Old joint touched up by Kenny Dope using the master tapes, coming out via Kay Dee Records

Troy L Smith shares audio from two different Johnny Wa & Rayvon parties and wonders how history as we know it might have been different had Rayvon been present the night Kool Moe Dee went at Busy Bee.

LETS GO BACK FOR A MINUTE- To all those Busy Bee, Kool Moe Dee battle fans, that believe their was more then one battle between the two, you were right! It was two, the first was the legendary battle, which was Christmas Eve, and Moe dee blazed the show. Also from word of mouth it was said that Busy Bee felt he was set up so it was done again, plus Harlem World milked it. But this time the battle was on New Years Eve. Only the Technicians for that night could not get the tape deck to work at the right time, so it was never recorded. Lucky for us the show that second night was no were near as good as the first show they did.

But now bust this; imagine if Rayvon would have showed up that first night of the battle. Him and Johnny Wa would of gave Moe Dee and L.A. a run for there money. Don’t know what I am talking about? Then listen to tape number 76 with Johnny WA and Rayvon they killed it. Never heard of them, they are of the Magnificent 7 of Harlem. You say who are they? The members were Ray and Wa as you know, as well as D.J. Tastic, D.J. Spivey, Shoeshine, D.J. Cookie And E-Man. Yes ladies and gentlemen who always wondered who he was, E-man (Who was named by his man Chu Chu from the Bx.) was mostly just a respected homeboy and m.c. who happened to be kool with them and help put the equipment together, as well as m.c., break dance and tag graffiti. Grand Master Caz told me, him and JDL often battled Ray and Wa, and said they were some talented brothers

Also, spotted another post by historian Mike Barnes who remembers Johnny Wa & Rayvon:

Johnny Wa and Rayvon used to show up at hiphop throwdowns at Harlem World(116thst and Lenox ave)with money falling out of their pockets, While, Cats(Hiphop crews), Were getting $500 a show, To split 4 and 5 ways

My man/LOL, Rob, Johnny Wa and Rayvon were not on the same level as Po, Rich Porter, AZ, Freddie Myers, Fritz(Rip), Kevin Chiles(Founder of Don Diva magazine, During the 2000′s), Etc, But, Johnny Wa and Rayvon put in work on the drug Circuit uptown/Harlem

During the early to mid 80′s, Before, Rayvon was popped for Drug trafficking in 1981, Rob, Johnny Wa, Was one of the cats in the 1981 Rapper’s Convention battle at Harlem World(Which is called, ‘Kool Moe Dee vs Busy Bee battle/LOL), Infact, Rayvon was scheduled to rhyme with Johnny Wa that night on December 25th,1981(Christmas night), But, Rayvon was upnorth on those drug charges, Rob, Johnny Wa and Rayvon would have given Moe a very hard time, That night at Harlem world in 1981, My man Johnny Wa was very nice, Lyrically, Along with Johnny Wa, Having a very nice singing voice too

While, Rayvon was one of the most underrated MC’s of alltime too me, Rob, Rayvon was mad talented lyrically, But, Rayvon was not driven to come off on the hiphop circuit(Because of Johnny Wa and Rayvon’s very lucrative drug trade, Movin weight uptown/Harlem/LOL), Rob, Junbug(Rip), Who used to mix for Hollywood at 371 in the Bronx,

Taking place at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles as part of the Art in the Streets exhibit. I’ll be in attendance. You should be too. link

The Museum of Contemporary Art presents Art in the Streets, the first major U.S. museum exhibition of the history of graffiti and street art. The exhibition will trace the development of graffiti and street art from the 1970s to the global movement it has become today, concentrating on key cities where a unique visual language or attitude has evolved.

Art in the Streets will showcase installations by 50 of the most dynamic artists from the graffiti and street art community, including Fab 5 Freddy (New York), Lee Quiñones (New York), Futura (New York), Margaret Kilgallen (San Francisco), Swoon (New York), Shepard Fairey (Los Angeles), Os Gemeos (São Paulo), and JR (Paris). MOCA’s exhibition will emphasize Los Angeles’s role in the evolution of graffiti and street art, with special sections dedicated to cholo graffiti and Dogtown skateboard culture. The exhibition will feature projects by influential local artists such as Craig R. Stecyk III, Chaz Bojórquez, Mister Cartoon, RETNA, SABER, REVOK, and RISK.

A special emphasis will be placed on photographers and filmmakers who documented graffiti and street art culture including Martha Cooper, Henry Chalfant, James Prigoff, Steve Grody, Gusmano Cesaretti, Estevan Oriol, Ed Templeton, Larry Clark, Terry Richardson, and Spike Jonze. A comprehensive timeline illustrated with artwork, photography, video, and ephemera will provide further historical context for the exhibition.

