So I watched Rubble Kings yesterday, and it gave me a clear insight on two forms of extreme racism pre hip hop. The mayor, land developers, and the destruction of communities vs imported racist, southern, crooked cops. The two shaped our gangs and made our trajectories completely different. They were able to find peace amongst themselves very early on, while we, on the other hand, had those crooke... » Continue Reading
There are elements of the West Coast (speaking mainly of Southern California), that differentiates itself from the rest of the world. As a matter of fact, the elements in question, are what makes east coast heads hate the West Coast and our contribution to the culture so much. One could easily argue the west was also, unknowingly, creating hip-hop. More on that in a minute. “I can’t believe they ... » Continue Reading
When I was growing up in the 70s, my older sister exposed me to what was new (at the time). My father, in particular, exposed me to music from the 50s and 60s. Every time I rolled with him (which was ALL the time), we listened to KRLA, which was an oldies station in LA. Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, James Brown, the whole nine. I knew their songs word for word, would even listen to the... » Continue Reading
So let’s keep it a buck; “evolution” is defined as the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form. Many people equate this to how hip-hop has “changed”. When something evolves, it either replaces what it came from, OR becomes a new entity with a new name. Let’s take this from a musical stance: when was the last time you heard someone emulating Dizzy Gillespie... » Continue Reading
Gen X Dropped The Ball…. When I was growing up in the 70s, my older sister exposed me to what was new (at the time). My father, in particular, exposed me to music from the 50s and 60s. Every time I rolled with him (which was ALL the time), we listened to KRLA, which was an oldies station in LA. Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, James Brown, the whole nine. I knew their songs word for word,... » Continue Reading
This is long over due, and a day too late. That doesn’t diminish the fact that this is also well deserved. We lost a real yesterday, and I’m gonna tell you all about him. Sit back, reply to your inbox messages, and mute or pause your tv, because THIS one is gonna have some length! Leggo! Vince Edwards , my namesake, known by his stage name “CPO Boss Hogg”, was born and raised in Compton, Californi... » Continue Reading
This is long over due, and a day too late. That doesn't diminish the fact that this is also well deserved. We lost a real yesterday, and I'm gonna tell you all about him. Sit back, reply to your inbox messages, and mute or pause your tv, because THIS one is gonna have some length! Leggo! Vince Edwards , my namesake, known by his stage name "CPO Boss Hogg", was born and raised in Compton, Californi... » Continue Reading
One of the coolest people I know, who I got to spend a lot of time kicking it with (thanks to one of the best and well known pop lockers I know, Kool Boy) is another Ruthless alumni. Some of you might know him by his "government name" Jerry Long - but the rest of us....we just call him "Kokane". Got a minute? Let's get into it! Although he is a west coast jewel, he was actually born in the Boogi... » Continue Reading
Time to officially finish off hip-hop history month, let's finish my story. When we last we left off, I pretty much lost not one, but TWO deals simultaneously; good times. Anyway, Gilly Gill was initially Djing for his cousin. His name was Tommy Gun. We met and got to kicking it, and came up with the crew name “Western Front”. During this time, that was only two camps in Moreno Valley that even m... » Continue Reading
On this final day of hip-hop history month, I’m going to do one that many don’t expect. This final one is going to be on….me. I'm going to get back on track to what I was talking about tomorrow, because I was told I should keep this up even after the month is over. But for now....Yeah...I'm gonna tell MY story. I made this decision for two reasons. One, to give some sort of reasoning to why I love... » Continue Reading
I didn’t talk about many ladies this month, but that changes now. This post was actually suppose to go before the last one, but the last one was needed for context. Ya don’t understand? Trust me; it’ll make sense in a minute. Hip-hop History month sweet 16, it’s all about the first ladies of the west…JJ Fad. Let’s go! J.J. Fad began in 1985 as a "5 piece" consisting of Juana Burns (MC J.B.), Dania... » Continue Reading
I know I promised the next one was "going to be on the ladies", that is, before I deleted that post (it was on boogalooing and pop-locking). I knew there was going to get push back because of something (turned out to be dates), so I am going to wait until I speak to an actual member of Electric Boogaloo before I repost it. But anyway, before I get into The First Ladies of the west coast, I HAVE to... » Continue Reading