Along with the 2DBz’s new editorial initiative we’ve recently launched, we’re also bringing a different perspective from a legend who has been a positive contributor to the culture for nearly 21 years now. For those who may be unacquainted with the man, I’ll give a short history lesson: DJ Eclipse held down the spot as a member of, and official DJ to the Non Phixion outfit since it’s inception. On top of that, he’s a proud member of the Rock Steady Crew, a member of the Brooklyn Slumlordz (who’s crafted some of your favorite Hip-Hop party breaks) and has sat behind the boards of some really ill, and unfortunately, very slept-on 90s remixes. And it doesn’t stop there. He’s been the official DJ to 3rd Bass, has rubbed shoulders with Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito on WKCR, held down a great job at Fat Beats NYC, and currently heads The Halftime Show with DJ Skizz on 89.1 WNYU. This humble brother, originally from Rhode Island, has even sat in on the Illmatic sessions (which I just only recently discovered, furthermore showing his humility). So when it comes to Hip-Hop and it’s vulnerable culture, you need to stop what ya doing, pay attention and listen.
DJ Eclipse:
I was recently thinking back to when DJ Riz and I started “The Halftime Show” in ’98. I remembered the process of getting and playing records on the air. We would go out on weekly record runs to the labels to gather up all the latest releases. Sure, we were on their mailing lists, but we needed to get whatever they JUST got in that day. And of course whatever Fat Beats, Rock & Soul or Beat Street had would also be part of our selection. Probably about a record bag of vinyl we would both have every week that we would bring to the station. And then of course you would look for the exclusives. Maybe you’d have 2 or 3 joints a week to play that weren’t even on vinyl. But the vinyl was the meat of the show. And when we came back the following week we would have the same bag, but with maybe another 5 or 6 new records to add in that week. So we would play a lot of the same stuff from the week before, but mix it up with some other album cuts, b-sides and the new shit we got.
That was then. Today, since everything is digital, there is no gate keeper of medium to limit the amount of releases. The playing field has been leveled. No more studio costs, marketing, promotion, publicity or even manufacturing costs (for the most part). New artists now have the same ability to reach as many fans (if not more) then artists that came out 10 years ago. All through social networking, and all without a “record label.” But I wonder if we haven’t lost something in that transition? What happened to the mystique of an artist?!? There’s a certain road our elders traveled that earned them their spot. A spot that was held in high regard leaving the rest of us wanting to be them. A dues system that got paid in order for them to be accepted…respected. That process is gone. Behold the instant artist.
So now, when I go to my radio show I usually have anywhere from 30 to 60 new songs. Every week! And those are the playable ones. So how do I as a DJ try to help REALLY break a record by giving it multiple spins if I’m only allotted 2 hours a week? I of course want to play them all. It’s impossible. And so now we have what Masta Ace has referred to as “disposable arts.” Nothing lasts more then a couple weeks. In these days of over saturation, artists have to put out multiple releases a year just to stay relevant, but at the same time damage Hip Hop music by feeding in to what has become a bottomless pit of hunger by consumers. Our necessity for more has left us with less: less album sales, less touring and less turnouts. I say all this to say, people, make music that is timeless. Not music for this week.
So in accordance with reminiscing about the good ol’ days I give you the first ever Halftime Show with DJ Riz & myself from March 4, 1998 with our first guests Natural Elements.
The Halftime Show (3-04-98) Part 1
The Halftime Show (3-04-98) Part 2
Eclipse’s record collection…
That picture was both a sad day for Hip Hop as well as an epic day…
Peace Justice, this is a great post, and I’m glad that a man as humble and as important to the culture of hip-hop as Eclipse is given this avenue to express what needs to be expressed. There is a mistake in the intro tho: Riz no-longer co-hosts the Halftime show. That duty now falls on DJ Skizz, a Queens based DJ originally from Boston who has produced joins for Maffew Ragazino, Timeless Truth, etc.
whoa… finding a female in that picture is like finding waldo
I gotta say thanks for everything great that DJ Eclipse is doing for hip-hop. DJ Eclipse is a true inspiration and continues to represent hip-hop culture in a positive light. He must have an epic record collection. And always remember that… Rap is definitely Outta Control. Props for the halftime links. Remember to support good music!!
