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The summer of 2000 is now a memory for hip hop heads in New York. Simply put. It was a huge year. The biggest events of the summer had to be the free concert held in Central Park by Common. The magnanimous Spitkicker tour led by De La Soul along with Dr Dre's Up in Smoke Tour that made waves throughout the country. But, it was one performance at Rocksteady 2000 during the free concert at the pier that made the big highlight for me. It was seeing Planet Asia tear up the stage with such lyrical fury. All live - no lip synching, (like KRS used to say). He then spontaneously ran from the stage and rocked the mic in the middle of the crowd. I never saw someone just up and stop what they were doing on stage and keep rocking in the middle of the crowd.... Asia just had that pep in his step that day.
In breaking news I was sorry to hear the offices at Pseudo.com have closed and the company has shut down. Sad because of the great people of 88hiphop are out of work. In 1997-99 88hiphop served as a great entity for bringing hip hop heads together. I remember going to the studio every week to check out the show and witnessing the formation of a community of heads down for real deal hip hop. People like DJ Mecca, PUSH, Randy, Big Mike the Terror, Cynical and Almetra from Beatminerz radio were very friendly and truly open to help people get on the show or be apart of what was going on. And talk about giving exposure to people. Being on the 88hiphop show brought you to the world. I know this show and the others on Pseudo.com brought the hip hop world the world period together for the sake of good music and culture. I'll never forget being in the studio and seeing Raekwon, Ghostface and Cappadonna give an impromptu performance or talking to Big Pun way before he blew up in the hallway and telling him I thought he was nice, or the mc battles that brought Punch and Words, AL Skills , Pack FM, Breeze, and C Rayz Walz to the face of heads who had to recognize their talents. So many memories... Shows on Pseudo will be missed and will mark a historic time in music transmission across the globe.
In this Diary segment a few more moments are captured for posterity... Sit back relax and take it in....
BRONX RIVER CELEBRATES NUMBER 50
The Bronx River Housing Projects held its 50th Anniversary in existance. This particular event was very important because Bronx River Projects served as one of The epicenters of Hip Hop music and culture. It was in this area where the Zulu Nation and Afrika Bambaataa held court and established the Zulu Nation as an organization that served as abassadors of what we have come to know as hip hop around the world. Early park jams held in this area of the Bronx brought hip hop to the fold and established this location as the place to be for hip hop music and culture back in the days when hip hop was just forming. It was only right on the 50th Anniversary of the Bronx River Projects that a jam was held by Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation in the back of the Center where the early Jams were held decades ago.
The day was filled with sunshine in the skies , smiles on the faces of the crowd and the pleasing sounds of good music. Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation hooked up the turntables up one more time. Flanked by the likes of Ol Skool legends DJ Kool Herc, DJ Jazzy Jay, The Crash Crew, Afrika Islam, Busy Bee, DJ Red Alert, and Crazy Legs to name a few. The beats and songs played were versitle. Rock, rap, funk , blues, soul, salsa boomed from the speakers as a crowd of all ages jammed the day away.
The Crash Crew's Reg-Reg and Marquis grabbed the mic for an impromptu freestyle session and a rendition of "Rockin on the Radio" that took it back to the old school for real. "This is a special day" remarked Reg-Reg-Reg. " For us it began here in Bronx River. "This is where hip hop really started, right here" continued Reg. "It's for the kids and I'm glad we had a chance to do it for them."
There was a strong sense of history all around the jam as people of many nationalities and ages enjoyed themselves and took in the music. The spirit of the day all but made you nostalgic and reflect on the origins of gatherings like this in the 70's when the new music and culture of Hip Hop was born on the streets of the Bronx.
PRODUCER PROFILE
"Cold Makin History:" A Profile of Spencer Bellamy
Hip Hop history has a funny way of happening sometimes. For Spencer Bellamy, Brooklyn native and aspiring producer, one fateful studio session unearthed the ultimate beat. The unforgettable track "Tried by 12" produced by Spencer Bellamy for The East Flatbush Project gathered an extreme buzz in 1996 from underground heads and DJ's around the world.
"When I made Tried by 12 people told me it was wierd" says Spencer. "But my motto is: less is more." "So I took koto (Japanese) strings and mixed that with a flipped version of Al Green drums." This creative idea led this cut to be a favorite instrumental for DJ's coast to coast and around the globe.
"It just has a presence" says Spencer. "The biggest thrill for me was hearing the Sway and Tech show play the instrumental while the Notorious B.I.G. freestyled over it in 1997." "Its just a signature beat for hip hop and I'm glad to be apart of it."
Side projects for Spencer followed. He spent some time working with the likes of Jay Z and Sauce Money for a track on the Belly Soundtrack. Other collaborations with Memphis Bleek and Foxy Brown kept Spencer busy. His talents behind the boards for other artists didn't keep Spencer from building ideas for his own projects and activities on his own 10/30 Uproar Records imprint.
"I have a single out now and an EP on the way." For Spencer ambition is not a problem but a goal. "I want to challenge myself to make 2 or 3 albums worth of material a year" says Spencer. " I aim to work with one or two artists to connect with and nurture."
