Wolfe D.O.M-Nation - Wolfe D.O.M-Nation - 2026

2026 - 90's Tapes / HHV Records

"With their self-titled debut, Wolfe D.O.M-Nation delivered nine tracks in 1996 that sit right at the intersection of raw East Coast underground and hardcore rap of the mid-’90s. Heavy drums, dark samples and stripped-down loops provide the backbone for a sound with little interest in polished edges. Produced by D.O.M., Lil’ Wolfe and Killah-White, the album remains consistently rugged and direct throughout. Tracks like “Get Raw”, “Kamakazzi”, “Shaky Ground” and “Thought Chaser” show different sides of the group, while “NY To B’more” draws the New York-to-Baltimore connection right into its title. A largely under-the-radar piece of US underground rap from a time when records like this still had to find their own way around without the internet." - courtesy of 90's Tapes

Available in a limited run on 2LP (350 copies), CD in jewel case (300 copies) & Cassette (100 copies)

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Grown Man Rap Show - Episode #465 - The Blackbyrds Tribute

 

Hosted by veteran DJ Toast and broadcast live every Sunday night at 10pm (ET) from 91.5 WRPI (Troy/Albany NY), Toast brings you the best in vintage & contemporary true school Hip Hop. This is Episode #465 dedicated to the Blackbyrds.

The Blackbyrds “Riot” (1975)

Ghostface Killah f. Raekwon & U-God “Black Jesus” (1996)

The Blackbyrds “Mysterious Vibes” (1977)

Kurious “I’m Kurious” (1994)

The Almighty R.S.O. “One in the Chamba” (1992)

The Almighty R.S.O. f. M.O.P. & Cocoa Brovaz “One in tha Chamba (Remix)” (1996)

Paris “The Days of Old” (1992)

The Blackbyrds “Spaced Out” (1974)

Rah Digga “What They Call Me” (2000)

Black Moon “War Zone” (1999)

MC Lyte “Cappuccino” (1989)

Guru f. Bahamadia “Respect the Architect” (1995)

The Blackbyrds “The Gym Fight” (1975)

Alchemist f. Raekwon “Rock Creek Spark” (2013)

The Blackbyrds “Rock Creek Park” (1975)

Big Daddy Kane “Raw ‘91” (1991)

Heavy D. & The Boyz “Swinging with Da Hevster” (1991)

Skinny Boys “Set the Pace (Say Yeah)” (1988)

N.W.A. “Quiet on Tha Set” (1988)

De La Soul “Ghetto Thang” (1989)

45 King f. Markey Fresh “The King is Here” (1988)

Eric B. & Rakim “The R” (1988)

Steady B. f. DJ Tat Money “Rockin’ Music” (1987)

Ol’ Dirty Bastard & Coolio “The Park” (1998)

The Blackbyrds “Wilford’s Gone” (1975)

Capone-N-Noreaga “T.O.N.Y. (DJ Clue Remix)” (1997)

Compton’s Most Wanted “Def Wish” (1991)

The Roots “Silent Treatment (Beatminerz Mix)” (1995)

Hard 2 Obtain “L.I. Groove” (1994)

Scientifik f. Edo.G “I Used to Know Ya” (1992)

Snoop Dogg “Doggyland” (1996)

Masters of Illusion “Silk Suit, Black Linen” (2000)

Zhane “Crush” (1997)

Da Lench Mob “Lord Have Mercy” (1992)

The Blackbyrds “Dreaming About You” (1977)

The Blackbyrds “The Runaway” (1974)

Kid ‘N Play “Gittin’ Funky” (1988)

SWV “Right Here (Funkyman Scratch Mix)” (1992)

Eminem “Drug Ballad” (2000)

Chubb Rock “Caught Up (Remix)” (1988)

The Blackbyrds “Blackbyrds’ Theme” (1974)

Queen Latifah “Bad as a Mutha” (1991)

Jungle Brothers “Tribe Vibes” (1989)

The Blackbyrds “Street Games” (1977)

Tuff Crew “My Part of Town” (1988)

Nomaads - The Ultimate - 1994

12" - 1994 - V.I.P Hip Hop Records 

Emerging from the streets of NYC in the early to mid '90s, Nomaads were a group comprised of MCs Q-Unique & Barretta (RIP), DJ Mel Ice (RIP) and producer Groovy Lou. They dropped their first and only 12", titled The Ultimate, in 1994 on V.I.P. Hip Hop Records.

Q-Unique / DJ Mel Ice (RIP) & Barretta (RIP) - 1993 - Photo courtesy of Q-Unique

 Though their story was cut short before they could fully realize their potential, the group left behind a small but significant body of work.

The group began taking shape when Mel Ice reached out to Q-Unique, impressed by his work and eager to build something together. Q-Unique subsequently connected with Barretta, and the trio began recording demos with producer Thomas Owens. Their path soon crossed with legendary producer Skeff Anselm, whose credits included A Tribe Called Quest, Brand Nubian and MC Serch. Skeff took an interest in the group and began developing music with them, opening doors to a world that had previously seemed almost out of reach.

Through Skeff, Q-Unique was introduced to Q-Tip and the members of A Tribe Called Quest, even spending time in the studio while the group was working on "Lyrics To Go". For a young underground crew, these encounters offered a glimpse of what might have been possible, placing The Nomaads at the edge of one of hip-hop's most fertile creative scenes.

The trio also shared the stage with some of the era's most respected names, including Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Tony Touch and D-Stroy. In another memorable moment, Q-Tip invited The Nomaads to join A Tribe Called Quest during their set for a live cypher at a Zulu Nation jam in the Bronx River Projects.