Photo by Dorothy Hong at a recent Sedgwick & Cedar + Joe Conzo Collaboration Event. Left to right: Busy Bee, Grandwizard Theodore, DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Caz, Melle Mel. Link

via The Tapemasters Crew/Troy L. Smith’s collection

Fantastic Romantic Freaks (Fantastic Five), Busy Bee, Cly and Tell Brothers & the Super Lover Emcees in Hempstead Long Island, 1982

Herbie Luv Bug (from Salt n Pepa & Kid n Play fame), Playboy Prince Charm, Romeo the American Gigelo and DJ Quick Silver make up the Super Lovers emcee’s. They rock off of the “Dog the Donut” break. Cly and Tell Brothers do a little borrowing from J.D.L. (Cold Crush Brothers) and Special K (Treacherous 3). DJ Divine helps Grand Wizard Theodore with some tech problems that Kevie Kev didn’t know about. Whipper Whip, from the Fantastic Freaks, is not at this show. Ruby Dee rhymes in Spanish. A lot of Jamaica and South side Queens is in the house. This is a 90min tape but only Side A is going up right now.

This tape is #163 from Troy L. Smith’s collection, so a BIG shout to him for this one!! Also major props to DJ Luke Duke, from Pittsburgh, for cleaning this tape up!! The volume was mad low before he cleaned it up.

With special live performances by Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, Doug E Fresh, Treacherous Three, Crash Crew, Fearless 4, Furious Five, Spoonie Gee and Cold Crush Brothers. Can you say classic? link

It was all love. via What Is The What

One of the earliest famous battles of Hip-Hop history. Kool Moe Dee did something different back in 1981, and effected the hip-hop scene. Just watch if you like hip-hop.

Comments by Ice-T, T La Rock, KRS-One, DJ Kay Slay, Russell Simmons, Big Daddy Kane…

Recorded last year @ Jackie Robinson Park in NYC. Link

More videos over at youtube.com/grandgood

Busy Bee setting the record straight about hip-hop vs. rap.

more videos at youtube.com/grandgood

2008 Crotona Park Jams, Bronx
Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2008
6pm – 9pm

Crotona Park by Indian Lake
Charlotte St. & Crotona Park East
Bronx NYC 10460

Free! All Ages! Host: GrandMaster Caz. Legends only line up recreates true school park jams from the 70′s and early 80′s. A Hip Hop dream com true! Held in association with The Friends of Crotona Park and Councilmember Joel Rivera.

July 10: DJ Scratch, Jazzy Joyce & PopMaster Fabel
July 17: DJs GrandMaster Caz, Red Alert & Mix Master Ice
July 24: DJs Lord Finesse, Steve Dee, Rockin Rob + Busy Bee
July 31: GrandWizzard Theodore, DJ Cash Money & Jazzy Jay with special guest T La Rock

Busy Bee The Original Chief Rocker In-Store

When: 02/28/08 – 6:00 PM
Venue: Access Music
Address: 1537 Garnet Avenue, San Diego – Google Map
Price: FREE!
Ages: All ages

Do NOT miss this in-store! One of hip hop’s icons, BUSY BEE aka The Original Chief Rocka! Make sure you come by and see what hip hop is really about! Education!

Not sure what to make of this release but it screams bootleg. And I didn’t even mention the misleading title. You don’t actually get a DVD filled with videos from these shows. Rather, you’re paying for a data disc containing mp3s of these performances. Still nice to have depending on the quality of the audio. Wonder who these cats are. Link

Over 1 full day (33 live performances) of vintage and official live throwdowns, spanning from 1979 to 1985. New York City’s original school together in one complete set. This collector’s set includes one data DVD containing 3.5 GB of high quality (320 Bit Rate) mp3s (26 hours of music – all 25 volumes). Each show is ID’d and sequenced, resulting in convenient use and enjoyment, as opposed to each show being one thirty to ninety minute-long continuous track. No collection is complete without the infamous Kool Moe Dee / Busy Bee scuffle, or the notorious routines of the Force MCs, Treacherous Three, and Cold Crush 4 MCs. The list of essentials on this disc is endless. Includes a 24 page full color booklet of vintage NYC show flyers and artwork.

