Hip Hop… started out in the park. And when it did, Puerto Ricans were there and they played a major role in originating the culture from the very beginning. With the National Puerto Rican Day Parade being held this weekend, let’s take a look at Puerto Ricans in Hip Hop.
The pioneers of Puerto Ricans in Hip Hop began with the first Boricua DJ, Disco Wiz and the first Boricua MC, Prince Whipper Whip. Soon after, Boricuas were in Hip Hop to stay. The second Puerto Rican DJ was Charlie Chase and other MCs also emerged with Rubie Dee and Charlie Rock. Puerto Rican Hip Hop crews were also being formed with The Fantasy 3, Johnny Rock, DJ Candido, DJ Muscle and DJ Shiz (today known as B.Boy Omega), and of course the Legendary Rock Steady Crew.
As time went on, Hip Hop was getting bigger and bigger, and the people from “La Isla Borinquen” continued to represent to the fullest. Puerto Rican MCs like Big Pun, the first solo Latin MC to go platinum, along with Chino XL, Fat Joe, Thirstin Howl III, and N.O.R.E. took lyricism to higher levels.
Of course, Puerto Rican DJs emerged in Hip Hop. DJ “Bobbito” García, while co-hosting The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show, played a major role in the emergence of some of the best MCs ever. One of the greatest, if not THE GREATEST B-Boy in Hip Hop, is the Legendary Crazy Legs. Then we have Boricuas who played multiple roles. DJ Tony Touch, a B-Boy, producer, and MC, is best known for his work as a DJ. After working with the greatest MCs and dropping Legendary mixtapes, he is known as the “Mixtape King”. D-Stroy, a host, MC, DJ, producer and actor linked up with MC and producer, Q-Unique, to make great Hip Hop as the Arsonists.
Til this very day, we have young and extremely talented up and coming MCs from “La Isla del Encanto”. Amazing lyricists like Joell Ortiz, Big Lou, Termanology, and Nino Bless will make sure to keep the future and legacy of Puerto Ricans in Hip Hop alive and well.
With a great past and promising future… MUCH RESPECT to all the Boricuas in Hip Hop… thanks for representing the culture and art form the correct way.
PLAY OUR ANTHEM —>
Great post. One correction – Disco Wiz was of Cuban descent.
To add on: The Mean Machine, Main One, Powerule, Tito (Fearless Four), Johnny (Master Don and Def Committee), Latin Empire, Mysterme, A-Butta (Natural Elements), V.I.C. (producer), Oktober, Word-A-Mouth, Hurricane G, The Real Roxanne, Prince Markie Dee (The Fat Boys), K-7, Oxx (Slee’stackz), Frankie Cutlass, Jaz B Latin, PR Terrorist (Killarmy), Son Doobie (Funkdoobiest), and probably many more I’m forgetting, are of Puerto Rican descent via both parents.
Peedi Crack, Dres (Black Sheep), Lloyd Banks, Big Noyd, Kurious, Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie, Kane and Abel, Lateef (Latyrx), Jim Jones, are all of Puerto Rican descent through one parent.
And then there are so many more producers/djs/ engineers, like Ivan “Doc Rodriguez,” DJ Johnny Juice, DJ Justo, The Latin Rascals, so many more.
props for mentioning the rascals.they one of the reasons i do what i do.ivan doc also.dude was pivotal in relaunching and producing for krs one after scott la rock passed.let’s not forget markie dee from the fat boys also,put puerto ricans on the map in hip hop in the early 80’s.last but not least,lets not forget the legendary kenny dope gonzalez.90’s puerto rican genius who produced all time reggea,house,and hip hop classics! much love and tribute on this day to these dudes and the rest of the great boricua contributors to hip hop.”yo soy boricua pa que tu lo sepa” one
Great post.Rather than Engage in some banter games,i’ma spend my time at T7B helping peop’s that don’t know the 98% legends 2% hope are future legends.So L to R bottem row….Termanolgy,Fat Joe,Destroy(of Arsonists ,solo mic wrecka’,& good peop’s),not a very definitive shot but still RichieColon aka Crazy Legs (woulda been nice to have PKS, But you got’em in that classic group photo any interested in origin of,or obtaining that photo’s orig. seriously,inquire w/ Stroy & then aquire my math.He’ll drop it on you.)
To the next row.Where L to R again.You have the young,talented Nino Bless,THEN THE LEDGENDARY RSC we’ll go in a circle starting at 3o’clock & imo by far the most definitive bboy from facial expressions,the best combo dancer(along w/ POWERFUL PEXTER from nyc breakers full circle to RSC)yes at 3o’clock that’s Kenneth Gabbert aka Ken Swift or Price Ken Swift, below him sitting.Is the lovely,Daisy Castro aka BabyLove,sitting mid-circle is graf (peace TC5) bboy everyday allday Doze Green aka Doze,lol.The MAN to Doze’s right is Crazy Legs,& MOST IMPORTANTLY ARE TOP LEFT and RIGHT ….A huge rip to Buck Four and to Kuriaki.I felt RSC should be known individualy.ALSO that photo is from their 1983 single “Hey You” (The RSC) video shoot.
Next a TATS cru Memorial piece for the late,beyond great Christopher Rios aka Big Pun(rip).Beyond legendary Bushwick’s own T.Toca,Tony Touch.Also,above NinoBless is Arsonist RSC Member & quadroople threat Q-Unique.
