Sebastian, Poland
Where were you when you first encountered Hip Hop music, and what drew you to it?
Well, my adventure with Hip-Hop began probably in one of the best periods, namely the mid-90s. MTV was a real music station, not a TV series channel. Representatives of this species, it seems to me, that until the early 2000s, they just reached the heights of this subculture. My production year is 83, so I was a teenager then, I was passionate about skateboarding, and snowboarding in the winter, and this music seemed to always accompany these climates. Of course, there were also heavier sounds like Rage Against the Machine or Dog Eat Dog, but Hip-Hop introduced a completely different atmosphere.
What's your all-time favourite Hip Hop album, and what makes it so special to you?
As for the GOAT album, it's hard for me to choose one in particular. I'd have to choose between "All Eyez on Me" by 2Pac or "Life After Death" by Notorious B.I.G... this genre of music when I was growing up spawned so many great artists that it's really hard to choose one particular album. It would be much easier if I could limit myself to at least 10 :)
Do you have a current favourite artist who keeps your love for hip-hop alive? If so, who and why?
Currently, there is probably no such artist... Most have a nice one or two songs, unfortunately. Times, the content of songs, as well as the needs of recipients/listeners have changed. I still listen to albums and artists from my youth (however funny it may sound, I'm only 40 years old )
Richard, UK
Where were you when you first encountered Hip Hop music, and what drew you to it?
At home at about 14 and switched on The Tube and LL Cool J was playing (video), I was hooked!
What's your all-time favourite Hip Hop album, and what makes it so special to you?
BAD (Bigger and Deffer) LL Cool J, the start of my journey which has rubbed off on my son who now lives in London still listening to early 80’s hip hop and trying to carve out a career in the music industry producing his own tracks. Recently snapped up an original copy of the vinyl to keep with the collection.
Do you have a current favourite artist who keeps your love for hip-hop alive? If so, who and why?
De La Soul only recently sorted their licencing agreement out from so much sampling on 3 feet and rising so back to listening to that beauty again, still sounds like it could have been produced last year!
Album(s) Hip Hop préféré(s) de Richard
Ashley, UK
Where were you when you first encountered Hip Hop music, and what drew you to it?
The Mud Club, Malcolm McLaren Buffalo crew were upstairs dressed in Westwood pirate trainers, 5-star general belts and triple fat goose jackets. Peter Piper RunDMC was probably playing in the background.
What's your all-time favourite Hip Hop album, and what makes it so special to you?
Jungle Brothers - Straight Out The Jungle
Do you have a current favourite artist who keeps your love for hip-hop alive? If so, who and why?
Wu Tang Clan, always sounds fresh, and they really did something incredible to the genre. All the musicians had no individual artist signing when they recorded their first demos, they were goose bumping the A&R’s, and for me, they are the top act.