JUST FOUR "GAMES OF LIFE" (Dope Social, Conscience" Early Hip Hop Jam)

"Games of life", what does it entail for you? The Just Four go onto pinpoint what most of us struggle with. I love the early social Hip Hop records, because face it not everything is about Partying or how bad you are on the Mic. We need to ponder these issues, no glorifying drugs, guns, and dishonest living. This of course released on the coat tails Or about the same time as The Furious Fives "The Message" or CD III "Get Tough" or even "Grandmixer DST "Automatic Push Button" in 1982 which all tackled these plights we deal with. Song features a Cool Synth pattern (Reminds me of CRASH CREW'S Breaking bells, or Doug E Fresh Human Beatbox), and those Hip Hop kicks and claps of re-known. IMHO These guys are very underrated for an early group. Probably because the record isn't known as well as it should of been. But to the purist, the Old school DJ's and the dancers. IT IS LIFE. Just Four released a few other not widely known titles, Those titles escape me at the moment, but I will put up their other releases soon. This Joint Released on EXPRESS Records, You need this in your collection!!

DISCO 3 (FAT BOYS) "REALITY"

Before the Fat Boys were well, "The Fat Boys" The released this record as the Disco three and you can still hear them refer to this name a few times when they broke out as the Fatboys, like in the song "In Jail" anyhow this is an early street street hit in 1983, On Sutra records (And Buddah records a subsidiary) where they would go on to release some more records. What I like about this record is they are talking some real street stuff, but in a positive direction, and addressing issues concerning the plight of inner city living, so this is in a much different direction than their usual topics about food, getting into trouble, Fatboy folly and foolishness. Buffy polishes the song off with his signature beatbox which further gives it that early 80's street rap sound. The claps are very similar to RUN DMC's Sucker MC's. I wonder if its the same producers. WE ALL GOTTA FACE REALITY, A worthwhile message.





"I Do have the instrumental and can get that out upon request"

DJ MAGIC RAY & THE UNDEFEATED THREE "UNITY RAP" Dope Jam

DJ MAGIC RAY & The Undefeated Three come through on the clutch with this street release, on Apexton in 1982 & then Tuff City Records 1995. More street rhymes, describing life and unity. Bassy sounds, 80's' synth style sounds, digital & spacey sounds. Post Disco Rap.

CUTMASTER D.C. " THAT'S LIFE" (First Recognized Release 1983)

Cutmaster DC With "THAT'S LIFE" On Airport Records 1983
Cutmatser D.C. Is From Brooklyn NY and had his borough on smash as both a DJ & MC, And this record is his first recognized release. Funky 808 Claps, a cool bass line and reality raps by D.C.. Once D.C. Is comfortable and able to stand on the label's couches, he goes onto release songs like "Brooklyn's in the house" & "Brooklyn rocks the best" the early call outs to his beloved borough and cementing BK as one of the earliest BK Rappers on wax. Those records found on ZAKIA Records plus many other singles to follow afterwards.

VAUGHN MASON "BREAKERS ANTHEM" (1981, Rare B-BOY ANTHEM, DISCO Skate Gem)

VAUGHN MASON Is without a doubt best known for "Bounce Rock Skate" the disco and roller skate disco craze jam of 1979, however in 1981, He and a band got in on the new sensation of Breakin' and Hip Hop and decided to release a record in ode to the The funky fresh new dance phenomenon BREAKIN', and its practitioners"THE B-BOYS" This one with the band KRUSH on Funky Feet Records out of New Jersey. I may of actually uploaded this a few years ago maybe under a crate of other records or maybe by itself, but here it is again. It sounds strikingly similar to Bounce, Rock, Skate and can be quickly confused with it when heard. There is no rapping on here, Vaughn Mason is doing his usual Singing and Guitar riffing. Its an Anthem and retains that prestige. I like the Hip Hop feel, but still retains its Disco aesthetic with the guitars and drum assembly. Real FUNKY FRESH!!

The B-Side features a song called "Electric Body"

BUSY BEE "SCHOOL DAYS"

Busy Bee the Chief Rocker Crowd Pleaser with "SCHOOL DAYS" From 1981 on Lawton Records. Master Five. It's Got that KURTIS BLOW "HARD TIMES" Sound to it. STAY IN SCHOOL FOLKS!!

HARLEM WORLD CREW "RAPPERS CONVENTION" (B-Side Rare Version) 1980

I'm sure many of you have this record, but whats interesting about Harlem World is, they only released about 3 or 4 records, I thought they were a solide crew that could of done more, but given the state of how producers and Labels handled Hip Hop acts back then, They seem to have been shoved right along, Maybe they didn't make the transition out of the Disco Rap phase intot he more seminal sound of Hip Hop music coming in around the drum sequencer days, 1982, 83. Ohh I might mention this one I decided to share is the B-SIDE Version which includes verses by SON OF SAM & CHARLY ROCK. Which the A side, I did not have a picture of the vinyl of the B-Side so I am just showing the A-Side. The Harlem World crew were everybit involved witht he actual club of the same name and were regular performing artists there, manager, DJs and promoters. Harlem world crew is

• MC Charlie Rock (Charles Leake)
• MC Son of Sam (Sam Blocker)
• DJ Randy (Randy Sanders)
• DJ Kool D (Darryl Brown)
• Dr. Jeckyll (Andre Harrell)
• Mr. Hyde (Alonzo Brown)
• DJ Ronnie Green (unofficial member)

And there was a Female MC Named "MC SMILEY" Whom I am guessing was also an unnofficial member as well. She was featured on the song "Love Rap" which I will upload soon.

The original members of the Harlem World Crew were Charlie Rock (Charles Leake), Son of Sam(Sam Blocker), DJ Randy (Randy Sanders), and DJ Kool D (Darryl Brown).

Jeckyl &; Hyde were members for the for the Tayster Record label, but not for the club harlem World.

DJ Ronnie Green was never an official member of the HWC, but he was a very close friend of all of them.

Their first records include “Doin the Do”, “Rapper’s Convention” and “Love Rap” all recorded on Tayster in 1980.

The original members of HWC remain together until the club closed in 1985.
(Credits for this History go to www.Oldschoolhiphop.com)