I know that’s a lot of tags. Sorry, blame it on me. (Okay, my fault, no more Akon references. Gosh.) Up to this point, I’ve written on and off about any and all kinds of music. Most notably, I’ve contributed a number of entries to the official Rhodes Radio blog, covering everything from Kid Cudi to the Dirty Projectors. This post is an archive of my previous writings.

2009 09 12 “The Pursuit of Happiness“

2009 09 11 “Empire State of Mind“

2009 09 10 “Enjoy a video today, part six“

2009 09 09 “The British Re-Invasion“

2009 09 08 “We’re still here… and so is Talbot Tagora“

2009 08 26 “Let This Beat Ride“

2009 08 26 “awesome authentic autumntime video #259,978“

2009 08 25 “awesome authentic autumntime video #259,977“

2009 08 24 “Who the f*%# is B.o.B? (Who the f*%# is Bobby Ray?)“

2009 08 24 “Enjoy a video today, part cinq“

2009 08 23 “sweet sweaty summertime video #259,976“

2009 08 23 “Enjoy a video today, part quatre“

2009 08 23 “13 Sunny Songs for a Summer Afternoon“

2009 08 22 “ba de ya, dancin’ in September“

2009 08 21 “Enjoy a video today, part trois“

2009 08 20 “New Music: Tegan and Sara do it up with Tiësto“

2009 08 10 “sweet sweaty summertime video #259,975“

2009 08 10 “Jay Reatard documentary: Waiting for Something“

2009 08 07 “Internat’l Correspondence“

2009 07 31 “oh!9 jamz, pt. II“

2009 07 31 “Enjoy a video today, part deux“

2009 07 26 “Artist Spotlight: the Avett Brothers“

2009 07 24 “oh!9 jamz, pt. I“

I’d like to note that, while I do my best to be meticulous in my blogging — often going back and checking links, etc. — some content may not be available at this point. Websites like YouTube don’t own the rights to things like music videos, so they’re occasionally removed. You know this. While we’re on the subject of YouTube though, here’s one from the (Epitaph Records official YouTube page — it’ll stick around) archives called “First One On the Blog.” Huh.

Killer video called ‘Rap Queens’ featuring Roxanne Shante, MC Lyte and Queen Latifah. Nice story on recording ‘Roxanne’s Revenge’ from Shante and her mum.

[Apiento]

NewYork NewYork #5

(9th Wonder feat ??? – New New York)

Saturday morning in the big A…and the city that never sleeps is snoring like a baby..I have been awake since 5:30 and looking out the window I don’t see a soul ! from where i’m plotted (the corner of 56 and Lex) and I’m itching to get out and tread some pavement….
Arrived in Manhattan yesterday afternoon after shooting the breeze all the way from JFK with a driver who hustled the fare between me and some Irish kid..which as it turned out was perfect because we spoke first about cricket, (he is from Trinidad), and then moved onto politricks, a topic I always enjoy. The fare was the same as I would have paid in a yellow so all good..although I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone else. Unlicensed cars are dangerous and should never really be taken especially ‘up a foreign’.

Went to see a Bauhaus exhibition at the MoMa which was great due purely to the company I’m keeping on this whistle stop visit. Don’t get me wrong I am a big fan of the movement especially the photography and the architecture and it was nice to visit the MoMa but my primary reason for being here is to spend some QT with someone I have deep but as yet unpronounced feelings for..don’t worry I’m working up the courage to express myself in person but fear of rejection is the river I have always found hardest to cross but my will to succeed is growing stronger as I absorb my experiences along the way so I am determined to cross by any means neccessary after all what could be worse than drowning in fear?

Anyway, before I wander off into my all too frequent ramblings let’s get back to the music. Today’s cut is a wicked slice of what I have always known and will continue to call Hip-Hop…shows my age no doubt but I remember the inspirational call to arms when it sounded in the early 80’s and I marched right along with it until1985 when something else caught my ear.

