The book "Born in the Bronx: A Visual Record of the Early Days of Hip-Hop" captured me straight away after flipping it open! This timeless book, released in October 2007, takes you back to the time and place where one of the most powerful youth sub-cultures ever was born – hip hop, an expressive mouthpiece and product of The Bronx and it’s people.
"Born in the Bronx" was edited by Johan Kugelberg and features an amazing catalogue of photos shot by hip hop's first and Cold Crush Brothers' exclusive photographer Joe Conzo (see picture) in the late 70's and early 80's. You get impressed by many great photos of hip hop icons like Jazzy Jay, Grandmaster Flash, Kool Herc, Cold Crush Brothers, Kool DJ AJ or Busy Bee, but you can see some snapshots of people in the Bronx or b-boys in a battle as well. This book also shows you the improvisational artwork of party flyer-designer king Buddy Esquire and label scans of rap records from the early 80's in the essay "The Humble Beginnings of Hip Hop on Wax". Starting with a foreword by Zulu Nation founder and hip hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa, this book also introduces some old school heroes like Grandmaster Caz, Grandwizzard Theodore or LA Sunshine and contains a nice hip hop timeline by Jeff Chang, author of the critically acclaimed book "Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation".
My advice: Buy this fascinating book and witness the early days of hip hop – a time when hip hop was a non-violent, revolutionary and explosive movement until it got perverted by the music industry. You won't regret it for sure.
In addition to this book you should defenitely look for the 2006 released special edition vinyl of the original unedited battle between the Cold Crush Four and the Fantastic Romantic Five. This battle took place in 1981 at Harlem World and is considered as the greatest old school hip hop battle of all time. The "Cold Crush Brothers vs. The Fantastic Romantic Five" 12" was part of a limited to 250 hand numbered edition book-picture-record promo set that contains a book of Buddy Esquire flyers, a book of photos from Joe Conzo, the hand numbered battle record, a signed and numbered Joe Conzo photo and a signed and numbered Buddy Esquire flyer. This set already fetched prices of $200+ on ebay. I don't own a copy of this set myself (yet), so many thanks goes out to my man Kid Dynomite for helping out with some fresh photos and a soundclip of the battle.
Keep your eyes open for this amazing promo set on auction sites... And whenever you spot a copy don't hesitate to click on "buy it now" or throw a high bid in - regardless of which price, this set is worth your hard earned money!
I can remember checking Alex's much valued labelscans website for updates approximately one year ago when I saw an artist added to his roster I've never heard about before: Nut-Rageous. I was like "Nut-Rageous? Who the hell is this?". Alex added four Nut-Rageous releases to his database and due to the fact he normally adds only dope records, I started searching for some Nut-Rageous stuff in my favourite online stores immediately, but with a disillusioning result: Absolutely nobody was carrying any Nut-Rageous releases (Side note: I didn't see the Nut-Rageous myspace link on the labelscans site). No further searches were started by me and I forgot about him… Until 1 year later when the name "Nut-Rageous" popped up in the almighty Diggers with Gratitude (DWG) forum.
Nut-Rageous returned to my mind instantly as DWG headmaster RareDave had suggested people should check for his stuff. RD also provided a soundclip link and the myspace address of Nut's label, Poor Pocket Muzik (PPM). I got in touch with the man behind PPM, Carlos aka Cuban, regarding the records I was desperate to find over that last year. Carlos hooked me up with these records only a few days later, and since then Carlos and me have been sending emails back and forth, having some nice conversations about music and stuff. I have got to know Cuban as a very friendly person who's in the rap business for the love of hip hop, trying to put his small independent label on the map. Hence I'm proud to tell you more about Poor Pocket Muzik and present an official interview with this upcoming and very talented Flushing, Queens emcee Nut-Rageous. So enjoy the read!
Poor Pocket Muzik was founded in 2006 by Carlos aka Cuban who also runs the label. Its headquarters are in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York. Cuban has been in the rap game for a really long time and was already featured in 1991 on the b-side of the decent Renaissance "Twist Da Cap / Flyz In The Attic" 12" (released on Krazie Noise Records). He also produced the dope Street Relics / Deep Tranz split EP in 1998 (released on KME) and appeared on some more electronic-dance orientated records in the early 90's.
