Boombox 3: Early Independent Hip Hop, Electro and Disco Rap 1979-83 (2-CD)

by Various Artists

Soul Jazz Records new Boombox 3 continues their story of the first rap records to be put onto vinyl. It is a jam-packed collection of original independent old-school hip-hop, created with just one thing in mind to get this party jumping! After the explosion of hip hop in the parks and clubs of The Bronx in the mid-1970s, it was in Harlem where the first rap records emerged at the end of 1979 - an avalanche of superb rap tracks released on small independent labels all trying to capitalise on the success of Rappers Delight. Like hip hop culture itself, these first rap singles are the product of their own unique set of aesthetics exciting and innovative rap performed with Bronx block party B-Boy funk breaks, disco jams and Jamaican sound system culture. The extensive sleevenotes discuss hip-hops trajectory from the first wave of Bronx creativity the legendary DJs Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa through to its arrival in Harlem via the entrepreneurism of old-school African-American rhythm and blues producers and emigre Jamaican producers all living in New York. Along the way the notes discuss everything from the New York power blackout of 1977, the Italian mafia involvement in the music industry, the links between rap and Jamaican dancehall and more besides! Boombox 3 features a line-up of stunning, near unknown New York rap artists, classic disco breaks (including Chics omnipotent Good Times, MFSBs Love Is the Message, Queens Another One Bites The Dust etc.), proto-electro and more. And by the early 1980s the first rap records outside New York began to emerge Los Angeles, Houston, Milwaukee, Phoenix and the first of these are also featured here in this new collection. This Soul Jazz Records album is released on heavyweight triple vinyl (+ download code) with full notes, double CD pack with 44-page outsize booklet and slipcase, and digital album.