Track Listings
01. Flash On The Beat Box
02. Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force – Funhouse 6-18-1982 (Live)
03. Christmas Rappers Convention – 1981 (Live)
04. Cold Crush Battle The Fantastic Five – Harlem World 1981 (Live)
05. Cold Crush vs. Force MCs – Paterson, NJ 1983 (Live)
06. Cosmic Force, Afrika Bambaataa, Devastating 4, Soulsonic Force, Original Jazzy Five – T-Connection 1980 (Live)
07. Cosmic Force, Devastating 4, Original Jazzy Five, Afrika Bambaataa, Red Alert, Whiz Kid – T-Connection 1980 (Live)
08. Devastating 3 MCs: Kid West, Magic Dee & Barry Bee – House Tape 1983 (Live)
09. DJ Breakout, DJ Barren, Funky 4+1, DJ Whiz Kid, Harmonizing 4 – T-Connection 1980 (Live)
10. DJ Jazzy Jay & The Jazzy Five MCs – Paterson NJ 1981 (Live)
11. The Fantastic 5, Jazzy 5 – Dota Rock’s Birthday Party (Live)
12. Doug E. Fresh, Barry Bee, Chuck A Luck, Sweet Slick & Sly, Tranquilizing 3 – Unknown Date & Location (Live)
13. Ecstasy Garage All Stars: Grandmaster Caz, JDL, Whipper Whip, K-Gee, Ruby Dee, Theodore, Soul Sonic Force, Nice & Nasty Four – Ecstasy Garage 1980 (Live)
14. Fantastic Five, Grandmaster Caz, Busy Bee, Whiz kid, Treacherous Three, Spoonie Gee – T-Connection 1981 (Live)
15. Force MCs – Broadway International 1983 (Live)
16. Funky 4 + 1 – Unknown Date & Location (Live)
17. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5 – T-Connection 1980 (Live)
18. Grandmixer DST & The Cold Crush Brothers – Unknown Date & Location (Live)
19. Imperial JayCee, Grand Wizard Theodore, Fantastic Five, Touch Of Class – T-Connection 1980 (Live)
20. Busy Bee & The Cold Crush Brothers – Kevie Kev & Rubie Dee’s Birthday Party, Ecstasy Garage 1980 (Live)
21. Grandmaster Flash, Disco Bee, Busy Bee, Melle Mel, E-Man – Live Convention (Live)
22. L-Brothers, Treacherous 3, Busy Bee, Melle Mel, Grandmaster Flash, Theodore, E-man, Smiley – Live Convention, Celebrity Club 1980 (Live)
23. Phase 3, Cool AJ, Rapper Wise, Ultimate 3 MCs, DJ Disco, Quick, Sweet Slick and Sly – MC Battle, Harlem World 1982 (Live)
24. Rodney C’s Birthday Party – Zulu Nation 1980 (Live)
25. Super Sonic 4 MCs, DJ Cisco, Cool Clyde – Ecstasy Garage 12-26-80 (Live)
26. Rat Ski, DJ Kevin Kanyeah, Emcee SPUD – Sweet G’s Birthday Party (Live)
27. T La Rock & The Treacherous Three – Hempstead, Long Island 1985 (Live)
28. The Incredible 3 MCs: Tech Ski, Destiny, Chucky Chuck & DJ Lil Chase – Unknown Date & Location (Live)
29. Lovebug Starski, Treacherous Three, Spoonie Gee – Treacherous 3 First Anniversary, Disco Fever 1981 (Live)
30. Treacherous 3 – Club Negril 2-18-82 (Live)
31. Jazzy Jay, Smitty Dee, Kid Vicious, Tricky Tee, Malibu, Pow Wow, Nae Nae – Troy Troy’s Birthday, T-Connection 1980 (Live)
32. Cosmic Force, Sha Rock Lisa Lee, L-Brothers – Zulu Nation 6th Anniversary, Unknown Date & Location (Live)
33. Zulu Nation, Jazzy Jay, Hutch Hutch, Pow Wow – 123 Park 1979 (Live)

That “who the fuck is Craig G” post got to me. I decided to start a thread where I’ll be posting some old tapes. EVERYONE HERE SHOULD HEAR THESE. If you’re familiar with these tapes, you already know the importance. If not, TRUST ME ON THIS ONE.

Chief Rocker Busy Bee – Rock With Me (club mix)
P.Nam + Hoodwerkz- Back At Werk
Living Legends – Never Fallin
Ams Uno – If It’s OK
DDay One – Second Set
MF Doom + Danger Mouse – Space Hos
Rob Swift – Vietnam
Shyheim – Pardon The Noise
David Ramos – True To You

mp3 audiocast rss feed

Someone hooked it up. Dozens of flyers from the early days. (via boingboing, broadband-friendly)

Grandmaster Caz was recently in LA and Phillie touring with Busy Bee and KRS-One, getting ready to hit more cities with an overnight package of GrandGood 7inches in hand. We’ll post some dates when they get confirmed. As for our little project, we keep on getting the same question from record store buyers, radio guys, and the few listeners who actually appreciate something like Grandmaster Caz, Dj Signify, Steinski, Waterbed Kev and GrandGood (who?) working together to present something special. Is this just a 7inch? Is this leading to an album? This 7inch was always meant to be just 5-6 minutes of quality music at the request and under the slight direction of GrandGood. We wanted to get Caz coming from a different angle – different than what we’ve heard from the few recent Caz tracks of the past few years. If you’re familiar with Dj Signify and his LP on Lex you’ll probably notice this record is a bit more upbeat, but rest assured the drums are hard. Waterbed Kev had a big helping hand in the recording of GMC’s vocals and while in the mix-down phase Signify finally put away the giant multitrack recorder and stepped further into the Digidesign domain with help from Steinski.

Album? Who are we Tuff City? Some projects are shorter than others. Not every recording – hip hop or otherwise – has to be a 22 track album or fill 80 minutes of compact disc or even the 18 minutes per side for a 12″. We probably won’t do any more 7inch vinyl for anything else we work on. We were reminded of all this while reading an interview with Hardy Fox (“spokesperson” for the Residents) in the latest issue of TapeOP.