Did anyone used to stay up til 2-3am on a Friday night to watch Tim Westwood's amateurish but essential hip hop video show back in 1988 on ITV? It was shown in the South East of England as part of a night time show called Night Network and within that was Westwood's half-hour show called N-Sign Radio (if you know of why it was named that please spread the knowledge). This was when rap videos were scarcely shown on the box so this show was heaven for the younger b-boy.
I can remember live performances from Biz Markie, Demon Boyz, Cash Money & Marvelous and Derek B.
The first video below is a full show, actually it's the very first one so Tim is a little flustered (see how he fluffs his lines - not very gangsta) at times but there's some great videos shown from Eric B and Rakim, Kool Moe Dee, Heavy D, Salt n Pepa, Mantronix and Bomb the Bass (if you're quick you'll spot Groove Records as well as Fulham's Hall Of Fame).
Much props go out to Rich over at mastermix.org from whom this video comes from. You should check his site here for more early Westwood-related mp3's as well as other old school treasures with a slant on the London scene.
This one below is a live set from Cash Money & MC Marvelous in the middle of one of the N Sign Radio shows. If you want to hear more then check out this linkage which is an mp3 of the full set.
This next one below is just for the intro by Westwood and his co-host only. Watch beyond that at your peril.
Lastly we have a video for UK artist Merlin with Born Free. Unfortunately it runs out before we see KRS-ONE.
The ABU & Disco Scratch Summer Madness!
Well, we've both talked about it, chewed the fat and given you hints but now both myself (Repo) and Waxer can finally give you the whole damn skinny on the event of the summer.
The date is Saturday June 22nd, the event is Summer Madness where you will find yourself maxing and relaxing in the company of other like-minded members of the whole Ageing B-Boys and Disco Scratch fraternity.
You need no reminding of how exactly it is that we roll. We put on no airs or graces and refuse to take the whole hip hop mindset as seriously as we may have once done as an angry young African Medallian-wearing teenager.
Just like the evening surely will be at Summer Madness, the mood is mellow now and all we want to do is kick back and chill with a cool bottle, can or glass of our favourite tipple, chinwag and listen to some great, classic hip hop and cot-damn funky breaks.
Whilst there you will be chatting to people that previously you may have only communicated with in the Disco Scratch chatroom but now you can see what they are like in person!
Pull up a chair, discuss the finer points of nodding your head on the up or downbeat with JimCee and Bit; discover just what goes into preparing the finest cookies with LG's Biscuit Roulette; ask Mrs Waxer in person if it is actually a diploma or a degree? The sky really is the limit, folks.
We have purposefully decided NOT to call this event a jam because we are not booking any acts to perform. However due to the spontaneity of this culture we love (not live, c'mon unless you're Westwood) then if anyone feels like dropping some lyrical outpourings on the mic then, just like Aviva Insurance, we got your back.
We have plans for you all to get interactive up in here should you wish to. Two activities that are designed to keep you steppin', brother man, are Rap Karaoke and Scratch-aoke. Get on the microphone as the liquid refreshment is the key to unlock that patter you've kept locked in your dome for 20 years and unleash it over a familiar beat.
Drop that famous scratch you've practiced so many times over your favourite tune. Scratch like Eric B and win a prize!
Summer Madness will also bring to you something that Waxer and myself feel is almost unheard of, especially around hip hop circles.
This is an effort to get family together. The Disco Scratch Thursday Night Wives are cordially invited, nay, begged to attend this gathering. And not only that but if you have kids then WE WANT THE SHORTIES!
Yes, we are proud to give you a special event that will give your kids the opportunity to shine and be a part of the day. For two hours the music selection will be provided by the dj's of tomorrow. Your cherished offspring can play 4 or 5 tunes each and get a taste of what being behind the wheels of steel with a booming system is like. Don't have vinyl? We have Traktor. We got your tunes. We taking care of bidness, yo.
The sun will shine. And what else do we need to keep the funk flowing? This party needs a Hip Hop Pub Quiz, you say? Way ahead of you, tough guy. Like the J-Beez, we got it like that. Teams of 4 are needed here - however Whirlwind D is in a team of one, possibly bound and gagged to let everyone else in with a chance. Drop the knowledge and prove to your missus that all those years of reading vinyl run-out grooves have certainly not been in vain.
With the sun beating down on your baseball hat, we're sure the need for grub will be most anticipated along with your bring-your-own-beer. A BBQ with the sweetest meat this side of The Real Roxanne will be handled by a team of hip hop honeys to provide you with a mouth-watering selection of chicken, burgers, sausages and ribs.
And of course a Bouncy Castle and Water Slide for the little 'uns and a Hot Tub for the mums and dads.
The whole thing kicks off at 2pm with the booming system toned down to a chilled-level at midnight where we can carry on until the small hours.
The venue is in a large, spacious house with ample parking in a quiet lane situated in the South-East of England.
This is not only a family affair but a modest one, too. We are keeping the numbers down to 40 adults.
Tickets are £10 each and a Family Ticket is available at £30. A one adult/one child option is also available at £15.
(The above Paypal button has cut-off the information on the Single Ticket option. It should read: Single Ticket (One Adult or One Child).
The last date to purchase, should there still be tickets available, will be Friday May 31st. Don't sleep on this.
This is a non-profit event and should any profit be made it will go straight back into the kitty to buy booze! How you like them apples?
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
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8 comments:
Ha nice one, havent seen N-sign since it was originally aired. Cheers!
P.S. The graffiti hall of fame in the 'Beat Dis' video is the golborne pit at Ladbroke Grove and thats Artful Dodger doing the 'Bomb' piece.
Thanks for the correction, Paintwasters. It's been a loooooong time since I rode the tube around London with my camera.
I have quite a few of these shows on VHS, so i've just converted them to AVI for my PC. Pity he cut short a lot of the videos, but back in 1988 beggars couldn't be choosers. We were just happy to see any Hip Hop on TV.I live in the North West of England, but could still get them up here. I was on nightshift one Friday nighht, flicking through the channels ( all 4 of them )when i stumbled across a Steady B video being shown. Classic
yo 808, get that shit up on youtube mate, i loved this show, i wanna see more
yo 808 get that shit up on youtube mate
get the one of Ice-T giving timmy shit about his hand gestures
Yo screw youtube put those shows as Torrents on TPB
If you leave an e mail addy here i can send you some files...........
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