Collector Spotlight · Issue #06
DJ Clear: Respect the DJ
The Dominican, Brooklyn-raised DJ behind Deep Fried Music on getting his break as the on-location DJ for Above the Rim, mixing The Rogue's Gallery, promoting Serato Scratch Live in 2004, and why today's artists need to respect the DJ.
Read the StoryKeep Reading
Some Records Earn the Right to Look Different
Three pressings this week that aren't colored vinyl for the sake of it. Clipse's colored vinyl comeback, DJ Drama's marble pressing, and De La Soul's Marvel variant each have a real reason the packaging matters.
Four Debuts That Built Four Different Corners of Hip-Hop
Before Ghostface, Raekwon, Redman, and Common were legends, they were unknowns making their first case. All four debuts just landed in the archive.
I'm Da Man
DJ Scream's 2007 introduction of Shawty Lo as a solo voice, before "Dey Know." Rick Ross and Lil Wayne on the remix, Gucci Mane twice. 21 tracks, streaming free.
How Queensbridge and Linden Boulevard Rewrote the Rules
Three records out of Queens between 1991 and 1995 set the bar East Coast rap spent the rest of the decade trying to clear: Illmatic, The Low End Theory, and The Infamous.
Curated. From the crate.
Collector Spotlight
Issue #06DJ Clear
Respect the DJ
The Dominican, Brooklyn-raised DJ behind Deep Fried Music on getting his break as the on-location DJ for Above the Rim, mixing The Rogue's Gallery, promoting Serato Scratch Live in 2004, and why today's artists need to respect the DJ.
More issues
Eli's Rotation
Every week, my 15-year-old son Eli picks the track that's got his generation talking. This is what's on repeat in the halls, the group chats, and the car rides home from school.
imsomarcus
NO BAP · from the YOURS TRULY EP
imsomarcus's "NO BAP" is the one Eli keeps running back this week, the closing track on his YOURS TRULY EP. Under two minutes and no wasted bars, which is exactly why it keeps getting replayed.
Last week: HariRoc & Lil Tony - 9 Lives
See All RotationsThe Vault
Recently Added
The last five tapes to land in the archive, newest first.
Just landed · September 11, 2026
DJ Scream Presents Shawty Lo: I'm Da Man
Atlanta Hip-Hop
2007. Before 'Dey Know,' before Units in the City, DJ Scream hosted the tape that introduced Shawty Lo as a solo voice. Rare. Out of print. Stream it in the archive.
Listen Now
From the Shop
The four solo debuts from the story above, on wax. Four first records, four different corners of hip-hop.
Visuals
A short sit-down with DJ Clear from RockandSoul NYC, filmed the month after his Brighter Days EP dropped on Deep Fried Music.
Interview with DJ Clear from Deep Fried Music