In celebration of Hip Hop's 50th year, we've teamed up with London based ‘Classic Material’ to present a chronologically themed series of mixtapes celebrating the history of recorded rap music, mixed by Chris Read. Edition #10 in this year by year series pays tribute to the Hip Hop of 1996, a year which marks a turning point for the genre with a divide growing between the emerging crossover sound and the underground ‘independent’ sound blossoming in reaction to it. Whilst many established artists including De La Soul and The Roots critiqued the commercial sound of the day, artists such as Busta Rhymes managed to deliver more chart friendly offerings while retainign underground credibility. Notable album releases include the Fugees’ hit album ‘The Score’, Tribe Called Quest’s Ummah produced 4th album, ‘Beats Rhymes and Life’, Jay Z’s ‘Reasonable Doubt’ and Jeru’s ‘Wrath of the Math’ in contrast to it. Debut releases from Kool Keith alias Dr Octagon and newcomers Company Flow set the tone for a new breed of leftfield acts. Artwork references the logo of NY imprint Uptown Records.

Tracklist:

1. Classic Material Intro
2. The Roots – Section (Instrumental)
3. Chris Read – Theme #3 (Scratchapella)
4. East Flatbush Project – Tried By Twelve (Instrumental)
5. Jungle Brothers – How Ya Want It We Got It (Acapella)
6. Lord Finesse feat Marquee – Underworld Operations (Instrumental)
7. The Fugees feat A Tribe Called Quest & Busta Rhymes – Rumble In The Jungle (Acapella)
8. Mobb Deep — Front Lines (Hell On Earth) (Instrumental)
9. Busta Rhymes feat Zhane – It’s a Party (Acapella)
10. Ed O.G – What U Got
11. Grav – One Puff (Instrumental)
12. INI feat Pete Rock – Fakin Jax (Acapella)
13. Special Ed – Freaky Flow (DJ Premier Instrumental)
14. Jeru the Damaja – Ya Playin Yaself (Acapella)
15. Wise Intelligent Steady Slangin’ (Instrumental)
16. A Tribe Called Quest – Stressed Out (Remix Instrumental)
17. De La Soul – Stakes is High (Acapella)
18. A Tribe Called Quest feat Consequence & Faith Evans – Stressed Out (Remix Acapella)
19. A Tribe Called Quest – Mind Power (Loop)
20. O.C. – What I Represent
21. Busta Rhymes – Woo Hah, Got You All In Check (Acapella)
22. Busta Rhymes feat Rampage – Abandon Ship (DJ Spinna Remix)
23. INI – Props (Instrumental)
24. Frankie Cutlass feat June Lover, Sadat X & Redman – You and You and You (Acapella)
25. Camp Lo feat Butterfly – Swing

#HIPHOP50: Classic Material Edition #10 (1996) mixed by Chris Read

In celebration of Hip Hop's 50th year, we've teamed up with London based ‘Classic Material’ to present a chronologically themed series of mixtapes celebrating the history of recorded rap music, mixed by Chris Read. This megamix serves as short form companion to our recent 1997 mixtape, this time cramming just under 20 classic tracks into a brief 3.5 minute run time. Artwork pays homage to classic indie imprint ABB Records.

Tracklist:

1. Busta Rhymes – Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See
2. Talib Kweli – Manifesto
3. Gang Starr – You Know My Steez
4. Notorious BIG – Hypnotize
5. KRS One – Step Into A World (Raptures Delight)
6. Oran Juice Jones featuring Camp Lo – Poppin That Fly
7. Al Tariq – Think Not
8. A.D.O.R – Enter The Centre
9. Artifacts – The Ultimate
10. Tha Alkaholiks – Liquidation
11. D.I.T.C – Day One
12. Rakim – It’s Been A Long Time
13. Fortified Live – 2000 Seasons
14. X Perado – The Entity
15. Buckshot Le Fonque – Music Evolution (DJ Premier Remix)
17. The Beatnuts – Off The Books

#HIPHOP50: Classic Material Megamix #11 (1997) mixed by Chris Read

Recorded during the infamous 15 disco tracks session of 1977, OBIISSS founding member Billy Noknees was eager to ride the disco wave straight to the top. Armed with a fresh backing band and a brand-new wife, Billy was ready to dazzle the world with his first track. The fans, however, had other plans—they were still stuck on the funky grooves of his previous albums and weren’t quite ready for this disco detour. The result? A flop so spectacular it nearly put the brakes on Billy's disco dreams.

