Throwback Archives

Can You Feel It: Why 1984 Is Hip-Hop’s Watershed Moment (Food For Thought)

Last year, Hip-Hop turned 40 years old—as far as we know. In truth, part of the culture’s beauty comes from the fact that there is no genesis moment. From the ancient cave-side hieroglyphics to the late ‘60s tags of TAKI 183, graffiti existed as a fascinating balance of expression and... Read more

August 27, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh, Throwback

Do Remember: Mountain Brothers’ Galaxies: The Next Level (Video)

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Hip-Hop Heads were well-versed with The Jungle Brothers. By the late '90s and early 2000s, it was the Mountain Brothers on many radars. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native trio of CHOPS, Peri-L, and Styles Infinite released only two albums, but these MCs were Asian... Read more

August 22, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

B.o.B. Makes a Song Reminiscent of 2Pac, KRS, Public Enemy & Other Hip-Hop Revolutionaries (Audio)

B.o.B. has released one of the most powerful songs of his career. Hip-Hop has stood up in droves in light of what is happening in Ferguson, MO, right now. And, the messages have come from many different perspectives. B.o.B. has taken the opportunity for a call to action among African-Americans... Read more

August 19, 2014 Throwback

Taste Some Southern Hospitality With A Mix Of UGK Vinyl Rarities (Audio)

DJ Superix strings together 12 vinyl based cuts from Bun B and the late Pimp C into a full length mix for a flushed out taste from two of Texas' staple Hip-Hop artists. With remixes, rare tracks, features, and individual cuts from Bun B and Pimp C, the 12 Twelve's... Read more

August 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Guess Which Oscar-Nominated Actor Will Play Jerry Heller In N.W.A’s Biopic…

Jerry Heller, a famed mogul of Gangsta Rap in the late 1980s and early 1990s, helped Eazy-E and N.W.A crossover into mainstream America, as well as a global audience. A veteran record executive who had worked with the likes of Elton John and Ike & Tina Turner, the Cleveland, Ohio... Read more

August 18, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Debonair P Makes A Musical Case Why 1990-1992 Was Hip-Hop’s Pinnacle (Mixtape)

Years like 1988 and 1994 often are touted as Hip-Hop's best years, but what about what's between this sandwich of dope records? 1990 through 1992 delivered Dr. Dre's The Chronic, Main Source's Breakin' Atoms, Digital Underground's Sex Packets, and Ice Cube's Death Certificate, among many others. Debonair P made Blends... Read more

August 15, 2014 Audio, Throwback

How About Some Weird & Powerful History Around Madvillain 10 Years Later?

By 1999, MF DOOM began a comeback of superhero proportions. Once a major label artist, ZevLoveX of KMD had a core fanbase, but was (rather ironically), not a highly recognizable figure of Hip-Hop in face or name. After the tragic death of his brother Subroc, DOOM was born. Inspired by... Read more

August 15, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Watch Never Before Released Footage of Talib Kweli Freestyling in 1998 (Video)

Wow. DJ Eclipse's Throwback Thursday treats just keep getting better and better. After releasing dope late 90's freestyles from Kanye West and Common Sense, he now lets loose never before seen footage of Talib Kweli ripping the mic at an in-store appearance at NYC's Fat Beats in 1998. Kweli is... Read more

August 14, 2014 Throwback

Tupac Explains Why All Eyez on Me Was So Different From His Other Albums (Audio)

A week removed from the artist's return from prison in 1995, L.A. Times journalist Chuck Philips sat down with Tupac Shakur to talk about the making of his album All Eyez On Me and the societal implications of his music in between listening sessions at the studio. From the day... Read more

August 14, 2014 Featured-homepage, Throwback

Ras Kass’ Goldyn Chyld Had Dr. Dre & DJ Premier But Never Released…Til’ Now (Album Stream)

After 1998's Rasassination, Ras Kass went to work on his third album. Still signed to Priority Records as he was for most of the decade, the C-Arson, California MC was out to best his previous work, which also included acclaimed release, Soul On Ice. In doing so, Razzy recruited the... Read more

