By Odeisel

Once a culture outlives the activity of its initial generation, the opportunity to experience it takes on a different approach. Hip-Hop and rap music are no different. As we near our 40^th year, firsthand accounts become second and third hand, many of the references we hear in lyrics become unclear to future generations who can learn the lyrics but may not connect them to culturally significant things that aren’t a part of their existence.

DJ Raize has set out to fix that with his latest mixtape Check Ya Footnotes. The theme of the mixtape is all about getting new generations of Hip-Hoppers hip to the code and the references in lyrics to elements of past eras. Pop culture doesn’t remain stagnant and neither does its consumers. Kids today probably have never heard of The Rapping Duke (certainly not John Wayne, the real Duke). Ditto the invisible bully. (R.I.P. Gary Coleman).

The tape features ill scratching and mixing but it’s far more suitable as a teaching tool than it is something to bump. There are many songs, and the references slow down the rhythm of the tape too uch to ride to it. But if you are in the crib and you’re feeling nostalgia, you and the homies will be like, “YOOO ‘member that, son!!!” all through the tape. Youngsters can finally stop scratching their heads and wondering what the fuck a Gooch is. DJ Raize did a bang up job at balancing real DJ skill (when is the last time you heard real mixing cutting and scratching, and not yelling, on a mixtape?) with crate digging, and solid research. There is a good mix of songs from many eras as well, helping to further bridge the gap.

Do yourself a favor. Give it a listen, If you’re a new listener, you will have an entirely new level of context. If you are an old listener, it will take you back to “Sesame Street” with its back in the day feel. Check Ya Footnotes. Enjoy.