From Groove Theory To Blackstreet, These Retro R&B Blends Welcome Summer (Mix)
In the 1990s, Hip-Hop and R&B flirted with each other in plenty of ways. The decade made an institution out of the cross-genre collaboration, making R&B albums all the more unpredictable, and Hip-Hop albums all the more versatile. Out of the decade, Mary J Blige, Jodeci, and R. Kelly were products, pulling strongly from Rap—and artists like Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, and Kokane brought harmony, melody, and a singing cadence to their own albums.
One could argue the New York City’s Ron G was (and is) an integral trend-setter with the melding of the music. His tapes took 12″ singles from each genre, and blended them together—undoubtedly influencing sanctioned works like Mary J and Smif-N-Wessun’s “I Love You (Remix),” her later DJ Clue-helmed “Back 2 Life 2001” with Jadakiss, CRU’s “Just Another Case,” and Case and Foxy Brown’s “Touch Me, Tease Me.” The sound works, and appeals to multiple audiences—especially in summertime, when block parties and house parties heat up, along with everything else.
Another New York-based DJ, Boogieknight, saluted Ron G, with a tribute mix. Sounding like something ripped off of a Maxell tape, this one-hour mix blends R&B vocals, Hip-Hop beats, breaks, raps, and a whole lot of style together. Heads will hear luminaries like After 7, Groove Theory, Diamond D, Cypress Hill, 45 King breaks, Salt-N-Pepa, Zhané, and even some B.T. Express. Basically, this mix will make you open your windows, and dance no matter who is watching. Retro and refreshing at once, Ron G has to be proud of the style he informed:
Check out more of Boogieknight’s mixes.
Related: Remember Ron G Blend Tapes? Marsha Ambrosius Must, As She Combines Jeru With Sade (Video)