I had to point it out. Both Skizz and Eclipse have been like mentors for me as I’ve started out very recently in the DJ game. I have my own show on WNYU too, and I’ve gotten the opportunity to see what they do up-close. What I admire about them the most is their humility. They’re not snobby old heads bitter at the new artists. They’re down to Earth, regular people who love this culture.
You guys should definitely check out the ustream of the Halftime show every Wed. from 10:30 – 1 on ustream. tv/channel/halftimewnyu
Droppin knowledge on the new generation… thanks eclipse for your many contributions to the culture of hip hop and thanks for blessing us with the first ever halftime show!!!
Great post! I’d love to see more editorials on the dopehouse. Please keep em coming!
Another great Justice post…to DJ Eclipse, thanks a bunch for putting time and effort into the editorial and contributing to Hip-Hop in the way you have.
Rrrraaaaaapp is outtttaaa Connnttrrrrollllll
DJ ECLIPSE >>>>>>>>>>>
What’s todays mathematics? Knowledge God! DJ Eclipse is a hip hop legend hands down. Teach the babies!!
I have to agree with mostly everything this dude said.
Most new artist are disposable. Most have a really good even close to great song and well never match that again.
My pro argument to that has to be that at least we got to heard that song by (insert whatever artist) than to never of had heard it. I mean i’m sure if this technology would have been available to the past generation we would have had the same situation.
The real artist are gonna stay and make noise for many years. Real talent will rise and while these new cats dropping x amount of mixtapes yearly will dissapear eventually. They at least let us hear some of there talent and passion for their hobby.
Damn, this is real as fcuk… and this is only the 1st entry
really cool post.. i still have “coffee syrup” on cassette. and i miss those times hey.. miss rushing to my local place in australia to buy stretch and bobbito tapes a guy brought in from america and buying whatever came out on fondle em or labels like that without even hearing it first most of the time. i still like all the people i listened to from that era and tend to get over whatever new stuff comes along nowadays pretty quick like. would love some more stuff like this anyway
“He stays religious, crates contain 12″s that are vicious, tracks in sleeping bags, and vinyl that’s delicious. So put your fist in the face of crews that don’t got 1210′s, play this break till it ends…and play that shit again!”
Dope piece. Glad to see someone so integral to the movement get the platform to speak on it. Much respect to Eclipse who is not only talented but genuine and professional as well – which is not easy to come by in this industry. Thanks Justice for linking to my story, appreciate that.
gonna d/l nice post im not familiar with that show
i think yea there are alot more ppl makin music AND alot of the mystique is gone but i think also GREAT music is GREAT music and as long as i get to hear it and appreciate…just keep appreciate and enjoy
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Damn, didn’t even know Eclipse was from Rhode Island! Dudes a legend, makes me proud to be from this little state.
Eclipse >>>>>>>>>
and currently heads The Halftime Show with DJ Skizz on 89.1 WNYU
I cannot believe that show is still going on. Early 90′s when I moved back to Queens I couldn’t wait to get off work and tune in. Much respect
this is real talk.
So Fresh…how many tickets did I win from Halftime Show? Non-Phixion and Arsonists at Bowery Ballroom when they gave out free VHS’s with video for 14 Years of Rap! Amazing show! And my boys in high school freestyling on air and getting kicked off for being wack, hahaha! When you said “shit” on air it was “ship,” “yeah man he said bullSHIP”…jokes. And who was the fly bgirl on the air that moved to cali for law school? she was really cool, too. Eclipse is cool guy, gave me free passes to see non-phixion when they played at Speed in chinatown and they debuted “Black Helicopters” after I bought a whole bunch of Non-Phxion Wax at Fat Beats. Couldn’t get in because I was underage and the bouncer wasn’t buying my photocopied fake ID. Memories.
And I still bump the tape recordings of the show in my car stereo…even have myself on air when I won! Big ups to Eclipse, he is the man.
Good to see DJ Eclipse getting love and support here. Thanks Justice. I see current Half-Time member Navani showing support in the comments too. That’s what’s up. I was listening to Mayhem and Sunset before Half-Time in the same time slot. Lynn Gonzalez, Martin Moore, DJ Roteight. Damn, 89.1fm has a lot of history and support for Hip Hop. Thanks. I have enough cassettes, cd’s and minidisc recordings for almost two decades from WNYU on Wednesday nights. Thank you DJ Eclipse and DJ Riz. I’m still listening to this day.
@brolikk Yup Half-Time Show still running along with another long running NYC show Underground Railroad on WBAI (99.5fm) on Friday nights now.