Wojavelli "Best of Rawcotiks" (Mixtape)

Rawcotiks is a duo consisting of Dominican MCs from Washington Heights. In the mid-90s-early 2000s, they released a grip of really solid, independent hip-hop by way of 12" releases. This era owes a lot of its props to vinyl shops like Fat Beats and underground radio (props to Stretch & Bobbito). Many know Rawcotiks from the DJ Premier-produced remix to their track "Hardcore Hip-Hop," but their cut "Going All Out" was surely my favorite at the time. If you dig in their catalog and listen to this mixtape, you'll hear joints produced by JuJu, The Mighty V.I.C., DJ Honda, Noodles, No ID, and obviously Premo and the Beatnuts as a collective. Props to Wojavelli for shining light back on these NY cats... there's plenty to appreciate in his mix below + hit the archives for more mixtapes...

Rawcotiks "Unsigned Hype" (The Source, 3/97)

"...Though it's safe to say things have changed since Tito from The Fearless Four picked up the mic, the Hispanic MC has yet to earn his/her well-deserved title as a mic-wrecka. A glimpse through the Rawcotiks' demo might change your perspective on Hispanic mcees/lyricists. Rawcotiks consists of two impressive vocalists: Jeff Valentino and Butta Lee... Each armed with his own distinctive style, and can paint vivid pictures of topics which range from currency to skills to the ever-present wack MC. As Lee's unpredictable change of style naturally mixes in with Valentino's diverse use of rhyming syllables, each song on their demo carries a different vibe - lyrical, hardcore, criminal or reminiscent: "I'ma continue the struggle / until it's time for the shovel to hit the earth / that's when it's time to disperse..." Representing Washington Heights, New York, these two mcees have the potential to retrieve much needed recognition for the Latino segment of the hip-hop nation... if given the chance. And it's a chance record labels have to take in order to experience the sound and feeling of original acts in hip-hop." - The Source (3/97) / Updated, check "Hardcore Hip-Hop," below.