This past week MTV featured an article written DJ EFN titled "Remembering Miami's Lost Hip Hop Scene" below is the original unedited version of the article DJ EFN wrote: By now, most would come to know Miami by its familiar South Beach real-estate, Cuban cuisine and its bass heavy musical history headed by Uncle Luke. Miami actually has a deep rooted history steeped in Hip Hop culture. Few thought of Miami as a play ground for B-Boy's and B-Girls, but in the early 1990's that's exactly what Miami was. This was the scene that birthed and nurtured my passion for Hip Hop. The city of Miami would be nothing had it not been for the pioneering music of Luke & The 2 Live Crew, Poison Clan, DJ Uncle Al, The Sugar Hill Dj's, DJ Laz, Ghetto Style Dj's, and all the other Bass artist and dj's that paved the way for Miami's music scene. However, few know of the DJ's, MC's, Graffiti Writers and B-Boy's that put their blood sweat and tears to equally pave the way for what is now seen as one of Hip Hop's power house cities! For some reason this scene was lost therefor was not added to the history books and given its proper recognition. Only to be reminisced, in oral exchanges spoken amongst those that lived it. Many of us veterans remain from this scene and are still strong forces within the Miami Hip Hop industry. This is my recollection of this scene, how I experienced it and the people and places that I saw during this period.
In the late 80's early 90's New York was the dominant city in regards to Hip Hop music and culture while other cities such as Los angeles, Atlanta, Houston and Chicago were starting to come into their own. Miami had been recognized on the national scene with the success of 2 Live Crew but with this recognition came a Miami stereo-type. Thereby making it the last place for people to expect a thriving Hip Hop scene. In the early 90's an emerging scene started to hone its skills while battling for recognition. This small yet passionate scene was becoming self sufficient including all the elements of hip hop. During this time, Hip Hop music was not played on local commercial radio stations and Miami Hip Hop-ers had few places to go to enjoy there music of choice. So we took it into our own hands by creating our own venues, artist, djs, stores, Mixtapes, B-boys and B-girls. This scene was not only proud to be a part of the global hip hop community but most of all it was proud to represent its city while doing so. This scene not only wanted respect but demanded it and created some of Hip Hops top DJ's, MC's, Graff writers and breakers! Before South Beach even considered allowing Hip Hop music and its patrons to be in their clubs, the scene created its own venues. Venues like the Carver Center, The Zoo, 5th street, Studio 183 and the Sugar Shack were places that Hip Hop heads could go and listen to local djs like DJ Epps, DJ Chris, Coo da ville, DJ TMS, DJ Snow White, DJ FM, DJ Antman, DJ Suicide and a young DJ Craze. Promoters ...