No, it’s not the Wu-Tang Sword Style. Or Gangnam Style. This is the original. Wild Style. Those two words should fill your mind with the loudest images of graffiti that inspire you to stay out late at night and do hoodrat things with your friends. Those images should be followed by the Rock Steady Crew tearing up a piece of cardboard with “Down By Law” playing in the background. And now, thanks to vintage curating label Get On Down and producer Kenny Dope, you don’t have to just imagine it.
Kenny Dope acquired the original reel-to-reel tapes from Wild Style‘s director Charlie Ahearn in order to re-EQ them and extend the length (originally about a minute long), for the first official presentation of the 13 songs used throughout the seminal film. What many might not know is that these breakbeats weren’t simply taken from the popular songs at the time, like The Incredible Bongo Band’s “Apache” and James Brown’s “Funky Drummer.” Instead, Fab 5 Freddy assembled Lenny Ferrari and Chris Stein to create something new and what would go on to become the staple for many DJs’ repertoire. But it’s all about the presentation, right? Well Get On Down and Kenny Dope have you covered. They packaged the seven 45s, each with a different label color, within a 28 page book that include exclusive images and interviews of Ahearn, Fab 5 Freddy, Chris Stein, and GrandWizzard Theodore.
If Hip-Hop had a time capsule for future generations, this would easily be one of the first pieces to be added. You can start your capsule by pre-ordering your copy HERE. And you can hear a sample of one of the breakbeats HERE.
Bryan Hahn is currently reliving his days at all of his friends’ Bar Mitzvahs by listening to the 45s and attempting to breakdance. He just might windmill into ya girl’s DM’s on Twitter (@notupstate).
