The Source: May 1992 issue featuring X-Clan

Whoa, could this ever happen today? A ‘radical’ pro-Black musical group on the cover of a mainstream magazine? This issue was obviously popular back in ’92 because someone stole it from my dorm room. I had to purchase another copy from EBay last spring to post this but once again, I never got around to it until now. So this issue is a T.R.O.Y. blog exclusive. After re-reading it, I can see that it was probably stolen because of the Das Efx and Pete Rock & CL Smooth album reviews. If you weren’t aware, those groups were on fire in ’92 and the radio kept “They Want Efx” and “They Reminisce Over You” on constant rotation. Looking back, did both of their albums deserve 4 mics, though? I also forgot that this issue had a small article discussing the death of Kid Hood from Tribe's “Scenario” remix. I remember being pretty upset after first reading that back then. One verse and his career was over. If only that could have happened to Lil Wayne instead…

Source May 1992 issue

If you're looking for something else, then head on over to THIMK.

~Vincent Lopez~

The Source: January 1993 Issue

After many re-up requests at THIMK over the past year and an invite from Mr. Philaflava himself, I’ve decided to post some old Source magazines right here on the T.R.O.Y. blog. We’ve decided to kick this off with the January 1993 issue, which is the 1992 year in review. I’m not sure about many of you but mid 1991 to late 1992 was a very significant time for me while a sophomore/junior in college and music played a huge part in that. From what I read, to how I dressed, to my socio-political views, my religious beliefs, and even how I ate; I can tie them all back to a particular, artist, album or lyric from that time period. Does music still have that kind of impact today? I almost killed myself trying to find a way to get home from college every other weekend just so I could visit Sound of Market and/or Funk-O-Mart to purchase the latest album The Source had advertised or reviewed and also get their latest issue. This was back when their rating system actually meant something and when my friends I literally fought over the ratings. Just take a look at that list of the supposed best albums of that time period below:

My personal top six albums (in no order) from ’92 would be:

Redman – Whut? Thee Album (4.5 mics, November ’92 issue)

Gangstarr – A Daily Operation (3.5 mics, June ’92 issue)

Boogie Down Productions – Sex and Violence (4.5 mics, March ’92 issue)

Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Mecca & The Soul Brother (4 mics, May ’92 issue)

Diamond - Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop (4 mics, November ’92 issue)

Showbiz & A.G. – Runaway Slave (4 mics, November ’92 issue)

Enjoy the issue if you haven’t read it already. You can also read the gibberish I previously wrote about this issue here, so click that before you download it.

pw=thimk

Source January 1993 issue

-- Vincent Lopez

Tim Dog on Yo! MTV Raps

Tim Dog, a Bronx emcee, wasn't too happy when the West Coast went popular with artists such as NWA, DJ Quik, and Compton's Most Wanted. His first album "Penicillin On Wax", one of the hardest album ever released, contained tracks like "Fuck Compton," "Step To Me," and a few skits dissing Compton and their artists.

One day on Yo MTV Raps, Tim Dog was invited to perform his second single "Step To Me"; but Tim Dog didn't care and started to diss everybody before performing. Ed Lover was going to introduce the next video which happened to be NWA but Tim Dog took the mic and he introduced it himself. You can probably figure out what he did... Finally, he performed "Step To Me" which was as hard as "Fuck Compton". You'll never see something like that on TV ever again.

Download (AVI Format)

--Thomas V

"All You Wack Emcees, You're Fakin' the Funk!"

Fakin' the Funk by Main Source has to be one of my favorite track of all time. Large Pro and Neek The Exotic went crazy on the track!! But nothing is better than the live performance they did on Yo MTV Raps! Even Ed Lover went and started to diss all the wack mc's from that time. He disses Young MC, Gerrardo, and Vanilla Ice while Large Pro gives shoutouts to Kool G Rap, and Akinyele + Doctor Dre shouts Pete Rock & Cl Smooth. It's definately the best live performance I've ever seen.

Download this here

Also don't forget to peep the New Large Pro "Main Source". Go Buy It!! Real Hip Hop

--Thomas V