Trying to interview R.A. The Rugged Man without treading over the well-worn ground of his expulsion from Jive Records and working with Biggie Smalls was challenge I was more than willing to meet. Having experienced the major label glory days, the independent vinyl boom and having managed to not only survive but actually thrive in…
Month: April 2013
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Case Against A&R’s
Time to play the “blame game” for all those token love/dance/radio songs that spoil otherwise great albums… No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Case Against A&R’s
Is All New Rap Drug Music?
What with the current influx of Molly Rap, Acid Rap, Loud Rap, Lean Rap, Yayo Rap, Bath Salts Rap and whatever the fuck else these characters are getting bent off, it seems like we’ve returned to the Slow Rap era that Cypress Hill heralded in the early nineties. Does that mean that we need to…
Pudgee The Phat Bastard – The Unkut Interview, Part 2
Following on from Part 1, Pudgee explains his involvement with Main Source‘s “Live At The BBQ”, his shelved second solo LP, the importance of The Bronx and dealing with the deaths of Tupac, Biggie and Left Eye. Robbie: On the intro to your album, the Trackmasterz seemed to include a larger crew than just Poke…
Tragedy and Craig G – Live At The In Control Show [1989]
Here’s some Rap Radio gold courtesy of my man’s Will C: “Tragedy the Intelligent Hoodlum back to back with Craig G live on arguably the greatest rap radio show of all time. This is the Marley Marl In Control Rap Show on 107.5 WBLS from what appears to be April or May 1989. Seeing as…
Pudgee The Phat Bastard – The Unkut Interview, Part 1
Pudgee The Phat Bastard was on the forefront of punchline rap in the early 90’s. As part of the Trackmasterz crew, he delivered a strong debut album called Give ‘Em The Finger, which featured appearances from Kool G Rap, MC Lyte and Snaggapuss. His future was looking bright, but problems with his second record label…
Why I Was Wrong About Illmatic
Like many of you, the first time I heard Nasty Nas was through his stirring performance on Main Source’s seminal “Live At The BBQ”, but it was initial exposure to “Halftime” on a local radio show that really got me amped. I was so impressed with the track that I eventually went on to describe…
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Art of Storytelling
Here’s a run-down of narrative-driven rap albums. A case could have been made to include Kendrick’s last LP but shorty said nah, pulled the trigger and stepped. R.I.P. GURU. No Country For Old (Rap) Men: The Art of Storytelling
Unsigned Skype: M. Will
Marlon Williams, Jr. is the son of the greatest hip-hop producer of all time, Engineer All-Star Marley Marl. That’s a lot of pressure to deal with. Nevertheless, this classically-trained musician eventually found himself drawn into the world of beats and rhymes. His last couple of instrumental projects – dedications to Dexter Wansel and Alan Parsons…
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: LL Cool J Is Rap’s Worst Troll
James Todd Smith has been reduced to the internets worst troll as he attempts to trick the world into buying his next album. No Country For Old (Rap) Men: LL Cool J Is Rap’s Worst Troll
DJ Chuck Chillout – The Unkut Interview
In response to Mr. Magic‘s Rap Attack show on WBLS, New York’s KISS-FM mounted a counter-attack by recruiting DJ Chuck Chillout and Kool DJ Red Alert. The resulting competition meant that Tri-Borough residents were spoiled for choice in the mid to late 80’s when it came to hip-hop on the radio. Chuck was also a…
No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Everybody Hates Papoose
There’s no need for me spend valuable mental energy penning barbs at Papoose when his own quotes provide all the ammunition required. No Country For Old (Rap) Men: Everybody Hates Papoose