The Zoo Crew from Brick City, New Jersey, is a multifaceted community initiative that began in 1991. Initially, it was a group of friends organizing parties and events for young adults in Newark, providing much-needed recreational activities for those aged 21–27.
Over time, the Zoo Crew expanded its mission to include youth development and community engagement. In 1996, they established the Zoo Crew Basketball program to offer young people an alternative to street life. This program has positively impacted thousands of lives over the past 25 years.
All the members are from different parts of New Jersey, but a street called Chadwick ave in Newark was where they all called home base. That's where the Zoo Crew was born...
The interesting part is that the Zoo Crew was also in the music business. In the early 90s, 2 members named Supreme C. and L-Boogie founded the record label Zoo Crew Records. They dropped 3 records featuring Quan Capone, Supreme C. and MRKD Men. which remain very hard to find nowadays !
"Time To Think" is the debut 12" released by Supreme C in 1992. The wax contains 4 songs on the A-side titled "Mad Props", "Fatal Attraction", "Stray Bullet" and "Time To Think", all produced by Pzaz.
The B-side contains all the instrumentals.
If you're looking for more info about Supreme C., you need to know that he felt into hip-hop when he was very young. His father had a record collection with Jazz, James Brown and some of the first hip-hop records like Rappers Delight. He was a kid that gotinto graffiti and breakdancing as the culture developed. He was born in Brooklyn so he used to travel a lot all over the city so he was exposed to all the elements of hip-hop from an early age. Then his family settled in New Jersey so between the back and forth he became a seasoned emcee. When he was coming out his Piers were artists like Nas, Biggie, MOP. He was influenced by the Zulu nation and then later the 5% nation, so Eric B & Rakim was a big influence on him.
Although there is nothing else released officially between "Time To Think" and his appearance on the tracks "Neva Faded" released by Lords Of The Underground in 1994 or "Lick A Shot" released by Rottin Razkals in 1995, Supreme C. worked on a bunch of material during this period. He was a ghostwriter for the group Da Youngsta's from Philly, Pa. Marley Marl asked him to help him to produce the album "No Mercy" after the first time he met him and heard him. Marley did the tracks and Supreme C. did most of the songs ("Hip Hop Ride" / "Mad Props" / "No Mercy" / "Backstabbers"/ "No More Hard Times"). 2 unreleased albums were also recorded but never saw the light of day : One when Queen Latifah gave him his first deal on Flavor Unit and the second one when he was on RCA records.
"Funkin With The Wrong People" is a 5-song EP delivered by the MRKD Men in 1992, a group comprised of 2 emcees named Big Rell & Pzaz who also managed all the productions. The A-side contains the tracks "Stroke", "Bashin Heads W/A Concept", "P-Funk" and "Keepin On", and the B-side contains the track "Standin On The Block" and 3 instrumentals.
Pzaz was dope as a producer and he also had Rhymes. At that time Supreme C. was the primary artist and Zoo Crew Records plan was to introduce Pzaz as they grew. For your knowledge, you need to know that in addition to producing for his Crew, Pzaz also produced for other Brick City groups such as Black Widow Society and Newark Natives, who were dropped on cassette tape at the time.
The last 12" was dropped by Quan Capone who was not a real artist... Quan was an official street dude and not a rapper. Supreme C. actually wrote that song for him and it was almost a joke, Supreme C. was trying to encourage guys in the crew to pick up the mic because he knew the game was changing and they had amazing opportunity ahead of them. The wax came out around 1992-1993 and contains 4 songs entitled "Fuck What You Heard", "All Caged In", "Big Fu"and the lead single "Get a Grip", all produced by Supreme C.and Pzaz of Mrkd Men.
Video LP was a half-hour, live viewer call-in program that debuted on September 1, 1986 on BET. Here is an episode from October 1993 hosted by Sherry Carter with De La Soul in the Studio for the promo of their album "Buhloone Mind State". Thanks to Musik-Zone for the upload. RIP Dave a.k.a Trugoy The Dove.
" Soul Kid Klik are a New York based crew that was formed by producer/rapper/Jazz musician G-Clef da Mad Komposa in the mid 90's. They were one-time Wu-Tang affiliated being signed to GZA’s imprint but the label folded after a while forcing them to take the independent route.
After dropping ‘Invisible Army” on vinyl back in 2018, Hip Hop Enterprise have now compiled 12 more tracks that were originally recorded between 1994-1998. Out of these 12, 9 will be on vinyl for the first time ever (5 solo tracks from Infamous Mr. Savage and 4 from G-Clef) in addition to 3 Goodfella Mike G tracks that appeared on his solo album. " - courtesy of HHE
Available on Blue Flames Vinyl (100 copies), Black Vinyl (200 copies) & CD (300 copies).
Few people can say they have done something at a high level for three decades. For Yesh, aka Yeshua Dapo-ED, and his music, this can be said, as proof he has built a celebrated catalog. Hailing from Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, this MC/producer first appeared on Bobbito's Fondle'Em Records. The classic "Visualz EP" release, which is still highly sought after, is a testament to the place Yesh has carved out for himself in the independent hip-hop scene. After the Siah & Yeshua moment, he went on to record a variety of solo and collaboration efforts, including with his group Wee Bee Foolish. Some of the other labels he has worked with are Ninja Tunes, Rawshack, OM Records, Jazzspastics, Ill Boogie, Boot, 75 Ark, SoulSpasm; he has even released records through his own label, Head Bop Music. The time has come for him to throw his hat in the ring once again, offering the new album Itto, where he showcases his lyricism and puts his concepts and wordplay on display. Entirely produced by rising star producer Soulful Soze, this project is definitely a new sound but retains that familiar vibe Yesh has always been associated with. Brought to you by the good folks from Back In The Days Records (Spain), the album drops on June 14th.
