It was 1987, and a nervous teenager, palms sweaty, made his way to the grimy old Times Square, hoping to score.
Written by Andrew Mason
When did you first hear the Skull Snaps? Was it in the summer of 1993 when the Pharcyde’s “Passin’ Me By” rode the pneumatic drums of the...
Written by Andrew Mason
Jazzy Jay has been digging since day one. Peeking into his basement studio in the heart of Brooklyn conjures up the dusty ghosts of crates past.
Written by Robbie Busch
Meet Kool DJ Red Alert, part of the trinity of DJs that fostered the Zulu Nation during the early days of hip-hop, along with Afrika Bambaataa and Jazzy Jay.
Written by Robbie Busch
Following in the footsteps of Double Dee & Steinski, Prince Paul, and the Dust Brothers, DJ Shadow would push the boundaries of sampling...
Written by David Ma
DJ Shadow discusses transformations in record-buying culture, how his interest in 45s began, his first digging experience, and pinpoints the record that “changed his life.”
Written by David Ma
Back in the good old days of 1977 when gas lines were long and unemployment was high, there were two schools of DJs competing for Black and Latino audiences in New York City....
Written by Mark McCord
First-call funksters, the Meters have provided the backbone to countless classics. But the story of the band remains seldom-told.
Written by Ronnie Reese
The Fishtail Bar in the Bay Watch Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is right out back overlooking the beach. Dozens of families are crowded in several swimming pools....
Written by Mark McCord
It was an overlooked song by one of the more underrated rappers of his generation, and it was a masterpiece.
Written by Mark McCord
Ask music lovers what Detroit means to them, and you’ll probably hear mention of Berry Gordy or Norman Whitfield, perhaps George Clinton. That said, techno's roots can't be ignored.
Written by Dan Bean