" Showcasing the underrated Bronx duo DNA, 'Building Blocks' features the evergreen indie classics 'Bronx Criminal County' and 'My Shit Iz Tight' alongside 7 super dope previously unreleased tracks from their 1996 demo tape. Please note - a couple of these demos were pretty rough but we have restored and remastered these as good as possible for your listening pleasure. This reissue comes in a picture cover in an edition of 300 classic black copies. Pre-order now, vinyl shipping in March 2026. " - courtesy of Gentleman's Relief Records
" Kukoo Da Baga Bonez represents a form of hip-hop that values longevity over visibility. Emerging from New York City’s underground scene in the early 90's, he has built his career outside the glare of the mainstream, relying instead on consistency, craft, and cultural integrity. His roots lie in open-mic nights, freestyle battles, and the uncompromising spaces of New York’s underground hip-hop circles. Early collaborations with respected turntablists, including members of the X-ecutioners, reinforced his credibility and connection to hip-hop’s foundational elements.
"Kukoo's Nest" reflects the early stages of his career during the 90's and contains 23 tracks in total including all of his 12" releases, bonus songs and instrumental versions. Raw, uncut and demo'esque. " - courtesy of 90's Tapes
Available in a limited run on 3LP (350 copies), 2CD in jewel case (300 copies) & 2MC (100 copies)
Devine Carama drops the visuals for his latest single "'95 Flow Crazy" featuring REKS and produced by Asethic, taken from his 17th solo album "Legacy Minded Men".
"After years of whispers, the once-mythical album from Wu-Tang affiliates KGB (Klik Ga Bow) is finally getting an official release. Emerging from Coney Island, the crew began with Asiatic (Adriatic), DJ Kin (Kinny Kin), and Ill Knob (Knowledge), later expanding with Raheem & Red/Infa-Red. In the late ’90s, they carved out a reputation in the underground—merging Wu-Tang’s raw edge with Brooklyn’s unforgiving lyrical style.The group moved within the same orbit as Deadly Venoms and MMO, managed by John “Mook” Gibbons under the Wu-Tang/Protect Ya Neck Records banner. They were part of the early Poison Clan Posse, a Wu-linked collective that never fully stepped into the spotlight despite its potential. Now their long-lost full album called Win, Lose or Draw is finally getting, and for the first time ever, a proper Vinyl (2LP, Album), CD (Glass mastering/Pro Press) & Cassette Tape format release. This album contains several mid 90's KGB unreleased tracks and a couple of songs taken from their 12"s, all of this material recorded between 94 and 96 was supposed to be used for their Win, Lose or Draw unreleased album, we also added some bonus tracks to make it a 15 track project." - courtesy of Back2DaSource Records
Available on Black Vinyl (500 copies), CD (400 copies) & Cassette (100 copies).
Boogiedown Base, 12 Finger Dan and Roccwell drop their latest productions, "One Time 4 Ya Mind" featuring Kinetic 9, MC of Killarmy and longtime affiliate of the Wu-Tang Clan, and "We Rock" featuring Wildelux (Bronx/Kyoto), former member of the groups Silent Onez and The Last Kind.
The upcoming vinyl release of the album "Contact" by Springfield, Ohio-based rapper BigShawnDon on the Gramofix Records label reminds me that Ohio's 90s hip-hop scene has largely remained under the radar. While a handful of artists and groups managed to break through at the time, such as J Rawls, MHZ, Universal Dialect, Southpaw, Blueprint or MOOD, many others never reached a wider audience.
This cassette "Mekka Born Sound - Street Life" released in 1998, documents some of those overlooked artists. Mekka Born Sound was a record label based in Colombus, Ohio, founded around 1997 and managed by DJ O-Sharp and Sherod Jones who also handled all the productions. The tape features artists and groups such as I&J, Nashon, Screw & Flage, D'Marco and Empire, a duo comprised of Walla Bee and Marlon.
Information about Mekka Born Sound and its artists was nearly impossible to find, so the best option was to reach out directly to DJ O-Sharp, who kindly took the time to respond and provide some details.
DJ O-Sharp : " Sherod Jones and I went to the same high school but grew up in different neighborhoods. I am from Agler Green and he's from Walnut Creek. He's actually one year older than me. We both have a strong passion for music and especially hip hop culture, from bboying on down to graffiti. The artists on the Street Life tape are all people we grew up with and some are even family members. Nashon is Sherod's little brother. Walla Bee is my nephew; his rhyme partner Marlon grew up in Walnut Creek with Nashon and Sherod. Demarco is actually from the Bronx; he was here for school at Ohio State. He was looking for studio time and found us, he's more like a brother than a friend. Screw and Flage are from the neighborhood. I met I&J at an open mic and I was so lost in his rap style. Mekka Born Sound was initially conceived as a way to produce artists from home and seek out a record deal first, later we served as the recording studio for MHZ'z, Lone Catalyst, Rashad and Rufus Blaque. There is so much unreleased music, and all those artists went on to do more music beyond Mekka Born Sound. "
