Hip-Hop Wanna Be Historian Eyes….But Maybe?
I’m a music writer, radio journalist, and beatmaker with a passion for the intersections of culture, history, and sound. Through Hip‑Hop History, I explore hip‑hop’s lineage and culture, aiming to build a trusted and valuable repository and reference for fans, researchers, and artists. We document great rappers and producers at a scale rarely attempted, and we’re planning to expand into more interviews—if you have ideas for features or conversations, please get in touch.
My interests stretch across genres: I’ve long been drawn to the gritty chronicles of Memphis rap and the legacy of Three 6 Mafia, whose essential tracks we rank here and whose sample sources we unpack here. I’m equally fascinated by Stax Records, the slacker ethos of Pavement, and the dance‑punk grooves of LCD Soundsystem, the genius of producers like J Dilla, and the hustle of Gucci Mane—including how to flip his songs on our sampling guide. We dig into movement music too, from the frenetic rhythms of the Hyphy scene—see our ultimate guide—to East Coast titans like Clipse, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, whose crime‑epic approach we unpack here. We examine the impact of Wu‑Tang Clan—celebrating “C.R.E.A.M.”’s 30‑year rule here and profiling all of the group’s members here—and we connect dirty‑south energy with DJ Premier‑style boom‑bap.
Beyond genre studies, we’re fascinated by how sounds travel—from the crack of gunshots in music, a theme I’m exploring for a forthcoming book, to the sampling techniques, music production, and beat‑making tools that shape songs. You’ll also find essays on cross‑genre connections, like why pro wrestling and rap share a love of larger‑than‑life personas.
For more of my writing, radio work, and beat production, explore my portfolio or follow along on Clippings, U92, X96, SoundCloud, Instagram, and BOB FM. If you’re passionate about hip‑hop history and have stories to share, feel free to reach out—we’re always looking for fresh perspectives or mutually beneficial collaborations. And, possible collabs extend to LBOWDEEP beats as well.
Speaking of that scioilosis-ridden, sun allergy-burdened,
LBOWDEEP BEATS
Like what you hear? Reach out about all manner of beatmaking.