Bobbito atop,Disco Wiz to his right.Know i caught PrinceWhipperWhip,Joell Ortiz,NORE.i promise to put rest in order but CARPEL TUNNEL set in.lol.I always put my all-in.ORIGINAL P.R. EMCEE MIGUEL PIñero founding father of Nuyorican Poet’ Cafe.
Sup T7Boro fam-ski.I’m sittin’ here with him.He certainly does not need mine or any co-sign.I must ask though.Who else.Would give-it to your audience like that.& He gives more thank’s,than wants.An occasional “Thank You” would be refreshing.After reading “Oilcan’s” & Gato’s comment’s a few week’s back.Nice to hear.He does nothing but drop gospel.We do music on sun. morn.He’s always like gotta give T7Boro a love-shot.
fwiw-peace
Yea, the burner with our flag(P.R.) I’d say most def a TAT’s work.
A big-time slept-on dude of golden-era’ may’ve invented putting your name,beats,& co-sign DOPE.As he was.Ask Tip,Dres,BobCoyne even.Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez.Did remix’s of joint’s like push it along,w/ out LouReed’s loop.in ’90,& before many “horny” PeteRock “trademark” horns.They were LargePro’s to go w/ Paul C’s sp12 drum 2&6 pad mpc-60 brilliance.At sametime.With just bein’ geniuses w/ beats.These 2 thru’ vastly dif path’s.LP,of course.To me catalog.Only 2nd too Charlie Parker.Yea,tho’ Kenny was a proud Latino.&People’s w/ early vinyl look and pay attn. i bet you have a Kenny “DOPE” Gonzalez rmx. or orig. composition you love.
p.s. As Thun said Ivan “DJ DOC” Rodriguez is the “DJ DOC IS DOWN WITH US” on I’mStillNo.1 as well as the only Latino in MC LYTE’s classic Cappucino vid,bein’ it’s his rmx. of joint.The man with great EARS,like Roberto use to joke.We’ll be feeding you live adobo all day.From here at ¡Yo soy boriqua! headquaterz.Fun facts.Better yet.People Doin’The Knowlege.@Ethex-Palante Siempre
Ethex,
Thanks for dropping knowledge as usual. I’m going to go back to that KRS-ONE track and refresh my memory. I’m glad to see everyone showing love to the 7th Boro but more importantly……..showing love to Puerto Rico. Stroy TUS
La isla del encanto……Rock’s,shock’ *for StyleWars afficianados last line from Case2 * “on CB….. whatever we all in backround Mare,a boriqua bro,as well as Kel was in tha AGB.As well as boriqua artist most unheralded & still was a king RIP to SHY147.Rock on.Rammelzzee P.R. w/ at least one Parent standard.PAZ.
LMFAO….Let record reflect BOE in a prop ^^^^ heist attempt after using earlier in a kind reply he signed in,thus nah serious i’m playing.Those sentiments to my orig. school graf crew.SHY,resting with DONDI.just yesturday we was doing (the Roxy fri. nights w/ ink on hands) now & then.Honeys who knew half, loved-it.If only still worked.lol. Graf was unquiestionably,the most dif style ART to fully execute.reason 1 and good one KURIOUS ASKED (You) Wanna’WalkLikeADuck.WACK-JUICE.we beautified our fantasy disneyland meets Vegas.Gimme my f’n handball court brothers,smokin’ newports,rockin last mornings S&B show.that’s NYC i know.Rammellzee rip & def rocks lwr.deck ampitheatre WildStlye scene.Origest “G-STA bboyisms” i won’t say RAP it’s poisonous.lolpeace-@Ethex
To continue building.A major player in my hiphop,bboy,& my radio show anthem the 2years it was called “MyPartOfTown”….Ah,rock-on/i’m lettin’ knowlege be born…” Tuff Crew’s ICE DOG 100% Boriqua.This Phila. group,however IceDog even ahead of time (’86 w/ dog in name and latinisms only few yrs. behind, really noone.Dope and pioneering RUBY DEE “are ya’ ready to work it out”,&PWW both P.R. but to me Ruby Dee was doper cuz as later did ICE DOG & then Punski they let culture shine.Maybe,it was more prevalent in they cribby comin’ up.PWW was dope at any race.get it. instead of any rate.-Palante Siempre and every man/woman with an ounce of boriqua blood should be required to read,hear,see(via clips,dvd if in nyc can find in many Lwr.deck stores,particurarly in ave.’s A-D all way to ampitheatre) & one is Miguel “Mikey” Piñero & the original cast of gato’s that opened & cut the ribbon as my papa a player in this begining held me at his bout’ belt height.He stood proud.They brought NYSOM words to life in exact way Nas’ did for everyone.At same-time to speak as who you are,your observations.Truth is why these should be heroes of all races.
Also i’ve been a Hector Lavoe supporter/fan/admirer& once again a reccomender.The lessons are vast as a P.R. Govt. Protest against the term “Nuyorican”.That get this prompted Miguel Piñero to have to go to P.R. & defend OUR *on this pg.’s position.&that’s NewYork to NewBrunswick.We all should share in same pride.& Point Stroy,mills i always make.You can’t penalize a man for birthplace,or bornday.Some’d say birthdate.-peace…great post