Alex Kuchma | The Underground Vault

New issue alert. More Toronto rap history for the heads. This one took far longer than the previous 13. Sorry about that. That said, we got plenty in the stash, so future issues should see a quicker turnaround time. Available on Amazon, search 'The Underground Vault.' Free PDF on website.

@BigSto Do this, and inquire with other journals as well. Note that the peer review process is anonymous. You don't need to have a PhD, because, well, apart from the editor, no one will know who you are. And the editor should accept on merit alone.

i am considering submitting some writing to The Yale Review... imposter syndrome ensues.

Check out my latest piece for my blog! I interviewed Aaron Francis (@mraaronfrancis_) on Embassy's show with Griselda members in Buffalo in 2004! #AaronFrancis #Galac #Embassy #Griselda #Buffalo #WSG #BennyTheButcher open.substack.com/pub/hiphopguru…

That Jeph Early though... @JephEarly gios4ma.bandcamp.com/album/jephc4re

Shout out to @TUVAlex Give him a follow if you aren’t already

@ICECOLDFINGERZ @WombaticusRex37 Peace peace! I'd love to learn more about what you do, shoot me a DM and if you're down, I'd love to collect your story.

Caught a cypher with Orko

@pickd4prez Does that actually happen? I don't even comprehend the perceived benefit of doing that. At least with lyrics, I understand what the intent is. I just think it does more harm than good. All that said, I disagree. I'd rather have my first listen with shuffle than with lyrics.

@TUVAlex was confused on what you were tryna say until the end lol you mean reading the lyrics the first time you listen yeah I dont do that. not as bad as some people I know who play a new album for the first time ON FKN SHUFFLE 🤬

Rap music should not have lyrics accompanying your first listen. It robs your appreciation of every other element. Furthermore, it robs a lifetime worth of catching details on your favorite songs. Lyric sites have utility, but I encourage you to disregard them while you listen.

I'm pretty firm on my stance here, but you know what? I support this a lot more. There was a difference in culture back then. Mainly, you bought an album, you played it for months / years. You were going to get the most out of every purchase regardless. I think that matters and changes things. But first listen? I would never do that to myself.

@TUVAlex I get that point of view. I also have fond memories of listening to albums in the 70s/80s with my nose stuck in liner notes. I was fascinated by any rap album with lyrics; I think more artists/labels would've done that if rap lyrics didn't take up FAR more space than rock lyrics.

If an artist wanted you to understand everything on first listen, then they would rap like Guru or J Live or something. Just appreciate it for what it is.

I notice this like crazy on these YouTube reaction channels. Just press play and bathe in the music. Over time you'll notice new things. Also, you'll remember / Interpret the lyrics wrong at times, which is half the fun. You make it your own.

@tomgreenlive I don't see it on Discogs, but do you happen to have a copy still, or pics (or the tracklist) of the Concrete Poetry compilation from '93? Would love to see that.

That's what I figured. I thought originally may have DJd for Double Trouble? But according to an interview with Troy Smith for OldSchoolHipHop .com in 2011, when asked who Double Trouble's DJ was, Keith answered by saying, "What we did was we went back to Rodney’s old DJ but he was with his old group, the Magnificent Seven. Which was DJ Stevie Steve."

@TUVAlex I imagine that would be the same Rodney C (Funky 4 / Double Trouble).

Just came across this in the Toronto Star. The concert would have been dated for January 7th, 1983. That's right, 1983... At the Concert Hall. I've never seen a flyer for this show, but it happened. For those that have issue one, add this to the list of Concert Hall shows. Pre-Ron Nelson. CFNY and The Gary's. Any info on 'The Gary's'?

@TUVAlex The Garys were big promoters of new sounds in Toronto at the time. Pretty sure they brought The Clash and The Police to town. I think Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five played Vancouver in the early 80s as well.

Bird! Thanks for the info. A week after this, 'DJ Rodney C' performed, also thrown by The Garys and CFNY. Maybe you'll know, is this the same Rodney C from Funky 4+1? I know Rodney C (and the rest of Funky 4 for that matter) as emcees, but to my understanding, Rodney left in '81, so I don't know if he DJ'd at all, or would have been billed as one. But I also don't know another DJ Rodney C from New York. (the flyer is below this one) in the comments).

Two weeks earlier on Christmas Eve, promoting the same event:

Anyone know what this TV program was? No IMDB listing, and Google ain't helping. @KevinBeacham maybe? @DJFlash4eva

A little bonus, but for the 14th Anniversary of the Eclipse's Halftime Show, ILL Bill and Q-Unique aired '14 Years of Halftime' which was a direct ode to the original. It later appeared on "Howie Made Me Do It 3" Loved this joint: youtube.com/watch?v=Y9ZYOd…

14 Years later, in 1998, The Skeme Team, Non Phixion and The Arsonists released the video for '14 Years Of Rap' which was a direct play on the Graffiti Rock TV show. youtube.com/watch?v=E3NWMr…

Michael Holman and Vincent Gallo were both part of creating Graffiti Rock in '84, and were also both members of Basquiat's band 'Gray.' Just some food for thought.