Hip-Hop

On this episode of Queue points, in our ongoing #HipHop50 series, we spotlight the influential Idol Makers crew and the 1988 release, "Hurby's Machine." Our focus is Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor, a prodigious and prolific producer and writer whose career seemingly froze in the late '90s, and who has remained largely silent in recent decades.

Join DJ Sir Daniel as he navigates us through this often overlooked chapter of hip hop history, shedding light on Azor's career, the rise of Salt-N-Pepa and Azor’s central role in one of hip hop’s most legendary diss wars - MC Lyte vs. Antoinette. Alongside Jay Ray, DJ Sir Daniel delves into the compelling story of The Idol Makers, the compilation album "Hurby's Machine," and the crew's leader, Hurby Azor. Tune in for a conversation about one of hip hop’s unsung producers.

On this episode of Queue Points, we delve into the book, "When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era” with author Donovan X. Ramsey. Donovan discusses the tragic legacy of the crack epidemic through the eyes of four individuals, illuminating the vulnerability and resilience of the Black community. We discuss topics like harm reduction, the vital role of community, and the significance of having authentic representations of the people impacted by the crack epidemic. 

Sharing deeply personal experiences, we explore the continuous ripple effects of the crack era, the failure of the criminal justice system, and the intersections between historical events like the Great Migration and the onset of the crack crisis. This episode confronts the disparities, the stigma, and the systemic negligence that fueled the crack epidemic. Join us on a journey of understanding and compassion of a misunderstood and misrepresented epidemic.

Thirty years ago, on February 16, 1993, Flavor Unit, Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere’s musical crew dropped their inaugural compilation CD - “Roll Wit Tha Flava.” After years of making appearances on each other’s work, this was the first time out for the crew as a whole. This episode will chart Queen Latifah’s artistic pivot, the record that marked the shift and the unlikely rise of an R&B powerhouse - Zhané. #HipHop50

Award-winning podcaster, DJ, musician and journalist, Mr. Al Pete, stopped by Queue Points. Mr. Al Pete is the 2022 Black Podcasting Awards Best Music Podcast winner for his podcast The Tables Might Wobble. He not only joined us for our core topic, but, in this segment, tells us a bit about how The Tables Might Wobble was born, his history in hip-hop and how he got started DJing.

The murder of Takeoff has shaken the world as a whole, and like many times on Queue Points, we’re asking the question “what can we do?” Well, for this episode we ask the question with all the accolades, the money and the fame, for hip-hop, “is it still all good?”

Joining us in segment 2 is Mr. Al Pete. Al Pete is the 2022 Black Podcasting Awards Best Music Podcast winner for his podcast The Tables Might Wobble. He not only joins us for our core topic, but tells us a bit about how The Tables Might Wobble was born.

You don’t want to miss this conversation from three hip hop elders about the state of the culture.

The news was devastating and official. Eric Sermon, legendary producer, and half of the duo EPMD made a post on Instagram announcing Gloria Rodriguez passed away.

Superstorms originate in West Africa, follow a path through the Caribbean and the subsequent impact can be both overwhelming and cause for restructure. Like The Real Roxanne before her, and future superstar Cardi B., Hurricane G.’s artistry echoed bilingual voices of the Diaspora and rap skills cultivated in the projects of Brooklyn.

The Internet became all abuzz when a teaser for an upcoming episode of Revolt TV's "Drink Champs" featuring the effervescent Patti Labelle went viral. In a very loving and humble moment, Ms. Labelle recounted the moment her son Zuri informed her that she would be appearing on Hip-Hop's favorite "Inside The Actor's Studio" format talk-show.

When legends of her generation would turn their nose up in disgust or be dismissive, Patti Labelle jumped at the opportunity. She said one thing that we couldn't disagree with more. In a hushed voice she stated "...I am not Hip-Hop, but I am.."

Chop the first part of that statement, Miss Patti, because you ABSOLUTELY are Hip-Hop.

In 1990, a white rapper named Tairrie B. emerged onto the hip-hop scene with her debut album, Power of a Woman. 

According to Queue Points co-host DJ Sir Daniel, “we cannot talk about what's been going on in the movement of hip-hop music and women on the mic and not talk about the phenomenon known as the white girl rapper,” he said. “Everybody in hip hop has had a voice, including white women, believe it or not.”

In a recent article on Okayplayer, producer Dame Grease recalls producing DMX’s breakout single “Get At Me Dog.” When discussing what DMX listened to in the studio and of what inspired him most, Grease recalls “Disco was pretty much the only music we listened to. It helped X relax. He used to have this big ass CD case and it was filled with disco, funk, and soul; there wasn’t one rap record in there. The only rap shit was by X himself.”

In this article, originally published on STATICC.com, Jay Ray discusses three Hip-Hop songs inspired by Disco.