40th Anniversary

Today in Hip-Hop History: The Fat Boys’ Self Titled Debut Album Turns 40 Years Old!

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The Fat Boys released their self-titled debut album May 29, 1984, exactly four decades ago today (May 29). The Brooklyn trio, comprised of Prince Markie Dee, Kool Rock-Ski, and The Human Beat Box or “Buffy,” helped put beatboxing on the map, along with Doug E. Fresh.

Considered by many to be an early ’80s Hip Hop classic, the self-titled album had no guest appearances and was one of the first to feature a live beatbox on a record. The trio then made a memorable appearance in the classic Hip-Hop film, Krush Groove, in 1985.

For its 1984 album, songs like the anthemic “Human Beat Box” and the storytelling saga of “Jailhouse Rap” gave the East New York trio a leg up against their rapping peers like Run-D.M.C. and Whodini. The timeless title track was an unapologetic ode for overweight people to not feel embarrassed about their weight, giving light to other rotund artists like Heavy D and even The Notorious B.I.G.

Sadly, on December 10, 1995, Buff Love died of a heart attack in Rosedale, Queens, New York. He was 28 years of age and reportedly weighed 450 pounds. Prince Markie Dee passed away on February 18, 2021 from congestive heart failure during the height of the pandemic. Both of them will forever be missed. The only surviving member, Kool Rock Ski, s still active on social media, and regularly posts about the Fat Boys, and also produces Fat Boys merchandise which he promotes via Instagram. He is also the host of the annual Classic Hip-Hop and R&B Cookout in New York City, which began in the summer of 2021.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: The Fat Boys’ Self Titled Debut Album Turns 40 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: The Fat Boys’ Self Titled Debut Album Turns 40 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: The B-Boy Flick ‘Breakin” Hit Theaters 40 Years Ago

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The film that spawned a sequel and cemented itself in pop culture, turns 40

Breakin’ became an instant hit in the Hip Hop world for putting the dance culture on the map. The film features not only a storyline that captured audiences even outside of the Hip Hop world but some of the greatest music written at the time that was being included in the world of breakdancing.

With a cast made up of Hollywood elite and established Hip Hop players like Ice-T and dance sensation Michael Chambers a.k.a ‘Boogaloo Shrimp’, the film follows Kelly (played by Lucinda Dickey), a young jazz dancer that struggles with her style and takes it to the street with the help of her friend Adam (Phineas Newborn III). Adam introduces Kelly to two street dancers, Ozone (Adolfo Quiñones) and Turbo, who was played by Chambers, who in turn show her their dance crew and ways, and their endless competition they have with rival crew Electro Rock.

The crews in the film struggle with both their rivals, and also acceptance by Kelly’s dance instructor, who disapproves of the hybrid style the dancers perform alongside their street affiliation, but through it all, Kelly soon becomes a sensation with the crowds and finds success.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: The B-Boy Flick ‘Breakin” Hit Theaters 40 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: The B-Boy Flick ‘Breakin” Hit Theaters 40 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Run-D.M.C.’s Self Titled Debut Album Turns 40 Years Old!

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On this date in 1984, the Kings from Queens released their first self-titled album on Def Jam Recordings under Rush Management.

This monumental album put Daryl McDaniels (DMC), Joseph Simmons (DJ Run), and Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay) on the map, and launched one of the most successful careers Hip-Hop has ever seen.

With songs like “Sucker MCs,” “It’s Like That,” “Hard Times” and “Rock Box,” the record was an accurate reflection of the lives of three ambitious kids from Hollis, Queens in New York City in a time before the crack epidemic.

Simmons and McDaniels used to hang around Two-Fifths Park in Hollis in late 1980, hoping to rap for the local DJs who performed and competed there. The most popular one just happened to be Mizell, then known as “Jazzy Jase” because of his flashy wardrobe and b-boy attitude. Eventually, Simmons and McDaniels rapped in front of Mizell at the park, and the rest is history.

As a group, they soon strapped on a pair of Adidas, threw on a rope chain and topped it off with a Kangol hat. Little did they know, they were crafting a signature style, one that has stood the test of time and is widely recognized around the world.

Run-D.M.C. went on to release six more albums, including 1985’s King of Rock and 1986’s Raising Hell. Tragically, Mizell was gunned down on October 30, 2002, at his recording studio in Queens. Countless fans left Adidas sneakers, albums and flowers for the legendary DJ outside of the studio, where the murder occurred. The homicide has yet to be solved.

Run-D.M.C. was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, making them one of only two Hip Hop acts given that honor at the time.

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The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Run-D.M.C.’s Self Titled Debut Album Turns 40 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Run-D.M.C.’s Self Titled Debut Album Turns 40 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Cult Classic ‘Beat Street’ Premiered In Theaters 40 Years Ago

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On this day in Hip-Hop history, one of the most important films for Hip Hop culture was released in theaters around the globe. The Stan Lathan-directed Beat Street was a film that was able to help Hip Hop culture as a whole breakthrough into the mainstream market and showed a side of the scene that those outside of New York might not have ever heard about.

The plot follows Kenny Kirkland aka DJ Double K, a young man aspiring to be one of New York’s top DJs. Through performances, trials, and tribulations, Kenny is able to grow as a DJ and reach his goal of performing at the famous Roxy club in New York. This film’s narrative of perseverance and struggle to achieve your dreams inspired a generation to grow into many of the artists who have become prominent figures in Hip Hop today.

The film includes many of Hip Hop’s pioneering acts and personalities including Afrika Bambaataa and The Soul Sonic Force, The Treacherous Three(including Kool Moe Dee), the Rock Steady Crew, the New York City Breakers, Doug E. Fresh and many more of the culture’s major influencers of that era.

The film’s commercial success stretched past the boundaries of this country to influence the cultures across the planet. Grossing $16,595,791 in the box office, this film was just as big a hit in Europe as it was in the United States, specifically in Germany. It is said that this film single-handedly sparked the boom of Hip Hop culture in both West Germany in a time when the East and West were still separated. The film also helped the spread of graffiti culture in Across East and West Germany along with the United States.

Mentioned in songs by Jay Electronica, The Notorious B.I.G., AZ, and Ras Kass, it’s obvious that this picture transcended generations to inspire rap music at every tier. If you have not already, make sure you watch and see what for yourself what it was that inspired so many to take this genre that is so loved from an inner-city fad to an international cultural craze.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Cult Classic ‘Beat Street’ Premiered In Theaters 40 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.