Eye Candy - Patrice Rushen

I have always had a crush on Patrice. While she's most known for her funk & R&B hits, it was amazing to discover her early jazz instrumental albums.  Her "around the way girl" flavor had me hooked from day one and I mentioned this to her through my many love letters.  She never responded. And as time went on and on, she never responded to any of my marriage proposals. No worries, I will not rest until she is Mrs. Darrell D!

3 The Hard Way!

 

Black Power, Black Unity, Black Love - The Mixtape

My contribution to these current events in music form. Cassette release only. Compiled by Darrell D.  Free to conscious minded individuals who still own a walkman. While supplies last! Hollar.

1997 Downlow Magazine Dj Battle-Milwaukee

Back in the mid-90's I had an idea to open a record store/coffee shop. I didn't have the money to do so but it turns out there were a few younger guys from the neighborhood who did. They called it "Your Mother's House" and it was on the east side of Milwaukee. It was a cool spot to pick up all the latest rap 12"s, mixtapes, needles, and of course coffee.  I was cool with the owners and told them I had an idea to throw a dj battle which would bring a lot of traffic to the store. They partnered with Downlow Magazine, a street mag I wrote for at the time, and jumped on board and told me they would pay for anything I needed to make it happen.  After picking out 3 plaques at the trophy shop, I remembered thinking, "I'm taking this first place plaque home with me after the battle".  That almost didn't happen because there were some ill dj's in that battle and a few that weren't. To explain, i've battled or have seen battles with these other Milwaukee dj's and the competition was steep. Not featured on the flier was Dj Toxic T who was super raw and actually pulled out a BMX bike at the end of his set and actually scratched with the front tire. Crazy! Also, Dj Nu-Stylz was supposed to battle but for some reason pulled out at the last minute. Nu-Styles was super raw as well and there was a good chance I would have lost to him. Another dj, who i'm not sure why he was not in the battle was Dj N.K. from Kenosha.  He was probably the illest battle dj in Wisconsin at the time and there's no way I would have beat him, he was just too good. I guess I got lucky that night. Good memories and good times.

I never got around to having my name engraved on the first place plaque. One of these days…... 

Smif-N-Wessun Black Moon Live Queensbridge Park 2016 Pt.2

Part 2 of the exciting free concert that took place at Queenbridge Park in 2016.

Thank You Dr. Jeckyll!

Andre Harrell. Your roots in music are deep. Most know you from being the founder of Uptown Records where you signed Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, & Father MC and employed a young Sean "Puffy" Combs. You are well known for serving as the president/CEO of Motown Records. But I know you as being one half of the rap group Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde. "Genius Rap" was my introduction to your group and remains one of my favorite rap songs to this day. It was that record that actually saved Profile Records being that they were about to go under. Profile was only doing disco records before you guys came along. It was cool seeing your group in the movie Krush Groove a few years later and a few years after that seeing your possee cut "Uptown Is Kickin It" video on B.E.T. which introduced the world to Heavy D. Several years later in 2010 at the Rock The Bells concert in New York, imagine my shock when I saw you walking through the crowd towards me! I geeked out a little telling how much of a fan I was. That was a cool experience.  Only recently did I discover that your partner Mr. Hyde and yourself have continued to be business partners for decades and even broke into Hollywood. I was shocked to hear that you are no longer with us. Thank you for all of the memories. Thank You Dr. Jeckyll!

                                

                                 

Mixtape Spotlight - Tony Touch 5 Deadly Venoms Of Brooklyn

This is my favorite mixtape of all time. I bought this at Just Dance Records on University Dr in Tempe Arizona in 1998. Everything about this tape is what I love about rap music and Dj'ing. There were a lot of firsts for me because of this tape,  the first time I heard the Busy Bee VS. Kool Moe Dee battle, the first time I heard (intro beat) the "Tried By 12" by The East Flatbush Project, the first time I heard Evil Dee outside of Blackmoon, & the first time I heard "live" rap performances on a mixtape, thanks Premier.  Plus, look at the superstar dj line-up! I'm not sure if something like this has ever been done since but this classic stands firm even today in 2020. What's your favorite mix tape? 

Mixed By The Lizard aka P.F. Cuttin':
1.P.F. Cuttin' – "5 Deadly Venoms Of Brooklyn - Intro"
2.Verbal Hoods – "I'll Be Damned"
3.Dr. Dre & B-Real – "Puppet Master"
4.Breez Evahflowin' – "Forsaken"
5.Busta Rhymes & Q-Tip – "Wild Hot"
6.Camp Lo – "Say Word"
7.The Dutchmin' – "Surrounded"
8.Powerule – "Bright Lights, Big City"

Mixed By The Toad aka Mister Cee:
1.Zhané – "Request Line (Mister Cee Blend)"
2.KRS-One – "Raptures Delight"
3.Yvette Michele – "Not Feelin' You (Mister Cee Blend)"
4.The Veterans – "The Medicine"
5.Notorious B.I.G. – "Hypnotize"
6.Frankie Cutlass, Kool G Rap, Mobb Deep & M.O.P. – "Know The Game"
7.Mobb Deep – "Young Luv"

Mixed By The Snake aka Tony Touch:
1.Tony Touch – "Deadly Freestyle"
2.Steele Kat One & Lil' Noc – "Freestyle"
3.Freddie Foxxx – "Freestyle"
4.Sunz Of Man & Makeeba – "Freestyle"
5.Guru – "Freestyle"
6.Channel Live & Benny Boom – "Freestyle"
7.Jeru The Damaja & Lil' Dap – "Freestyle"

Mixed By The Scorpion aka DJ Premier:
1.Grand Wizard Theodore & Kevie Kev Rockwell – "Military Cut"
2.Busy Bee vs. Kool Moe Dee – "Live At The Harlem World"
3.Double Trouble – "Live At The Amphitheater L.E.S."
4.The Cold Crush Brothers – "It's Us"
5.T La Rock – "It's Yours"
6.LL Cool J – "I Need A Beat (Jazzy Mix 1984)"
7.Malcolm McLaren & The World's Famous Supreme Team – "Buffalo Gals"
8.MC Lyte – "I Cram To Understand"
9.Divine Force Crew – "Holy War"
10.DJ Premier – "Ending Interlude"

Mixed By The Centipede aka Evil Dee:
1.Black Skavengers – "Poison Pill"
2.Jeru the Damaja – "Me Or The Papes"
3.M.O.P. – "Downtown Swinga"
4.Krumb Snatcha – "Gettin' Closer To God"
5.Shamus & Flu – "Tight Team"
6.AK Skills – "East To West"

7.Shadez Of Brooklyn – "Calm Under Pressure"