Cuban and Nut-Rageous met each other in 1996 when Nut was just rhyming in street ciphers, open mics and battles. So Cuban and his partner Ron Mills from Sirius Satellite Radio built a studio together and took Nut into the lab for a few years to develop him as an MC. It was not until 2006 that PPM released the first Nut-Rageous record – the very dope, limited to 700 copies "DJ Excusive 6 Song EP". Three more amazing Nut-Rageous 12"s/EP's followed ("Coconut Daytona" EP, "Ghetto Jam" 12" and "Best In This Profession" 12"), all pressed up in a quantity of 500 copies and well worth picking up. In 2008 the label put all the vinyl cuts together to release the highly recommended "Raw Nuts" CD. Already 4000 copies got sold of this "Best of" album. Take a listen to the soundclips of the whole "Raw Nuts" CD here. To purchase any Nut-Rageous stuff go on PPM's myspace site or contact Cuban directly (carloscuban@tmail.com).
PPM and Nut-Rageous are very busy at the moment working on Nut's first album. They are currently recording a song with Brooklyn MC Torae (check his decent "Daily Conversation" CD-only album), produced by Mr. Green and scratches provided by DJ JS 1. Maybe we can even enjoy DJ Premier's producing skills on a Nut-Rageous track, as he wants to remix the mellow "Wat’s Poppin'" feat. KL (of Kamakazee / Screwball fame). This remix will include an additional verse by Blaq Poet as well. Already finished is a track with Juice Crew legend Craig G. Nut-Rageous will also perform on stage for the "Real Connection" show in Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) together with Redman, Pete Rock and Craig G in July.
Please read the interview with Nut-Rageous below to get more infos about a man and his music.
SODF: What's up, how you doin', man? I got told you’re very busy at the moment...
Nut-Rageous: Man just came back from my short vacation and I'm back at in the lab, we getting ready to record some heaters with Torae, EMC, Big Noyd, Craig G, working with producers like Don Cannon, Reef, Jay Large (UK), DJ Wonder, Mr. Green, so we just trying to stay busy and record some good music.
You've already released two 12"s, two EP's and a "Best of" CD only album that contains most of the tracks from the vinyl releases. It's really great for a vinyl addict like me to have your stuff on wax!
Honestly, we're probably the only lunatics pressing vinyl nowadays, but it's how we support our vinyl junkies that love it like y’all (DWG)... We keep going back to the pressing labs and we're still going to keep it up. We definitely have more on the way.
I personally think "Ghetto Jam", "Devil's Gun" and "Best in this Profession" are some of your strongest cuts. Could you please gimme some background infos about 'em?
Those songs all have a piece of my heart. When we wrote those songs the vibe in the studio was incredible and it's great to see the impact of a record when others like your work and support the movement we have. "Ghetto Jam" was our party record... Not a club scene but a "cut out of school, go to your people's krib and drink and chill song"... Me and my man Semi had fun doing it. "Devil's Gun" was a clik record that we all were in the studio and Ron mills & Cee da Cuban did the beat on the spot and we laid vocals to it... That was just everyone going in the studio and kicking verses, we had a good time. "Best in this Profession" was a record we did for my underground heads that love that sinister music and authentic DJ Premier cuts on the hook. When we perform that song it's incredible.
I can imagine... The production on your releases is really tight. Cuban did most of it, but there are a few other producers who worked on your releases as well. I've never heard of KS, Seando or Ron Mills.
Carlos and Ron Mills are partners so every beat you ever heard from now on is both of them. I love their sound, they are so different. KS is amazing and we have always clicked in the studio. Seando is our homie from the hood and he got heat... You heard "Play tha Field" and "They wanna know", he is dope. Wait until you hear what we have cooking in the kitchen...
Man, I'm curious about it! How did you and Cuban begin making music together? Were there any other people involved?
My cousin brought me to Cuban and Ron Mills studio back in 1997, after that we kept it official.
You are from Queens. Do you chill with some other local MC's? I mean there are a lotta famous MC's and producers coming from your boro...
I'm from Flushing and I chill with many of your favorite MC's from Queens... Twin Gambino, KL (rest in peace), Craig G, Royal Flush... There are kings in Queens still to be heard... Time will tell!