August 12, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

50 Cent Taught Everybody How To Rob MCs 15 Years Ago This Week

Months after 50 Cent survived getting shot nine times in his own front yard, the Southside, Queens rapper released one of the decades most memorable diss tracks with the Trackmasters-produced cut, "How To Rob." Fif released the single 15 years ago yesterday (August 10). The jux-meets-jokes record, which was featured most... Read more

August 11, 2014 Throwback

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.’s Juicy (Video)

The Notorious B.I.G.'s seminal single Juicy turned 20 years old last week (8/8). The song would catapult Biggie from an MC who was respected amongst Heads to one of Hip-Hop's biggest stars. To celebrate this landmark in Hip-Hop history, here's an interview of Big from 1994 on Atlanta's 411 Knowledge... Read more

August 10, 2014 Throwback

Gravediggaz Heads Ask In A Mix… Who’s Nicer: RZA Or Prince Paul? (Audio)

Hip-Hop has produced some groups stacked with more than one dope producer. EPMD celebrated the funk-driven knock that was both Erick Sermon and Parish Smith. The Beatnuts has Psycho Les and JuJu, two Corona, Queens masters of psyche samples and percussion. D.I.T.C includes giants such as Lord Finesse, Buckwild, Showbiz... Read more

August 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Celebrate the Sounds of Teddy Riley With This New Jack Swing Mix (Audio)

Few, if any, producers have had a run like Teddy Riley did in the late 80's and early 90's. The King of New Jack Swing dominated the radio and the clubs with countless Hip-Hop and R&B jams. Here's a red hot mix of some of his many classics from DJ... Read more

August 10, 2014 Throwback

Why Are the 90’s Considered the Best Era of Hip-Hop? Listen to This Mix (Audio)

Here's part 2 of DJ Vadim's stellar back in the day mixtape series. In this installment, he tackles 90's Hip-Hop...with aggression. Rather than strictly catering to the hits, he digs in the crates to craft a mix with diverse but cohesive sonic texture. You'll hear music from Nas, The Roots,... Read more

August 9, 2014 Throwback

What If ALL Of Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique Was A Video? (Video)

File this under: "What Makes The Internet Amazing: August 2014." Twenty five years later, so much can be said about The Beastie Boys' sophomore album, Paul's Boutique. The Def Jam Records departure found the Downtown/Brooklyn, New York trio out west, living in a Hollywood hills estate, eating fast food burgers... Read more

August 9, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Here’s an Incredible 80’s Hip-Hop Mix From DJ Vadim (Audio)

Here's a wide-ranging and incredibly dope mix of 80's Hip-Hop from DJ Vadim. Focusing primarily on artists from the mid to late 80's, the mix includes Run-D.M.C., The Fat Boys, MC Lyte, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Slick Rick, N.W.A., Biz Markie, Public Enemy, Eric B & Rakim, LL Cool J, Boogie Down... Read more

August 9, 2014 Throwback

Here’s a Clip of Common (Sense) in 1997 STRAIGHT RIPPING THE MIC at Fat Beats (Video)

DJ Eclipse continues his weekly treat of digging into the vault and pulling out extremely rare footage of some of today's most vaunted MCs freestyling early in their careers. After showcasing, a spirited Kanye West rapping in 1996, here's a clip of Common (then Common Sense) OBLITERATING the mic, off... Read more

August 8, 2014 Throwback

Afrika Bambaataa’s Record Crates Helped Create The Hip-Hop Genre. Get A Look (Video)

Hip-Hop's three forefathers are often remembered as pioneers DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa. With all three men tied to the Bronx, New York of the 1970s, each brought a unique flare to the sound of the culture, with varying personal backgrounds. Herc, a native of Jamaica, had... Read more

August 7, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Throwback

Dilated Peoples & J5’s Chali 2na Freestyle 15 Years Ago This Week (Video)

Right now, Dilated Peoples and Jurassic 5 are on the Word Of Mouth Tour. The two veteran Los Angeles, California underground Hip-Hop collectives are joined by The Beat Junkies' DJ Rhettmatic and MC Supernatural, all entities who weathered the storm of major label deals and opportunities, shifted to a diverted... Read more

