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Lesson 1 - Double D & Steinski
Known as the ‘Payoff Mix’ this 12″ is from 1986 though the mix itself is from 1983.
Double D & Steinski are Douglas DiFranco and Steve Stein and are, if you didn’t know already, the original cut ‘n’ paste artists.
Their 3 lessons are truly the ‘history of hip hop’.
Enjoy your 1st lesson!
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Its Life You Gotta Think Twice - Rockmaster Scott & The Dynamic 3
Another pearl on Profile Records, this time by the Rockmaster from 1983.
Mastered by Herbie Jr as always it’s another ‘Message’ type tune, typical of the era with it’s 808 beats and social commentary.
Tags: 1983, Electro, hip hop, old school, profile records
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Party Time - Kurtis Blow
My favourite Kurtis Blow record, from 1983, with go-go beats & funky piano.
Sampled in Coldcut’s ‘Say Kids What Time Is It?’ this was Blow proudly wearing his crown as the (self-proclaimed?) King of Rap.
Tags: 1983, go go, hip hop, old school
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Action - The Treacherous Three
The Treacherous Three’s best track in my opinion.
From 1983 on Sugarhill Records featuring the 3 – Special K, Kool Moe Dee and LA Sunshine with DJ Easy Lee on the 1s & 2s.
Lots of cool rhymes & funky disco beats, no school like the old school!
Tags: 1983, hip hop, old school
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Al Naafiysh (The Soul) - Hashim
The quintessential dj scratch track!
This legendary tune is still quite easy to get hold of as demand was so big from scratch djs that it was available for years as a re-release.
I have 5 copies of this tune, all of which have a big hiss at the start and at the bonus beats where they’ve been scratched to death.
Incredibly 27 years old, it remains instantly recognisable & has never lost its cool to this day!
Tags: 1983, Electro, old school, turntablism
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Beat Bop - Rammelzee vs K Rob
One of THE all time great hip hop tunes, featuring ‘Wild Style’ MC and graffiti artist Rammelzee from 1983.
The original limited edition on Tartown Records with Basquiat cover and poster sells for $$$$s. The label shown is from the Profile Records promo copy.
With language that doesn’t make sense (only to the artists probably) and no chorus or real structure to the song it is truly a unique track. It just sounds like 2 MCs freestyling for fun, making it up as they go along, which is half its charm
This was Tim Westwood’s favourite track for years and may still be, for good reason – its unique!
At around 10 minutes in length it is also one of the longest tunes from the old school. I hope you enjoy it.
Tags: 1983, hip hop, old school