The track was presumed lost to the annals of music history until, like a disco ball in the attic, it reappeared at an estate sale for the late disco producer Kim Kimmerskim.

Now, for the first time ever, this elusive track has been remastered with the magic of AI and is presented here with its original sleeve. Get ready to hear Billy's first attempt at disco glory!

For more OBIISSS history please visit Bandcamp: https://obiisss.bandcamp.com/

May Contain Injury

Lost My Pubes On The Dancefloor

In celebration of the genre’s 50th year, we’ve teamed up with London based ‘Classic Material’ to present a chronologically themed series of mixtapes celebrating the history of recorded Rap music, mixed by Chris Read. Alongside the Hip Hop series, this companion Breaks series takes our re-cap of Rap History a level deeper, this time reconstructing the classics of the Hip Hop canon from their constituent sample material. Arranged chronologically of course, this tenth volume pieces together popular Hip Hop tunes from the years of 1996 and 1997, utilising only the Funk, Soul & Jazz tracks from which they were originally constructed – over 80 breaks in the mix! Artwork pays homage to Paul Winley’s iconic ‘Super Disco Brakes’ compilation series.

Tracklist:

1. Miles Davis - Will O The Whisp (Sampled by Jeru the Damaja - Wrath of the Math)
2. Cannonball Adderley - Untitled [Exract] (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - 1nce Again)
3. A Tribe Called Quest – Steve Biko (Stir It Up) [Extract] (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Pressure)
4. A Tribe Called Quest – God Lives Through [Extract] (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Pressure)
5. A Tribe Called Quest – Electric Relaxation [Extract] (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Pressure)
6. A Tribe Called Quest – Buggin’ Out [Extract] (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Pressure)
7. A Tribe Called Quest – Hot Sex [Extract] (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Pressure)
8. A Tribe Called Quest – Award Tour [Extract] (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Pressure)
9. A Tribe Called Quest feat Afrika Baby Bam – If The Papes Come [Extract] (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Pressure)
10. A Tribe Called Quest feat Leaders of the New School – Scenario [Extract] (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Pressure)
11. A Tribe Called Quest – Jazz (We’ve Got) [Extract] (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Pressure)
12. A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight [Extract] (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Pressure)
13. A Tribe Called Quest – The Chase Part II (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Pressure)
14. A Tribe Called Quest – We Can Get Down [Extract] (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Pressure)
15. A Tribe Called Quest – Verses From The Abstract [Extract] (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Pressure)
16. Henry Franklin – Soft Spirit (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - The Hop)
17. The Howard Roberts Quartet – Dirty Old Bossa Nova (Sampled by A Tribe Called Quest - Jam)
18. Milt Jackson & The Ray Brown Big Band – Enchanted Lady (Sampled by De La Soul - Dinninit)
19. Jan Hammer Group – Peaceful Sundown (Sampled by De La Soul - Dog Eat Dog)
20. Aretha Franklin – It Only Happens (When I Look At You) (Sampled by De La Soul - Long Island Degrees)
21. Commodores – High on Sunshine (Sampled by De La Soul - Sunshine)
22. The Beastie Boys - Slow & Low [Extract] (Sampled by De La Soul - Sunshine)
23. Bayete – Free Angela (Sampled by De La Soul - Sunshine)
24. Ahmad Jamal - Pastures (Sampled by Jay Z - Feeling It)
25. DeBarge - A Dream (Sampled by 2Pac - I Ain't Mad Atcha)
26. Isaac Hayes - Ike's Rap III (Sampled by Big Noyd - Usual Suspect (Stretch Armstrong Remix))
27. Little Feat - Fool Yourself [Loop] (Sampled by Mobb Deep - God Part III)
28. Nas - The World is Yours (Q-Tip Remix) [Extract] (Sampled by Jay Z - Dead Presidents)
29. Ahmad Jamal - Garden of Peace (Sampled by Jay Z - Dead Presidents)
30. Allen Toussaint - Go Back Home (Sampled by Jay Z - D'evils)
31. Snoop Dogg - Murder Was The Case (Remix) [Extract] (Sampled by Jay Z - D'evils)
32. LL Cool J - I Shot Ya (Remix) [Extract] (Sampled by Jay Z - D'evils)
33. Dynasty - Adventures in the Land of Music (Sampled by Camp Lo - Luchini AKA This is It)
34. Mary Jane Girls - All Night Long [Loop] (Sampled by Camp Lo - Luchini AKA This is It)
35. Sugarhill Gang - 8th Wonder [Extract] (Sampled by Busta Rhymes - Woo Hah, Got You All In Check)
36. Galt MacDermot - Space (Sampled by Busta Rhymes - Woo Hah, Got You All In Check)

Continued...

