The Launch of Instagram (October 6, 2010)

On October 6, 2010, Instagram was launched! TechCrunch shared: "I know what you’re probably thinking: oh, another photo-sharing app. But the fact is that at least one of these apps is likely going to take off in a major way at some point soon.... A community, focused on helping you collect, organize, and share the images of your life from your mobile phone. The best we have right now are tiny camera icons stuffed as forgotten features of giant complicated apps that *have* to do everything.” Obviously, he wants Insta to provide that missing community. And it’s a good point. The iPhone 4 is now my primary camera.... And the convenience of always having it in my pocket trumps what it lacks in quality. The pictures taken with it are very good. And with effects and filters like Instagram offers, I get many more compliments on my photography than I ever have before. It makes my life on the go interesting. And that’s part of the key to Instagram. Systrom says, “Photo sharing as a concept is relatively uninteresting as a sell. But processors are so fast now that we can do really cool things to your photos with the tap of a button. We can take that beautiful 5MP camera and turn it into a panoramic camera or a lofi 1980’s Polaroid.,” he continues. And Systrom knows that one key in his app being successful is how actual users are using it. So far, he’s thrilled that a couple handfuls of the web’s best designers have taken a liking to Instagram while it has been in private beta. Once it opens up today, he hopes even more like-minded people will." - 2010.

When my mother was dying, IG was an important tool for me to get information out. And when I launched my own small business, it jumped off from IG, and was fairly successful. Throughout the years I've made countless friends and been inspired by the tremendous talent and creative niches that I've seen--first--on Instagram. So... yeah I guess it's safe to say that the app has been an important tool. Here are just some of the accounts that I highly recommend that you follow for various reasons, many of which may be personal, sentimental or just pure comedy - it all depends, lol: Supastition, Eternia, Money Miz, The Company Man, J57, Rappin N Snackin, Kathy Iandoli, Sin-Seer, Tim Burton, Kid Abstrakt, Rhymecology, Soles of Mischief, Evidence, Philaflava, Toon Crew, Dart Adams, Shad, IllVia, Kalzingis, Fat Beats, Theory Hazit, IllStrips, Jenny Loves Hip Hop, Big Ghost, DJ Filthy Rich, Torre Pentel, DJ Premier, DJ Eclipse, Wallo267, Royce, Brother Ali, Alphonze, yikes... that's a lot and I didn't even scratch the surface. So much talent to discover and appreciate, I do recommend diggin' through these accounts and many others. I also recommend following me HERE!

Raekwon vs. Ghostface Killah (Verzuz Playlist, 3/20/21)

March 20, 2021: Verzuz returned with their latest "battle", the legendary Wu-Tang swordsmen, Raekwon vs. Ghostface Killah! I tuned in at the beginning, but cycled in and out... I had to go back to watch how the full battle unfolded this morning. What I took from this Verzuz was the epic amount of love and respect that these two brothers have for one another. That was made crystal clear! The classic stories and exchanges between records also reminded us that these two are still masters of their own languages, lol. To breakdown each individual round would annoy me and bore you, but the full playlist is available below compliments of Shake of 2DopeBoyz. Now... when I first considered their respective catalogs, I thought Ghostface was a shoe-in to win this thing. Even at times during the battle, I felt like Ghost was up by a lot, yet when I go track for track, it's almost dead even... to me! I would have included several different songs, which is to be expected, but I understand they had to move differently because they are on many of the same records, and ultimately they want to showcase their catalogs, too. As was the case a year ago with DJ Premier vs. RZA, this was a lot more than the music, so the culture can rejoice... Wu-Tang is Forever! Dig in...

Happy Born Day, Queen Latifah! (Playlist)

Chicago star Dana Elaine Owens, better known as Queen Latifah, was just eight when she picked out the pseudonym Latifah which means "delicate, sensitive, kind" from a book of Muslim names. "I loved the way it sounded," she recalled later. "Even though I played basketball, climbed trees, fought boys, whipped their asses, and was big for my age, 'delicate, sensitive, kind' accurately described who I was inside." Born on March 18, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of a police officer and a schoolteacher, the launch of her rap career was in high school when she won a talent show with a group called Ladies Fresh. In 1987 she gave her demo tape to a DJ-friend and by the following year had a record deal. The Tommy Boy label released her house, reggae and jazz-accented debut album, All Hail The Queen, in 1989. Called the "Aretha Franklin of rap," Latifah's star also rose in the acting world after her film debut in Spike Lee's 1991 work Jungle Fever. A few small roles followed, and within two years she was cast in an ensemble sitcom, Living Single. She continued releasing popular albums including Black Reign featuring the Grammy winning single "Unity" and had her first starring big screen role in the all-female bank heist flick Set It Off. But as her sitcom came to an end in 1997, the ever-evolving Latifah decided to reinvent herself, this time as a chat show host. The program, The Queen Latifah Show, began its successful three-year run in 1999. Meanwhile, Latifah's film career was also on the fast track as she showed off her singing voice in the quirky Living Out Loud and landed roles in big-budget flicks like Sphere and The Bone Collector. Cont'd after playlist...

In 2003, the rapper-turned-actress-turned-TV star moved one step closer to her goals, garnering a best supporting actress nomination for her standout role in the movie musical Chicago. Latifah's path has not always run smooth, however. In 1999, she released a tell-all autobiography, Ladies First: Revelations From A Strong Black Woman, in which she revealed brushes with prostitution and the drug trade. "I've been to those dark places. And I will never go back to them," she wrote. "To get to the point of true contentment with who I am, I had to go through a whole bunch of years of being something other than myself." In 1992, the rap star went into a deep depression after the sudden death of her 24-year-old brother Lancelot Jr, a police officer who was killed while riding the motorcycle Latifah gave him as a birthday gift. In an attempt to turn the tragedy into something positive, she established a university scholarship foundation in her brother's name. Despite her troubled past in 1995 she survived a car jacking in which her bodyguard was shot, and the following year she was arrested for carrying a loaded pistol, driving without a license and possession of marijuana Latifah says she tries to keep the faith. "God keeps me on track because he knows I'm human and that I'll make mistakes," she says. "I want to get into heaven, so you'll never find me sinning too much. But in life I try to be brave and take charge." - Hello Magazine. In tribute to Queen Latifah, the incredible toy designer and DJ, Elana Kazi, created these marvelous boomboxes, which you can order HERE (while supplies last, they will sell out). Happy Born Day, Queen Latifah!

DJ Eclipse on "Showoff Your Gems" (Video)

While I certainly recommend digging into D-Stroy's timeline to watch ALL of the episodes of his IG live show, Showoff Your Gems, the appearance of DJ Eclipse is significant to me because I do consider E to be one of my OGs. I've admired him for many years - how he broke into the industry; his successful run at both college radio and Sirius; his impactful roles at Fat Beats since its inception; Rock Steady Anniversaries; Wild Pitch; Non Phixion, and the list just goes on and on. Having worked with Eclipse at Fat Beats, I saw firsthand why he's called "The Senator" in inner circles, lol. If there's anyone with a stash of gems to showoff, it's DJ Eclipse and he comes insanely correct! The note to radio for "It Ain't Hard To Tell" off Illmatic made me wanna pick up the phone and ask for a scan, ASAP! Add to it content from O.C., the Arsonists, and all the stickers from legendary acts, and so much more... it's all here! The beauty of having a show like this is that it's so niche that really only the "heads" catch on, so props once again to D-Stroy for creating and hosting a show that speaks to us nerds of nostalgia, and truly represents a special segment of the culture. After watching, hit up the archives below for lots of additional content. Oh, and if anyone has the address to Eclipse's new storage, you can slide that in my DMs now!! You can follow more from D-Stroy right over HERE!

