We know it’s Westwood Wednesday but Tim’s not the only prop-worthy O.G. London presenter. As you know we’ve recently brought you some rare Richie Rich as well as Dave Pearce, oh yes, look through the archives. So thanks to Dave VJ (of Max LX and Dave VJ, veteran Kiss FM DJ fame) who recently gave us access to his radio archives, we unearthed some unbelievable tête-à-tête’s coming to Fat Lace very soon. First out of the vaults though is a rare Hijack interview so we asked our resident U.K. hip-hop expert Damon Boyes to kick the ballistics on one of our proudest exports…
Us Brits are a patient lot. We don’t mind queueing which goes someway to understanding how after more than 20 years of trying we’ve yet to convince the Americans we can do this hip-hop thing as good, if not better, than them. Although some would argue that we achieved just that in 1991 when Hijack dropped The Horns Of Jericho. For the uninitiated (read anyone from outside the UK or under the age of 25) Hijack were, no, are the greatest UK rap group of all time. Their history is so vast it’s probably best to give you the basics and refer you to the Turntable Trixters DVD for something closer to the full picture.
Originally signed to the Music Of Life, the south London outfit consisting of Kamanchi Sly, DJ Supreme, DJ Undercover, Ulysses, Agent Fritz and Agent Clueso unleashed the classic single ‘Style Wars’ back in 1988. They followed this up with ‘Hold No Hostage’/’Doomsday Of Rap’ and caught the attention of one Ice-T. What followed was a record deal with Rhyme Syndicate and the most anticipated UK rap album of all time. So we waited, and waited, and some were fortunate enough to get the promo tape, and waited until The Horns Of Jericho eventually dropped in all its phantom operatic, paedo-bashing, Brixton-celebrating Britcore glory. Then they split up and it wasn’t exactly amicable. But while they were still together they gave a rare interview with Max & Dave back in 1991.
11 responses so far ↓
1 End Level Boss // Feb 27, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I actually thought this album was pretty bad (as in not good) when it dropped, as did most of the other heads if I remember correctly. I ended up trading my vinyl copy with DJ Diggz (of 1Xtra fame) for Living Like Hustlers by Above The Law (I still think that that was a good swap). Katch 22’s ‘Diary of A Blackman Living in the Land of the Lost’ which dropped the same year was a far better British release, and is actually still a good listen today. ‘Horns’ did have a brilliant, though slightly camp cover though.
2 lace da booze // Feb 27, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I’m trying to think of Damon Boyes/Demon Boyz pun but i’m too tired.
3 Tha_Disc_Eater // Feb 27, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Great to hear this interview, thanks!
Really thought that Hijack “could” have made it over in the US, and that in doing so they might open the door to some others (like Katch 22) alas, it was not to be….
4 i the t // Feb 28, 2008 at 2:00 am
hijack fully deserve that accolade,
but I wretch and balk at the claim above that UK MC’s (apart from about maybe 10 of em) have proved they can do it as good, if not better….
unless that is, you’re including so called ‘grime’. yep, i said it grime – AKA, the only real UKHH. What ?
by the way is there anyway i can leave my myspace on my sig apart from writing – http://www.myspace.com/thetenable – cause i’m on some zx81 ish when it comes to the net.
5 EatCockNDieURAllFagz // Feb 28, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I’m lovin’ it, lovin’ it, lovin’ it, lovin’ it!
6 bse // Feb 29, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Ah vintage XVJ. “Believe”.
Horns of Jericho is still the shit for the most part. “The Contract” and specifically Icepick’s verse still knock my crocs off.
London Posse are the best UK Hiphop group ever though, don’t get it twisted.
7 D to the S // Feb 29, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Above The Law’s album is a Westcoast classic.
That album cover up there just throws you off. Poor hip hop music at it’s best/worst.
8 REEF // Feb 29, 2008 at 6:25 pm
supremely dope interview
VIOLATOR ALL-STAR DJ’S, DJ JAM X & WEB
22 EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL CUTS!!!!
COPY AND PASTE THE LINK TO DOWNLOAD….
http://www.zshare.net/download/72304356b897e2/
9 » Classic ‘Hijak’ radio interviews // Mar 2, 2008 at 6:45 pm
[...] The legends hook up with Max & Dave back in 1991 to discuss ‘Horns of Jericho’ http://fatlacemagazine.rawkus.com/?p=1248 [...]
10 Tracey M // Mar 4, 2008 at 12:55 am
Those cats never did give me those Raiders caps back…
11 ReAsure Action // Mar 8, 2008 at 6:11 am
This album still is my fav hip hop album of all time!(Even if the best tune of the album wasn’t on the first release; shoguns assassin (released in ‘96 on the original horns of jericho DOLP) no other tune at that time came even close to that track!! Nothing but total respect for Hijack!!!
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