In the second of our Classic Cloudcasts series, we’ve decided to call in the experts…
Southern Hospitality are a DJ collective, label, website, and are London’s foremost purveyors of upfront party rap. Rob Pursey is the DJ and man behind London’s legendary weekly party “Hip Hop Karaoke”, the monthly mayhem that is” Players Ball” and also “Rated R”. Check out Southern Hospitality on Mixcloud HERE. Learn more about their essential blog and follow them on Twitter.
We asked Rob to trawl through our extensive archive and pick out some of his favourites… the only surprise is that he managed to limit himself to 25….
A Guru tribute mixed by Premier here, a classic Pharcyde collection there, through classic 80’s cuts, all Ghostface Killa…. Mixes from the likes of Stretch ‘n’ Bobbito, Cosmo Baker, Scratch Bastid, DJ Shadow…Dang we’ve even got Cutmaster Swift in there. Get amongst the goodness.
Classic Cloudcasts #2: Hip Hop on Mixcloud
1. Keith ‘Guru’ Elam Tribute Mix – DJ Premier
Mixed live from HeadQCourterz by DJ Premier himself. This is THE Guru tribute.
2. Hip Hop, Breaks & Funk 45s, Picture & Flexi Discs – Kenny Dope
Despite his influence on club culture in general – never forget that Kenny Dope has his foundation in hip-hop. This mix here is the reminder.
3. Diamond D (With The Dope Sound) – Cosmo Baker
Your favourite DJ’s favourite DJ Cosmo Baker compiles and mixes your favourite producer’s favourite producer Diamond D and the results are unsurprisingly dope.
4. Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito Show – June 10th 1993
Any Stretch and Bob show is the definition of classic – but this is a true snapshot of the time just before the major releases at the end of 1993 (Wu, Snoop etc.) changed the rap landscape. Raw innocence.
5. 80s Rap Special – Breakin Bread
You want to know what rap sounded like in the 80s – Breakin Bread have given you the exact answer with this mix. Perfection.
When it comes to Skratch Bastid, basically “on the two turntables you could say he’s nice”!
7. DJ MK & Shortee Blitz – 90s East Coast/West Coast Mix
Few people have wrecked more clubs, festivals and stadiums than DJ MK and Shortee Blitz, and this set taking on the age old coastal battle shows exactly why.
8. Ratchet World – Mixed By Rob Pursey & Davey Boy Smith
Spin Magazine included this in their Top 40 Hip-Hop Albums of 2012 as Southern Hospitality brought you the defining sound of hip-hop in 2013…a year early.
9. Phill Most Chill – Most Of My Heroes Don’t Appear On No Stamp
Phill Most Chill was almost a lost hip-hop legend himself so who better to give this lesson in those records that are the foundation, including some incredible exclusives!
10. Topman Ctrl. Mixtape Vol. 2 – The 2 Bears – The Nod Factor
Best known for their festival anthem making and festival slaying antics – the 2 Bears’ Raf Daddy goes back to his hip-hop roots for this impeccable mix of well-known and slept on gems.
11. Westwood – 2013 Year Of The Big Dawg
Pretty much every year since the mid-80s has been the year of the Big Dawg, but Westwood shows he hasn’t missed a beat with the run of DJ Mustard/League Of Starz bangers that start this mix the definition of cutting edge.
12. Best Of The Bay – DJ Eleven
Originally from Oakland himself, NYC and The Rub’s DJ Eleven takes it back home for a celebration of the locale that creates all the new rap styles with nothing but West Coast classics to ride out to.
13. DJ Shadow at KCRW Radio USA 2002-04-19
You’ve got to love it when Shadow goes back to his hip-hop roots dropping all his Soleside crew cuts alongside early N.O. bounce classics from Juvenile!
14. Terry Urban Presents: Nas x Amy Winehouse – Mr. & Mrs. Jones
Terry Urban is one of the most creative club DJs out there and shows this one more time by fully realising one of the most natural collaborations in rap and soul music.
15. Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde: Official 20th Anniversary Mixtape – Chris Read
The 20 year anniversary of one of the most loved albums of all time, was marked by this typically impeccable mix from one of the UK’s finest Chris Read.
16. Live From Sound Museum Vision In Tokyo, Japan 8/31/12 – DJ Evil Dee
Evil Dee brings that classic NYC grimy, diggin vibe to the Japanese public.
17. Cutmaster Swift The 4th Imperial Mixer (1987 – A Forgotten Mixtape)
Time-capsule alert! 100% certifed UK DJ legend Cutmaster Swift lets go a classic mix from the days when Hip-Hop was initially exploding in London.
18. Spin Doctor: Breaks, Beats, Rhymes & Life – A Tribute To Tribe
Who better to do this tribute to ATCQ than one of the main men keeping their legacy alive throughout the world with his many Tribe related events.
19. Radio Vah-Deem – Hot Sh*t For Hot Days – DJ Vadim
DJ Vadim proves one again that his unique take on hip-hop and associated beats will always be welcomed.
20. Mixcloud ‘History Of UK Hip-Hop’ Live Set’ – Disorda (Suspect Packages)
No-one has represented UK Hip-Hop like Disorda and this special live set of the foundations of the scene is the greatest trip down memory lane.
21. The Cut – Vol. 1 Episode 1. Pt. 1 – DJ Revolution
You miss that boom-bap? There’s no need to with this series from one of the undisputed best out there – DJ Revolution.
22. DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie – Summertime Mixtape Vol. 1
Jazzy Jeff is everyone’s favourite DJ and Mick Boogie is the master of the mixtape. This is their first ode to summer. Nuff said.
23. Ghostface (Chamber Music) – Mixed by DJ Ayes & DJ Soul
Over 70 minutes of raw Tony Starks goodness? DJ Ayres and DJ Soul we salute you!
24. DJ Cable – Valentine’s 2013 Mix
Cable shows that hip-hop needs love too on this butter smooth mix.
All 7″ pressings? Check. All pure dopeness? Check. Respect to Matman.