Hurricane - There Ain't Nuthin' Here Yours - 1996

I think the first time I heard this single "There Ain't Nuthin' Here Yours" was during an episode of the No TV Raps radio show broadcast on Radio FSK in Hamburg, Germany. Released in 1996 by Amsterdam-based rapper Hurricane a.k.a Sugacane, the track appeared on the various artists compilation album "Magic Sounds Volume 2". This track alone makes this vinyl worth getting.

 

If you're looking for more info about Hurricane, you should know that his journey truly began to take shape in 1982, when he first discovered hip-hop. Inspired by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force, he immersed himself in this emerging culture through breakdancing and body popping. For him, this discovery went far beyond a simple fascination with music : it was a revelation, a way of discovering himself, understanding his identity and finding his place within a community that resonated with his own history.

From 1985 onwards, he began making a name for himself on the streets of Amsterdam under the alias Busy Beat, before adopting the name Hurricane in 1988. For nearly a decade, he honed his craft on the streets, sought recognition and patiently built his reputation within the local scene. This journey reflects his deep connection to a culture he experienced from the inside, long before it opened the doors to a recording career.

The turning point came with the cassette release of "There Ain't Nuthin' Here Yours", produced by G.O., with the track remixed by Keylow. The B-side featured "With Each Evil There's a Price to Pay", featuring MD and also produced by G.O..

This independent release made a strong enough impact on the underground scene to quickly attract attention. The success of the cassette earned him a place on the second volume of the Magic Sounds vinyl compilation, his first record deal and a series of live shows and radio appearances. It was recognition that rewarded years of perseverance on the streets and within Amsterdam's hip-hop circles.

His first official single "Let' Em Know" was released on Supreme Slice Records the same year. That track isn't really my cup of tea to be honest. However, the track on the B-side, "God For All (And Every Nigguh For Himself)", is a really good one and is definitely the reason to grab this vinyl too. 

12" - 1996 - Supreme Slice Records 

Video : KNOWTIS - Baggy Pants Ft. YoungLee - 2026

 

New video delivered by the Taiwan-based group KNOWTIS, consisting of the MCs Aminato, 2Change & Someshiit. Produced by tarolin of the NOD TOWN crew, the track features fellow Taipei-based emcee YoungLee and is taken from their forthcoming album "Mosaic", coming soon...

Mix : DJ Mitsu The Beats Vs Southpaw Chop - Lalapalooza Series Vol.1

 

Mixed CD - 2013 - Lalapalooza 

This is Side 2 (Southpaw Chop side) of the Lalapalooza Series Vol.1 mixed CD, originally released in 2013. The mix features underground tracks from Mood, Global Platoon, Roc Marciano, Ruggedness Madddrama, Kaotic Style, Alps Cru... just to name a few. 

Video : Daniel Son x Asun Eastwood x Futurewave - Catch A Limit - 2026

 

Daniel Son, Asun Eastwood & Futurewave drop the visuals for "Catch A Limit", the single taken from their collaborative album "Nom De Guerre", fully produced by Futurewave.

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)

Order 

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)