Their only official single, "The Ultimate", was eventually recorded at D&D Studios and released on the small Bronx-based label V.I.P. Hip Hop, with production by Groovy Lou. But by then, circumstances had already begun to unravel. Mel Ice tragically passed away during the group's formative years, while Baretta eventually disappeared from the scene. Q-Unique continued recording with Groovy Lou, but the producer himself later disappeared, leaving The Nomaads' story unfinished.

Kinetic, Q-Unique & Freestyle of The Arsonists & Groovy Lou (Front) - Photo courtesy of Q-Unique 

Q-Unique would go on to become a founding member of the Arsonists, but The Nomaads remained an important, if painful, chapter in his career. Following Baretta's passing in July 2017, the story of the group took on an even deeper resonance : a testament not only to an overlooked chapter of 90s NY hip-hop, but also to friendships, lost opportunities and the people who shaped Q-Unique's artistic journey.

With "The Ultimate", The Nomaads left behind a rare document of that era. More than three decades later, their music offers a glimpse into a group that came remarkably close to something bigger, surrounded by some of the most influential figures in hip-hop, yet ultimately remained an underground secret.

Fortunately their previously unreleased material finally saw the light of day in 2017 with the help of Chopped Herring Records, resulting in a 7-track EP featuring demos recorded between 1992 and 1995, produced by Groovy Lou, Thomas Owens and Zulu Gremlin. 

As for the 12", it's mos def a must-have for any serious '90s hip-hop collector. The record is cheap and easy to find, so don't hesitate !

EP - 2017 - Chopped Herring Records 

Mix : DJ Seiji - FT Beat Emotion Library (Lost Crates) - 2011

Mixed CD - 2011 - Street Knowledge 

Intro

Buckshot Lefonque - Breakfast @ Denny's

Ill Al Skratch Feat. Greg Nice, Nine & MOP - Dr. Feel Good

Mic Geronimo - The Natural (Clark Kent's Ghetto Mix)

Jemini The Gifted One - Funk Soul Sensation (Godfather Don Mix)

Pete Rock & CL Smooth - We Specialize

The B.U.M.S. - Take A Look Around (Groovebumz Remix)

Hard 2 Obtain - Hip Hop Lifestyle

Mic Geronimo - It's Real (Kutmasta Kurt Remix)

Trends Of Culture - What I'm Feeling

Showbiz & AG - You Know Now (Buckwild Mix)

Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Searching (Remix)

The Roots - Distortion To Static (At Ease Mix)

Jemini The Gifted One - Can't Stop Rockin (Goldfinger's Remix)

Erick Sermon - Bomdigi (Remix)

Rakim - Shades Of Black (Chase Dats Da Shit Remix)

Miilkbone - Keep It Real (Remix)

Lord Finesse - Shorties Kaught In The System (Remix)

EPMD - Crossover (Trunk Mix)

Redman - Can't Wait (Remix # 2)

Redman - Tonight's Da Night (Remix)

Bas Blasta - Ain't Whatcha Do

The Troubleneck Brothers - Back To The Hip Hop (Tony T. Green Remix)

OC - Born 2 Live (Eclipse Remix)

Tha Alkaholiks - Daaam! (Buckwild Remix)

Pudgee Feat. The Notorious BIG & Lord Tariq - Think Big

The Beatnuts - Hellraiser (Remix)

Grand Daddy IU - Represent (The Grinch & Hill Remix)

Nice & Smooth - Cash In My Hands (Remix)

Book : The Soles Book Of 1993 Hip Hop Adverts

 

SOLES presents its latest publication, The Soles Book of 1993 Hip Hop Adverts. This hardcover book (210 × 297 mm), featuring 72 pages, brings together album advertisements published in The Source magazine throughout 1993. A true snapshot of hip-hop's golden era, seen through the promotional campaigns that accompanied the era's landmark album releases.

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Video : Apollo Brown & Skyzoo - No Discounts - 2026

 

Apollo Brown and Skyzoo drop the music video for "No Discounts", the second single off their latest album "Luxury Tax". 

Video : Kool Taj The Gr8 & RJ Beatz - 83’ Til Infinity - 2026

 

Kool Taj The Gr8 and producer RJ Beatz who both form The Custodians of Real Hip Hop, deliver the visuals for "83’ Til Infinity", taken from their collaborative album "EHTOS". 

HOW CAN I BE DOWN? '95

 

1995 - Black Power Entertainment 

HOW CAN I BE DOWN? '95 is a various compilation album released on CD and cassette by the Florida-based label Black Power Entertainment. It came out for the 3rd "How Can I Be Down?" music convention, which took place in South Beach, Miami, in October 5-9 1995. This famous music convention was created around 1992 by Peter Thomas, with the help of Henry Butler and James "Henchmen" Rosemond.

The compilation showcases MCs and groups signed to the label : Infamous, Odyssey, Ruff-n-Rugged, the female emcee Attitude and Clayvoisié, an artist who was more or less affiliated with Luke of the 2 Live Crew.

The productions were handled by Drunk Drew (Science Room), Steve Gaskins and Charles Trahan (of Young & Restless) from Miami, FL, and Mike Fresh who was originally from Atlanta but was based in Miami at the time. I've contacted some of those producers to get some info about those unknown MCs, but no answer unfortunately.

Black Power Entertainment was founded by Vernon "Black" Howard from Broward County. He made the compilation for the How Can I Be Down Convention to promote his artists, but nothing really came of the label and it eventually discontinued. I wish I could ask him a few questions but "Black" is now serving a life sentence in Prison...