August 4, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

2Pac, Ruthless & Priority Records To Be Honored At Indie Entertainment Summit Conference

Three pillars of Gangsta Rap are among those slated to be honored at 2014's Indie Entertainment Summit & Hip-Hop Honors. Iconic artist 2Pac is included, along with two 1980s labels, Priority Records and Ruthless Records. Notably, all three of these acts are tied together. 2Pac appeared on Above The Law's... Read more

August 4, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

2Pac’s Classic Double-Album All Eyez On Me Certified Diamond By RIAA

Over 18 years ago, 2Pac released his "out on bail, fresh outta jail, California-dreamin'" double-album, All Eyez On Me. Today, according to a spokesperson and e-mail from the RIAA, it has been reported that the Death Row/Interscope Records effort has now achieved diamond status, scanning over 10 million copies sold... Read more

August 1, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

For Americans, Nintendo’s Game Boy Turns 25 Years Old Today

July 31, 1989 might seem like an ordinary day. However, for the United States market, it was a literal game-changer. It was on that day—25 years ago today, if you're keeping high-score, that Nintendo brought the Game Boy stateside. The major breakthrough in handheld video-gaming, the 8-bit device was introduced... Read more

July 31, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Throwback

M.O.P., DJ Premier Scratches & A Classic ’80s Pop Loop Equals Amazing (Audio)

M.O.P. and First Family have been around for 25 years. However, Billy Danze and Lil Fame (who now only goes by Fame) started making some serious noise when they crossed paths with DJ Premier in the early 1990s. With the Brownsville, Brooklyn duo's rugged microphone assaults, a Premo scratch-chorus only... Read more

July 31, 2014 Throwback

Snoop Dogg Freshens Up William Bell’s Stax Records Classic Breakdown (Audio)

Stax Records Heads know that William Bell's "I Forgot To Be Your Lover" is one of the most moving, timeless, and downright beautiful songs of the period. The 1968 hit has since been a basis of samples by Dilated Peoples, Brand Nubian, and even Ludacris and Scarface, among plenty of... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Do Remember: Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud’s Girls, I Got ‘Em Locked (Video)

Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud's "Girls, I Got 'Em Locked" was hardly what would constitute a hit by today's radio standards. However, like so many 12" plates of the 1980s, the 1988 Elektra Records single was known amongst inner-circles. With the New York City duo signed to a major... Read more

July 31, 2014 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh, Throwback

DJ Quik Goes Digging In The Crates With 19 Influential Records

In their new issue (#50), Wax Poetics went digging for records with DJ Quik at Hollywood's famed Amoeba Records shop. Thankfully, the article is also available online. The producer for 2Pac, Jay Z, Suga Free, Hi-C, Mausberg, Snoop Dogg, and countless others used the racks of wax to identify 19... Read more

July 30, 2014 Throwback

Amidst Kids’ Anniversary, A Documentary Is In Production By One Of The Film’s Stars

Yesterday (July 28), Larry Clark's film, Kids, turned 19 years old. The July, 1995 theatrical release resonated with generations of Heads, ranging from those who watched it, those who lived it, and even those who watch now, and simply learn from it. One of the film's stars, Hamilton Harris, is... Read more

July 29, 2014 Throwback

Kids Hit Theaters 19 Years Ago Today, Watch The Raw NYC Coming Of Age Film (Video)

On July 28, 1995, Larry Clark's first film, Kids, hit theaters. The movie starring Rosario Dawson, Chloe Sevigny, the late Justin Pierce, and Leo Fitzpatrick followed the very adult consequences of a group of teens living in then-present-day New York City. Produced in part by Gus Van Zandt (Good Will... Read more

July 28, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

45 King Plays The Classics & The Breaks, Rocking An Hour-Long DJ Set For Boiler Room NYC (Video)

One of the true links in Hip-Hop's chain from the mid-1980s to today is 45 King. Often credited as the founder of the original Flavor Unit, 45 King is also the man responsible for discovering MCs like Queen Latifah, Chill Rob G, and others, all while producing classic material for... Read more

