Back to business.

Back when “Rawkus” was a household name to hip hop fans, they held the position as the label/company with the vision everyone wanted to be aligned with if hip hop culture meant everything to you. No wonder that when they held their mixtape competition nearly ten years ago, DJs from all over wanted to get in on the fun. I can’t really remember what the prize was at this point but it involved a large sum of money, I think an opportunity to do a project with Rawkus alongside the likes of DJ Spinna, The Beat Junkies and more, and props worldwide from envious sucker DJs. It was an opportunity that would have made GQ in Juice ditch those losers and get to work immediately. My partners DJ Panek & DJ Phillee Blunt put together a dope mix for submission right before we officially formed Illvibe Collective. If you really know your hip hop, you’ll notice that there are several Rawkus releases on this project including the brand new Speed Law by Mos Def from Black on Both Sides and Definition by Black Star. One of the rules of entering the contest was that they had to include at least 5 Rawkus joints. They did so meanwhile following a consistent theme throughout the CD, breaking other new music, and showcasing turntable skills. A True School Mixtape. Man those were the damn days…

Own it (most of you for the first time) Now: