CHIRP: The Chicago Independent Radio Project

DJ Bylamplight writes

Mix tapes? Remember those?

Listener Fodder over at WFMU has been digging up classic mix tapes found in flea markets (or wherever) in the 80s, digitizing them and posting them on The WFMU blog.

The series kicked off with two amazing tapes by Dr. Dre — yes, the man behind Death Row Records — purchased from Kobey’s Swap Meet in San Diego, CA.

These were known as the Rodium Swap Meet Mix Tapes, a swap meet in LA.

Check it:

Dr. Dre – ’85 LIVE!

Dr. Dre – ’86 In The Mix!

The first tape is as raw as it gets — Dr. Dre doing a long, drawn out battle-style beat with lots of subtle mixing over the top.

Then the second tape, ’86 In The Mix, really starts moving. One track on the second tape instantly brought back memories; it’s a 2 Live Crew song with some of the dirtiest lyrics to ever come out on wax. I remember grooving out in my room to the chorus “Hey We Want Some Pu***********,” nodding my head to the Miami bass beat. Next thing I know my Dad stormed in, took the tape out, and threw it in the trash!

I probably didn’t even fully understand the lyrics but I guess he did.

The second tape also dives head first into the P-Funk era which obviously inspired many of Dr. Dre’s classic productions like

Let Me Ride

and Nuthin’ But A G-Thang

This is a serious piece of underground culture here. These tapes were probably dubbed by hand, sold on the street or at parties and that was it. Growing up in Southern California myself I distinctly remember the “tape scene” in Venice beach during the 90s. I doubt I still have any of those tapes but I remember buying some pretty killer Jungle mixes from the Jamaican DJs who’d hang around there.

This series will be one to keep a close eye on it. In fact, Listener Fodder says that if you have some classic tapes of your own from this era then he wants to know about them.

(tip from Daniel D’Errico.)