The method Spencer chose to make his mark on hip hop was different and couragous. His edge as an artist cannot be doubted at all as he explains his battle to create. " You have to psyche yourself up and go ahead and crank out something. Sometimes it might be bullshit - sometimes it might be great. But you still have to keep going."
***Spencer's latest effort "Everything We Spit is Hard" for The East Flatbush Project can be found on 10/30 Uproar Records
CONCERT REVIEW: "FLASHBACK SUMMER 2000"
DEL & Blackalicious on Tour at SOB's
(June 4, 2000)
The Underground was well represented in every sense of the word sunday night as The Del, Blackalicious Tour rolled into at SOB's. The opening act MC Paul Berman was humorous at times but mostly disjointed. His set offered a comedy of errors only saved by his production and sense of humor as a crowd too kind to his weak lyrics and stage presence let him get by without a boo.
Up next was Blackalicious, who stole the show. With innovative call and response and an energetic stage show. Blacklicious led by Lateef along with special guest appearances by Lyrics Born got loose. DJ Chief XL and the point blank lyrical tantrums of gifted lyricist Gift of Gab had the crowd in a frenzy. In the finale, "A to Z": a rhyme run down of the alphabet by Gift of Gab rocked SOB's like no other song this night. The Blackalicious crew made a real impact with this performance.
Lastly, Del the Funky Homosapien made his way to the stage with his front man Khaos Unique, his producer Domino and his DJ Jay Biz. To a loud ovation Del ripped into his classics, "Mistadobolina" and "Dr. Bombay". With his barotone voice hugging the speakers coming through crystal clear. Del ran through some of his latest cuts like "If You Must" and "Press Rewind". He then stopped the show for a minute to discuss video game issues and his support for sega dreamcast which appropriately lost no one in the crowd who were into video games as much as Del when they suddenly yelled out their favorite games and consoles.
The show went on for Del and his fans, as they got what they wanted. Signature slogans, quierky one of a kind rhymes and eclectic vibes. In one of the more interesting moments of the night the unassuming and understated Del seemed surprised by the love he was getting from the crowd... In classic form, Del questions the crowd that has been shouting out the chorus for "No Need for Alarm" word for word... "Oh you guys really like this one huh?" As an incredible roar flowed from the capacity crowd that said it all.
FIRST'S TOP TEN LIST FOR SEPTEMBER 2000
1. Ante UP MOP
2. LP Zion I
3. Climax Slum Village
4. Skills 101 Reks
5. Flawless Phife
6. X-Man Sadat X
7. Holdin it Down Big L
8. EP Akrobatik
9. The Backbone DJ Revolution
10. Move Something Talib Kweli
In this edition of New York Diary we take a minute to focus in on New Jersey's own Tame One.
JERSEY LOVE - An Interview with Tame One
(all photography courtesy of GAGI)
Posted up on the corner of Varick Street in lower Manhattan just outside the Culture Club with Tame One and his extended family the BOOM SKWAD there is a feeling of brotherly love and eager anticipation. The eager anticipation has to do with Tame's upcoming performance tonight with his BOOM SKWAD family, and the celebration of their latest release "Boom Skwad on Attack." Seemingly putting Newark New Jersey on the Hip Hop map in the early 90's, the Artifacts along with artists like Redman gave the Brick City a respected identity. Now in the year 2000, Tame One - one half of the famous Artifacts group (now defunct) is a solo artist determined to shine in music.
FirstBorn:
Tame what has been going on for you since you went solo?
Tame:
Working with The BOOM SKWAD, that's Jay Burns, Mellow Max, Ruff Rhino. DJ Porno on Production. Some side projects with this female Judy Jetson. I just been working man.
FirstBorn:
You just had a relese on the Fat Beats label. How did that go down?
Tame:
The highs of that project, it was on vinyl. And I was loving that. The lows, it wasn't relesed on tape and everyone in Jersey usually bang tapes. But, with the fat beats project, I was very appreciative of it. I don't have nothing negative to say about them.
FirstBorn:
Ok, Lets talk about your roots in Hip Hop and where it all started for you?
Tame:
It all started in the 'Bricks" (Newark, New Jersey) basically. In the early 80's hip hop was coming up. In the early 80's New York had the crazy graff on the trains. rappers was coming up from all over doing shows everywhere. It wasn't a lot of bullshit you know. (Pause) I don't wanna stereotype myself and keep telling the same "keep it real" stories. But, in the Brick City and going to
Manhattan in the 80's, Yo Hip Hop was just a beautiful thing right there.
FirstBorn:
What made the 80's so great for you? Was it the Graff, the rap?
Tame:
The fact that it was different. Being able to express yourself differently in a culture. Being able to embrace a culture. I can't educate no one on it.
FirstBorn:
Why can't you educate someone?
Tame:
Because you had to be there man. Come on. The Cold Crush was doing their thing in the 70's. You know everyone influenced by them came out in the 80's and they influenced people like me who came out in the 90's.
FirstBorn:
You have been around. You have the longevity. How do you sustain it and stay involved in Hip Hop?
