If you are under the impression that the ‘elements of Hip-Hop’ are key to the culture, think again. The spirit, energy, enthusiasm and just as important, the humour of what true Hip-Hop is about, are clearly presented in this film.
Starting in 1990, armed with nothing more than their ever-expanding and ever-loyal community of listeners to spread the word, DJ Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito Garcia presented a radio show in New York City.
You can read more about my opinion of the movie here http://www.sneakerfreaker.com/2015/10/a-reintroduction-to-stretch-and-bobbito/
As the show gained interest, people within the Hip-Hop establishment from all over the planet were swapping cassettes, and by the mid-90s, both the pre-recorded tapes that were distributed by the pair to indy record stores [EG. Bobbitos’ own Footwork & Fat Beats] and dubs of the 4 hour weekly show were passing hands on the regular. Some people including myself would make annual trips to New York to get our fix of the culture; the performances, the garms, the gear, the kicks, and just as importantly, the radio shows. And yes, we would buy boomboxes specifically to record those shows….
The DJ Stretch Armstrong Show, and these recordings, featured independant Rap, old school Rap and sometimes the building blocks of the music that Rap was formed of; Soul/ Jazz/ Funk et cetera. But an integral part of the show was the artists that rolled up to the studios of the Columbia University college station WKCR 89.9 FM. Some were invited, some werent, but the majority of guests that rhymed wanted to rhyme on air, and as the mic was continuously ‘open’ to MCs that wanted some shine [both signed and unsigned], the ‘quirky friends’ created the ultimate platform for Rap to blossom. The show was later awarded the title “Best Of All-Time” by the Source Magazine in January 1998.
Now in 2015, just days before the 25th Anniversary of the first ever show [Broadcast on Thursday 25th October 1990], the accomplishments of the 8 years can be seen in a truly illuminating documentary which highlights the ‘gut-busting humour’ that the community thrived on, as well as the talent on display at the time. Alot of that talent [Eminem/ Jay-Z/ Biggie Smalls] have become household names across the world, so if you have ever enjoyed Rap as a soundtrack to your life, regardless of when, regardless of how old you are, or what you think the cultures foundations are, this documentary is a ‘must-see’.
Tickets are still available for the London screenings [if you own a neck-brace] and all international screenings are listed here: http://stretchandbobbito.com/screenings
You can pre-order [Release date is 22 October 2015] here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/stretchandbobbito/140348043
Our archives have been removed from the web recently but you can find dozens of shows and hundreds of hours worth of shows courtesy of the Phila Flava Unit [Jamo/ Chris Miller and Dom Locc] below:
https://mega.nz/#F!eJ4x1YYR!MdevFAOrdp5GsXceIyazAw
https://mega.co.nz/#F!58hjhajK!QdklIh8tT_hBln94QUs7uw
https://mega.co.nz/#F!h4xwSBhI!IeccXUVNZPZBoWf-DiOBHw
Humunganoid propers to Stretch & Bobb and of course, Lord Sear.
RANDOM RAP RADIO 