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Instagram Series: The Photography of Atsuko Tanaka

Photographer Atsuko Tanaka was born in Tokyo. She moved to the U.S. in 1991 as a teenager, and studied photography in Los Angeles before relocating to New York City, where she quickly gained recognition for her images of legendary hip-hop artists. Equipped with a distinct sensibility that captured subtle expressions and moods of her subjects, it didn't take long before Atsuko found herself shooting the likes of Eminem, Jay-Z, Nas, Capone-N-Noreaga, Redman, RZA and many more, as well as album cover art for popular Japanese artists. While continuing to photograph celebrities, artists and street fashion for both American and Japanese media, in 2006 Atsuko was named one of the "100 Most Respected Japanese in the World" by Newsweek Japan. In fall 2011, Atsuko moved her base back to Tokyo after two decades in the States. She still frequently travels abroad for work and inspiration. You can sample some of her work above and below, but you'll definitely want to follow Atsuko Tanaka's feed on Instagram for a ton of incredible photos from her archives. Enjoy...

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah (Art by @Squatdeadface)

The talented artist Squatdeadface posted these phenomenal art pieces to his IG, paying tribute to The Purple Tape by Raekwon and Ghostface Killah's Ironman. There are also pieces for Sean Price, Roc Marciano, MF Doom, Cam'ron, Mos Def, Ol' Dirty Bastard, and of course - the Griselda Records camp, + lots more. You can order prints directly HERE, and here's a statement from the artist himself, "In a digital realm I maintain a vision to recreate my world through the arts, a heavy footing in the roots of hip hop, I create organized chaos, beauty in the linear notes of my work. I am an artist first, I'm not an illustrator, I'm not a graphic designer; I'm an artist. you support my journey by being apart of it, however that maybe, a purchase, a comment, a share, a like, all of this contributes to the mission. Believe in me and I will honour your belief. A big year is ahead. Salute and thank you! Any enquiries relating to artwork, cover art, commission based, job opportunities, or any questions in general, there is no wrong question, feel free to contact me directly, either through the contact page, email or DM on IG." Super talented artist, much respect - show love!

DMX vs. Snoop Dogg (Verzuz Playlist, 7/22/20)

You can't deny the success of the Jadakiss and Fabolous VERZUZ battle, so it was only right that they'd up the ante on their latest effort: DMX vs. Snoop Dogg aka The Battle of the Dogs. I'm told the VERZUZ series is now officially backed by Apple Music, so both artists are now "battling" in the same studio to provide better audio. Hopefully you didn't think corporate wouldn't be involved? Both X and Snoop brought the good vibes - dancing, hyping one another's tracks; telling an occasional story here and there - it was easily the best in the series thus far! I saw a Revolt article that gave the battle to DMX, even going as far as saying X's "Get It On The Floor" beat out Snoop's "Tha Shiznit," but it's no surprise that article has since been taken down: "404 Not found" ... Foolery. Personally, I think Snoop clearly took this one; his catalog is just TOO deep and his energy is just too contagious! But!... I'll say this ...my heart is always gonna be with DMX. There's a greater attachment to his music: the lyrics and emotion, as well as the ups and downs I feel we've all felt throughout X's career. Unfortunately, there are a couple tracks that aren't available on streaming platforms, so the playlist below is incomplete, but you don't miss much. In closing, it's always good to see love - where it counts - in hip-hop, and Uncle Snoop has been a shining example of an OG for YEARS! I take nothing away from DMX, he came widdit, and it was just good to see him, period! Part of me feels like this battle came down to Swizz Beatz vs. Dr. Dre, did you feel that, too? Enjoy!

Jadakiss vs. Fabolous (Verzuz Playlist, 6/29/20)

Jadakiss and Fabolous battled it out - track-for-track - on the Verzuz platform last night (June 29, 2020). Having joined forces for their 2017 Friday On Elm Street project, and with their storied history reppin' New York, this battle was a win/win, no matter what - especially for fans! During the battle, Jadakiss spoke to being in the trenches and always feeling like the underdog, but - to me - he was the clear winner. Fab came through armed with his many hits, but Jada's extensive catalog tipped the scale - especially factoring in songs he wrote for Puffy. Jada also won over the crowd with his personality; calm (tipsy) demeanor and stories on tracks like "Can I Live," where he was adamant about letting it be known that the song was a Lox record, given to Black Rob when they got their freedom from Bad Boy. I put together the playlist from the battle - minus the Fab joint that's not on DSPs - so I we can relive the highlights from the battle at our own convenience. It'll be clear these are two of the nicest and most consistent artists to bring lyricism to the mainstream. While the Verzuz platform is still a bit of a mystery to me, I've enjoyed these battles, and do hope they continue. Listen below for nearly 3 hours of music ..... Did Jada take home the W?