Them early cuts hold great memories for me and one day I’m planning on rolling out a selection on themusicologist to pay tribute to cats like Whodini, Grandmaster Flash, Marley Marl, The Soul Sonic Force, Newcleus, The Wrecking Cru, UTFO, Run Dmc etc, ( to name but a few), for pioneering a NEW modernist sound..which along with ‘House’, (another musical product of the generation I am proud to have been on the vanguard of), have been the two most influential movements of the last 30 years. I look and listen around now and all I see and hear are variations on recurring themes that make me wonder if we have arrived at a point where ‘cultural history’ is on a loop?

So here without delay is a top ranking cut that is inspiring a rennaisance in the genre for themusicologist..extra BIG shout of love going out to our two children especially Fabian who likes this one. Haven’t got all my details here so i’m  a bit lost regarding the details…all I do know off the top of my head is that it’s a 9th Wonder production and it’s absolutely top class that for me has the lot..lyrics, music and delivery.

Listen tune..

NewYork NewYork #1

(Kool G Rap – Streets Of New York)

This week it’s all about NYC..The Big Apple. Why? because I’m going there on Friday to spend a few days with someone very special who is and has been an inspiration. Words don’t tend to do feelings justice so I’ll leave it at that…regular visitors to themusicologist will know that I have a tendency to wax lyrical and believe me I would like to continue in that tradition but being a dyed in the wool romantic the poetry could run away with me so I’ll do me best to rein it in before I get all 18th Century on yer arse and end up prancing about in velvet suits, curling up my ‘locks’ and spouting Wordsworth and Coleridge poems !!

So to balance that out hold this piece of 21st Century hip-hop from one of New York City’s legendary lyricists, the trail blazing, Kool G Rap .. one of the greatest rappers to have ever graced the M.I.C whose legacy runs deep. Member of Marley Marl’s Juice Crew, (along with MC Shan, Roxanne Shante, Big Daddy Kane and BizMarkie), the Cat has influenced many a BIG name and is highly regarded and respected by those in the know as a progenitor of the style which now dominates. A man whose authenticity regarding street narrative is beyond doubt..one final piece of information..he was born in 1968 which seems to be a significant year for many reasons.

Percy Chapman aka Trag is a true master.
You can check his credentials in this documentary about…

“Queensbridge: the world’€™s largest housing project, with the richest legacy in hip-hop: from The Juice Crew, to Nas, Mobb Deep and the realest of them all: Tragedy. While still in his mother’s womb, Tragedy’s dad is shot dead. Thirteen years later, with his mom hooked on smack, Trag has to hustle to survive, but the kid’s a rap genius and is signed to the world famous Juice Crew ’til he’s busted and sent to Riker’s at 16. Trag emerges political, releasing his Intelligent Hoodlum album. ‘Nuff respect, but he’s eclipsed by young rapper Nas. Trag falls prey to the streets where he discovers teen rappers Capone-N-Noreaga. After dissing Snoop Dogg, they get a record deal. Trag is hailed as a genius for masterminding their geo-political War Report album.
Capone is busted and Noreaga finds stardom, leaving Trag to starve. Then Trag’s mom ODs. At first Trag turns to crime, then finds inspiration, turning pain to beauty with underground albums Against All Odds and Still Reporting. Trag meets Nore to talk about making music together again, but cops pull up on ‘em, throwing Trag in jail. Out on bail, Trag is still reporting from the hood, keeping it real in Queensbridge.“

Prison sentence: On December 27, 2007, Tragedy was convicted of selling narcotics and sentenced to a maximum of four years in prison.
He is scheduled to be released on January 21, 2011

4 those that were there..I had to do it!! yall better not EVER have me do a 90’s set..you can keep that “It Takes Two” (even though that was 87)..

yep..I did it..for those who know!! posers NOT invited!!

EYE HEART YOU SHANTE!! HOLD YOUR HEAD..YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS..

In Canarsie, Bk, Masta Ace is better known by the kids as Coach Ace.

