My Journey With Hip-Hop - Part 3

One of my childhood friends' stepfather turned me on to Rakim back in 1990. I was at their house one day and his pops, Dee pulled me aside and asked me if I knew anything about rap. My response was typical for a young guy who was in tune with the mainstream hits, "Yeah, Run DMC, LL, Salt N Peppa...I heard of them" That's when he looked at me as if I didn't know my own name, "You never heard Rakim, the greatest rapper alive?!?!"
He began reciting "Thinkin of a master plan, Cuz ain't nuthin but sweat inside my hand..." He found the record, played it, and it blew my mind!

My Journey With Hip Hop - Part 2

In late 1987 my family moved to a small village within Huntingdonshire, England named Kings Ripton. My friend Tony Davis turned me onto Public Enemy and my political interests were ignited when I first heard "Don't Believe the Hype" in 1988.
For everybody who thinks that Flava Flav is a clown...what a difference 20 years makes!

My Journey With Hip Hop - Part 1

We met in 1987. I was 9 years old when it infiltrated my soul. I remember my parents throwing big parties in our North Dakota, doublewide trailer. Yeah, I'm a TPK, f#@* you! I remember hearing the song that kicked it off for me. This song came to define my swagger, my being, my entire persona. When LL Cool J released his second album, Bigger and Deffer; my life forever changed. I'm Bad became my theme song. I played that tape (swiped from my dads collection) every chance I got in my brick red Audiovox boom box... the one with the removable speakers.
Watch how he simulates eating the crushed jelly bean. Classic!