D-Stroy's "Showoff Your Gems" (On Instagram Live)

D-Stroy was kind enough to DM me and put me up on his brand new show, Showoff Your Gems! The show takes place on IG Live and takes a look inside your favorite entertainers closets as they show off some of their most prized Hip Hop Collectibles. Bringing his charisma and unique personality, D-Stroy keeps the show light and fun... a nice escape from the madness going on in the world. Of course, it's naturally very nostalgic and because of that, it captures a niche audience - meaning, it's a space for hip-hop nerds like us!! So far, D-Stroy has featured guests that include Q-Bert, Lord Finesse, Q-Unique, Everlast, Pete Rock, Jeru The Damaja, MC Serch, Bun B, DJ Cash Money, Diamond D, Pharoahe Monch, DJ Evil Dee, and lots more. From member of the Arsonists to event host with the NBA, Nike, Red Bull and more, Showoff Your Gems is a welcomed addition to his storied career in entertainment. Visit D-Stroy's instagram account for upcoming shows and future guests. 

Mick Boogie "theMICKsTape: Jay-Z B-Sides" (Mix)

MICK (f/k/a Mick Boogie) presents #theMICKsTape, 4 hours! of Jay-Z's classic b-sides. The mix was recorded live via Instagram on May 19, 2020. There's that live element to the mix; no rhyme or reason, and an interactive feeling to it because, as I said, it was recorded on IG. That said, if you ignore some of the commentary and shout-outs between records (no shade, MICK), it's still a really dope mix to let rock in the background and hustle through your errands, your work or your commutes to/from work - Hustler Hov's B-sides are the perfect complement to getting you through your day. Click through for the full list of tracks he played in the 4-hour mix. Dig in below! 

Mick Boogie "Break The Monotony" (Live Mix)

A note from MICK (f/k/a Mick Boogie) about his latest mix: "This was my live set from DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince's "Break The Monotony" Instagram Live Block Party. One hour of vibes and classics. I started my set with an Andre Harrell tribute, moved into some Pete Rock and Heavy D, then smoothed it out with some DeBarge. From there, I hit that D'Angelo and Common chamber, rocked some Bobby Caldwell and Roy Ayers, and thru in some Sly Stone. Then I moved into a party zone with Naughty By Nature, Jay Z, and EPMD. Followed by a more uptempo party vibe with LL Cool J, Chubb Rock and De La Soul. I then concluded with The Whispers, Rick James, and The Ojays. Plus... sooo much more that you'll discover once you listen." MICK provided the vibes, dig in below...

The Notorious B.I.G. "Bastard Child" (Prod. by Statik Selektah)

Statik Selektah sent out "Bastard Child" ahead of his IG Live tonight, a track that features TWO unreleased verses from The Notorious B.I.G. over Statik’s own soulful production. The verses are alleged to trace back to creative director Joe Lyons, who posted to his Instagram, "I’m excited to announce that on May 14th, here on IG Live, I will be doing a session of my most rare Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G. demos and freestyles. I have one of the most complete collections of his recordings that exists and I will be playing early versions that many people have never heard before. If you are a huge fan and collector of Biggie’s music you likely have heard most of these tracks, but tune in for a trip down memory lane to the early 90s when NYC hip-hop ruled." Statik also blasted off a version of "Mo Money Mo Problems" from the original studio session, which included a dope verse from Jadakiss, as well as unreleased tracks from Nas, Sean Price, Big Pun and lots more! A true DJ/producer and student of the game, it's no surprise Statik has been holding down IG for the real heads during this quarantine. Pick up a copy of his latest merch, "Statik Selektah was my DJ for the 2020 quarantine," on his Showoff website! Hit the tags for more from Statik Selektah, and stay tuned for his next album on Mass Appeal, The Balancing Act. R.I.P. Biggie!!

Gang Starr Appreciation Day (R.I.P. Guru, 10th Ann.)