Tame:
Man its hard to maintain. I mean I'm getting too old. I can't be in certain places doing certain things I'm used to doing. And being that everything in hip hop is changing and everything is geared towards money and how to get it and keep it... If I'm supposed to have the respect in the underground circuit (pause) the underground don't pay bills.
FirstBorn:
So its a "Money" thing?
Tame:
That's politics, I can't even deal with right there. I didn't come from that. When it was fun, it was a fun thing and we were doing it for the love.
FirstBorn:
What's the significance of the BOOM SKWAD? Who are they?
Tame:
These are the people that helped shape, form and mold what Tame One is today. Its like these are the MC's, DJ's, the producers, the graff artists that influenced me when I was coming up.
FirstBorn:
What's going down with your project with the BOOM SKWAD? What should the fans look out for?
Tame:
The lead single, "BOOM SKWAD on Attack". That's the first piece we are gonna throw out for the public. Right now we're not trying to make a "radio single" or an "underground single". We're trying to straight jam like we're a band and put out material. It's not industry geared. It's more or less us doing us and just making good music. We feel like its over due. The BOOM SKWAD is just an extention of The Boss Mob. It goes way back, way back.
The Underground scene is bubbling in NYC. Live shows by the likes of Common, Mos Def, Dead Prez and artists from out of town like Del and Blackalicious have made this a summer to remember. Its been a pleasure catching real hip hop around town. Here are some of the early highlights and music tidbits in the underground.
STILL COMMON 6/25/00
In one of the best performances for free that you will ever see. Common rocked Central Park last weekend at Summer Stage. In a lively performance, Common backed by his band 'A Black Girl Named Becky' performed most of his songs from his recent album "Like Water for Chocolate". In the most interesting moment of the show, the band played an instrumental of the Dr. Dre's anthem "Still Dre" while Common freestyled his own version of the song. "Still rhyme for fun/still go to parties without a gun..." It was here where Common's spontanious flow and off the head raps won the crowd over. The turntable heroics of DJ Dummy provided a lift to Common's show as NYC was treated to hip hop the way its supposed to be.
BRONX BEAT
One of the most unique characters in the underground scene from the Bronx is C-Rayz Walz. While he might not be a household name, his wild rhyme style and energetic personality on stage similar to an Ol' Dirty Bastard with more creativity. His lyrics lean towards black righteous thought with a pinch of comedic irony. C-Rayz can easily make you cry as well as laugh until it hurts. His independent album, "The Prelude" found on some online hip hop stores and on C-Rayz himself wherever he goes is a funny easy going trip in the mind of a new hip hop star in the making. Several songs like "Long Range" and "Degrees" show off his conscious edge with freestyle flows. While "Great Voices" feature C-Rayz at his comedic best imitating Eminem, Sadat X, Run-DMC and others. An old school joint "Stupid Def" featuring Percee-P, Poision Pen, L.I.F.E Long and Orko boggles the mind with a fresh old school style of rap that takes things back to 79. C-Rayz is making a name for himself here and the future looks bright.
BRONX AND HARLEM TOP 10 (7/3/00)
1. Big L "Flamboyant" Rawkus
2. C-Rayz Walz "The Prelude LP"
3. Big Pun "100%" Loud
4. Division X "The Essence"
5. Milano "Rep For The Slums" DITC
6. Cuban Link f/Big Pun "Toe to Toe" Atlantic
7. Mike Ladd "Welcome to the Afterfuture Ozone
8. AG f/Guru "Weed Scented" Silva Dom
9. Infesticons "Gun Hill LP" Big Dada
10. Hip Hop for Respect "One For Love Pt. 1" Rawkus
HIP HOP SPEAKS OUT FOR JUSTICE 6/3/00
Hunter College in Manhattan was the scene for a benefit concert held by the student organization on campus SLAM which brought hip hop's most conscious artists together for social justice and protest. The benfit directly was held for the East Coast Youth Movement to free Mumia Abu Jamal and protest against police brutality. Perfromances by Afu Ra, Mike Ladd, Earth Driver, Mos Def and Dead Prez captured the conscious nature of the event. Political poet, Suheir had words that rang clear on her poem about the Diallo shooting "41 Shots"; " How does Diallo's Mom feel???" Her words and reflection on the murder of Amadou Diallo brought a hush to a crowd of over 2,000 people. The benefit's master of ceremonies Black Thought from the Roots rocked the mic with human beat box expert and sound wizard Scratch. The B-Boys and B-Girls of the Full Circle Crew put on a showstopping perfomance of their own. B-Girl Rocafella let the audience know breaking is alive and well. The amount of headspins by Full Cirle had the crowd alive and energized as any rap song performed that night. Dead Prez closed the show in triumphant style as hits like "Hip Hop" and "I'm a African" along with the controversial song "Cop Shot" rang out in full flare. "Cop Shop" copying the style of the song "Black Cop" by KRS-ONE with the chorus "Cop Shot, Cop Shot, Cop Shot" raised a few eyebrows at this event and had rebels in the crowd in a frenzy. It made for the most confrontational moment of the night.