Crooklyn Dodgers was never really a group, more a name that two 12′s were released under as title tracks to the Spike Lee films ‘Crooklyn’ and ‘Clockers’. The lineup of producers and Mc’s who contributed does read almost like a dream team of Buckshot, Masta Ace, Special Ed, Chubb Rock, O.C, Jeru the Damaja, Premier and A Tribe Called Quest. Its the second incarnation of Crooklyn Dodgers from ’95 ive posted here, which to me wins the battle of the two tracks. Chubb, Jeru and O.C rip a Preemo beat from his golden period.
The Video also contains Jeru sporting one of the dopest hairstyles your likely to see for a while.
Would Love to spread some knowledge about this dude, but his name and title of this track pretty much covers all I know. One thing I can add though is that this is not the only release to his name, appearing occasionally in the early days of the independent explosion.
L’roneous released this track ‘L’chemy’ in 97 and joins the few 12′s from the mass of independent releases that are still fresh to this day.
Appologies for the quite uninsightful post but hopefully the quality of the track makes up for that.
Yeah I know its another Wu relative but im not appologising for it.
Part of Sunz of Man but more famous probably as a solo artist, Killah Priest’s solo debut ‘Heavy Mental’ was released in ’97. This track I would classify as a hidden gem since its one of those tracks on an Lp which might take you a few listens before it grabs you.
Or in my case I never paid it much mind till hearing it on the film ‘Ghost Dog’ which had a soundtrack supplied by RZA. One of the most intelligent and deep Mc’s your likely to hear, his only fault may be his rhymes can be hard to follow at times, although it might be more fair to say its one of my faults for not keeping up.
Following on with a track that samples the last post with a strange and relatively unknown yet highly respected Mc.
An artist Biggie was once quoted as saying ‘I thought I was the illest’ in reference to R.A the Rugged Man, praise in New York wouldnt have come much higher than that. RA has gone on to record with pretty much every big name in New York including a beautiful duet with biggie ‘C*nt Renaissance’.
Definitely one of the most unique Mc’s in the game his career didnt quite take off as it should due to the usual label troubles and a not too marketable style which is a bit too shocking and explicit at times for the masses., and hes never been shy about detailing his not too pleasant life and mental state.
This track ‘Smithaven Mall’ was quietly released in ’96 and tells a tale which I dont think holds too much truth although you wouldnt put it past him.
Theres been a few Hip Hop soundtracks over the years that seem to completely outshine the film its released with. ‘Soul in the Hole’ was one of those that outshone the film but only because of the very limited release of the film, took me about 8 years to finally get to see it.
The soundtrack on the other hand was released with a bit more fanfare, helped quite a bit by the big names who appeared, Wu Tang, Mobb Deep, Smif n Wessun and M.O.P to name a few. The film was a documentary filmed in ’93 following a Street Basketball team from Brooklyn through a Summer. A Dope film that you dont need an interest in ball to appreciate as it focuses on the life of Ed ‘Booger’ Smith, now seen as an NYC Playground Legend.
Showing how ball can provide route out for the most unlikely of street kids, though sadly shown here how its not always taken. This track was the second Wu effort on the Lp though it only consists of some of the outer members, with perhaps Shyheim outshining the rest. Not the best track of the Lp, which I recomend finding, and the film I very much recomend searching for.
Im a big fan of tunes where you can tell the emcee is genuinely amped to be recording. Ya know?? where the entrance is just full of energy and they continue to rip it all the way through.
This track is one of those, this crew were “credited” (not sure if its a good thing tho!) to have spawned a great deal of Space Rap… something they were never trying to do..they were simply proving to the world that they were raw and talented individuals and laying it down it the only way they knew how.
Released back in 96 it still sounds fresh and ahead of its time to this day.
Cant ever claim to being one of the biggest Onyx fans but they definitely have some highlights. Never been one of the easiest listening groups around, the aggressive lyrics shouted through the speakers at us does make sitting through one of their Lps quite a challenge.
‘Bacdafucup’ in ’93 was our introduction to this sound and it was unique at the time, and is where most of their highlights reside. This track though ‘Last Dayz’ is of their second Lp in ’95 when they had begun to tone down their style, or at least turn down the volume on the mics.
Most notable for the beat, one of my favourites, Onyx do work over this, though i must admit to occasionally wanting it to be different Mc’s on this.
I have to thank Bobbito’s label Fondle Em for introducing me to this record. Yeshua DaPoed and Siah hail from Brighton Beach New York, and together they released one of the best EP’s i own.
This tune captures one side of the underground “movement”, or whatever you wanna call it in the mid to late 90′s perfectly. Chilled soulful jazz with just the right amount of word play and complex rhyme styles.
After this release Yesh went on to form Wee Bee Foolish (although they were actually already formed) along with Ken Boogaloo and DJ Bless. They then released the album Brighton Beach Memoirs on their own label Head Bop Records, i highly recommend picking up this album along with all of Yesh’s solo 12″s.
In the days before Ebay made it possible to find any 12″ and Serato pretty much killed the vinyl market there were quite a few Holy Grail type 12″s many collectors fiended for.
Most record buyers always had a list of 12″s they needed and were willing to splash out on. This track ‘Changes’ by Shadez of Brooklyn used to top my list and appeared in a few others I heard about. Shadez of Brooklyn were one of a few Beatminerz released independent groups in the late ’90s.
This 12″ was released in ’97 and at the time was probably not really heard too much outside of NY until Dj Premier included it on one of his vinyl released mix tape ‘Reality Check 101′. The mixtape helped to give them a little bit of cult status and made some heads search for the original 12″, often paying stupid money to get it.
I have to admit though I do have to give a bit of thanks for ebay for helping me eventually finding this, and to Serato for killing the market and making it quite cheap.
