Photo by Lyle Owerko. The Boombox.
On the eve of my my birthday, I was struck by the title of a mixtape I’ve had on repeat recently.
Classic Rap Vol. 1 is, as the dj duo puts it, “an attempt to combine rap nerd scholarship with DJing craftsmanship.” As a big hip hop head since my teens, it strikes me as curious to see names like Kanye West, Mos Def, Andre 3000, Nas, and others on this one.
As an owner of several “classic” hip hop compilations, I’m more used to seeing Nucleus, The Sugarhill Gang, Audio Two in the liners. Hell, even Krs-One and LL Cool J qualify. Looking at that second list, knowing I heard those acts on the radio when their singles dropped, there’s no denying that in trying to identify with the different eras of hip hop I’m looking to define the era to which I belong. Or, maybe just sprung from.
Nobody wants to be called old school unless you’re a young hipster trying to impress an even younger crowd. But for me, classic rings too much of Mad Men or sun saturated Ralph Lauren ads. I love watching Mad Men, but if I ever ran into one of those male characters in an alley only one of us is coming out. And, I was always more Lacoste than Polo.
That said, I’m happy I can fully appreciate the classics, even reminisce over some old school joints. But, please don’t call my tastes classic or old school until you see me at my grand daughter’s wedding rocking white shoes with a dark blue suit banging my head to some Fugees and yelling, “Yeah! That’s my jam!”
For now, have a listen to this crazy dope mixtape by Macabee and Verse. And if you’re like me and can relate to this one, check out their other tracks here.
Classic Rap Vol. 1. ITS Overture!