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Guru's passing, and DJ Premier has declared it Gang Starr Appreciation Day! Premo did a live DJ set celebrating the legacy of Gang Starr - an ALL Guru set - on IG Live. In animated fashion, DJ Premier took to his tools - his instruments - the 1s and 2s, and in animated fashion, ran through classics, features, obscure B-sides and lots more, honoring the life of his partner in Gang Starr, Guru. What we're witnessing amidst all this madness is the true humanity behind our legends and that no matter how the system tries to devalue music and make it disposable, we are absolutely nothing without art. It's our lifeblood. It marks time and moments in our lives better than anything else. It what makes us keep coming back for more and why we hold our favorites at such high regard. We lost Guru in the physical, but the legend's legacy lives on! R.I.P. Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal... and thank you, DJ Premier - for all that you do! Updated with the live video/audio from Gang Starr Appreciation Day! Watch below (while it's still available).

DJ Premier vs. The RZA "Beat Battle" (4/11/20)

April 11, 2020: DJ Premier vs. The RZA will go down as one of the most historic beat battles / virtual events ever! DJ Premier and The RZA went track for track for 2.5 hours, live on Instagram in front of a total of 849,056 people! The RZA put his best foot forward with multiple tracks from his iconic group Wu-Tang Clan, as well as solo efforts by Ol' Dirty Bastard (R.I.P.), Raekwon, GZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Kanye West, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., and more. DJ Premier - who y'all KNOW I consider to be the G.O.A.T. - hit back with cuts by Gang Starr, Nas, Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Jeru The Damaja, D'Angelo, Group Home, Mos Def, Royce Da 5'9, M.O.P., Big L, KRS-One, and Das EFX. RZA and Premo shared stories/history on various tracks; bits about their cultural relevance and the personal impact these records had on both of them. That was undoubtedly a common thread that connected every fan that was tuning in around the world. There were close to 100K people tuned in just within the first 90 seconds of the battle! Artists like LL Cool J, Swizz Beatz, Nas, DJ Rhettmatic, Apathy, Method Man, Redman, DJ Eclipse, DJ Riz, Jay Electronica, Questlove, Shaq, DJ Numark, Killer Mike, Black Thought, Alchemist, Evidence, and so many others it's hard to list them all. With all the pain and loss going on around the world, this was a brief reprieve, where the bulk of the Hip-Hop community got together (social distancing) and collectively exhaled all our stress, and just enjoyed some great music. In the end, Hip-Hop won! Props to StrictlyCassette for these dope flyers, they are the icing on the cake. Here's the Playlist, dig in! 

Reminder: Follow Me On Instagram: @DJ_Sav_One

A(nother) rare plug ... I should clearly be doing this more often! Don't forget to follow me on my Instagram page for promotional items and stickers; tapes, videos and vinyl - whatever else I feel like sharing on there! If I were smart, I'd link my posts directly to/from this site, but that doesn't feel authentic to me. I'd rather post directly and control the look and feel of everything. Anyhow, above and below are a few scattered images I've shared to my IG, and randomly selected to share here. These two worlds don't overlap as much as my IG and my online store. I communicate often with people between those pages, but very rarely do I get messages or comments from people that also read this site. Perhaps because I don't ever share links from here? Duh. Anyhow, if you see content on my IG that you think would make for an interesting post or you have questions, hit me up HERE. 

Happy 34th Birthday to Blu!

Happy Born Day (34th) to the homie, Blu! Reppin' the West Coast, Blu is undeniably one of the most talented lyricists of the last decade. With a homerun on his debut album with Exile, 'Below The Heavens,' (2007) I've championed him for every minute of these last 10 years. It is easily MY favorite album to drop in that timespan. I know that sounds like a big statement, but from the first time I hit play on the advance, I haven't had the same excitement and feeling about an album since (excluding albums I personally worked on). Exile's production and Blu's versatility with flows, content and how he packaged 20 years of his life into that debut make it the benchmark for collaborative albums going forward. Sure, there's some stretch marks in his catalog, mostly in terms of audio quality, but I've never questioned his skill, and think another classic is just around the corner. Until then, show love and respect; HBD, Blu! Oh, on IG I posted the tail end of a convo and shout-out from Blu with a little advice on my name, lol. If u see the E drop it... (Hopefully the video works).

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