Marlon Craft "Tunnel's End" (The Bronx, Video)

The Hell’s Kitchen rapper is posted at the 161 Street Yankee Stadium subway stop, spitting bars & will drop five exclusive music videos with MASS APPEAL, following him through all five boroughs of his city. In this edition, Craft references the legendary 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, where in 1973 Kool Herc threw what’s generally recognized to be the first hip hop party. There are a number of crafty touches on gentrification, specifically how The Bronx is one of the only places in the city that has resisted it so far. Stepping out of the 4 train, MCraft rhymes, “The BX, where hipsters ain’t driven up property yet.” His lyrics aren’t the only thing paying homage to his city. The beat on this track is a classic Big Pun joint: hard-hitting drums, piano riffs, with some spray paint shaking sound effects thrown in for good measure. Keep an eye on Marlon Craft, I have a lot of confidence in this kid.

Das EFX & Redman on The Arsenio Hall Show 7/31/92

Before there was an Instagram, Das EFX's PR team issued this "Dasogram" to media, alerting us to their performance on The Arsenio Hall Show on Friday, July 31st in 1992. The Hit Squad made its presence felt with none other than the Funk Doc, Redman; holding Skoob & Krayz Drayz down on the turntables. The group performed their lead single, 'They Want EFX,' off the smash album, 'Dead Serious.' People forget how influential and forward-thinking Arsenio Hall was to support hip-hop on his show (in 1992!) and bring the music to millions of people. Many of the live performances on his show were the biggest platforms artists could reach at the time. 25 years later, enjoy the video clip below of the performance. I'm sure you'll find the All-Star tribute if you search Youtube, too.

One Be Lo x ILLusionist "Tails from the Hood R.a.t.s."

'Tails from the Hood R.a.t.s.' ... DJ Hazey 82 put One Be Lo's vocals to great use over the 'Storytellin' beat by Romanian producer, ILLusionist. If you're not familiar with ILLusionist, go cop his EP, 'The Uplift' and instrumental album, 'My Way.' As for One Be Lo, he's an independent hip-hop veteran; known for his group, Binary Star, and their classic, 'Masters of the Universe' (now re-issued), as well as the highly acclaimed solo release, 'SONOGRAM' + more. Full disclosure: I work with One Be Lo, but let's be f'real, this track goes - an ill storytelling track. Props to DJ Hazey 82 for the mash-up.

Chi-Ali "Roadrunner (Q-Tip's Puberty Mix)" (12", 1992)

The Fabulous Chi-Ali, Native Son of the Native Tongues. Yes, at the time of his release, he was 15-16 years old and the youngest member of the Native Tongues. Making early appearances with De La Soul & Black Sheep, he later released his first solo single in 1992 with 'Age Ain't Nothing But a #.' Ali had 2 follow-up singles with 'Roadrunner' and 'Funky Lemonade' found on his debut album with Relativity, 'The Fabulous Chi-Ali.' Production on the album was handled mostly by The Beatnuts & Mista Lawnge of Black Sheep, with features from Dres (Black Sheep), Trugoy (De La Soul), Fashion (The Beatnuts) & Phife Dawg (ATCQ). My favorite Chi-Ali track was a Q-Tip remix of 'Roadrunner' - ironically called the 'Puberty Mix' - which was not included on the album. The track was released on vinyl, CD and cassette with Chris Lighty & Violator added to the fold. Chi-Ali's career was cut short by a manslaughter charge, manhunt and eventual spot on America's Most Wanted - he was caught 14 months later and received a 12-year sentence. He served his years and I saw him down in Atlanta not long after his release. He's since put out a few singles, done a few features/remixes, but above all else, I'm sure he's just enjoying his freedom. Happy 25th anniversary to the 'The Fabulous Chi-Ali' album. It's out of print now, but you can certainly still find copies on Discogs. Listen to the 12"...

What Would You Like To Change About Hip-Hop?

