That's the break !

International B-Boys in action :

Pioneer B-boys, NYC Breakerz vs Rock Steady Crew :

Jota Playlist: Back 2 the Old Skool!

The Bronx, Summer 1973. During a pre-school party in a building, the room becomes to small to contain the crowd. A jamaican born Dj decide to move the party down the street, hot wire a light for pole juice to power up his speakers and 2 turntables. We can hear music in the streets and see b-boys & b-girls dancing on the funky beats.
Same time, same neighborhood. After a visit in Africa, a gang leader from the Bronx River Projects decides to use his street leadership to turn those involved in gang life into something positive and creates the Zulu Nation, based on the spreading of knowledge, peace, heritage, music and awarness.

Thanks to Dj Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa, along with all the pioneers, Hip-Hop was born!

New-York, 2009. Several parties and meetings are held to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Hip-Hop culture (and 36th of the Zulu Nation). I was luckily at one of those parties in Manhattan. The list of mc's and dj's being there was just amazing. Legends such as Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmixer D. ST., The Cold Crush Brothers, Dj Jazzy Jay, B-Side, Grandmaster Melle Mel,... and also Naughty by Nature coming on stage for 3 of their classic trax.
I wanted to celebrate Hip-Hop my way and be thankful to all the pioneers by spreading the message with this fine selection of early hip-hop cuts. Supa mc's, grandmixers & grandmasters at the control. Electro-funk, raw breaks & intergalactic keys. Everything was already there, back in the 80's.

Original picture by Joe Conzo at the Zulu Nation Anniversary in Bronx River, 1981.
From left to right: Tony Tone, Afrika Bambaataa & Busy Bee (!).

Jota Selecta's Back 2 the Old Skool!
Tracklist:
01. B-Side - Change the Beat (Original)
02. Futura 2000 (Ft The Clash) - The Escapades of Futura 2000
03. Grandmixer D. ST. - Cuts It Up
04. Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force - Planet Rock (Original Twelve Inch Version)
05. Rock Master Scott And The Dynamic Three - The Roof Is On Fire
06. MC Shan - The Bridge
07. LL Cool J - I Need A Beat
08. GLOBE and Whiz Kid - Play That Beat Mr DJ
09. Kurtis Blow - The Breaks
10. Xanadu and Sweet Lady - Rapper's delight
11. Bonus track: Grandmixer D. ST. - Megamix II: Why Is It Fresh?



Grandmasters' Extras:
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message
Grandmaster Flash - Jesse
Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel - White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)
Grandmaster Master Melle Mel & The Furious Five - Beat Street
Grandmaster Flash - Wheels of Steel

Enjoy!