KRS-One gives a lecture on the potential of hip hop as a culture and the political climate that hip hop emerged from. He makes references to Malcom X and Martin Luther. It is very interesting and if you follow the video links there are more recordings from the lecture.
In this final clip 'KRS one' talks about how powerful and important the boombox, rapping and graffiti were to ,Hip Hop' in spreading the sounds and sights of the hip hop movement.
Directed by Tony Silver and produced by Tony Silver and Henry Chalfant, it was awarded the Grand Prize for Documentaries at the 1983 Sundance Film Festival. STYLE WARS is regarded as the indispensable document of New York Street culture of the early '80s, the filmic record of a golden age of youthful creativity that exploded into the world from a city in crisis.
STYLE WARS captured the look and feel of New York's ramshackle subway system as graffiti writers' public playground, battleground and spectacular artistic canvas. Opposing them by every means possible were Mayor Edward Koch, the police, and the New York Transit Authority. Meanwhile MCs, DJs and B-boys rocked the city with new sounds and new moves and street corner breakdance battles evolved into performance art.
New York's legendary kings of graffiti and b-boys own a special place in the hip Hop pantheon. STYLE WARS has become an emblem of the original, embracing spirit of hip hop as it reached out across the world from underground tunnels, uptown streets, clubs and playgrounds.
“The best hip hop film ever made. Reveals hip hop in its purest state, capturing it before it was part of pop culture and a source of revenue for major corporate entities. The film shows the innocence of these young innovators who are considered forefathers of a movement bigger than they could have ever imagined. A superb job of showing the bond between the different elements, displaying how the art, music and dance are interchangeable and maintain a close symbiotic relationship.”––Insomniac – DVD Highlights
Wheat-paste street art image of a retro-1980s style boom box on the base of a lamp post at the corner of Broome and Bowery streets in downtown New York City.
The boombox is an important icon associated with hiphop and used by graffiti artist and is commonly within their work. Graffiti is the art form that has sprouted from HipHop and represents the culture.
Made of a durable vinyl, it packs that ghetto blaster design on the front, as well as featuring a removable/adjustable shoulder strap, plenty of space for your essentials and a separate space for your mobile phone.
Run DMC - Boombox Messenger Bag.
Officially licensed Run DMC Boombox PVC White Shoulder Messenger Bag. This PVC black and white bag features a Run DMC logo and a boombox design on the front. Includes front zip pocket and the main zip compartment has an inner pocket for valuables and slots for cards and pens. Adjustable shoulder strap. Measures about 13.75 x 12 inches.
The Boombox shoe.
Take a look at this design concept of a CD-playing athletic shoe. (We had considered titling this post “BoomShoe” but then thought again.) It comes with everything you need to play CD’s built-in, including a compact disc player, speaker, tweeters and a small knob for volume. It even has some controls for play, stop, forward and back embedded into the side.
The design picture is pretty cool but I would bet you would have some real “skipping” problems with this one. Throw in some Flash memory and a small LCD screen and I think we would really have something.
Boombox skin for the I-phone
Lyle Owerko offers the Boombox Project skin for the iPhone or the iPod.
My radio, believe me, I like it loud I'm the man with a box that can rock the crowd Walkin' down the street, to the hardcore beat While my JVC vibrates the concrete I'm sorry if you can't understand But I need a radio inside my hand Don't mean to offend other citizens But I kick my volume way past 10 My story is rough, my neighbourhood is tough But I still sport gold, and I'm out to crush My name is Cool J, I devastate the show But I couldn't survive without my radio Terrorising my neighbours with the heavy bass I keep the suckas in fear by the look on my face My radio's bad from the Boulevard I'm a hip-hop gangster and my name is Todd Just stimulated by the beat, bust out the rhyme Get fresh batteries if it won't rewind Cos I play everyday, even on the subway I woulda got a summons but I ran away I'm the leader of the show, keepin' you on the go But I know I can't live without my radio
[Verse 2]
Suckas on my jock when I walk down the block I really don't care if you're jealous or not Cos I make the songs, you sing along And your radio's def when my record's on So get off the wall, become involved All your radio problems have now been solved My treacherous beats make ya ears respond And my radio's loud like a fire alarm The floor vibrates, the walls cave in The bass makes my eardrums seem thin Def sounds in my ride, yes the front and back You would think it was a party, not a Cadillac Cos I drive up to the ave, with the windows closed And my bass is so loud, it could rip your clothes My stereo's thumpin' like a savage beast The level on my power meter will not decrease Suckas get mad, cos the girlies scream And I'm still gettin' paid while you look at me mean I'm the leader of the show, keepin' you on the go But I know I can't live without my radio I'm the leader of the show, keepin' you on the go And I know I can't live without my radio
[Verse 3]
Don't touch that dial, I'll be upset Might go into a fit and rip off your neck Cos the radio's thumpin' when I'm down to play I'm the royal chief rocker LL Cool J Let your big butt bounce from right to left Cos it's a actual fact this jam is def Most definitely created by me Goin' down in radio history I'm good to go on your radio And I'm cold gettin' paid cos Rick said so Make the woofers wallop and your tweeters twitch Some jealous knuckleheads might try to dis But it's nuthin', ya frontin', ya girl I am stuntin' And my radio's loud enough to keep you gruntin' My name is Cool J, I'm from the rock Circulating through your radio non-stop I'm lookin' at the wires behind the cassette And now I'm on the right, standing on the eject Wearin' light blue Pumas, a whole lotta gold And jams like these keep me in control I'm the leader of the show, keepin' you on the go And I know I can't live without my radio
[Verse 4]
Your energy level starts to increase As my big beat is slowly released I'm on the radio and at the jam LL Cool J is who I am Imma make ya dance, boogie down and rock And you'll scratch and shake to my musical plot And to expand my musical plan Cut Creator, rock the beat with your hands
That's right, so don't try to front the move As you become motivated by the funky groove You can see me and Earl chillin' on the block With my box cold kickin' with the gangster rock See people can't stop me, neither can the police I'm a musical maniac to say the least For you and your radio I made this for Cool J's here to devastate once more Pullin' all the girls, takin' out MCs If ya try to disrespect me, I just say Please! Here to command the hip-hop land Kick it live with a box inside my hand I'm the leader of the show, keepin' you on the go But I know I can't live without my radio
Farmers Boulevard, yeah, you know that's where me and E hang out, cool out, you know what I'm sayin'? That's where the crib's at.
LL Cool J freestyle @ After Midnight in Philly (1985)
Say what you will about crossover TV/ Movie star/ Mr. Hey Lover, LL Cool J. Just don't forget to mention that the man was a rap beast in the days of real rap... Energy for days! Originally recorded live from After Midnight in Philly. This is from Lady B's Street Beat radio show circa 1985 on Power 99 FM. "...On Sunday afternoons from one to five/ She's the lady with the juice that's kickin it live...Street Beat Lady B". 'Nuff Respect!
