London’s Soho is well known for its fashionable shopping, high quality entertainment and tight roads. Whilst exploring the backstreets window shoppers may be treated to the sight of a DJ playing live on air by means of Soho Radio’s shop front window. Today passers-by will witness a flurry of musical activity as Jäger Soho hosts the latest in its series of unique Vinyl Sessions.
Jäger Soho is a collaborative music space, created by Jägermeister and Soho Radio. Together they curate the space with pop-ups, events and live performances, one such project is the Vinyl Sessions. For this, artists use Soho Radio’s specialised studio equipment to record a session directly to vinyl, which is then played for the first time live on air and today (24th of May 2018) just so happens to be one of those days.
The legendary Jungle Brothers are the special guests and host DJ Matt Smooth has planned a set dedicated to Hip-Hop released in 1988 to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the release of The Jungle Brother’s debut album “Straight of The Jungle”. The New York based trio comprising of, Mike Gee, Afrika Baby Bam and DJ Sammy B pioneered fusing hip-hop with house music and were representing an alternative, conscious and charismatically playful side to Hip-hop before A tribe called Quest and De La Soul. I am HipHop was fortunate enough to get a few minutes to ask The Jungle Brothers some questions before they hit the air waves.
What do you think of current state of ‘Hip-hop’?
“There’s so much music out there now that it’s really hard to say ‘the current state of hiphop’, there’s so many artists, avenues, opportunities for HipHop music” Mike Gee began. “I enjoy creativity whether it’s one side of the spectrum or the next, whether it be your trap, your grunge your classic hip-hop I’m into it all, there will always be something I like, and something I dislike, the great thing is there are many choices out there.”
What Impact do you think The Native Tongues movement had on 90’s Hiphop Scene?
Mike Gee Responds: “The legacy is still there, I love it, I love the way you see how Talib, Mos Def, that Blackstar movement and The Roots and Common are carrying it into this generation, and I’m thankful that our message was heard and carried on.”
What current artists have you got on your current playlists?
“I do research, that’s what I do.” Afrika Baby Bam begins “it’s different from like just putting music on and just listening to it, I mean, I do listen to Anderson Pak a lot just for like a vibe, you know and Kendrick has a vibe and J Cole has a vibe. I don’t know all their stuff by titles and everything but, it’s relative to my vibe so I will listen more to that. But when I’m researching I go across the board.”
You are given the chance to produce a ‘fantasy collaboration’ track with a live artist and a deceased artist who would you chose to feature on your track?
DJ Sammy B responds: “From the past, Michael Jackson, I loved Michael Jackson growing up, I would just love to see the Jungle Brothers with Michael. My modern artist would be Common Sense, I like Common He’s Afrocentric and he’s keeping it for our people.”
Before we knew it our time was up, and the crew were ushered into the radio studios to commence their live interview and recording session. Mike Gee was interviewed by Matt Smooth who proceeded to play a sizzling selection of hiphop tracks released in 1988 along with The Jungle Brothers entire debut album “Straight The Jungle” which can be heard on Soho Radio’s mixcloud via the link below:
Meanwhile Afrika Baby Bam made the smooth transition from “interview mode” to “ever ready MC mode” as he prepared to make his vocal contribution to the day’s Vinyl Session alongside DJ Yoda and Joel Culpepper. Click here to watch a video of the event live streamed.
Whilst listening and watching why not try this refreshing Jägermeister based cocktail that we were introduced to on the day;
1 Shot of Jägermeister chase with ginger beer, a dash of cucumber water and a squeeze of lime!
It makes easy listening even easier.
Recommended Listening:
Jungle Brothers – Straight Out the Jungle
Joel Culpepper – Tortoise
DJ Yoda – Breakfast of Champions
