This is a freshly restored National Fresh show from Jeff Young. If you aren’t aware, the National Fresh segment was the last 60 minutes of a BBC Radio One show called the Big Beat [NB. The Big Beat preceded Pete Tong on a Friday night on Radio One, and Tongys’ iconic Essential Selection/ Essential Mix].
It was a full hour dedicated to Rap and Hip-Hop and ran from October 1987 to January 1991, and as opposed to iconic Rap radio that was being aired in London [and arguably one other large city] during the late 80s and early 90s, it was broadcast across the entire British Isles, feeding the habits of a generation of young Hip-Hop fanatics. Hip-Hop was a big deal to alot of listeners in the burbs and in parochial towns and villages, not just in the cities. We couldn’t get to hear any show any time we wanted. Even owning a copy of a copy of a London Rap radio show on cassette at the time was like holding gold dust.
Remember, Rap and Hip-Hop was a musical genre that didn’t always get a lot of airplay on big stations during this period, no matter how commercial it was. Due to Jeffs’s dedication, British teenagers and adolescents were embracing Rap up and down [and across, I recorded this show in Belfast] the country.
Listen out for the dedications, the Neneh Cherry IDs, the UK artists, album tracks, hot remixes from people like Norman Cook, and an almost apologetic Jeff Young as he displays contrition because he didn’t play the now classic [B-Side] Dave Dorrell/ CJ Mackintosh Remix of I Come Off the day it arrived. You’ll also hear a DJ who is personable, informative and friendly, not every Rap DJ can say that…..
And don’t miss all round good guy Jeff asking the question that many were asking after the Brit Awards the week before this broadcast. Why did Soul II Soul recieve 4 nominations, get asked to attend the event to perform, but not actually win anything ? A valid point Jeff.
Neneh Cherry ID
Public Enemy ID
MC Duke – The Final Conflict
Mic Break
Professor Griff – Last Asiatic Disciples
Big Daddy Kane ID
Unique 3 – Musical Melody
Mic Break
Sly & Robbie Feat Young MC – Livin A Lie
Mic Break
Digital Underground – Underwater Rimes
Mic Break
Chill Rob G – Let Me Show You [Remix]
Mic Break
Neneh Cherry ID
The 3 Knights – Burial Proceedings In The Coarse Of The Three Knights
Mic Break
Young MC – I Come Off [Southern Comfort Remix]
Mic Break
Sly & Robbie Feat Queen Latifah & KRS One – Woman For The Job
Demon Boyz – Vibes
Mic Break
Digital Underground – Humpty Dance [UK Remix by Norman Cook & Streets Ahead]
Mic Break
Kool Rock Jay – It’s A Black Thing
Mic Break
Craig G – Shootin The Gift
RANDOM RAP RADIO 