Laze of the Normal Bias ripped and uploaded another tape of the Raw Deal radio show from 1992 with guest Dj Polo. Includes lots of ish talk and an unreleased version of “Keep It Swingin”.
Raw Deal/Sounds of the Underground: January 24, 1992
Side 1 starts right off with in-studio guest DJ Polo. There’s a lot of interesting stuff that comes up throughout. Polo is shamelessly pimping a 1-900 number where he’s encouraging MCs to call and rhyme. He guarantees three rappers will get contracts. Polo also discusses an upcoming solo album that will feature Eric B., Father MC, and Brand Nubian. He says he rhymes on one of the songs, too, but declines G’s offer to step up for a Thursday Night Live freestyle.
Honestly, Polo comes off as a bit cocky (to say the least), proclaiming that he discovered Kool G. Rap and that without him, there would be no Eric B. and Rakim. He also talks about a new TV show that will be debuting “in a month” that sounds like a precursor to Cribs where Polo will go to rappers’ houses and interview them there. “I’m gonna take you up to Big Daddy Kane’s house when he’s all up in his drawers, and all that,” Polo promises, “’Cause I’m down with all the rappers.”
As far as I know, the Polo solo album never materialized and neither did his show. And who knows what became of the 900 # record deal offer. Nevertheless, Polo steps to the tables on side 2 for a dope Kool G. Rap set.
The real gem, though, comes at 20:26 on side 1, where they play a tape (?) copy of a brand new track from G. Rap and Polo called “Keep It Swingin’.” This version is completely different (and a thousand percent better) than the version that showed up on 1996’s Rated XXX compilation. It definitely feels like it would have fit on Live and Let Die right next to “Operation CB” or “Letters.” Anyone know if this version is actually available anywhere else? I’ll go out on a limb and say it’s one of G. Rap’s best.