Almost all of them rap,
but have no idea their head-coach is one of the best who ever did it…
They’ll get a pass, tho : they weren’t even born the day Marley Marl gave Ace a ticket into the legend by lettin him in his mother’s apartment in Queensbridge…
Right here, the Masta finally tells the world how a Brownsvillian ended up in the legendary Juice Crew, and how he hooked up with Marley Marl, Shan, and Craig G the same day Kool G Rap recorded his 1st track ever.

http://www.discogs.com/Roxanne-Shanté-Go-On-Girl/release/123654

Label: Cold Chillin’
Catalog#: 0-20935
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Hip Hop
Style:
Tracklist:

A Go On Girl (Marley Marl Mix) 3:47
B Go On Girl (Dub) 4:34

Credits
Mixed By, Producer – Marley Marl
Written-By – A. Hardy* , M. Williams*

http://www.mediafire.com/?5ndymnmjywn

Artist : Nas
Album : Illmatic
Year : 1994
Song : Memory Lane (Sittin’ In Da Park)

cutz //

“Now let me take a trip down memory lane
Back in public school with my partner Kane
When I was class clown and he was my brotherr
Sittin’ at the desk, pluckin’ boogers at each other “

(Pickin’ Boogers by Biz Markie / Goin’ Off / 1987)

“Livin larger than life, and what this means is
We’ll be the dopest duo comin outta Queensbridge
Now crews hate us cause we’re extraordinaire
For you to beat us? Hm, I think that’s sort of rare”

(Droppin’ Science by Marley Marl / In Control vol. 1 /1988)

http://www.discogs.com/Various-BQE-Brooklyn-Queens-EP/release/387045

Label: Hydra Entertainment
Catalog#: HYD-501
Format: Vinyl, 12″, EP
Country: US
Released: 1999
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: Conscious
Tracklist:

A1 K. Fanat – Zoo York
Producer – A Kid Called Roots
A2 Kamakazee – Snakes
Producer – Marley Marl
A3 l.G. Off And Hazadous – On The Air
Producer – DJ Spinna
A4 Gab Gotcha – On The Job
Producer – Beatnuts, The
B1 Hostyle (3) – Beat ‘Em On The Head
Producer – Bezo
B2 Hostyle (3) – Beat ‘Em On The Head (Instrumental)
Producer – Bezo
B3 Godfather Don – Burn
Producer – Godfather Don
B4 Godfather Don – Burn (Instrumental)
Producer – Godfather Don

DON’T SLEEP

http://www.mediafire.com/?mnmi4wdw5zz

DJ Premier , is a  record producer and DJ , and the instrumental half of the duo Gang Starr , together with vocalist Guru. Originally from Houston , he has lived in Brooklyn , New York for much of his life since childhood and professional career . Premier is hailed as an architect of ” East Coast hip-hop known by its super heavy drums and sparse soulful sample loops .

The Source magazine named DJ Premier one of the five greatest producers in hip-hop history , while editors from About.com ranked him as #1 in its Top-50 Hip-Hop Producers list .

In an interview with XXL Magazine , DJ Premier was asked how his sound evolved , to which he replied , “Marley Marl is my number one inspiration . Jam Master Jay , Mixmaster Ice and UTFO . Grandmaster D and Whodini . DJ Cheese , Grandmaster Flash , Kool Herc , Afrika Bambaataa . Jazzy Jay , even Cut Creator . 

@iamdiddy If you love Hip-Hop RT: PLS contact Carol White/EJ Simms Fun. Svcs to donate to [Mr.Magic]s burial fund. 718-783-1400 RT

This is just one of the MANY tweets I’ve seen going out to various artists in the Hip-Hop Community asking for assistance in burying Mr. John Rivas- known to us as DJ Mr. Magic. If you didn’t know- well, you should if you’re claiming to be Hip-Hop-Mr. Magic is one of our Founding Fathers; a Pioneer. His radio show The RAP ATTACK was the first exclusive rap radio show to be aired on a major station. He was instrumental in bringing Rap Music & Hip-Hop culture to the mainstream. Which means these Blinging, Clownin’, Coonin’, & Buffoonin’ Shuckin’ & Jivin’ Triflin’ Negro you see today enjoying that success would be non-existent if it weren’t for him. The Gift & The Curse. Then, it should be no problem for them to dig deep & cough up some bread to give this gentleman a decent burial. Shyt, and with the dollars they’re seeing, the bread is mere crumbs. Blinging from their neck is the cost of FIVE FUNERALS! What they trick up in booze & weed is the cost of a Floral Arrangement. Their watches are equilateral to the price of a casket. Your jeans & sneakers can pay for the obituary & funeral cards. In a nut shell, one mediocre artist could cover the cost of the funeral, let alone the more prominent figures. And this is NOT to single @iamdiddy out, but to give an open call to ALL the “Major Players” in the Game. I’m not saying they have a LEGAL responsibility, but they DO have A MORAL obligation. We should be our brother’s & sister’s keepers. Our dirty laundry should not have to fall into the street before we decide to get some Tide & straighten that shyt out! How are we becoming so “busy” & entangled in our own stuff that we can’t look after our elders & fore parents?

We can all make the argument that folk need to manage their money better; handle their own affairs. But things happen. Things called life and unfortunately, Mr. Magic didn’t really get to cash in on that cross over success the genre experienced. And he’s owed. Dudes in the game should have been knowing what was good with him & what wasn’t. Everybody else takes care of their own, why don’t we? We have No Problem taking care of others, especially when the media cameras are rolling. You never know when you’ll be in the same predicament. One wrong investment and your ass will be trading in a Maybach for a Metro Card. We better knock it off & get it right.

-”The BklynBandette”. Mr. Hollywood’s Co-Defendant.

Debuting in 1983 on WBLS-FM in New York City with the first exclusive rap radio show to be aired on a major station. Billing itself as Rap Attack, Magic’s show featured Marley Marl as the DJ and Tyrone “Fly Ty” Williams as the show’s co-producer. Magic’s reign on the New York City airwaves lasted six years and was instrumental in broadening the scope and validity of hip-hop music.

For Funeral Arrangements and Interviews click HERE

“PERSISTENCE ALWAYS OVERCOMES RESISTANCE. ANY FOOL CAN LEARN FROM HIS OWN MISTAKES, BUT IT TAKES A WISE MAN AND A WISE GIRL TO LEARN FROM THE MIS…TAKES OF OTHERS. BE YOURSELF ‘CAUSE YOU MIGHT FIND YOURSELF BY YOURSELF.”
-Mr.Magic

FROM DJ PREMIER:

I WANT TO SEND OUT THE UTMOST RESPECT AND CONDOLENCES TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN RIVAS—-aka MR. MAGIC

HE PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING OF A HEART ATTACK…..

TRUE HIP HOP HEADS KNOW THAT HIS HISTORY IS SO LONG DUE TO HIM BEING THE FIRST RAP MIXSHOW TO EVER BE ON COMMERCIAL RADIO ON NEW YORK’S WBLS–(107.5) WITH MARLEY MARL AND FLY TY IN 1982-1984…….THEN WENT ON TO WHBI IN OCTOBER OF 1984 AND THEN BACK TO WBLS in 1985 and WDAS in Philly SIMULTANEOUSLY

HE PAVED THE WAY FOR ALL RADIO STATIONS THAT EVER DID MIXSHOWS AND ALSO SPARKED THE CAREER OF BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS DUE TO THE DISS HE SHOWED WHEN THEY CAME TO SHOP THEIR DEMO TO HIM AND WAS TURNED AWAY WHICH THEN SPARKED “SOUTH BRONX” AND “THE BRIDGE IS OVER”…….

HE WAS KNOWN FOR HIS DIRECT AND SARCASTIC ATTITUDE ON THE AIR AND EVERY ARTIST WANTED HIS APPROVAL WHEN IT CAME TO BREAKING NEW RECORDS……..HE EVEN HAD SONGS DEDICATED TO HIM BY THE LEGENDARY WHODINI–(“MR. MAGIC’S WAND”) WHICH WAS SURPRISINGLY PRODUCED BY ONE OF MY FAVORITE ARTISTS THOMAS DOLBY…….

