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Here is a short interview with MC, Chadio – there will be a more detailed exploration droppin next year:
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in The Bronx boro of New York City. The Bronx is known as “The Mecca of Hip Hop.”
What are your earliest memories of the culture?
My earliest memories of the culture are graffiti everywhere (indoors and outdoors), especially on the NYC trains, jams with live dj’s and their sets outside in the park, cassette tapes of live jams and/or battles recorded at various places in New York City. Many memories that we can speak about in detail during a more expansive interview.
When did you start rhyming and what/who was your inspiration?
As far as rhyming goes I was initially influenced by the Cold Crush Brothers, The Crash Crew, The Fantastic Five, etc. but ended up trying my hand at djaying first before picking up the mic. By the time I started seriously jotting down rhymes I had new influences such as KRS ONE, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap.This is around the late 80’s.
When/Where did you meet Yogi and Ha?
Actually, I can’t remember not knowing Yogi and Ha as we were raised on the same block in The Bronx. Although I was born and raised at Lafayette Houses (L.I.P.) in the Soundview section of The Bronx, I do know that Ha came from another area of The Bronx and Yogi moved to our block from elsewhere at an early age.
Are these your earliest recordings as RBC?
These are some of our earliest recordings as Rhythm Blunt Cru. As a matter of fact, a couple of these were done before we were Rhythm Blunt Cru.
Where did you record these tracks?
We recorded a couple of these at a now defunct studio in The Bronx. I forget the name of that studio. The other tracks were recorded at Animation Sound in lower Manhattan. That studio is no longer at that location in lower Manhattan.
Is it this set of tracks that got the attention of Chris Lighty?
Yes, these are the tracks that captured the attention of Chris Lighty.
Did he approach you? Did you know him?
We were the ones who approached Chris Lighty and gave him a cassette tape of our music. We didn’t know him at the time but we knew of him. We tracked him down, gave him the cassette with our phone number on it and after a brief comment by us about the tape we walked away. We received a phone call a few days later and was asked to meet with Chris.
What was it like working with him?
Working with Chris Lighty was extremely beneficial. He believed in us and our music from the beginning but always lent a hand of guidance when needed. His guidance proved to be helpful during the making of our album. Chris was a down to earth, approachable brother and I have nothing but good things to say about the great Baby Chris.
