful ‘Sincerity’, the melodic swing of ‘Once Upon…
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…
Download – The CJ Moore Collection
As a member of The Chosen Few, Trio Connection and Black By Demand, CJ Moore did his thing as a rapper in the 80’s while honing his skills as an engineer and mixer. Here are some examples of CJ in action on the mic and behind the boards. Download – The CJ Moore Collection [Zippyshare…
DJ Cash Money Explains The Echo Scratch
DJ Cash Money broke down the story behind this timeless piece of audio on Facebook yesterday. DJ Cash Money: Wow my man Too Tuff just sent me this…I haven’t heard this in years…The Cash Money Echo Scratch on Lady B’s Show…..Talk about taking me back? I remember the day after this was on the radio..I…