Here Lies the Cassette Tape
Some of you reading this maybe never owned a Walkman or anything with a tape deck. For others a cassette tape stirs up fond memories of when hip-hop seemed to be a bit more pure (with respect to artistry).
Almost 20 million cassette players sold in one single year as recently as 1994. In 2007 a paltry 48,000 sold. When was the last time you bought an album on cassette tape? Who was it? Drop a comment.
I managed to pick up the last few dozen copies of what were likely the last albums in our scene to be issued on tape. Uprok Records released their first 4 releases on the tape format:
- Sup the Chemist “Dust”
- MG! the Visionary “Transparemcee”
- Ill harmonics “An Octave Above the Original”
- Sinner’s Prayer “Hip-Hop Praise”
Just the other day I stumbled across them when cleaning out the Sphere of Hip-Hop “wherehouse”. I love the newer technology of CDs and digital (MP3 etc) but nothing takes me back like a cassette tape or even a vinyl record.
On the way home today I’m listening to my second copy (wore out the first) of Solseekers’ debut.
I’d love to read your comments.
R.I.P. cassette tapes.
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Yea I can remember the good old days, I unfortunately got rid of all mine, but a good dj friend of mine kept all his tapes in immaculate condition and he lets me go through them from time to time and remember when.
But honestly I do love digital music, it doesnt break, warp, or get unraveled.
RIP tapes I will miss you.
Word. One of the first Christian rap CDs I heard was hip hope 2003 (I believe) which had one Sinner’s Prayer song on it with Manchild. I looked into MC, found Mars Ill, and got hooked on Christian Rap. Maybe 6 months ago I picked up the Sinner’s Prayer tape from the Sphere store. It’s truly a gem which some super fresh takes on worship songs. My favorite tracks are “‘Tis So Sweet”, “Talk About Suffering”, and “Liteshine (Declaring War)”. Good stuff.
“RIP”???!!! what are you talking about homeboy?!
i’m still bumping “rapping bold” by mike peace on my ghetto blaster! yeah sure the tap has been chewed a few times and i’ve had to use sticky tape to fix some breaks… but that just ads to the flavour!!! yeahhh boyeee!
dang… i wish i hadn’t given away my copy of Sinner’s Prayer… oh the fond memories of hip-hop praise (and cassettes)
i still remember when you sent me a box full of Sup & Ill Harmonics cassettes for me to give away to kiddies @ church… those were the days
lj.
I think the last cassette I bought was Stunts. Blunts and Hip-Hop by Diamond D. No, wait it was that Showbiz and A.G. EP I think. It also could’ve been that Mad Lion banger with KRS-One- CLASSIC! (Obviously this was waaaay before I met Jesus, even though my hip-hop was part of what brought me to God.)
The scary thing is, I had ALL those releases on tape! I still have some of my tapes in a box.