HHE makes a powerful return with a release that digs deep into the roots of underground hip-hop. In collaboration with Fortress Entertainment, this first installment marks the beginning of a series of projects that promise to unearth more hidden gems from the label’s archives.
This record stands as a true time capsule, showcasing rare and essential recordings from the mid-90s. It kicks off with the full Natural Elements EP from 1994, back when the group was still a six-man crew, featuring an early appearance from the legendary KA (RIP). The project also includes a previously unreleased track from Nightbreed, the mythical duo formed by KA and Kev.
Further enriching the collection are an early classic from L-Swift, a hard-hitting track from the Raidermen, and an outstanding unreleased demo by female emcee Essence, also recorded in 1994.
Available on vinyl (200 Splatter Vinyl - HHV Records Exclusive / 100 Color Vinyl / 200 Black Vinyl) and CD (300 copies with bonus DVD).
I've been a huge Natural Elements fan and everything affiliated with this crew since day one. The first three 12-inches dropped by the group Raidermen are something that I instantly bought when they were released in 1996/1997.
Raidermen was a duo comprised of G-Blass from Queens and Stex from Brooklyn (The Olde Brooklyn). In the early 90s, G-Blass was part of the group of solo artistswho later formed the official Natural Elements crew. In 1994, he featured on what is considered as the first Natural Elements EP released on Fortress Records.
I don't have a lot of info about G-Blass, but I've got more about Stex... He was raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn and he fell into hip-hop during the 80s, as a basement DJ first, but also as a graffiti writer who tagged and pieced trains from Brooklyn to the Bronx, with Hash, Cope 2, Surf, Saz and Dezzy Dez (also known as Kay Slay of the Drama Hour... RIP). As he said to me... "Hip hop and Graffiti went together like a foot and a shoe."
G-Blass & Stex formed Raidermen in 1996. After meeting Charlemagne through a friend of his, Stex met G-Blass at the Bronx studio in Vidal Goring's attic. G-Blass said that Stex had lyrics, so he asked him to work together on a record. After that, every Saturday they made joints.
First 12" released by the duo on Raidermen Entertainment in 1996 was "Gettin' Over". This single is on the A-side of the wax and features Mr Voodoo of Natural Elements... It isn't really the best song of the wax in my opinion. The B-side contains two other tracks entitled "Something That I Heard About" and "Devils Play Ground", with all the productions managed by Charlemagne.
STEX : "We recorded Magnetic at Unique Studios in Time Square. I remember Sticky Fingers from Onyx was in studio A, we were in studio B. Sticky said it was a hit ! When I got the test pressings I gave them to Funkmaster Flex at Hot 97, he gave us plenty of burn ! Raidermen did a few shows most memorably opening up for Sporty Thieves, Fat Joe & Veronica, and Jay-Z at Wesleyan University in Connecticut in 1997."
"Magnetic" was followed the same year by the singles "Top Dollar" & "Strategy". "Top Dollar" on the A-side was produced by Charlemagne, G-Blass and Stex with cuts by DJ Finesse. On the B-side, "Strategy" featuring Natural Elements, Sean Price, Lace Da Booms and Mike Zoot, was produced by Shaself.
Two other 12-inches were released in 1998 after that one, but I've never bought them. There are no more Raidermen records after the last 12" and the Raidermen album never saw the light of day unfortunately... Stex became Stocky Stex and then started a group called the Fugitives, with Born Sinn & Sinister Zoe. He also produced most of the Fugitives recordings.
The Halftime Show w/DJ Riz & DJ Eclipse 89.1 WNYU March 18, 1998
Big Kwam - Verbalise Remix Dilated Peoples - Work The Angles Gang Starr - Work Dynasty - Wildcat Show & AG feat KRS One & Big Pun - Drop It Heavy Mood - Karma Night Breed - Long Time Coming Dilated Peoples - The Main Event Show & AG - Raw As Ever Fatal Hussein and Tame One - Ghetto Star Instrumental Talk Break All Natural - It's O.K Das EFX feat MOP & Teflon - No Doubt Laster - Searching 4 Meaning Smut Peddlers - The Hole Repertoire Numskullz - If It Ain't Raw Talk Break Missin' Linx Freestyle Black Attack - Rep Da R.I Dj Honda feat De La Soul - Trouble In The Water Dj Honda feat Rawcotiks - For Every Day That Goes By Dj Honda feat Black Attack - 5 Seconds Dj Honda feat Syndicate - Every Now & Then Dj Honda feat Krs One & Doe-V - Team Players Talk Break Thrust - Emcee X-Ecutioners - Raida's Theme remix Jigmastas - Keep On Rockin' Canibus - Second Round K.O Network Reps feat Tru Persona - Simplistic Consequence - Rock'N'Roll (Jay Dee Mix) Natural Elements - Tri-Boro Raidermen - Top Dollar Siah & Yeshua DapoED - Directions Eminem - Just Don't Give a F**K Remix Juice - Freestyle or Written Instrumental Talk Break with Stex (Raidermen) Props to DJ Eclipse
