Hip-Hop History — The Juice Crew

Were you a fan of the Juice Crew? Of course, you were. Did you love their catchy beats, creative rhymes, and clever wordplay? If so, then this blog post is for you! Get ready to explore the history of one of rap’s most iconic groups — The Juice Crew.

Introduction to the Juice Crew

The Juice Crew was an American hip-hop collective founded by super producer Marley Marl in the mid-1980s. Comprised of Queensbridge, New York-based artists, the Juice Crew produced some of the most influential and revered hip-hop singles and albums of its time. Notable members included Roxanne Shante, MC Shan, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Biz Markie, Masta Ace and Craig G.

The crew’s first single “It’s A Demo” was released by Kool G Rap & DJ Polo in 1986. It was followed by more classic singles such as “Kill That Noise” from MC Shan and “Have a Nice Day” from Big Daddy Kane. In 1988 they released their ground-breaking posse cut “The Symphony”. The Juice Crew continued to influence hip-hop music long after their heyday eventually earning them a place in hip hop history.

Origin of the Name

The group’s name was derived from radio DJ Mr. Magic’s alias, “Sir Juice”. The Juice Crew first gained notoriety with a single entitled “The Symphony”, which featured all of the group’s members. This astonishing collective consisted of Roxanne Shante, MC Shan, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Biz Markie, Masta Ace, Craig G and Tragedy Khadafi. The crew derived its name from Mr. Magic’s alias “Sir Juice” who was the DJ on the first exclusively hip-hop show on radio with his story called “Afrika Bambaataa’s Hip-Hop” and housed by the label Cold Chillin’ Records.

Early Influences

Marley Marl’s influence over hip hop has been noted as an important contributor to the development of the genre in its early years. His work on sampling technology helped shape and define hip hop production techniques during this period. He also had a strong influence on radio jockeys at that time, helping spread hip hop music further and introducing it to wider audiences via his radio show “The Marley Marl Show” on WBLS 107.5 FM in New York City.

Other key influences from this era include DJ Flash who together with his Furious Five crew brought rap into mainstream consciousness with their hit single “Rapper’s Delight” (1979) released on Sugarhill Records. The success of this song brought attention to other areas of rap such as breakdancing and graffiti art, widening its appeal and introducing it to new audiences around America and beyond.

Marley Marl’s Beat Making

Marley Marl is one of the most influential producers in hip hop. He is best known for helping to craft some of the biggest hits from rap’s golden age. His signature drum loops and soulful samples gave a unique sound to the music of iconic MCs like Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, and Biz Markie.

Marley Marl’s production work was first showcased on Sway Calloway’s radio show “Sway In The Morning”. His beats were also featured on the compilation album “In Control Volume 1” which many consider to be one of the most important hip hop albums ever made.

But perhaps his greatest contribution to hip hop was his role in forming the legendary Juice Crew. Coming out of Queensbridge housing projects in Queens, New York, Marley Marl produced classic tracks for each member of this influential group including Biz Markie’s “Make The Music With Your Mouth”. The Juice Crew was an innovative force in rap who helped shape the sound and culture of hip hop today.

Major Career Moves

The Juice Crew was a legendary hip hop collective from Queensbridge, New York in the 1980s. Founded by Marley Marl, the crew included some of the most influential hip hop artists of all time such as Big Daddy Kane, Roxanne Shante, and Kool G Rap. Despite disbanding around 1989, each member of the Juice Crew went on to have successful solo careers in hip hop.

Big Daddy Kane has been credited with being one of the most influential MCs ever and is often referred to as an icon in rap music. He has released seven studio albums and his career includes collaborations with other big names such as Jay-Z and Tupac Shakur.

Roxanne Shanté is another artist who achieved success outside of the Juice Crew. She became one of hip hop’s first female stars with her debut single “Roxanne’s Revenge” which topped Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles chart for six weeks in 1985. She went on to release several more singles before making her acting debut in 1991’s Straight Outta Compton alongside Dr Dre and Ice Cube.

Kool G Rap made a name for himself with his rapid fire delivery and intricate wordplay which he showcased on his four solo albums as well as his collaborations with Nas, Mobb Deep, and DJ Premier among others. His influence can still be heard today in artists such as J Cole and Kendrick Lamar who cite him as an inspiration for their own styles.