#HIPHOP50: Classic Material The Breaks #11 (1996-1997) mixed by Chris Read

In celebration of Hip Hop's 50th year, we've teamed up with London based ‘Classic Material’ to present a chronologically themed series of mixtapes celebrating the history of recorded rap music, mixed by Chris Read. Edition #12 in this year by year series pays tribute to the Hip Hop of 1998, a year often celebrated as the pinnacle of the late 90s ‘Indie’ era. Revered independent labels including Rawkus, ABB, Fondle Em and countless other less well known imprints released some of their strongest material during the year. Artwork pays tribute to the Rawkus Records logo.

Tracklist:

1. Classic Material Intro
2. Black Star – Twice Inna Lifetime (Excerpt)
3. Sound Providers -The Field (Instrumental)
4. Chris Read – Theme #1 (Scratchapella)
5. Pete Rock feat Kurupt & Inspectah Deck – Tru Master (Excerpt)
6. Constant Deviants – Hustler’s Prayer (Instrumental)
7. Rob Swift – The Ablist (Acapella)
8. Gang Starr feat Rakim & WC – The Militia II (Remix)
9. Gang Starr feat Big Shug & Freddie Foxxx – The Militia (Pete Rock Remix)
10. Paula Perry – Extra Extra (Instrumental)
11. Pete Rock feat Kurupt & Inspectah Deck – Tru Master (Acapella)
12. Black Star – Respiration (Instrumental)
13. X-Perado feat O.C. – Watch Ya Step (Acapella)
14. Mike Zoot feat El Da Sensei – International Customs
15. All City – The Actual
16. Constant Deviants – Can’t Stop (Instrumental)
17. Jemini the Gifted One – I.M.C.U.D.O.N.T (Acapella)
18. Jurassic 5 -Action Satisfaction
19. Boulevard Connection feat Tame 1 & El Da Sensei – Haagen Daz (Instrumental)
20. Defari – Never Lose Touch (Acapella)
21. MF Grimm – Do It For The Kids
22. Vinyl Reanimators feat Natruel, Shabazz the Disciple, Wicked Will, Mr Eon & L-Fudge – The Big Daddy Anthem (Acapella)
23. Sound Providers – Dope Transmission (Instrumental)
24. All Natural – 50 Years
25. DJ Honda feat Rawcotiks – For Everyday That Goes By (Acapella)
26. People Under the Stairs – Time to Rock Our Shit
27. DJ Punk Roc – Rockin’ It (Roc Raida Rockin’ It Remix)
28. Big Kwam – Execution Expert (Acapella)
29. Smut Peddlers – One By One (Instrumental)
30. Big Pun – I’m Not a Player (Instrumental)
31. A Tribe Called Quest – The Love (Instrumental)

#HIPHOP50: Classic Material Edition #12 (1998) mixed by Chris Read

In celebration of Hip Hop's 50th year, we've teamed up with London based ‘Classic Material’ to present a chronologically themed series of mixtapes celebrating the history of recorded rap music, mixed by Chris Read. This megamix serves as short form companion to our recent 1998 mixtape, this time cramming 20 classic tracks into a brief 3.5 minute run time. Artwork pays homage to classic indie era imprint Rawkus Records.

Tracklist:

1. Pete Rock featuring Vinia Mojica – Mind Blowin
2. Pete Rock featuring Inspectah Deck and Kurupt – Tru Master
3. Big L – Ebonics
4. Cornershop – Candyman (Rob Swift Instrumental Mix)
5. Defari feat Phil Tha Agony, Xzibit and Alkaholiks – Likwit Connection
6. Red Foo and Dre Kroon – The Freshest (Revolution Remix)
7. Big Kwam – Execution Expert
8. Dilated Peoples – Work The Angles
9. Jurassic 5 – Action Satisfaction 
10. Gang Starr – Work
11. Gang Starr featuring Big Shug and Freddie Foxxx – The Militia
12. Rob Swift – The Ablist
13. Black Attack – My Crown
14. Deejay Punk Roc – My Beatbox (Roc Raida Rockin It Remix)
15. Big Pun featuring Fat Joe – Twinz (Deep Cover ‘98)
16. All Natural - 50 Years
17. DJ Honda featuring The Beatnuts – Who The Trifest?
18. Tribe Called Quest featuring Busta Rhymes & Redman – Steppin It Up
19. Noreaga – N.O.R.E
20. Mike Zoot featruing El Da Sensai – International Customs

