How do you know when you have made it? When the lawyers start coming around. As Hip-Hop was becoming more a part of the mainstream daily, all of sudden, the checks got bigger. At least it did for some. What started out as Black, block party music in New York City over a decade prior was now very big business, and about to get bigger, which also drew the attention of an unfair, racist system that wanted it gone. #hiphop #oldschool

WARNING: This program contains language and subject matter some may find objectionable. There are also no ballads in this program. Repeat, no ballads.

Biz Markie on the cover of his debut LP, Goin' Off, 1988. Photography and design by George DuBose, courtesy of Warner Music.

Before we begin, I am dedicating this program to Marcel Theo Hall, known to us all as Biz Markie, whom I am featuring later in this program. He died from complications due to Type 2 diabetes on July 16th, 2021, at the age of 57. According to the National Department of Health and Human Services, Blacks are more than one and a half times more likely to have Type 2 diabetes, more than three times more likely to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes kidney failure and more than two times the national average to have a limb amputated due to Type 2 diabetes. Contact the American Diabetes Association toll free at 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383) or visit them online at https://www.diabetes.org/ for resources that can help you toward wellness.

MC Lyte, 1988, in a publicity photo. Courtesy of Warner Music.

'88 and '89 were times of immense change during the Golden Age of Hip Hop. With major labels offering loads of cash, many independents could not compete and were either bought out by bigger companies or folded altogether. A few new independent labels did spring up, but it wasn't too long that allegations of financial mismanagement, whether true or not, were sprouting everywhere from artists believing they were being ripped off. Being responsible for one's own finances led to one of Hip-Hop's most famous catchphrases, "gettin' paid".

The original Parental Advisory sticker, in use until 1990, which was replaced by the now infamous black and white version still in use to this day. Courtesy of the RIAA.

During this time, it seemed that artists were coming under fire and losing court battles due to their use of unauthorized samples and interpolations. In the case of Grand Upright Music vs. Warner Brothers, which revolved around a track by Biz Markie, acts now to obtain permission to have their work sampled. In the case of De La Soul using a sample by 1960's rock group The Turtles, they had to also be credited and receive compensation as a matter of copyright; tracks that used samples were not to be considered "transformative works", as it is often applied to in visual art.

Cover of It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, 1988. (l-r) Chuck D. and Flavor Flav, courtesy of Def Jam/UMG.

In order to stand out in what was becoming an increasingly crowded field, Hip-Hop artists were carving out individual niches in order to build a particular fan base. Socially conscious rap, which dealt with topics like feminism, strength through unity and addressing systemic inequality was one. Gangsta Rap, on the other hand, dealt with themes of violence, and could be homophobic, misogynistic and glorified dangerous, illicit professions, was another.

JJ Fad on the cover of their debut LP, Supersonic. (l-r) Juana Burns, Dania Birks and Michelle Franklin. Aaron Rapoport – photography, courtesy of Warner Music.

Some artists jumped straight into Hip-Hop subgenres that were good...