Industry Rule #4080

07/06/22 • 26 min

As hip-hop began to spread its wings in the 70s and 80s, breaking into mainstream media was the logical next step. Getting a record deal and radio play was the goal for many emerging artists, but they soon found that the industry was not all it was cracked up to be. Legendary hip-hop pioneer Melle Mel joins Caz to talk about “The Message” and the peaks and pitfalls of the music industry. Plus, Sha Rock returns to tell her story about being in one of the first groups to get a record deal and the struggles that came with it. So keep your ears open because we’re delivering cautionary tales and triumphs in this episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

The Chain

The gold chain has been a statement piece in music for decades, from the disco era to the days of funk and soul. When artists like Run DMC and Kurtis Blow started flaunting chains on their album covers, it symbolized a certain status and bravado that shifted fashion forever. In this episode, Caz sits down with the godfather of West Coast hip-hop Lonzo Williams and jeweler Avi Malidani with returning guest Dr. Ebony Utley to talk about the importance and evolution of the chain in hip-hop fashion. Plus, breakers Rokafella and Kwikstep tell Caz about their firsthand experience seeing fashion’s impact on the culture, from the function of a zip-up hoodie on the street side cardboard to the flash and style of Adidas tracksuits in a b-boy pose. Rock your flyest outfit because we’re stuntin’ for the culture in this episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

Roots of the Rhyme

Hip-hop was not born in a day. In fact, its influences go way back to the first spoken word poets and original storytellers of the times. In this episode, The Godfather of West Coast hip-hop Lonzo Williams and journalist Davey D return to discuss The Watts Prophets, The Last Poets, and influences of street culture on the birth of hip-hop. Plus, former radio DJ turned station owner Greg Mack talks about the gangs and pimp culture that shaped what is hip-hop then and now. So, get a pen and pad because we’re tracing hip-hop’s lineage in this episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.