The Church Of Underground Hip Hop In The 90s

When I started high school in 1993 there were a few albums that came out and completely rocked my world. "Enta Da Stage" by Black Moon, "Enter the 36 Chambers" by Wu-Tang and "Doggystyle" by Snoop were amongst this great new hip hop. Around this time I discovered the college radio shows like Mr. Magic and Mr. Cee's show on 91.5 FM. I used to listen to this show every Thursday at around 10pm. Nothing would keep me from the radio when they started. It was on this show that I would learn about the latest dope hip hop that the major stations like Hot 97 didn't play yet. I discovered cats like Mic Geronimo, Camp Lo and The Alkaholiks. This is the hip hop that I just wasn't used to yet but came to love.

Mr. Cee and Magic would have contests for listeners to call in and receive things like promo single CDs and albums. I once got through on the call in, and won the Cella Dwellas debut album "Realms and Reality". I unfortunately never received that album and called Mr. Cee to tell him. He was very cordial even though I never got the album. Maybe it was lost in the mail. One prize however was received, and it was won by my MOTHER not me. She was listening to the show with me one night and was the winner of a Mary J Blige single. It was the first CD in my household ever.

I was limited on cassette tapes to record from the radio so I would be very careful with what I taped and what I didn't. Space was precious and wack songs along with idle talk had no place on my tapes. I now wish I had those discussions on tape as it was a precious time in my life. Mr. Magic is now deceased and many of the songs I heard back then are either rare or forgotten all together. Look out for part 2 as I discuss another show from that era.

Old School Mondays

I play, you watch, we all do the East Coast Stomp.

Old School Mondays

I feel like paying respect to some of the best to ever do it. The hip hop group, the legends RUN DMC.

Classic


My Favorite Run DMC song.


My second favorite Run DMC song. Wish it was synced better.

Force MD's Take Us Back

This is one of my favorite groups of all time right here. This was a group of young men from Staten Island who were at the forefront of the hip hop doo wop scene. This was at a time when rappers employed a LOT of melody into their music and performance. I remember when Krush Groove came out and Tender Love dropped. It was officially a wrap and the Force MD's had to get their props. The group is from the early era of hip hop when cats like Kool Moe Dee and Kurtis Blow were running the scene. Take a listen as they give an education on their start in the game.

R.I.P to the fallen members Mercury, TC and the DJ Doctor Rock.



This is my favorite Force MDs song. FORGIVE ME GIRL!

Bobbito Garcia Profile on CNN

My man Kool Bob Love B.K.A Bobbito Garcia getting love on CNN. This is what I'm talking about people. The power of real deal New Yorkers speaking about the unity of Black, Brown and Yellow. Salute!

Mos Def - Casa Bey

Brooklyn's own Mos Def is getting ready his new project The Ecstatic. This will be his first album on new a new label. If this song is any indication of what's to come, the boy might be back on his deen. I love the experimentation being exhibited on this song. Just seems like a real cool jam session that was captured and put out. Sometimes jam sessions should remain jam sessions but when the result is a song like Casa Bey I say go for it musicians. The album is due to release June 9th on Downtown Records (home to Santigold & Justice and others).

Mos Def - "Casa Bey" - The Ecstatic - 6.9.09