Critical Beatdown

Critical Beatdown Classic Hip-Hop focuses primarily on Classic hip-hop music from the 1980s, 1990s, and the early to mid-2000s.

Showtimes: Sunday 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern Standard Time

LL Cool J (short for Ladies Love Cool James) has released 13 albums, a two-time Grammy Award winner. Popular classic Hip-Hop songs are “Going Back to Cali,” “I’m Bad,” “The Boomin’ System,” “Rock the Bells,” and “Mama Said Knock You Out.”

Ultramagnetic MCs are based in The Bronx. Founded by Kool Keith, the group also includes Ced Gee, TR Love, and Moe Love. Tim Dog became an unofficial member in 1989.

EPMD from Brentwood, New York. “E” and “PMD” or an acronym for “Erick and Parrish Making Dollars,” referencing its members: emcees Erick Sermon (“E” a.k.a. E Double) and Parrish Smith (“PMD” a.k.a. Parrish Mic Doc).

Jungle Brothers are composed of Mike Gee, Afrika Baby Bam, and DJ Sammy B. Pioneers of the fusion of jazz, hip-hop, and house music. Were the first hip-hop group to collaborate with a house-music producer. The trio released their debut album, Straight out the Jungle, in 1988. The Jungle Brothers’ success would pave the way for De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, The Native Tongues collective was born.

Gang Starr, consisting of producer DJ Premier and rapper Guru. The group was at its height from 1989 to 2003. top hits include “Mass Appeal,” “Take It Personal,” “Moment of Truth,” and “Above The Clouds.”

Salt-N-Pepa was formed in New York. members included Salt, Pepa, and DJ Spinderella. “Push It” in 1987, which hit number one a top 10 or top 20 hits in various countries. Their debut album, Hot, Cool & Vicious, sold more than 1 million copies in the US, making them the first female Classic Hip-Hop act to achieve gold and platinum status. The trio won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for their song “None of Your Business.”

The Classic period was the best age of rap. The artists most often associated with the period are;

Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, KRS-One, Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Queen Latifah, and A Tribe Called Quest. Releases by these acts co-existed in this period with and were as commercially viable as those of early gangsta rap artists such as Schoolly D, Ice-T, Geto Boys, NWA, the sex raps of 2 Live Crew and Too $hort, and party-oriented acts such as Kid ‘n Play, The Fat Boys, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, MC Hammer.

Our editors update the show regularly with rare album cuts and hip-hop b-sides. Listen every Sunday from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm eastern standard time. Only on SVP RADIO.

 

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