MC Trouble was also part of the Juice Crew before her untimely death at age 21. During her short life she left a lasting legacy; becoming Motown’s first female rapper after signing with them in 1990 before tragically

Kool G Rap’s Days in the Juice Crew

Kool G Rap, previously known as ‘Kool Genius of Rap’, got his introduction to the Juice Crew through his friend Eric B. The Juice Crew was a hip hop collective of largely Queensbridge-based artists in the mid- to late-1980s, founded by producer Marley Marl and radio DJ Roxanne Shante. Kool G Rap and DJ Polo released their first single “It’s A Demo” in 1986, which was followed by tracks such as “Have A Nice Day” and “Nobody” by Shante, and “Rikers Island” and “The Godfather” by DJ Polo & Kool G Rap, respectively. Although these tracks don’t necessarily tell tales about the Juice Crew itself, they are still examples of some hard hitting cultural commentary that helped define the sound of rap at the time. Kool G Rap’s time with the Juice Crew provided him with an outlet to express himself musically and ushered in a new era of rap.

Big Daddy Kane’s Days in the Juice Crew

Big Daddy Kane was a founding member of the legendary Juice Crew, an American hip hop collective based in Queensbridge, New York during the mid-to-late 1980s. The crew was made up of some of the most influential and respected rappers of their time, including Roxanne Shante, MC Shan, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Biz Markie and Masta Ace.

Kane was first introduced to Marley Marl and DJ Polo by his friend Eric B. With his astonishing lyrical ability and skillful delivery, Big Daddy Kane quickly became an integral part of the group. He is best known for his tracks “Raw” and “Just Rhymin’ With Biz”, which were both featured on Juice Crew’s classic compilation album “Have A Nice Day”.

The Juice Crew remains one of hip hop’s most iconic groups to this day due to their incredible impact on the genre as well as their unique sound that has gone down in history. Big Daddy Kane’s contributions to the group were instrumental in making them so beloved by fans all around the world — he is truly one of hip hop’s greatest ever talents!

Roxanne Shante’s Impact

Roxanne Shante is a pioneering female rapper and an esteemed member of the legendary Juice Crew. Born and raised in the Queensbridge Projects of Queens, New York City, Shante first gained notoriety through her participation in the Roxanne Wars and was soon signed to the Juice Crew. At just 14 years old, she became the only female member of this hip-hop collective, which included Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, MC Shan, and Kool G Rap.

Shante was an instant hit with her debut single “Roxanne’s Revenge” as a response to UTFO’s rap Hangin’ Out. This song propelled her career forward as one of hip-hop’s most influential female artists. Not only did she have success in music but she also used her platform to advocate for women’s rights and black empowerment throughout her career. In addition to creating music, Shanté hosted Have A Nice Day on WQHT Hot 97 FM for several years until 1995 when she left due to feeling underpaid for her work.

Shante has had a major impact on hip-hop culture from being one of the first successful female rappers to using her platform to promote awareness about social issues that are still relevant today. Her influence can be seen in current female artists who continue to push boundaries within the genre while advocating for change.

Craig G’s Flow

Craig G is an iconic hip hop artist who first rose to fame as a member of Marley Marl’s Cold Chillin’ Records group, Juice Crew. Hailing from the notorious Queensbridge Houses, Craig G successfully joined the prestigious Juice Crew and forever made his mark in classic hip hop history.

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Craig G released a number of chart-topping hits with the Juice Crew, including “Kill That Noise” with MC Shan, “It’s A Demo” with Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, “Have A Nice Day” with Big Daddy Kane and many more. His flow was powerful yet lyrical — often tackling social issues and reflecting on life growing up in Queensbridge.

Craig G is still active today and continues to collaborate with other hip hop artists around the world. He remains an influential voice in rap music and is remembered for his memorable contributions to classic hip hop culture.

Masta Ace’s Legacy

Masta Ace is a legendary American rapper and record producer from New York City. He first made a name for himself as part of Marley Marl’s Juice Crew, which included Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, MC Shan, and Craig G. His career really took off after his 1988 appearance on the posse cut “The Symphony”.

His career has seen him released several solo albums, collaborate with Eminem and J-Black in 2000 and tell the story of an ex-con in 2001’s Disposable Arts album. He has also collaborated with other hip hop acts including KRS-One, Posdnuos from De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip and The Beatnuts.

Masta Ace is credited as one of the pioneers of modern East Coast rap by bringing a storytelling style to his music that captivated listeners around the world. He continues to be an important figure in hip hop today through producing new music and collaborating with emerging artists.

MC Shan’s Contributions

MC Shan is an American hip hop and R&B recording artist, best known as a founding member of the iconic hip hop collective, the Juice Crew. Born Shawn Moltke in 1965, MC Shan formed the Juice Crew with producer Marley Marl in Queensbridge, Queens New York in the mid-1980s. The collective created some of the most innovative rap music of its time and helped to establish hip hop as one of the most important genres of music.

