While researching hip hop archaeology via the power of the internet, I usually wind up on some defunct blog page that once shared a rare gem, but the download link is now dead. This sets me off on a wild goose chase to find that item elsewhere. Successfully finding what I want is currently about 50/50 (it was higher before the demise of Megaupload!).
There is one minor problem with this hobby and the techniques I employ. Just like a crate digger, you tend to overlook the main retailers. This rarely concerns me, but every once in a while I find that hidden gem sitting somewhere fairly obvious and easy to find, which brings me to this post.
I was recently digging around when by fluke I came across a gem of an article on the Complex.com website. Now maybe in the week this was published I was heavily dozing or on holiday or something, but whatever the reason was, I completely missed it. What surprises me most though, is that something this good wasn't blogged or tweeted much more widely [if someone tells me it was, then I'll have to admit to being in a self induced coma!].
So what is this little gem that I'm banging on about..... well, it's only 30 demo tapes from some of the biggest and most influential artists in the rap game!!! Each of these tapes has been digitised for your listening pleasure and most of them are essential listening.
