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The 50 Best Songs of 2002
The 50 Best Songs of 2002
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When was the first time you heard rap?

The first time I heard hip-hop (not rap) was Fatback Band’s “King Tim III (Personality Jock.)” However, it didn’t hit me the same way, once I heard “Rapper’s Delight.”

More from Spin:

Hip-hop spoke to me because, at the time, I hadn’t heard anything like it. It literally became my flavor teacher — how to talk, look, think, and research. Whereas you had Curtis Mayfield being one of the first socially conscious artists with the Impressions in the ’60s, hip-hop became mine from ‘79 until…

What do you think was the most important era in hip-hop?

The most important eras of hip-hop for me are two (Sorry, I’m a rebel, Dottie): the early ‘70s (the beginning) and the ‘80s golden age. After those two, you couldn’t get anything past me as far as the authenticity of the art form was concerned!

How do you see hip-hop evolving in the next handful of years?

How I see hip-hop evolving in the next handful of years:

Well…………Let’s just hope the change-up is coming SOON!! I’m not a fan at the moment, there’s absolutely nothing about it that feels promising. I would love to hear some real effort and passion within it, ‘cause right now, it’s like a Fast & the Furious movie… “LET’S GO FAST, BLOW UP and BE DEAD BY THURSDAY!!

Interview with Daniel Kohn

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.