Ice Cube On Reaganomics

Here is an old issue of XXL Magazine with Ice Cube revealing how he came up with the name for his album AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted.

“I had saw this way to spell America with the three K’s, and that kinda represents the America that we were dealing with (during) Reaganomics.” –Ice Cube

Ice Cube Amerikkka

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Schoolly D The First Gangsta Rapper

Schoolly D hails from from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the mid-1980’s he teamed up with DJ Code Money and recorded the first gangsta rap tracks to ever be released on record. His lyrics during that time reflected urban realism, violence, pimping and drugs.

Rapper Ice-T, who is often given credit for the creation of gangsta rap, says that Schoolly D was the first gangsta rapper.

Schoolly D arms

Schoolly D

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Geto Boys Grip It! On That Other Level Original vs Re-Release

The original Ghetto Boys first consisted of Raheem, The Sire Jukebox, and Sir Rap-A-Lot. When Raheem and Sir Rap-A-Lot left the group, the label added DJ Ready Red, Prince Johnny C, and Bushwick Bill.

After receiving very little attention, James Prince put together another new line-up that included Houston natives Scarface and Willie D. He also changed their name to a deliberate misspelling, Geto Boys.

Since the original version of Grip It! On That Other Level is sought after by collectors, here are both of the releases side by side so you can see the differences between the two. The original Ghetto Boys Grip It! On That Other Level is on the left, the Geto Boys Grip It! On That Other Level re-release is on the right.

Ghetto Boys Grip It! On That Other LevelGeto Boys Grip It! On That Other Level

If you open the jewel case and inspect the linear notes, you will notice that the re-release removed the photo of DJ Ready Red, Scarface, Willie D and Bushwick Bill. Below are scans of the original release on the left, and the re-release on the right.

Ghetto Boys Grip It! On That Other Level insertGeto Boys Grip It! On That Other Level insert

There are also differences between the rear inserts, such as completely different photos and bar-codes. On the original release seen on the left the album also has no major distribution, but on the re-release on the right there is a Priority Records logo.

Ghetto Boys Grip It! On That Other Level rear Geto Boys Grip It! On That Other Level rear

The differences between the cd’s also stand out. The original release used a red font, while the re-release used a black font. The matrix/ringcodes are also different. The original ringcode is on the left is: 451-119-003-A 12/01/891. The re-release on the right is: P257190 (V)

Ghetto Boys Grip It! On That Other Level cdGeto Boys Grip It! On That Other Level cd

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$50,000 Reward For Info About The Murder Of 2Pac

Here is a reward poster issued by the city of Las Vegas for information on the murder of Tupac Shakur. If you have a tip that leads to the arrest of the persons responsible for this crime you could be $50K richer!

Tupac Reward Poster

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Cash Money Hot Boys: Turk, Lil Wayne & Juvenile

Here is a rare photo of the Hot Boys; Turk, Lil Wayne & Juvenile. It looks like they had a long night in the studio, or maybe they just got done smoking a blunt? Look closely and you will see their matching blue shirts promoting their first album Get It How U Live!!.

Hot Boys

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4080 Magazine #12: Too Short

Here is the December 1993 issue of 4080 Magazine featuring Too Short on the cover. This issue has 48 pages of NorCal narcotic about Digital Underground, The Coup, George Clinton and Motion Man.

4080 Magazine #12 Too Short

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U.G.K. Too Hard To Swallow

It’s been over 20 years since the Texas rap duo Underground Kingz (Pimp C & Bun B) put out their first full-length album Too Hard To Swallow on Jive Records. Thanks to their unique sound, the album has sold more than 400,000 copies.

Since the release of their debut full-length album, U.G.K. has gone on to influence generations of music listeners and rappers alike. Here is an old advertisement promoting the release of their first album. From the kingz of Houston’z underground…. The debut album from… U.G.K.

U.G.K. advertisement

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Bay Area Rap Legends

This photo dates back to the 1980’s and features bay area rap legends Hugh E M.C., DJ X-1, Cougnut (R.I.P.) and TC.

Hugh E MC, DJ X-1, Cougnut, TC

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Three 6 Mafia: Putting Memphis On The Rap Map

Three 6 Mafia has accomplished a bit more than putting Memphis on the rap map since this photo was published in Yo! Magazine. In 2005, Three 6 Mafia became the first hip hop group to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and the first hip hop artists to perform at the ceremony.

Three 6 Mafia yo! magazine

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R.I.P. Seagram Miller: 1970 – 1996

Seagram was from East Oakland’s 69 Ville housing projects and became the first West Coast rapper to be signed to the Houston based label Rap-A-Lot Records. He released three albums during his short lifetime, the first one in 1992 which was gangster and violent titled “The Dark Roads.” Then in 1994 Seagram released his second album “Reality Check” which had more of a grimy, mobb style West Coast feel to it. Finally in 1997, a year after his death, his last album was released which is called “Souls On Ice.”

Seagram Miller was shot and killed on July 31, 1996. R.I.P.

RIP Seagram

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