One year deep. Today, The 7th Boro celebrates its one year anniversary. We started this because we were tired of the garbage music that was getting all the attention. We wanted another outlet where real Hip Hop fans can go and find ONLY the dope Hip Hop. The Hip Hop that has been taking a back seat for some years now. Well no more. For a year we showed people that great Hip Hop is out there… and if you wanna see/hear it, visit the 7th Boro.

WE, (Stroy, Mills, and DJ Smu) have been fans and supporters of Hip Hop for many many years. But after being a part of this site, we have gained a new perspective on Hip Hop and our passion for the culture has only gotten stronger. Read on as we each describe our experiences during The First Year.


 

Mills:   Since I started the 7th Boro I got to meet (not just watch on stage) some real talented and well established people of Hip Hop. Being able to meet the whole Slaughterhouse crew and Treach and Vinny of Naughty By Nature was sick, but nothing will top when we chilled with the Yardfather himself, Saigon. Stroy and I went to a CD signing in Rahway for The Greatest Story Never Told. We waited at a bar across the street and in walks Saigitty. We chilled, he talked about his experiences in life, he dropped some bars, and we took some shots.

As the 7th Boro, the mixtapes and tracks we put out are simply collections of our favorites and mixes. My favorite Smu mix has to be when he combined Tech N9ne, Andre 3000, Bun B, Nas, Shyne & Busta Rhymes and REMOVED Weezy’s verse off the Carter 4 album. My favorite mixtape is definitley the “Best of Pun Verses”. But, by the end of year 2, we will have at least one mixtape with all new music from some real dope MCs. LOOK OUT FOR THAT!!

In our first year we have been lucky enough to be a part of some real dope Hip Hop events. We co sponsored the Rock Steady Crew show. We’re also are extremely involved with the once a month event called HHKNJ. It is a night where you, the fan, become the MC. With DJ Mandeep as the anchor, Sundance and Dun Dunkin as the dopest hype men alive, Stroy catching all the footage, and of course a crew of fans rocking the mic…it is always a night of pure Hip Hop and the love for it.

It is crazy how fast the total number of posts goes up. And it is always great to see the views also going higher and higher. It is damn near impossible to pick a favorite post. The debates are always fun, the Waybacks are classics and Smu always hits you with a sick mix. But two specific posts I will always remember. First the “Puerto Ricans in Hip Hop” post,  it showcased how deep Boricuas have been in Hip Hop from the very beginning to now. And second is the footage Stroy and I caught from the Stretch and Bobbito 20th Anniversary Show. That footage made it to ALL the sites: Rap Radar, XXL, 2dopeboyz, and The Source. It was possibly the sickest show I ever been to and we were front row. It is also, til this day, the 7th Boro’s most visited post.

 

Smu:  I haven’t been with this site since day one as I was sleeping on it big time.That changed when this dude Stroydnaire reposted my Gil Scott Heron Mix on the Boro and tweeted about it.From that point I’ve become a regular on the site and now well you know the story.

My favourite post on the boro has to be…damn…actually I love most of the posts on that site. But most of the time it was the debates/convos that we shared as true Hip Hop Fans without being stamped as corny or bitter in any way.

Famous people…well apart from D-Stroy (What up D!), I can remember Saigon. Especially because his Album was about to drop and we promoted his ish hard.

Well as I’m the new family member it was a great opportunity for me to show you what i love about Hip Hop.This site showed me that there’s still people out there who actually care about our culture and still support the real music. At first I wasn’t too sure if the reception of the people towards me would be good or if I’d reach the masses like the 2 homies already did in that year. But since I’m a part of the Boro ,I don’t regret any second of it.Once again Thank You to Mills and Stroy for making me a part of this family.

The mixtapes and music we made was also great to show the taste of music that we have and especially to show who we think is Hip Hop and who ain’t.

Last but not least the award from CBS: When we first got nominated for it i knew we were in for something and that our website was appreciated in the bloggersphere. I mean name me blogs especially Hip Hop Blogs that got nominated for stuff like that. I’m still thinking it’s a great feeling that we won,but I’m not the bragging type of guy. I appreciate the support for the Boro and would like to thank everyone who voted for us. Your Love is much appreciated.

 

Stroydnaire: Wow, I can’t believe it’s been one year. The idea that came about in a basement in Carteret NJ is seen in over 90 countries across the globe. The sketch of a train on a napkin eventually became CBS New York’s Most Valuable Blog.  From having drinks with Saigon,meeting Justin Bua, meeting Tony Touch, Crazy Legs, and Dstroy; to getting an email from Stretch Armstrong thanking me for recording their 20th reunion……I can truly say it’s been a great year. During the last year I’ve had the opportunity to meet some of my favorite MCs,  I’ve met many people who share the same love for Hip Hop, and most importantly…..I’ve realized that REAL Hip Hop is out there.

I would like to thank everyone who supported us over the last year. I would like to thank Smu for helping us form Voltron!  There are too many people to shout out individually but THANK YOU ALL! We will continue to bring you great Hip Hop as well as many other goodies. This is only the beginning. Bless.