MC Shan’s first record was “Sucker DJ’s (I Will Survive)”, based on Run-DMC’s “Sucker M.C.’s” from 1983. He then released his first solo album Shout in 1988, which featured rhymes written by Shan himself and production from Marley Marl. The album was published by Cold Chillin’ Music Pub./ EM Marl Int’l./ M.C. Shan Music adm., and showcased a unique blend of hip hop, soul and funk styles that earned him critical acclaim and commercial success.

Since then MC Shan has been featured on countless tracks alongside legendary rappers such as Nas, KRS-One and Big Daddy Kane; he also continued releasing solo projects between 1999–2013 including albums such as Play It Again…Shan (1999), Born to be Wild (2008) and Back to Basics (2013). His contributions to rap music have been celebrated worldwide for over three decades now, firmly establishing him as one of hip hop’s most influential figures ever since his involvement with the Juice Crew All-Stars back in the 80s.

Biz Markie’s Rise to Fame

Biz Markie was a beloved Hip Hop icon who left an unforgettable mark on the music world. He was a part of the legendary Juice Crew, a hip hop collective made up of some of the most talented rappers and producers in Queensbridge, New York. Biz Markie joined the crew first as a beatboxer for Roxanne Shanté before becoming an official member. The Juice Crew was crucial to Biz Markie’s development as an artist and helped propel him to stardom. In 2016, Biz Markie performed at the Juice Crew Reunion, reminding fans of his influence in the Hip Hop world. Biz Markie was known by many as the Crown Prince of Hip-Hop and will be remembered for his influential work with the Juice Crew and beyond.

Tragedy Khadafi was left out of the Juice Crew

Tragedy Khadafi was a founding member of the legendary ’90s hip-hop collective, The Juice Crew. However, his time with the crew was anything but smooth. In an interview with Vibe Magazine, Khadafi explained that he had issues with the crew’s management which ultimately led to him leaving the group in 1991.

Khadafi’s issues began when he felt that his music wasn’t being given the attention and promotion it deserved by Marley Marl, who was producing and managing the Juice Crew at the time. Khadafi also felt that Marley’s business decisions weren’t always in line with what he thought would be best for all members of The Juice Crew and their music.

This led to a lot of tension and arguments between Khadafi and other members of The Juice Crew, until finally he decided to leave in 1991. Despite this, Khadafi still has nothing but respect for Marley Marl and all members of The Juice Crew for their contributions to hip-hop culture over the years. He blew up even more as a solo artist and continues to be on top of his game thirty years into the game. The man keeps getting better and better.

The Juice Crew Feud with Boogie down Productions

In 1986 the feud between Boogie Down Productions (BDP) and The Juice Crew erupted.

The rivalry between both groups stemmed from BDP’s response record to The Juice Crew’s hit single “The Bridge”. This caused a lot of tension between both parties due to the lyrics being interpreted as a diss towards The Juice Crew members. To retaliate, MC Shan released a diss track titled “Kill That Noise”. This further fueled the feud and ultimately led to other records being released on both sides such as KRS-One’s “South Bronx”, Craig G’s “Duck Alert” and Big Daddy Kane’s “Raw”.

In 2019 The Juice Crew reunited for a live concert in New York City with performances from all their original members. They also put out a collaborative album titled Hip-Hop Lives featuring KRS-1 which highlighted their long standing feud with BDP.

The rivalry between Boogie Down Productions and The Juice Crew was one of rap music’s earliest and most memorable feuds that still lives on today through their classic hip hop records.

The Juice Crew Disbandment

In 1990, The Juice Crew disbanded after disagreements between members regarding money and creative differences. However, they left behind a legacy of influential music that has shaped the sound of modern hip hop. Their albums such as “Marley Marl in Control” and “Strong Island” are considered classics in the genre.

Today, The Juice Crew is remembered for their impact on hip-hop culture and for their impressive discography. Despite disbanding almost 3 decades ago their influence still lives on in the music of today.

Conclusion

Hip hop is alive and well today. It began in 1969 when DJ Kool Herc adapted the Jamaican dub music mixing practice to create the “breakbeat” DJ technique. This led to the formation of legendary hip hop collectives such as Juice Crew, which was made up of Queensbridge, New York-based artists in the mid-to-late 1980s. Today, hip hop continues to evolve with sampling at its core, with many artists building on teamwork and collaboration. As expressed by MC Shan in his song “Kill That Noise”: “Real hip hop don’t stop/It just moves on and on”. Hip hop has come a long way since its inception and continues to be an influential force in modern music culture.

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