Respecta.is - The Ultimate Hip Hop Portal

Despite having one of the shorter careers out of their contemporaries, the El MidaZ Affair were one of the biggest groups of the early 1970s. Comprised of lead vocalist Javier El MidaZ, drummer Willie “Knuckles” Johnson, bassist Bobby “Too Tall” Willingston, guitarist K.C. Anderson, backup vocalist Rasheeda “Bird” Jackson, horn players Jake and Drake Wyman, and keyboard player Guter Jivelbergen, the group earned their reputation on the chittlin circuit as a must-see live act, playing festivals, state fairs, and jook joints across the south. By the time they signed a record contract in 1973, the group was at the height of their buzz. But things took a turn for the worse. Studio sessions were tainted by drug use, alcoholism, and an unprecedented pinball machine addiction stirred inner turmoil among the band members. Though a full-length album was recorded, the band split up before it could be released and the project was shelved indefinitely. The members of the El MidaZ Affair moved on to new phases in their life, while El MidaZ himself became a recluse, never to be heard from again. Until now.
Ladies and gentlemen, straight out of the dustiest vaults, behold the debut album from the El MidaZ Affair…not only the oldest known hip hop recording, but certainly one of the dopest.

We’re about a month late posting this, but too damn bad. Kenn Starr, one of my top DMV rappers, posted this project on his blog the other day and I had to jump on it. ChRis BaRz, a 19-year-old MC, dropped Class[Sickz] Out the Dark on Christmas. It features production from Best Kept Secret, Godfather, and Rocky Radio along with some dope guest spots from Tabi Bonney and Jesse Boykins III. Seeing those names – and Kenn’s co-sign – I couldn’t pass this one up. And I’m glad I didn’t. BaRz kicks his project off with a laidback delivery before switching up his flow on the upbeat, go-go-esque “Mr. Barz, Mr. Barz”. Somehow, it only gets better from there. Be sure to cop this free project and let us know your thoughts. Here’s hoping we see more of this young cat in 2010.