Carmona’s Page in Los Angeles Hip-Hop History : Childhood photo taken around 1978 of T-Love and Big Tittie Nickie of Dr. Dre’s Chronic Album

We had no idea, back when this photo was taken of us clowning around, where our lives would evolve to.

We had no idea that Dr. Dre’s BabyMama (please see link below) would move to the house right behind us in this photo. It would be on this front lawn that we would meet Dr. Dre for the very first time.

This association would lead to all those who lived on the 1600 block of Carmona having a first row seat to the birth of hip-hop culture in Los Angeles that which I wrote about in the book It’s Not About a Salary (Verso 1993). This association with Dr. Dre’s BabyMama would lead me to befriending Jerry Heller (RIP) and to Ruthless Records trying to sign me. It would also later lead to my childhood friend appearing on “The $20 Sack Pyramid (Skit)” on Dre’s legendary Chronic album as Big Tittie Nickie.

Years after this photo was taken, I can’t say that our paths crossed very much but I can say that we each have our own unique and valid Los Angeles hip-hop hers-story.

#BGirlChronicles #drdre #losangeleshiphop #history #CarmonaAvenue

Dr. Dre’s Baby Mama, Lisa Johnson

Off the Dome : Article about freestyling in VIBE Magazine (1995)

An article about the main thing that separates MC from rapper, published in VIBE Magazine in October 1995, written by T-Love.

Inside the Earth : Article on indie Hip Hop in The Source (1997)

Awesome piece on independent hip-hop published in The Source in june 1997, written by Elliott Wilson & T-Love, with additional reporting by Max Glazer and Jazzbo.

Down with the King! URB Magazine (1993)

Los Angeles. June, 1993. My first URB Magazine cover story: Run-DMC.

 

URB owner, Raymond Rocker, insisted on using a photo of Jam Master Jay’s son for the cover. We had pages and pages of proofs–brand new and exclusive photos of Jam Master Jay, Run and DMC, all geared-down and chillin at L.A.’s posh Nikko Hotel.

 

We worried because it had been so long since Run-DMC had released a new project that the readers would not be able to recognize that the story was about them. But “Raymond’s Creative Vision” won out.

 

And I’m glad it did because it made my cover story stick out from all the others! And it ultimately endeared Jam Master Jay to me because he had always believed that it was my idea to put his son on the cover.

 

And of course I let the legendary DJ believe that! #BGirlChronicles #urbmag #rundmc T-Love’s B-Girl Chronicles#Picki People #T-Love

Classic Review : Gangsta’s Paradise in VIBE Magazine (1995)

Somewhat scathing review of Coolio’s Grammy Award-winning album, Gangsta’s Paradise, written by T-Love in 1995.

Unsigned Hype : Saafir in The Source (1992)

Digital Underground’s, Hobo Junction’s, Golden State’s and Bay Area greatest MC ever before becoming the movie and music star that he is today, in the Unsigned Hype column,  August 1992.

Categories : Bay Area, Demo, Unsigned, Matty C.

Unsigned Hype : DJ Shadow in The Source (1991)

Another Unsigned Hype from way back, that time Matty C was reviewing a demo tape by the young DJ Shadow. It was in the June 1991 issue of The Source.

Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy : Too $hort in The Source

Too $hort in the August 1992 issue of The Source, written by Reginald C. Dennis, photo by Victor Hall.

Quintessential Hip-Hop Bluesisms : Biz Markie in The Source (1992)

Biz Markie in the February 1992 issue of The Source, written by Adario Strange, photo by Michael Benabib.

I Know You Got Soul : Hank Shocklee & Bill Stephney in The Source (1990)

An interview with Bill Stephney and Hank Shocklee (Public Enemy/Bomb Squad) conducted by Jon Shecter in may 1990.

Wayne’s World : Lil Wayne in Blaze (2000)

This here is from the February 2000 issue of Blaze Magazine and was actually his first time gracing a cover as a solo artist.

Celebrated Outlaws : Graffiti pioneers in The Source (1993)

Four pages article written by Ricky Powell (RIP), covering various graffiti kings : Daze, Revolt, Zephyr, Futura 2000, Dondi, Team and Lee. Published in the “True School” special issue of The Source, November 1993.

Classic Review : Movin’ On (remix) in The Source (1991)

Review of Master Ace last single for Cold Chillin’, written by Reginald C. Dennis in The Source, june 1991.