This article in The Source (Jan. '96) gives me a good laugh. In the midst of a second golden era, artists still had their frustrations with the music, the business and the industry as a whole. To all the fans complaining now: it's not a new concept! Commercialization, false images, poor live shows, props for the underground, business, rap vs hip-hop, wack lyrics, East Coast vs West Coast beef, drugs, credibility and classic responses like Erick Sermon’s 'my record sales’ to the irony of Puff to say ‘the egos’ lol Artists and fans will forever have their gripes, just like our parents hated our music, we take issue with the new generation's music. I'd argue that there has been a significant decline in what's covered in the mainstream - especially the diversity of it - but it's a circular argument, so I won't waste your time. I remember all the wack stuff I suffered through in my teenage years, but you didn't have as much noise and we had DJs that were better filters to provide balance in the underground. We had venues and record stores that were necessary to the culture as meeting places to discuss and break records. You don't have to leave your house now, but honestly, are you better for it? The one thing I'll forever agree, artists need to learn more about business so they can make the most of these assets (their songs) that they create. More below...

Fat Joe "Heart of Bronxness" (Vibe, 1996)

'Maybe with my first album, I was kind of arrogant ... I thought I was the shit, but after a couple of months ... everybody's like, 'Man, 'Flow Joe' is the only hit Joe can make. So I came up with some ill shit. I learned to appreciate the fans more - I know it's because of the consumer that I'm here.' (Vibe, March 1996) He definitely came back hard with his sophomore album, 'Jealous One's Envy.' I remember back in the days of exchanging dubs with my friends, I bought another tape and my boy got Joe's album. We exchanged copies and I was like man, I bought some bullshit by comparison, lol. I've probably told that full story before, if not, it's definitely still fresh in my mind. To this day, the DJ Premier remix to 'The Shit Is Real' is one of the most nostalgic songs for me. 20+ years later, Fat Joe still knows how to stay relevant with a hit or 2 every few cycles. The album with Remy Ma kinda came and went, but the single was a smash and it won't be the last we hear of Fat Joe.

East Flatbush Project "Tried By 12" (CMJ, 12/98)

"Until the arrival of this record, the subterranean links between hip-hop and avent-garde techno were a well-kept secret. Given that many of electronic music's most daring practitioners grew up listening to hip-hop... this project is not the misalliance it might at first appear to be. Tried By 12 makes those links explicit and reveals the complicity of the two genres, which should never have been separated at all. This record's humble beginnings lie in the East Flatbush Project's original single "Tried By 12," a sparse, arid indie hip-hop single produced by Spencer Bellamy and released in 1997 to critical acclaim and widespread underground success. The folks at Chocolate Industries in Miami decided to ask their colleagues to remix the track in any way they saw fit..." Cont'd below...

"What distinguishes this effort from the plethora of remix work is that on first hearing, some of the reinterpretations bear absolutely no resemblance whatever to the original, but that impression is deceptive because they all retain the parched groove and moody, contemplative textures of the original version. Only Herbaliser's mixes are hip-hop in the traditional sense... This is where experimental electronics and hip-hop meet in a way that will change the received wisdom about each form." - CMJ, December 1998. The full review - based more in electronic music - is below.

Innersoul ‘It’s The Right Time’ (12", 1996)

This is a fresh 12" from Innersoul out of Harlem, on Mix-It-Up Records. In June of '96, Billboard magazine reviewed ‘It’s The Right Time’ saying: ‘Innersoul, aka newcomer Chris Sawyer, sets himself as a source of positivity on this call for the rise of youth education and empowerment. Wise and clever rhymes are woven into a musical fabric that wriggles with retro-funk rhythm and atmospheric, jazz-spiked keyboards. DJ Choco steps forward with a remix that has a raw street-flavor needed to connect with its intended audience of kids and rap purists. And for the rest who just who something smart and catchy, stick with Carlos Bess’ tight original production. A cool introduction to a rapper with the juice to go the full distance.’ The song is also featured on Innersoul’s debut ‘The Theory,’ a gem I recommend diggin' up. You can listen to the full 12" below...