SHOUTS OUT TO MARLEY MARL AND FLY TY FOR THE CORRECT INFORMATION ON THIS……

REST IN PEACE MR. MAGIC………….DJ PREMIER

SOME DOWNLOADS FOR Y’ALL:
Mr.CEE’s Tribute
Blackout Radio September 29, 2009

Rather than focus on a single topic, today I’d like to try something new. Today’s post will be a round up of some of the more interesting radio stories I have found recently. I’ll include a  link at the end of each entry to a full news article on the subject.

Leave us a comment and let us know if you like this approach. If so, I will make it a regular part of the programming.

First up is some sad news. Legendary DJ Mr. Magic passed away Friday morning from an apparent heart attack. For those who do not recognize him, he was the DJ who co-hosted the first all hip hop radio show on WBLS  in NYC way back in 1983 with Marley Marl. It’s hard to imagine the modern air waves without hip hop, but back then he was the only one doing it. Another radio icon has left the building.  [Gawker]

An interesting line of development is going on down under. Australians are working on something called “Yellowbird.” Yellowbird is supposed to turn on your radio and flash a light to automatically issue disaster alerts. As always, I am a fan of emergency radio and feel that this is a fantastic idea. Let’s hope they get the grants they are waiting on from the Australian government. [ABC News Australia]

On the gadget front, we have the debut of iHome’s iP88, a clock radio that finally has dual iPhone docks. FM for my morning listening and the ability to charge and play both my own and my wife’s iPhones? I call that a win! It’s amazing to me how long it seems to take to get simple, obvious functionality like this onto the market. Look at how long it took before we say integrated FM on the iPod Nano. [iPodNN]

Larry Wilson, who founded Citadel Broadcasting Corp, is moving back into the radio industry. He just closed a $40 million deal with CBS Radio to purchase three of their stations in the Portland, OR, area. This will bring his total in the city to five stations. Mr. Wilson cashed out of radio in 2001 when he sold Citadel, but I guess you can never escape once radio gets in your blood! [The Deal]

As I sit in my car in front of TGM (The Green Movement Recycling Company) and listen to some online Z shares of Old Mr. Magic Broadcasts from the early to mid 80’s that I downloaded to my computer, I’m taken back to my early childhood.

My earliest memory of Mr. Magic goes back to my days of grade school. My good childhood friend Mark Swain relocated to East Windsor NJ where I lived, from Lakewood NJ. He brought with him tapes of this DJ he loved who aired on WHBI.  Of course that DJ was Super Rocker Mr. Magic.  Listening to Mr. Magic inspired Mark and I to write rhymes and create beats because we wanted to one day be heard on the Mr. Magic Rap Show.

A year or so after I was introduced to the sounds of Mr. Magic, he started airing “The Rap Attack Show” on WBLS. He was the host, DJ Marley Marl was the mix master and Tyrone “Fly Ty” Williams was one of the producers of the show. Every Saturday night around 10 PM -12AM they would play all the hot new rap music coming out of the Tri-State Area. Every weekend I would be impatiently waiting to tape the show so I could have rap music to hear through the week until the following weekend.

My dreams finally came true. I would later go on to become one of those artist who could be heard on “The Rap Attack.  Later I would make the song “In control of things” that become the theme song for “Marley Marl’s In Control Rap Show.

If it wasn’t for Mr. Magic I don’t know where Rap Music would be. To me he put Rap Music on the World Stage. His show “The Rap Attack” was the first show on major radio to showcase Hip-Hop music.  I’m forever in debt to his vision and grateful that I was around to see his greatness unfold.

