Legendary Hip-Hopper and former member of the now-defunct (about to be put back together again) Fat Boys, Kool Rock Ski aka Kool Rock, has dropped a new 4-track record titled, Party Time.

The former heavyweight MC with a dope voice and attack-rhyme-flow has sizzled down to about 187 pounds and says he feels better than ever. He is also not feeling bad that Jay-Z and T-Pain have signed on to support his solo effort with vocals on separate tracks. It is a good gesture and nice act to witness the legends and stars of this era of Hip-Hop paying necessary tribute to foundation-layers of the culture. Make no mistake, The Fat Boys’ self-titled debut album is CLASSIC and vital to any Hip-Hop historian’s or culturist’s collection. I bought my copy in 1983 at Penny Lane Records off Bridgeport in Lakewood. I was 7 years old … Know about it!

“T-Pain is a trip man, I think he was in diapers when my first record went platinum (laughing) and here I am, a grown-ass man, learning from him!” Kool Rock exclaimed. Kool Rock remains close with fellow Fat Boy, Prince Markie Dee and both former behemoths have slimmed down after the life-altering death of their former colleague and beat-box extraordinaire, Buffy, aka The Human Beat Box. Buffy died of a massive heart attack in 1995. Kool Rock’s Party Time is available now online.

Shows, ohs & 40oz!

Here are some shows to be up on … TONIGHT!!!

Thursday, April 16

Champagne Champagne/Linda & Ron's Dad/They Live/Weekend/DJ Darwin
Nectar Lounge, 412 N. 36th St., Seattle, doors at 9 p.m., $7, 21+

Living Proof/Kruse/Lessin/Puget/DJ Deadbeat
The Royal, 311 N. Capitol Way, Olympia, doors at 9 p.m., $5, 21+

Most Valuables: Ice-T's Rhyme Pays

“Six in the mornin’, police at my door / Fresh Adidas squeak across the bathroom floor…” raps the legendary Tracy Morrow, aka OG Ice-T, in his 1986 underground smash hit “Six In The Mornin’.” If you weren’t there for the moment that track blasted through the speakers of your box (stereo) or an Alpine car stereo floating by with the windows down — you missed a moment. Ice-T, the ultimate and original Hip-Hop/Rap hustler, gave people a genuine glimpse into the world of hustle, dope, pimpin’, gangs and life in the fast lane during an era when it was all real. Rhyme Pays is not just a record; it is a record of the times.

Ice-T dropped Rhyme Pays in the midst of the unstable and rickety Reagan-era ... Scandal, poverty, joblessness, trickle-down economics and the cold-war were on TV being reported by Tom Brokaw. Ice-T reported the tales of the survivors of the resulting consequences of the acts perpetrated by Washington, D.C. powerbrokers, crooked cops, and corrupt scoundrels. The title track to Rhyme Pays says it all — Ice-T used his mouthpiece to make money, rather than the illegal way. Ice-T was and is a hustler and his hustle was to get and stay paid. With swagger before it was given a name, Ice-T rocked classic joints like “409,” “Somebody Gotta Do It (Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy) ,” “Make It Funky” and showed that gangsters actually possess humor and smiles — with a killer instinct in tow. Ever the lesson-giver and teacher before KRS-ONE blew up Ice-T also shared tales of the consequences of hustling, pimpin’, being a gangster and living the fast life is one of the most valuable Hip-Hop documents ever as the foundation and model for groups and artists like NWA, South Central Cartel, Spice 1, 2pac, Scarface and Andre Nickatina that would soon follow with similar messages and motivation in their music. Ask any one of these artists about Ice-T  … They’ll tell you themselves.

Winners Train, Losers Complain … Do Yo’ Thang!!!

Peace & Love
 
Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. is an editor, writer and producer. A graduate of Washington State University and student at The Evergreen State College, he writes and edits the Pacific Northwest section of OZONE Magazine and hosts and produces Live From I-5 Radio (since ’89) every Friday at 3 p.m. on KAOS 89.3 FM in Olympia.