July 27, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Black Sheep Dres Breaks Down Ageism In Hip-Hop, Delivers HOT 97 A Message From DJ Kool Herc (Audio)

One of Hip-Hop's true mainstays over the last 25 years has been Dres. Since his days building with Kool DJ Red Alert and former Black Sheep to his latest songs about marriage and flexing Bars In The Booth alongside DJ Premier, the Queens, New York-born MC has been a strong,... Read more

July 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Puff Daddy & Ma$e Detail the Making of Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down (Video)

Even though the track liberally sampled Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" (and subsequently Ice Cube's remix of "Check Yo Self"), in 1997 there were few songs that got the party started like Puff Daddy's "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" featuring Ma$e. Complex has released a short documentary about the making of... Read more

July 17, 2014 Throwback

Here’s a Video Playlist of Some of the Hip-Hop & Soul Classics Touched by Bob Power (Video)

Here's a video playlist inspired by a recent interview with Bob Power, the legendary producer/engineer, who for more than 30 years has worked with some of Hip-Hop and Soul's most iconic acts. You'll see videos from A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, De La Soul, Me'shell Ndegeocello, The Roots,... Read more

July 11, 2014 Throwback

Hear Some Rare, Early ’70s Demo Versions From Bob Marley & The Wailers’ Catch A Fire (Audio)

#126 on Rolling Stone magazine's "Top 500 Greatest Albums Of All-Time," The Wailers' Catch A Fire is a benchmark Reggae album. Released in April of 1973, the album written primarily by Bob Marley, with two penned efforts by Peter Tosh featured a carefully-crafted concoction of hope, seduction, and social chronicle.... Read more

July 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

What Do You Get When You Mix SZA & Jill Scott? Divinity (Audio)

Here's the 2nd release of the week from TDE's SZA. It's another moody track and it's infused with the vocals of the one and only Jill Scott. The result? Divinity. Check it out. Related: SZA - Moodring (Audio)... Read more

July 10, 2014 Throwback

You Will Not Look at Puppets the Same After Seeing Jazmine Sullivan’s Visuals for Dumb (Video)

After returning with "Dumb," another power anthem for women who have been wronged, Jazmine Sullivan follows up with the video. The visuals employ puppets in all sorts of compromising positions, providing comic relief but also reinforcing the message that there are a lot of dummies out there...literally. Check it out.... Read more

July 8, 2014 Throwback

Salute to Spike Lee for 25 Years of Do The Right Thing (Video)

Last week (6/30) marked the 25th anniversary of Spike Lee's landmark film, Do The Right Thing. Here's a look at the Brooklyn filmmaker discussing the film and its impact, 25 years later, with the Huffington Post's Marc Lamont Hill. When the film was released in 1989, film critic Roger Ebert... Read more

July 7, 2014 Throwback

Pete Rock Talks Marley Marl, “T.R.O.Y.” & James Brown On NPR (Audio)

Growing up in a large, musically adept Jamaican family, Pete Rock has been groomed to become "passionately in love with music" from his earliest beginnings. The man who's known for creating "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)", sits down with A Tribe Called Quest's Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Frannie Kelley of... Read more

July 2, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

5 Years Ago Today, The World Lost The King Of Pop: Michael Jackson (Video Playlist)

Although his Xscape album is currently knocking on charts, with new singles still rocking on radio, it was five years ago today (June 25) the world lost one of the greatest entertainers its ever known in Michael Jackson. The pride of Gary, Indiana lives on through decades of timeless hits,... Read more

June 25, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Read 2Pac’s 1995 Letter From Prison To Public Enemy’s Chuck D

In September 1995, Tupac Shakur was in New York's Clinton Correctional Facility, with less than a month remaining on a sexual assault conviction, stemming from 1993. Maintaining that he was innocent of the accusations against him, 'Pac rallied in his year leading up to the sentencing, while working hard at... Read more

June 23, 2014 Throwback

Hear The Story Of Q-Tip, With Some A Tribe Called Quest & Last Zulu News (Audio)