#HIPHOP50: Classic Material Megamix #12 (1998) mixed by Chris Read

In 1980, Billy Noknees decided to shake things up once again and headed to Los Angeles with a brand-new backing band, dubiously dubbed the "Brides of OBIISSS." The plan was simple: craft a killer single with the help of producer Ian "Shorty" Shortlegs, a man known for his no-nonsense approach to music and his rather... compact stature. However, as with all things Billy, the session didn’t quite go as planned.

The track they were working on, a soon-to-be-forgotten gem called Legs Don’t Lie, started off promisingly enough. The Brides of OBIISSS were tight, the groove was on point, and Billy was ready to bring his signature flair to the mix. But as the session wore on, something strange happened—Billy and Shorty began bickering about, of all things, whose legs were more flexible. What started as a joke quickly escalated into a full-blown argument about leg-bending capabilities.

Tensions hit their peak when both men, unwilling to back down, attempted to outdo each other in an impromptu leg-bending competition, right there in the middle of the studio. The Brides of OBIISSS, caught somewhere between amusement and concern, watched as the two men twisted, bent, and stretched themselves into increasingly ridiculous positions, neither willing to concede defeat. When words weren’t enough, things got physical, and soon the studio was filled with the sounds of a full-blown scuffle.

Amidst the chaos, the recording was abandoned, and the session ended in disaster. The single Freak Out was shelved, with the tapes gathering dust as both Billy and Shorty swore never to speak of the leg-bending incident again.

Fast forward to 1988, when a curious discovery was made in Shorty’s loft during a routine cleanout. Among old boxes and forgotten memories, the single—still intact—was found tucked away, a relic of that infamous session. The track, surprisingly well-preserved, was remastered using AI and is now presented here with its original sleeve.

For the first time since that leg-tangling day, Freak Out  is ready to be heard, a disco-funk tune born from a fight over flexibility. Enjoy this rare piece of OBIISSS history, where musical collaboration and leg competition collided in truly bizarre fashion!

Freak Out

In the heat of 1976, deep in a Kingston studio, a legendary session unfolded—one that would become the stuff of myth and mysticism. Inspired after watching the chilling ghost story The Signalman, three electrifying female vocalists—Marcia "Honey" Lewis, Rita "Sun" Bailey, and Angela "Moon" Taylor—joined forces with enigmatic producer Darnell "Dubs" Kingston to conjure something truly otherworldly. Their voices intertwined like the spirits of the past, blending ethereal harmonies with cosmic vibrations that seemed to rise from the Jamaican soil itself. With Billy Noknees, the founding member of OBIISSS, at the helm, the group embarked on a haunting musical journey. Billy, entranced by their sound and enraptured by their energy, married Angela "Moon" Taylor during the week-long session and christened the trio The Brides of OBIISSS, sealing their bond in music and mysticism.

Over the course of seven days, with the eerie ghost stories of M. R. James as their reading material between takes, the group laid down 14 tracks, each one more haunting and mesmerizing than the last. The dark, spectral influence of stories like Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad and A Warning to the Curious seeped into the very fabric of their sound, weaving an atmosphere of dread and beauty into their reggae-dub fusion. Their music became a spectral dance of rhythm, soul, and shadow, with each track carrying the weight of ancient whispers and the chill of unseen presences.

For decades, these tapes were thought lost, swallowed by the sands of time and the mystery that surrounded The Brides of OBIISSS. But following the recent death of Angela Taylor, the last surviving Bride, the session tapes have miraculously resurfaced, sending shockwaves through the music world. The lost recordings, once considered a myth, have been carefully remastered and reissued, capturing the raw magic of that fateful week in Kingston. Now, the 14 tracks, drenched in supernatural energy and storytelling, are ready to be heard again, as powerful and otherworldly as they were in 1976.

This reissue is not just a collection of songs—it’s a resurrection of a forgotten chapter in music history. The ghostly vocals of Marcia, Rita, and Angela rise from the past, wrapped in the eerie echoes of their M. R. James-inspired week, casting a spectral light on the legacy of The Brides of OBIISSS. For those who dare to listen, this is a journey into the heart of mystery, music, and the supernatural.

Freak Out

OBIISSS

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