I was wondering how the hell I'd ever find this recording. I know some people that have it, but everybody has an excuse- "it's at my mom's house", "it's in the basement", "my landlord is holding it in lieu of rent"... So I was on my new laptop, importing itunes from another computer, and BAM! there it was. I have no clue how it got there, because I've never seen it as a file...but I'll take it. And to share my good fortune, I've decided to post it.
This recording of a rap show Springfirld, Queens was major for us when we started doing KCR. Biz was already an icon, and being from L.I., is probably the reason Redman got on stage. We'd play this cassette on the air frequently, despite the awful sound quality, and it was regularly requested. It's the first time most people heard Redman, and you could imagine the buzz it created for the young Reggie Noble. Red has often sited us playing this as his break- the reason he got on. That may or may not be true, but it definitely created a huge interest in him among the listeners. Biz is entertaining as usual, but because this is only audio, you don't get the full Biz experience. Redman, on the other hand, just destroys it.
Bizmarkie and Redman, Freestyle (circa 1990)
By the way, Redman and Tame are cousins, and at the end of the first verse of "Rated R", the b-side to Redman's first single, Redman says "What's the flavor Tame? (Fuck what you heard, this rated R)" at which point Tame starts popping shit. His vocal is low in the mix, but if you listen for it, it's easy to hear. Tame continues his amped rant at the end of the second verse. Peep it.
Redman, "Rated R" feat. Tame
