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Hip-Hop Steps Up In A Big Way At A Time When DJ Spinna Needs Our Help

On June 11 one of the most respected DJ/producers in modern music, Vincent Williams aka DJ Spinna sustained a ruptured appendix and had to have emergency surgery. His friend Moe Choi started a GoFundMe campaign to pay for his soaring medical expenses and cover lost wages. The esteemed DJ, producer,... Read more

DJ Spinna’s Moving 90-Minute Mix Teaches Black History, In Audio

DJ Spinna is well known for his massive record collection, varied musical tastes, and extensive mixes. This Brooklynite has refused to be pigeon-holed and has created essential mixtapes and compilations that focus on a wide variety of genres including Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk, Deep House, Jazz, Post-Disco, R&B, and more. He... Read more

Pete Rock & J Dilla Birthed A Beat Generation That Shaped The Future (Audio)

Within the space of three months in 2001, two of Hip-Hop’s preeminent producers, J Dilla and Pete Rock were in a kind of competition, and this led to the release of two ground-breaking albums that would shape the sound of the genre for the next decade and beyond. According to... Read more

Weldon Irvine Influenced Black Star, KRS-One, JAY-Z, Common & Q-Tip. His Story Is Being Told (Video)

Best-known perhaps as the songwriter of the unofficial Civil Rights anthem, "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" (popularized by Nina Simone), the late Weldon Irvine bridged the generations as a key mentor and collaborator to Hip-Hop icons during the '90s and beyond. Guru, Roy Ayers, & Donald Byrd Brought Jazzmatazz... Read more

The Jigmastas Have New Music & They’ve Got Something To Say (Video)

The Jigmastas was a prominent 1990s and early 2000s duo of DJ Spinna and Kriminul (aka Krim). With Underground Hip-Hop history with Eminem, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and the late Guru, this Brooklyn, New York collective has been quiet for much of the last decade, since their days with Tommy... Read more

Can You Spot DOOM In This Graffiti-Inspired Company Flow Video?

El-P joined forces with Killer Mike to produce his album R.A.P. Music in 2012, officially forming their group Run The Jewels the following year. They have since released three studio albums, rocked a few late night talk shows, made some bold political statements, toured extensively, inspired some amazing graffiti, landed... Read more

DJ Spinna Returns With Latest Signed, Sealed, Delivered Stevie Wonder Mix

Brooklyn, New York's DJ Spinna has garnered acclaim for his work with Jigmastas, Eminem, and others. A mixmaster who works in Hip-Hop, House, Funk, and Rock & Roll, among other genres, Spinna and Bobbito famously launched a Stevie Wonder mix series in their 2001 Wonder Wrote It (posted below). With... Read more

Imagine If Jimi Hendrix & Prince Had A Guitar Prodigy Son. Meet Marcus Machado (Audio & Video)

In the life of every music lover there comes a time when a live performance reminds us of the purest form of power in talent - to reinvigorate, re-inspire, and rekindle that spark which made us fall in love with music in the first place. When coming across an artist... Read more

DJ Spinna’s Pharcyde Mix Features A Song They Did With Bobby Brown & Ralph Tresvant (Audio)

DJ Spinna is not your average mixmaster. The Jigmastas alum has been able to go incredibly deep in honoring musicians he admires. He and Bobbito did this exceptionally in their Wonder Wrote It series (and corresponding parties), and now he's turning the (turn)tables onto The Pharcyde. Celebrating the 20th anniversary... Read more

DJ Spinna Recreates A 1980s Party Through Blending Breaks, Early Rap & Groove (Mix)

DJ Spinna is one of Hip-Hop's most versatile mixmasters. The Brooklyn, New York native has shined a light on House, Funk-Rock, and the all-encompassing genius of Stevie Wonder, while introducing The Jigmastas, Polyrhythm Addicts, as well as early works by MCs ranging from Eminem to J-Live, Thirstin Howl III to... Read more

From Acid Jazz to House, Hiatus Kaiyote & DJ Spinna Are Breathing Underwater (Audio)

Much like Brand New Heavies and Jamiroquai before them, Australia's Hiatus Kaiyote bring a special brand of Acid Jazz and Soul to the table. Under the guidance of label chief Salaam Remi (The Fugees, Nas, Amy Winehouse, Miguel, Usher), the group is quickly becoming an intercontinental sensation. In March, they... Read more

Here’s an Amazing New Film About the Evolution of Hip-Hop Radio in the 80s (Video)

Red Bull Music has put together an amazing new documentary about the evolution of Hip-Hop radio in the 80s. Titled Revolutions On Air: The Golden Era of New York Radio 1980 - 1988, the short film serves as an in-depth look at some of the key personalities responsible for bringing... Read more

Are You Really Ready for Some Super Dynamite Soul? DJ Cosmo Baker is on the Job (Mix)

In the DJ world, Cosmo Baker is a giant. Whether in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Philadelphia, or pretty much any part of the globe, Cos' can seemingly spin any genre, with style and finesse. Swinging through Drexel University's WKDU Eavesdrop Show, Baker brought nothing but a box of 7" 45's, and got... Read more

DJ Spinna & J. Rocc Cross The Coasts In 2 Separate ’90s Mixes (Audio)

Two veteran masters of the mix are DJ Spinna and J. Rocc. AFH's faithful are quite familiar with J. Rocc, the SoCal spinner who is part of JayLib, The Beat Junkies, and a frequent affiliate with Stones Throw Records. Across the country, in the borough of Brooklyn, DJ Spinna was... Read more

Here’s a Mind-Blowingly Comprehensive Oral History of Rawkus Records

Here's a mind-blowingly comprehensive oral history of Rawkus Records, one of the last great Hip-Hop record labels, put together by MySpace. The piece features contributions from DJ Premier, DJ Spinna, El-P, Evil Dee, Kool G Rap, Pharoahe Monch, Q-Tip and many, many more. Check out an excerpt and link to... Read more

This week’s playlist was inspired by those lost Little Brother gems that dropped earlier in the week. It draws heavily on that deep, melodic 9th Wonder sound.

It draws heavily on that deep, melodic 9th Wonder sound, as well as his muse Pete Rock and others. You'll find some J-Live, Jay-Z (courtesy of 9th), Nicolay & Kay, The Foreign Exchange and lots of Little Brother (esp. from the Chittlin Circuit era). This one is for the love.... Read more

Ibiza Sonica: La Latina – Karlos Sense

  Press play, sit back, close your eyes and imagine the sunset at a cafe in Ibiza.... Read more