When did you start MCing? Did you always wanna be a rapper? And when did you decide to take this rap shit seriously?
Yeah, I started MCing a little after 1988. My mom picked up the 1st Big Daddy Kane album for me. I couldn't stop playing it... from there I just kept buying more albums like Slick Rick, BDP, just to name a few. I fell in love with hip hop at that point. I really knew I wanted to be an MC... my older cousins were really into hip hop as well. In 1988 I was nine years old so my older cousins were a big influence on me and the music.
Were there any artists who inspired you?
Yeah, Big Daddy Kane, The Jungle Brothers, Gang Starr and N.W.A.
Please describe yourself as an MC. Would you consider yourself as a "street lyricist"?
For sure, down to the t. But also with good humor... Gangsta with a comical feel. Let's have fun at the end of the day.
So why does your stuff stand out from the crowd? Why should people check your stuff? You know there are too many average MC's out there trying to become a big name in hip hop.
Well to be honest, I like to bring in the humor in my lyrics. I want to make people laugh at the same time. So I'm not trying to be serious at all. I think that makes me a little different then the other average MC's.
In my opinion the art of MCing is doing battles as well. You can only prove to be a good MC destroying other MC's on stage...
About 1994-95 I was doing the battle thing at different clubs. The legendary Bobbito hosted a few of them as well. Yeah, battling got my name out there for sure, plus it started my career no doubt. But I hit the studio in 1997 to be exact recording my music.
Let's talk about the new album. Do you already have a title? When will it drop? Are there other MC's featured? Who are the producers?
The title is yet to be decided. We are dropping an EP with DJ Wonder. We've finalized a street album titled "Paint tha Town Red", and producers and MC's I mentioned already and we have already more folks coming into our circle from the U.S. and overseas.
How did you hook up with DJ Premier to remix "Wat's Poppin'"?
Premier heard the song and really liked it, he plays it on his Headquarters show on Sirius Satellite Radio in New York... the remix came due to the exposure the song is getting by many DJ’s worldwide. The rmx will feature Blaq Poet from Screwball, KL's cousin R.I.P.
You know, most people who'll read this interview are vinyl fiends. In the age of CD's and mp3's it's hard to make good vinyl sales, so will your album be pressed up on wax too?
We're going to shop it around to some real good labels supporting the same movement and hopefully someone will catch on, if not we do what we do best...
Do you write down your lyrics before you go into the lab or do you spit them in a more freestyle kinda way?
Both! I'm a battle MC too, freestyling in front of people to see their reaction is the best feeling man! But I do jot ideas down in the studio as well, and then put it together when I hit the vocal booth.
What can people expect from your new album?
I represent the underground so I want to resurrect the golden era and bring back that good ole feel of hip hop. Even if I don't make millions, I will make music that is fun to listen to and will take you on a walk thru the park at 4 in the morning... I love that zone and I'm happy making music so I hope people receive it well and say "his music might not be for radio but I can relate to it and it takes me to a place away from the same shit everyone does".
Are there any MC's or producers out there you would like to work with?
I love Nicolay, Dr. Dre, DJ Premier, RZA and lyrically I would love to do a joint with Game, GZA, 50 Cent, Eminem, and Jadakiss. Those dudes are beasts... They push the card every time! I'm gonna try my best and I hope one day they or an up and comer can mention me in an interview just like this.
What are your plans for the future besides the music?
I'm trying to get some roles in TV, but I wanna keep doing my music first. I feel I have a lot to say, so I'm gonna concentrate on my music now.
Man, thanks for that cool interview! Keep doing your thing! I'm really looking forward to your new album. Any shout outs?
Thanks, Benny! I like your style man! Shout out to all my DWG warriors! Plus my big homie – R.I.P. KL Screwball for life!
"Skills Over Drum Fills" is aimed at you if you can answer any one of these questions with a simple "yes":
Do you love the hip hop culture? Rap, graffiti, breakdancing, DJing and anything hip hop related? Do you like that raw hip hop sound in the purest form? Do you like hard hitting drums, funk, soul, breaks? Do you want to know who sampled who? Are you on a daily hunt for all the rare records that grace your wants list? Are you a record fiend?
