MIXTAPE MADNESS

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Freez - "A.E.I.O.U."
Freez - "Pop Goes My Love"
Arthur Baker - "Breaker's Revenge"
Liquid Liquid - "Cavern"
Babe Ruth - "The Mexican"

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Double Dee and Stein-Ski - "Lesson Three (History of Hip-Hop)" and "Lesson Two (James Brown Mix)"
World's Famous Supreme Team - "Hey DJ"

Long Island has a low crime-rate, decent fish and a losing NHL franchise. And occasionally, the island state is home to DJ Smooth Denali. This cat has been on and off in the party DJ game since `84 and rolls steady with the Violator DJs. Denali played LeBron and Carmelo's draft party, co-hosts a radio show with J-Love (look out for those Hidden Dart mixes) and had 19,000 sweaty bodies in the Nassau Coliseum; thick resume status.

A smart woman at a finer game shop suggested that Hip-Hop Classics Volume 8 be included in the series and with a quick track listing check her suggestion paid off.

First off is Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force then Kranz's "Din Daa Daa," which has that Friday night `80s electro-swagga sound that grabs the ears; then Freez's "A.E.I.O.U." Next is Freez's "Pop Goes My Love" - Friday night just woke up - and soon enough Liquid Liquid's "Cavern" educates Todd Smith fans. Babe Ruth's "The Mexican" is a hot selection and perfect bridge to Bambaataa &The Soul Sonic Force's "Planet Rock." (Writer's note: The Making of Planet Rock = unexpected.)

SCORE
DJ SMOOTH DENALI 78
PURCHASE DOUBTS 0

Including Stein-Ski and Double Dee's Lessons 2 and 3 (read the Hugo Currie's interview with Steve Stein) are major. Stein-Ski and Double Dee's Lessons provided a style for Cut Chemist and Andy Smith-type DJs that is mimick to this day. World's Famous Supreme Team's "Hey DJ" is a piece of 1984. Malcolm McLaren's idea to make World's Famous Supreme Team created a footnote in rap history. Despite a background as the Sex Pistol's manager, McLaren was able to scout talent and organized a OK effort in `86 with, the Rappin' LP.

Hip-Hop Classics Volume 8 makes `80s rap history fun and smart women enjoy it; buy it here.