Here is an interesting brand new book for your collection dropped by Martin Pearson & Deverill Weekes. Back in the early 1990s Martin Pearson was a music journalist in London and Los Angeles, and a huge hip-hop fan for many years. Among many other publications, he used to work for Hip-Hop Connection in the UK and he interviewed many artist big and small from that era. He has recently put together a retrospective book of his work (with contemporary commentary). It's called Hip-Hop Rising: Profiles of the 90s.
Photos courtesy of Deverill Weekes
" Hip Hop Rising: Profiles of the 90s revisits the golden era of hip hop with striking images and fascinating interviews. The book is based on the original 1990s’ journalism and photography by Martin Pearson and Deverill Weekes, two Londoners transplanted to Los Angeles in the 90s. It offers a rare glimpse inside the creative and controversial minds of the likes of Ice Cube, Wu-Tang Clan, Queen Latifah, Beastie Boys, Eazy-E, The Pharcyde—more than forty interviews in all. "
Sean Links delivers "Mood Swings", his latest single taken from his self produced album "The Man of Many Hats", now available on Bandcamp. It will be available soon on vinyl... stay tuned !
" During the mid-to-late 90's, Toronto-based MC Choclair stepped on the scene independently with various 12" releases and classic guest appearances. In 2003, "My Demo" has been released on CD only so far collecting the standout moments of the early stages in Choclair's career. " - courtesy of 90's Tapes
Limited edition of 300 copies on 2LP in gatefold sleeve including bonus 7" ("What It Takes (Remix)" b/w "Instrumental") and inlay card. Available in a limited run on 2LP+7", CD (jewel case) & Cassette.
Boston, Massachusetts-based beatmaker Stu Bangas delivers a remix version of The High & Mighty's single "Be Excited" featuring Esoteric (of 7L & Esoteric).
11 years after the release of his debut album, the talented french beatmaker Azaia is back with a brand new musical project entitled "Father Time".
"Father Time" is presented as the original soundtrack to his autobiographical film/documentary "Où sont les Pères (Where Are the Fathers)." A journey through Blanc-Mesnil from the 1980s to the present day, following a young Azaia who is trying to find himself, walking the streets, and avoiding the traps that unfortunately some of his friends fall into. Long story short, he grows up with his maternal grandparents at the heart of it all, tries to stay on the right path, finds a day job to make ends meet while holding on to his passions, with the goal of starting a family and becoming a father. Some time later, he does.
The guest list is exclusively comprised of French artists : Cham Rapper, DUNE, Alphaaz, Dinokun Nawashigeri, S.R.I 14.80, Oks Rouge, Maj Trafyk, Dal-Gren, Cellule Vivante, Astronote, Espiiem, Tasco, Doe Smith, Souffrance, Dan Amozig & Mil Beats.
I've got a big respect for this cat who is one of the best beatmaker in the french indie hip-hop scene in my opinion. I recommend you to grab his album which is now available on CD format via his own record label Brain Connection 1978. As for me, I'll wait for the vinyl version which will be dropped in September. Peace
Toronto, Canada-based group Truth By Design delivers the visual for their brand new single "Force Wirting" produced by DTKS (cuts by DJ Lupan). An Alternate Mix and two instrumental versions are also available on their official bandcamp.
Very talented NYC-based beatmaker Karbine is back with a brand new joint featuring Rome Streetz, taken from the debut album "Street Politics"... coming soon, stay tuned !
Here is the debut 12" released by the group Diemen X (a.k.a The D.X.) from Rexdale, Toronto Canada. The crew was comprised of members Ironsyde a.k.a The Chairman, Skanks Boogie, Shag Dogg and Manchie. The 12" came out on Julian Arthur's label Groove-A-Lot Records in 1996 and consists of 3 tracks titled "Contaminate" produced by Me-Shak, "Chosen Are Few" produced by Madlock (RIP) and "Ninty Sixness" produced by Swiff La Roc a.k.a Bornswiff (RIP) of Da Grassroots.
It's a very good 12" still easy to find, so if you collect 90s indie hip-hop records from Canada it will be definitely something to grab for your record collection.
90's Tapes & No TV Raps present Rugged Mind - Headquarter Session #04, 2 hours and a half of 90s Boom Bap and Underground Hip Hop mixed by Rug, SampleMind and Odradeck.
Tracklisting includes joints from Ruggedness Madd Drama, Kazi, Rascalz, Absent Minded, MF Grimm, C-Vorheez, Big O, Non Phixion, Omniscence, L-Swift, Mood, La Base, DJ Eli & Shan Boogs... just to name a few. Pump up the volume and enjoy the mix Fellas !
M-Dot teams up with Confidence once again to drop the album entitled "Library of Sound", available on June 27th on Vinyl (Red and Black versions) via Below System Records with support from Own Lane Music.
" Decorated Boston emcee M-Dot and acclaimed producer Confidence bring you "Library of Sound," a gritty, soulful album built upon a raw unapologetic East Coast soundscape. The project is M-Dot’s first full-length album produced entirely by one beat-maker and showcases the duo’s undeniable chemistry nearly two decades after first connecting.
“Confidence is one of the best at chopping samples into something brand new & unrecognizable—he’s like Preemo and Pete Rock with his own twist,” says M-Dot. The album is largely feature-free, keeping the spotlight on the classic MC/Producer formula. Guest rap verses only appear on “Primavera” from M-Dot’s longtime friends Big Shug (Gang Starr Foundation) and Queens legend Royal Flush. Library of Sound delivers fervent beats and sharp, unfiltered, authentic rhymes—an ode to hip-hop’s roots. "
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