#StoriesAboutSongs

As time passes I lose track of just where the past is

On average, not known to appeal to the masses

And practice, I guess that’s when I formally track is

And thank god, they don’t count your dues on your taxes

The fact is, I don’t get lost in theatrics

My bag of tricks could knock your whole world off its axis

Access granted, I planned it with excess

Then tell where I’m coming from, just like an address

I had this dream I could breath in Atlantis

So if the water takes me in, then I’ll take my chances

Slight advances, not gonna rush for the answers

Both enchanting and menacing, like walking a panther

Live like a dancer, tap into the rhythm of ancients

Unspoken language, insecure blanket statements

Blatant patience, plotting every step that I’m taken

Rocking on tape…every since President Reagan

Hesitant…waiting, for the perfect time to unveil it

To some he’s a relic, to others, exquisite like velvet

Mold it and weld it, strong foundation, he nailed it

Praise for the elders, a lesson on how not to be selfish

Rhyme for my wellness, mental health, hell that I’m facing

Can be found…adjacent to the statements I’m making

Never complacent, I take it slow to move like the matrix

Stronger than hatred, brace yourself, we’re back to the basics

New Music Seminar MC Battle For World Supremacy Part 1: The Road To The Seminar

From approximately 1985 until 1994, the New Music Seminar MC Battle For World Supremacy was one of the most exciting and inspiring things for an upcoming MC, especially those whose styles were battle ready, myself included.

Ultimately, this two-part episode is about how I went from an aspiring MC to compete in the contest one day, which I never achieved, but did find myself in the audience for the final one ever in 1994.

Part two focuses on the years of 1993, and especially my experience attending in 1994.

Part one focuses on my path to becoming a battle MC, including the Hip Hop scene in Lake County (North Chicago, Waukegan, and Zion specifically) circa ’86-’90, which leads to me eventually learning about the NMS MC Battle, and starting to rehearse for my chance to hopefully compete there one day. And, I also touch on the various stories and rumors I was hearing and reading about the early 80s/90s seminar events, and how that was inspiring for what I was doing as an upcoming artist at the time.

From 1995-2002, I hosted/produced Time Travel Radio on WNUR FM in Evanston/Chicago. One part of the show was regularly doing theme shows telling the history of various artists.

In 1996, I did a spotlight show on The Jaz (a.k.a Big Jaz, Jaz-O) and his partner Jay-Z. Then, a year later, as he was promoting his second solo album, I did aTime Travel radio spotlight show on Jay-Z.

I was able to interview Jay-Z to get some historical info to use bits and pieces on the show, but I never shared the full interview until now.

In this 20 minute interview, at a critical turning point in his career, we have a candid conversation that covers a range of topics, including; early inspirations, battling LL Cool J, decoding hidden lyrics in his music, his relationship with Notorious B.I.G, what happened with his deal with Priority Records, his primary goals with his music, and more!

This interview also reveals where the idea for Jay-Z releasing acapellas of his music originated.

Be sure to listen to the previous two episodes, which tell the story of The Jaz & Jay-Z. I guess it’s the Time Travel Radio spotlight update…

This clips captures Jay-Z giving me props for giving him the idea to start including acapellas….you catch the full story on that in last week’s episode! But hear it from Jay-Z himself in this interview….

Relatively Ill (Direct To The Fact Reprise) by RedefineHipHop

Verbally Brutal (Duck Hunter Pt 3) by RedefineHipHop

Psychostyle by RedefineHipHop

Battle Rhyme by RedefineHipHop

Demolition by RedefineHipHop

Demolition [Freddy Fresh"Cyclone" Drum & Bass Mix] Instrumental by RedefineHipHop

Coolie Love Is Down by RedefineHipHop