Superbowl MC Battle 1999 - Virtuoso vs Big O vs Alius

Here is another clip from the 1999 Superbowl Battle. We had so many emcees in this battle that we did the first round head-to-head-to-head. It was an interesting idea, but didn't work that well as we had to eliminate emcees early on that probably deserved to move ahead. It also turned into more of a freestyle competition in that first round, and less of a face to face battle. This clip is a YOUNG (younger than he looks by a long shot) Virtuoso, Big O (very underrated emcee) and Alius (who walked in off the street for this one, and went on to win the battle two years later).

Superbowl MC Battle 1999 - Mr. Lif vs Reks

Let me just say how much Mr. Lif DID NOT want to do this shit. Have you ever met an emcee less interested in battling than Lif?? Let me also say that Lif and Reks are two of the best freestylers I have ever heard ... both can rhyme for hours at a stretch.

Superbowl MC Battle 1999 - Sage Francis vs Esoteric

The fall of Rawkus Records

I was just getting ready to start a new blog about how incredibly dope it was to be working with Rawkus Records from 1999-mid 2000's. Really, it would be hard to overstate how much I personally enjoyed those first few years, and how critically important it was for our company. Company Flow, Kweli, Mos Def, L Fudge .... every record that came out was groundbreaking, and every 12" sold more than 10,000 copies. We were turning DJ's away at the door to get their promo vinyl. I remember calling my business partner when the Black Star album came in; stunned by how amazing it was. I remember walking my single copy of the advance promo for "Definition" into college radio stations and DJ's would be drooling once they heard it ... and then I'd grab my record and leave. When The Cleaner (a collection of new, radio edit joints) came out, with the KRS, Zach de la Rocha and Last Emp track "C.I.A." I felt like the bartender at a good college bar. "Heeeeeeeey buddy, great to see you, c'mon up the station any time you want."

It was like Christmas once a month. Music, gear, banners, shows, Soundbombing .... there was a stretch there where they could do no wrong.

So, just as I'm getting ready to start this blog entry ... I check out the Rawkus website, oh my. The website is now a pop culture blog with personal ads and a "network news mash-up." Talk about putting the final nail in the coffin of what was absolutely the best indie label of its time, and destroying any shred of brand dignity.

"Whatever your interests are, the Rawkus Network has got you covered. From hoodies, to tees, or a Lil Wayne mp3, Rawkus.com can help you not only stay on the cutting edge of urban and pop culture, but can allow you to influence and shape it. Check it out and become a member today."

So sad .... how the mighty have fallen. Well, I still got love for you Rawkus, but its a nostalgic, remember the good ol' days kind of love. Peace to Danny Seltz.

Boston Beats & Rhymes - Part 3

Review of Company Flow show, April 1998

I mentioned this show below .... the one that split Bigg Jus from the group. Well here is the review of that show, from the one-and-only Brian Coleman (aka The Wedding DJ).

Click to enlarge.

It all started here ....

This little gem ... handwritten, photocopied and passed out hand-to-hand in 1996 ... was the flyer that started it all. DJ Milkmoney (yours truly) and Smooth Unit Sean Love at The Western Front. Notice that extremely wack graffiti-style letters I tried to use. Why that club ever gave us a chance is beyond me. We walked in off the street with nothing but a mixtape, and they gave us a couple of nights each month to basically do whatever we wanted. We had ZERO idea what we were doing at first (lots more stories to follow on that), but in the end those first few years were really my favorite in the Boston scene.

Ladies free? What ladies?