A Boom Bap Playlist Paired with Hip-Hop’s Archival Relics

Behold: a sonic time capsule, excavated from Boom-Bap's Golden-Era strata—110 tracks of unvarnished rawness, where SP-1200 grooves collide with lyrical transmutation. This auditory archive enshrines Jemini the Gifted One, Smoothe Hustler, Troubleneck Brothers, Mobb Deep, Lord Finesse, Smoothe Da Hustler, and Group Home, among many others.

To amplify the Boom-Bap odyssey, we’ve unearthed visual relics from The Source’s hallowed archives—gems that freeze-frame Hip-Hop’s Golden Age in its raw, unfiltered glory.

Sadat X & Originoo Gunn Clappaz are starting a new D&D project in the studio. Photography by April Ferri for The Source Magazine, Issue #79, April 1996.

Total Wreck: DJ Premier and Mic Mistress Bahamadia in the Studio. Photography by Stella Magloire for The Source Magazine, Issue #78, March 1996.

Kurious, Lost Boyz, and Shabazz the Disciple do some politicking in DC. Photography by Derek Blazer for The Source Magazine, Issue #82, July 1996.

Q-Tip (R) chillin’ with The Legion and Lord Finesse (peering over shoulder). Photography by Koi Sojer for The Source Magazine, Issue #57, June 1994.

Ill Al Skratch with their homie Buju Banton. Photography by Juan Nitro for The Source Magazine, Issue #69, June 1995.

Boot Camp Clik’s Fab 5, Prince Po, Smif-N-Wessun, Buckshot, and Group Home strike a pose. Photography by Derek Blazer for The Source Magazine, Issue #84, September 1996.

Group Home’s Malachi the Nutcracker and Lil’ Dap with Jeru the Damaja and Guru at the Gavin. Photography by Juan Nitro for The Source Magazine, Issue #68, May 1995.

Big L and Lord Finesse floss uptown style. Photography by T. Eric Monroe for The Source Magazine, Issue #69, June 1995.

Large Professor, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Phife Dawg, and Q-Tip at Q-Tip’s birthday party. Photography Koi Sojer for The Source Magazine, Issue #46, July 1993.

All ‘Locked’ Up: Das EFX and DJ Evil Dee Stare Down the Camera in the Beat Lab. Photography by April Ferri for The Source Magazine, Issue #74, November 1995.

Trading secrets? Beat wizards Buckwild and Diamond D do some fancy handwork on the boards and at the party. Photography by April Ferri for The Source Magazine, Issue #75, December 1995.

Jeru the Damaja and The Notorious Biggie Smalls lounging at E Double's Party patiently waiting to blow up the spot in '94. Photography by Fish for The Source Magazine, Issue #53, March 1994.

Shiggedy Shook Ones: PMD, DAS EFX, Prodigy and DJ Dice mug at the Das EFX video shoot. Photography by April Ferri for The Source Magazine, Issue #78, March 1996.

Smoothe Da Hustler and Trigger kick it on the set of Shyheim's new video. Photography by Juan Nitro for The Source Magazine, Issue #80, May 1996.