Throwing Down

 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.

Chuck Da Original Oldhead