The BBC keeps covering Hip-Hop with an elite edge. Benji B of the 1Xtra platform curated an extensive narrative audio mix, telling the Abstract story that is Q-Tip. With the playlist on display for "The Story Of Q-Tip," Benji cues records from the 1980s to set the stage for what... Read more

June 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Here’s a Fresh Back in the Day Mix of 90’s R&B. Reminisce to This (Audio)

Here's a fresh back in the day mix of 90's R&B from DJ Max October. It features sounds from Aaliyah, Usher, Xscape, SWV, Brandy, Case, Total, Blackstreet, 702, Lauryn Hill, Monica and more. This one is guaranteed to leave you wanting more. Check it out. Related: DJ Jazzy Jeff &... Read more

June 23, 2014 Throwback

Sadat X Talks Brand Nubian, Biggie, ‘Pac & Jay Z On Juan Epstein (Audio)

Sadat X sits down with Cipha Sounds and Peter Rosenberg to listen to some old Sadat cuts and discuss a wide variety of topics including his influences, early stories surrounding Brand Nubian including his initiation with Grand Puba and Lord Jamar and their subsequent '90s break-up, as well as some... Read more

June 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

Celebrate A Humble Genius, With A 3-Hour 1989-1999 Large Professor Mix (Audio)

Like many great artists, Large Professor is somewhat of a Hip-Hop recluse. He's never hard to find (especially if you're a Head who regularly attends NYC Rap concerts), but the man also known as "Extra P" is quick to dodge the spotlight, and take long breaks from releasing (or even... Read more

June 22, 2014 Audio, Throwback

DJ Kool Herc & Grandmaster Caz To Throw A Free Bronx Block Party 41 Years Later

Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis don't do many free Rock & Roll shows. The Clash don't play too many Punk shows anymore. However, Hip-Hop Heads are blessed with the opportunity to still see pioneers at work, and for not a single penny. This weekend, Hip-Hop's Godfather, DJ Kool Herc,... Read more

June 20, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

How About Some Unreleased Young, Pepped-Up J Dilla Rapping? (Audio)

J Dilla left behind a seemingly endless supply of unreleased music. Outside of his groups (Slum Village, JayLib), the producer/MC with more than one impresario loved recording. He did it nonstop, and also circulated tailor-made beat-tapes that are still surfacing. As part of Dilla's just-announced, family-endorsed box set, Rolling Stone... Read more

June 20, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

The O.G. Turntablist/Producer DJ Scratch Remixes Nas’ It Ain’t Hard To Tell (Audio)

Back in 1994, DJ Scratch was relatively quiet. Transitioning from his run as EPMD's DJ, the New Yorker was gearing up to work closely with Busta Rhymes on establishing a sound for the Leaders Of The New School front-man's next wave, Flipmode Squad. Heads in '94 did hear Scratch however,... Read more

June 18, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback

AFH Salutes the Father’s of Hip-Hop (Video Playlist)

In celebration of Father's Day, we salute some of the Fathers of Hip-Hop. Here's a video playlist with some key moments in time from Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5, Afrika Bambaataa, The Rock Steady Crew, The Cold Crush Brothers, Kurtis Blow and more. Check it out. Related: Episode 1... Read more

June 15, 2014 Throwback

Buckshot’s Stories Reenacted At The Hip-Hop Improv Show (Video)

Hot 97 links up with Buckshot for the latest segment of "Take It Personal: The Hip-Hop Improv Show" at UCB East in New York City. The Black Moon affiliate shares stories about his career, Tupac, and his family for the "Tribe Called Yes" improv crew to reenact in front of... Read more

June 13, 2014 Throwback

Check Rare Footage Of The Notorious B.I.G. Cosigning Lil’ Kim’s Solo Career & Raekwon Stories Wu-Tang Clan’s Logo (Video)

Gearing up for the next segment in BET's "The Message," clips are meshed together in the preview featuring everybody from the late Notorious B.I.G., to Birdman, to 2 Chainz, to Kendrick Lamar, to Jermaine Dupri. Included are Biggie recalling (to Joe Clair) a candid convo with Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s Lil' Kim... Read more

June 12, 2014 Fresh, Throwback