R.I.P. Mr. Magic

“You will forever be missed”

YZ

Blackworld Entertainment

http://therealyz.wordpress.com/

http://twitter.com/therealyz

Und schon wieder gibt es einen herben Verlust für die HipHop Community zu vermelden: Der legendäre DJ und Mitbegründer der Juice Crew, Mr. Magic, ist im Alter von 53 Jahren an einem Herzinfarkt gestorben. Bereits Anfang der 1980er Jahre startete der New Yorker DJ John Rivas mit Mr. Magic’s Rap Attack durch – einer der ersten professionellen Radio-Shows für das Rap-Genre. “On Air” wurde er von Produzent und Plattenleger Marley Marl unterstützt. Unvergessen ist die Hommage an die Beiden von Biggie Smalls: “Every Saturday – Rap Attack – Mr. Magic, Marley Marl”, aus seinem Track Juicy. Mitte der 80er pflegte Sir Juice – der als Verbindungsmann der Mitglieder der HipHop Supergroup Juice Crew um MC’s wie Roxanne Shanté, Masta Ace, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie und Kool G Rap fungierte – eine Rivalität zu seinem Radio-Show Konkurrenten Kool DJ Red Alert. Wie von DJ Premier nun bestätigt wurde ist Mr. Magic am 2. Oktober 2009 verstorben.

Rest in Peace, Super Rocking Mr. Magic!

Andreas Margara (3. Oktober 2009)

Notorious BIG – Juicy

On Friday the second of October, the Hip Hop pioneer Mr Magic died of a heart attack. For those that don’t know Mr Magic, in 1983, started the first exclusively Hip Hop radio show on New Yorks WBLS-FM. Mr Magic’s Rap Attack was pioneering in the truest sense of the word. Hip Hop was still a fledgling musical genre and Mr Magic along with with Marley Marl and Fly Ty helped champion a type of music that was viewed with extreme negativity by the mainstream who seemed to fear Hip Hop.

To say Mr Magic was a massive influence would be an understatement, namechecked by Whodini, Biggie, Nas, Tupac, Blaq Po, he helped terraform a musical landscape that would spawn countless sub genre’s and crossovers that don’t even know who he was or what he did.

RIP Mr Magic, you will be missed.

Mr. Magic Rap Attack Vol.3

Magic, born John Rivas, was the first on air disc jockey to have a hip-hop show on a major radio station. “Rap Attack,” on WBLS-FM, debuted in 1983 and along with helping to introduce hip-hop music to the mainstream, it is credited as the birthplace of the Juice Crew. Group leader, Marley Marl was featured on Magic’s show as the DJ and Tyron “Fly Ty” Williams was the producer.

DJ Premier issued a statement about Magic and his legacy earlier today. “I want to send out the utmost respect and condolences to the memory of John Rivas aka Mr. Magic,” the producer wrote. “He paved the way for all radio stations that ever did mixshows.”

“He was known for his direct and sarcastic attitude on the air and every artist wanted his approval when it came to breaking new records,” Preemo continued. “He even had songs dedicated to him by the legendary Whodini (”Magic’s Wand”)…Rest in Peace Mr. Magic.”

Outside of radio, Magic produced tracks the Force MD’s and put out several compilation albums. Later on in life he had a rap channel on popular video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. –Max G

Hip Hop is once again in mourning for one of its ground-breaking DJs. My primary platform Allhiphop.com has confirmed confirmed that rap radio legend Mr. Magic passed away earlier today after suffering a heart attack. Back in the early 80s when the genre was really only just beginning to grow, ‘Mr Magic’s Rap Attack’ was a key factor in allowing it to really blossom.

The show, which began in 1983, also introduced the world to the young Marley Marl and went on to influence some of Hip Hop’s biggest artists, including the likes of Tupac Shakur, Nas, KRS-One and Rakim. Dr Premier, who today posted a tribute to Magic on his blog, also cites the innovative DJ as a huge influence, as “he paved the way for all radio stations that ever did mix shows.”

Mr Magic’s other considerable contribution to the culture was The Juice Crew, which he co-founded. The renowned Hip Hop collective featured a number of significant artists that were key in the development of the genre, such as Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie and of course Marley Marl.

Whilst it is of course important to show respect for this revolutionary DJ following his passing, it is also important to honour and remember his great contributions to our genre. There are a lot of artists and especially DJs today that would benefit from taking note of these absolutely pivotal developments in Hip Hop. Only by retracing the steps of our pioneering predecessors can we carve a new and exciting path for our culture.

Soundclip: WBLS