Tag: DJ Scott LaRock

The Life and Celebration of DJ Scott La Rock

Yesterday on May 19th, 2017, the legendary DJ Scott La Rock finally gets his dedication and respects right here in The Bronx. Right on Kingsbridge Road, which is way Uptown on the 4 train, there was a street name celebration for the legend himself. DJ Scott La Rock was part of one of hip hop’s dopest crews who goes by the name Boogie Down Productions. Boogie Down Productions had its members The Teacha himself, the Blastmaster KRS-One and another DJ, who is also doing photography as well today, named D-Nice. 30 years ago, back in March, the group’s debut album “Criminal Minded” was released and five months after its release, Scott La Rock was tragically killed which changed everything within the group. KRS-One eventually went solo and even started going by “The Teacha.” BDP’s debut album not only had the combination sounds of both hip hop and reggae music but the album touched on subjects about the conflict of Where hip hop first derived from in the 80’s, which is where the classics “South Bronx” and “The Bridge Is Over” talks about. Being at that celebration was just something that was definitely an iconic moment for me just like so many other moments in my life. It was also something that made me proud of being from The Bronx. Made me proud as a hip hoppa. Even though I’m not from that particular area in The Bronx, it’s still something that was well overdue for the fallen legend. So nice to see fans, his family and other hip hop legends like Kool DJ Red Alert again, hip hop’s very own first MC Coke La Rock, Jazzy Jay, who is incredible on the turntables, and later on Popmaster Fabel, who is a dope pop locker and dancer. Hip hop is definitely deserving of so many things and more. I’m just happy I’m alive to have these experiences instead of the ones when it All first happened long ago.

Criminal Minded: The 30th Anniversary!

This past week has been an incredible one for hip hop and especially those who are from the Bronx, the birthplace. It makes me proud to be from The Bronx this time around, even though I’m always proud, regardless of the ignorant and asinine comments made about my borough daily. This past week, Swizz Beatz went live to reveal an unreleased joint during a DJ battle with Just Blaze that made the entire hip hop community go bonkers and Remy Ma rips Nicki Minaj apart with her diss track “ShEther.” There was definitely a lot of talk about whose the better MC between the two ladies and of course, non hip hop fans jumping in discussions just to defend Nicki by throwing out information about her sales and income when we all know that traditionally in hip hop, it’s the skills on the mic that matters, not the sales and awards, but it was definitely another interesting The Bronx vs. Queens battle, which reminds me of KRS-One and MC Shan. Now speaking of KRS-One, yesterday was the birthday of the late great DJ Scott LaRock and today, “Criminal Minded” turns 30. On March 3rd, 1987, KRS-One and DJ Scott LaRock aka Boogie Down Productions released “Criminal Minded.” A 10 track album that’s definitely one of the greatest and most influential hip hop albums of all time. I usually critique each song on the album when it comes to celebrating its anniversary but for this one, It’s one powerful album for just 10 songs. In classic hip hop, KRS-One fashion, what The Teacha himself is known for, he delivers with such knowledge and wisdom. Teaching the listeners a thing or two about politics and such. At the same time, the two classic bangers, “South Bronx”, which is my personal theme song, and “The Bridge Is Over” are both responses to the MC Shan battle during that time and it shows how an aggressive KRS-One gets on the mic. Like he says, never battle him cause he’s number one! This album is definitely a top 5 for me personally. Not just because it’s KRS-One but because it’s an album that’s actually a banger from beginning to end and what I consider to be an early blueprint or “the guide to being an MC” for a lot of dope and talented rappers in the game, both old and young. I guess this is my way of paying homage to KRS-One and Scott LaRock but mostly to Scott. Definitely a late great whose time was cut short unfortunately but is still respected and loved today and peace to The Teacha. 30 years, BX we here!