The site where all things OLDSKOOL reside. From videos,columns and interviews with your favorite artist. This page is dedicated to everything OLDSKOOL from Hip Hop, R&B and even Caucasian Classics. Come through and reminisce about the times when everything was Funky Fresh.
Recorded in 1984 when Hip Hop was on it's way to becoming a phenomenon. "King of Rock" the sophomore LP that was the follow up to the the 1984 self titled debut called "Run-D.M.C" found the "Kings from Queens" ascending to the zenith that would be achieved with 1986's "Raising Hell". King of Rock was a album that the group embraced the global appeal Hip Hop was gaining. With songs like the title track "King of Rock" Run-D.M.C declared (especially with the video for the song) that Hip Hop and Run-D.M.C especially were not taking a back seat to ANY musical genre.
The group was cocky and unapologetic.That was Hip Hop. Gone were the clothes(Spikes, elaborate costumes) that were favored by the groups before them. The group took their cue of dressing from Jam Master Jay. In an instant everyone was walking around with no shoestrings and leather blazers with Adidas jackets under them. The album also included a James Todd Smith (L.L Cool J) penned song that spoke about their growing fame. "If I eat a little kid sticks his finger in my plate I'll be signing autographs for 3 months straight" Also coinciding with the with the release of "King of Rock" was the movie "Krush Groove" which told a loose story of the origins of the Def Jam label co-headed by Run's brother Russell Simmons
The album peaked at #52 in the Billboard Charts Top 200 and was #12 in the Top R&B/Hip Hop charts. The album also contained to my mind the greatest Run-D.M.C song ever made. When I say that I do not mean by how many records it sold because this song was never released as a single. It was Krush Groove 3 aka "Darryl and Joe" The song showcased everything that epitomized Run-D.M.C. There was Run being his braggadocios self "Got credit in places I never been cause the records I write are in the top 10" There was D.M.C sharp with the lyrics "In my pocket I'll keep on stuffin when I say I'll beat em up I won't be bluffin they can't beef cause that ain't nothin" and for the finale Jam Master Jay scratching for the last 3 minutes of the song.
On this day we also celebrate the birthday of the late great Jam Master Jay. Gone but never forgotton. King of Rock is a snapshot in time of what Hip Hop was in 1984-85 and it still stands up well against todays Hip Hop.
Old Backs (column also running on www.lyricallyfit.com)
It seems that in music everything seems to come back around for new and original audiences. Hip Hop which is an art form that was built on this very principle is no different. In most major cities there are the generic “Hot.Flamming,KISS,Power” stations that are going to play the same 10 songs all day every day. I have no problem with that. Those stations have their niche and loyal listeners. For the rest of us that although we do enjoy the “Heavy Luther Vandross Hour” we would also like to hear something that doesn’t go too far back. Hence the term “Throw-Back”. These are songs not really considered “Oldskool” but are not current. For some time people were not really able to understand the subtle distinction between an Oldskool song and a Throw-Back song. A song like "The Theme" (aka It's Party Time) by Tracey Lee came out in 1997. That makes it too new to be Oldskool but being 18 years old, it cannot be classified as "current". Now compare that with "I aint no joke" by Eric B and Rakim which came out in 1986. That would be an "Oldskool" song
"Radio them suckas never play me"-Public Enemy
Like Oldskool which
is near and dear to this author's heart Throw-Back songs have
now become genre unto itself. In Philadelphia in addition to main staple Power
99 there are 2 stations that have captured a fan base that really had
to place to go to listen to music other than satellite radio stations. There
is Oldskool 100.3 with an afternoon show that features
Philadelphia Radio and Hip Hop icon Lady B. Recently native
Philadelphian and longtime radio personality Colby Colb who is
now Vice President of Programming at Radio One has brought Boom 107.9 to Philadelphia.
The city's first Throw-Back Hip Hop station. When asked how
many Throw-Back stations that Radio One operates Colby
stated "We have 4 stations". I am glad to see that African American Radio seems to understand what Caucasian stations have known for some
time, when it comes to radio stations there needs to be more diversity. Now In
Philadelphia you can program those 2 stations into your car presets and hear a
song like "The Show" By Doug E Fresh and Slick Rick, click the next presetting and hear "Shook
Ones" by Mobb Deep
Oldskool and Throw-Backs are like step-brothers
growing up in the same house. Hip Hop is the "Parent" that loves them
both the same. Hopefully more mega-radio conglomerates who own multiple
stations will see that there is a fan base already built up for all Oldskool or
all Throw-Back stations. At 44 I am old enough to remember both genres of
music. I am also young enough to still dance to them too.
Keep It Oldskool. If you can’t there “aint nothing wrong with a
Throw-Back song.
