Rostrum Records

Rostrum Records Unveils ‘Top Shelf 1988’ Documentary Celebrating MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane & More

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Doug E Fresh Mc Lyte 1990 Al Pereira

With Hip-Hop’s 50th year anniversary quickly approaching this Friday, it’s only right we honor and pay homage to the greats that paved the way for the genre of rap as a whole. 

Insert Rostrum Records, who continues to celebrate two decades of amplifying artistry and independence. Today, they premiered their new short-form documentary titled Top Shelf 1988, bringing fans back to the time they released their first-ever project, the compilation album titled Top Shelf 1988.

The story goes… Top Shelf’s Lower East Side studio became the go-to safe spot for artists to create magic freely, without the pressures from the music industry. Unfortunately, things took a left turn after a riot broke out in August 1988, right outside of Tompkins Square Park. After the mayhem, producers came back to the studio to find everything had been looted, including their masters. 

Years later, these masters were recovered… and hence, Top Shelf 1988 was born. The new documentary features never-before-seen interviews and recording footage, with music from Hip-Hop legends including Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, Craig G, MC Lyte, Special Ed, Doug E. Fresh, Jungle Brothers, Grand Puba, Masta Ace, Dres (of Black Sheep), Smooth B (of Nice & Smooth), Grandmaster Caz & Melle Mel, and Chubb Rock.

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Benjy Grinber, CEO of Rostrum Records, states, “‘Top Shelf 1988’ is most importantly about showing love to iconic legends in Hip-Hop, and I’m so glad this documentary is out in the world to shed light on these artists once again. The album was the genesis of what Rostrum Records is today, and seeing how far the label has come over the last 20 years is very rewarding. I hope this documentary reaches new and old fans alike with the magic of CLASSIC Hip-Hop.” 

The documentary is narrated by Hip-Hop journalist Rob Markman, giving viewers a front row seat into the creative process of all artists involved in the project. The compilation album can be listened to here, on all streaming platforms.

The post Rostrum Records Unveils ‘Top Shelf 1988’ Documentary Celebrating MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane & More first appeared on The Source.

The post Rostrum Records Unveils ‘Top Shelf 1988’ Documentary Celebrating MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane & More appeared first on The Source.

DC The Don Opens Up His “SACRED HEART (+)” On New Mixtape

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DC The Don just released his most recent mixtape, SACRED HEART (+) on all streaming platforms. While the project originally dropped during Christmastime in 2022 exclusively on SoundCloud, DC decided to feed a larger set of fans. Moreover, the 15-track project is an energetic, buzzing, and cohesive display of alternative hip-hop.

Furthermore, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin native plays with a lot of different sounds on this record. Of course, hip-hop runs quite strongly throughout it, whether it be through energetic verses or the percussion style. On the other hand, there’s also quite a bit of digital influence on this mixtape, calling back to genres like hyperpop, digicore, and more. Also, there’s a strong undercurrent of rock in many forms, whether emo, alternative, or otherwise. Overall, DC’s sound defies genre categorization, because him and so many others carve out their own lanes.

For those of you who already heard SACRED HEART (+), there is some unfortunate news. One of the album’s tracks, “SO SICK,” did not make it onto streaming services like Spotify. While this might disappoint some fans, sample clearance issues came into play. However, the new streaming release includes three tracks featured on the albums deluxe version. Moreover, these are “RUNWAY!”, “BREAK IN HALF,” and “BROTHERS.”

Meanwhile, these stylistic influences already came through on DC’s previous album, MY OWN WORST ENEMY. Although SACRED HEART (+) might have a deeper story behind it, MY OWN WORST ENEMY definitely has that going for it. On the project, the 23-year-old tackles his alter ego and the two warring sides of him that his creative artistry might suggest.

Still, what did you think of DC The Don’s latest mixtape, SACRED HEART (+)? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments and peep the tracklist for the project down below. Also, if you haven’t heard the tape yet, you can find it on your preferred streaming service. In addition, check out the music video for “SRT // UMBRELLA” below, as well. As always, come back to HNHH for the hottest new songs and albums released each week.

Tracklist

  1. SRT
  2. UMBRELLA
  3. ALL NIGHT
  4. SHUTUP!
  5. HEADPHONES
  6. NASKAR
  7. 11:30
  8. OK COOL
  9. USED TO IT
  10. H3Y
  11. BEYOND GLOBAL
  12. RUNWAY!
  13. WAIT 4 U
  14. SO SICK
  15. BREAK IN HALF
  16. BROTHERS

Watch A New Visualizer For Mac Miller’s ‘Frick Park Market’ On The 10th Anniversary Of ‘Blue Slide Park’

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While each of Mac Miller’s six albums hit the top five in the Billboard 200 chart, it’s only his debut full-length, Blue Slide Park, that topped the chart. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this week, the album is a testament to the late rapper’s carefree, authentic persona. It shows how even though he had inner demons that tragically ended his life, he was always just a kid from Pittsburgh looking to have fun.

In concert with the album’s anniversary, Rostrum Records released a new visualizer to the track “Frick Park Market,” an ode to Miller’s local corner store that seemed to have “anything you need” on the shelves. The visual features animations by Shokka, in a colorful and psychedelic display of the store, and the personalities in its orbit, that fits the song perfectly. In fact, on the Blue Slide Park commentary, Miller even alluded to the song’s kaleidoscopic nature:

“That was the first single, that was the first thing we let people hear and I think that it really helps to represent what I’m doing with this album: how it starts out just fun and some things you’re used to hearing from me and it goes into something a little more trippy and a little more different and kinda takes you on an adventure.”

In the end, revisiting the track and hearing Miller drop lines like “I’mma feed the world you can put it on my tab / Run until my legs go numb, I don’t plan on lookin’ back,” it’s a warm reminder of his style, his disposition, and how much he’ll be missed.

Watch the visualizer for “Frick Park Market” above.

Mac Miller is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.