My girl Meli, Toby (what’s up brother?), David, Kid Dynomite (Daily Diggers in full effect!), Taxim (thanks bro!), Carlos @ Poor Pocket Muzik, Nut-Rageous, XLARGE, Maze, Nick Taylor (St. Nick Entertainment), Rob-O, CL Smooth, The Beat Detective (Daily Diggers), XNDL, DJ Smatik, K-Prince & BBP, Tony D, Fecam, CJ Moore, Kwote, Bibow (top-notch-records), DJ Double S, Freddy Fresh, Cadence (of Raw Produce), Thirsty Dragon, Earquake Records, Mr. Fresh, DJ Iron, D-Moet, Finsta, Kristhegreek, Phill Most Chill, Skim, DJ Crazy Bazarro, Dysfunkshunal Familee, DJ Primetime, all the old school heroes, the DWG headmasters (Chr!s, RareDave, Sureshot La Rock, DJ Shaker) & the whole DWG fam, Stylus, Tha_Disc_Eater, Redkhat, Smoov, Aroe & the Soundmakers, BEATDAWG (Deep crates!), Mr. Cratedigger, Sputnik Brown, Joe Gonzo, Jesper, Wigout Records, Afro Juice Records, Ed Catto, Freestyle Professors, DJ Cro, Johnnyroast, DJ 4XL & One Leg Up Records, Steve the Jizmonkey, Lotusland Records, the guys @ TSL, Aaron (tuneup), Vasilis (freestylemaniac), Concourse Records, Rarekind Records, Wild Child Records, Del the Soul Condor, Yoshiteru @ Vinyl Cycle Records, Azeez, DJ Just One, Alex (labelscans), Mark @ neverdated and all record fiends around the globe!
9. King Tech & MC Sway “Flynamic Force” EP (All City Records)
10. Cobra MCees "The M-Go" 12" (Get Large Records)
Soundclips - please note:
All soundfiles provided on this site are for promotional purposes only. As a vinyl lover you should consider the soundclips as a teaser to search for the actual record. Support the labels and artists and contribute to keep vinyl and the art of digging alive!
If you are an artist, label/copyright owner and wish to take down your material, please drop me a line and I’ll do so immediately.
The book "Born in the Bronx: A Visual Record of the Early Days of Hip-Hop" captured me straight away after flipping it open! This timeless book, released in October 2007, takes you back to the time and place where one of the most powerful youth sub-cultures ever was born – hip hop, an expressive mouthpiece and product of The Bronx and it’s people.
"Born in the Bronx" was edited by Johan Kugelberg and features an amazing catalogue of photos shot by hip hop's first and Cold Crush Brothers' exclusive photographer Joe Conzo (see picture) in the late 70's and early 80's. You get impressed by many great photos of hip hop icons like Jazzy Jay, Grandmaster Flash, Kool Herc, Cold Crush Brothers, Kool DJ AJ or Busy Bee, but you can see some snapshots of people in the Bronx or b-boys in a battle as well. 
This book also shows you the improvisational artwork of party flyer-designer king Buddy Esquire and label scans of rap records from the early 80's in the essay "The Humble Beginnings of Hip Hop on Wax". Starting with a foreword by Zulu Nation founder and hip hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa, this book also introduces some old school heroes like Grandmaster Caz, Grandwizzard Theodore or LA Sunshine and contains a nice hip hop timeline by Jeff Chang, author of the critically acclaimed book "Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation".
In addition to this book you should defenitely look for the 2006 released special edition vinyl of the original unedited battle between the Cold Crush Four and the Fantastic Romantic Five. This battle took place in 1981 at Harlem World and is considered as the greatest old school hip hop battle of all time. 
Fantastic Romantic Five" 12" was part of a limited to 250 hand numbered edition book-picture-record promo set that contains a book of Buddy Esquire flyers, a book of photos from Joe Conzo, the hand numbered battle record, a signed and numbered Joe Conzo photo and a signed and numbered Buddy Esquire flyer. This set already fetched prices of $200+ on ebay. I don't own a copy of this set myself (yet), so many thanks goes out to my man Kid Dynomite for helping out with some fresh photos and a soundclip of the battle.
