A first play of the Fast Rap anthem “Wrath of Kane” and a World Premiere of “Self Destruction” would normally be enough to satisfy my rap tape desires. But this 1988 doozy is goosebumps from beginning to end, and one of my most cherished cassettes. My favourite segment comes as the 40th anniversary of Wild Style rolls around. KRS gets suitably excited when Tim Westwood spins some of the Wild Style soundtrack as part of the “Revival Showcase”, dropping Fantastic Freaks at the Dixie. The Blastmaster can barely contain his [Rapture’s] delight at hearing an old-school jam getting radio play: “It’s fresh to hear a radio station play it” … “In New York you don’t ever ever get to hear that!” Alongside Ms Melodie, KRS answers questions on everything from his upcoming LP Ghetto Music (originally titled Poor People’s Music) to his ongoing differences with Mr Magic. He also plays “Nah Go Commercial”, a cut that never made the finished album and has never been officially released.
Listening back in 2023 to conversations recorded in 1988, some of KRS’s observations may have heads turning. He talks about how Rap, compared with the days of the Cold Crush and Fantastic Freaks, had already “become more of a mainstream situation”. His theory? “It evolved to something a lot better” and MCs had become “more glittery”. Looking at the industry today, the prescience is staggering. There’s talk of homelessness, the vicious circle surrounding it, and KRS telling Westwood that “the UK is fresh”. Then things take a slightly more questionable turn when he offers his solution to violence in clubs: supply the security with 9mms. :] :] :]
And then there’s the ‘Self Destruction Mastermix’, getting its exclusive UK airplay with KRS proclaiming, “FIRST TIME EVER HEARD IN THE WORLD!” The “Black Steel” is in abundance elsewhere, too, with classics from Grandmaster Caz and Don Baron, a few BDP joints and a street-bootleg version of Slick Rick’s “Treat Her Like a Professional”!?!
HUMUNGANISCOUS PROPERS go out to Mister Wild Style Dayle Dickson down under, and to the owners of the other 2 tapes that made up this triple tape composite, Rob Gould and the mighty Justin Winks. Weirdly, neither of the three of us pressed play and record on either Audio Two, Three Times Dope or MC Merlin. Other than those tracks, it’s pretty much a full show. For bonus novelty points, don’t miss the ITT Nokia ad voiced by the wonderful Alexei Sayle right at the very end.
Big Daddy Kane – Wrath of Kane
Mic Break
Boogie Down Productions – I’m Still #1 [Numero Uno Re-Recording]
Mic Break – KRS Interview
Boogie Down Productions – Jack of Spades
Mic Break – KRS Interview
Grandmaster Caz – I’m Caz
Black Rock N Ron – Stop The World
Mic Break – KRS Interview
Boogie Down Productions – Nah Go Commercial
Mic Break – KRS Interview
Don Baron – Action
Mic Break – KRS Interview
Gig Guide
Stop The Violence Movement – Self Destruction
Steady B Featuring Blastmaster KRS One – Serious [Ceereeus BDP Remix]
Mic Break – KRS Interview
Slick Rick – Treat Her Like A Prostitute
Fantastic Freaks – Fantastic Freaks At The Dixie
Mic Break – KRS Interview
Top Billin – Straight From The Soul
Mic Break – KRS Interview
