"Respect the Architect" with DJ Selecta

The admirable DJ Selecta is a vet on the Pittsburgh hip-hop scene. Aside from past work with some of the cities most renowned groups, Strict Flow and Pensoulz In a Cup, Selecta has been a mainstay in local clubs and lounges. He is the creator of the beloved Classic Material events, which showcases both local and national DJ's, recent participants of the event include Large Professor, Lord Finesse, and Rob Swift. Selecta hosted his own radio show for years dating back to the '90s and going into the 2000's. He recently began a new show titled Grand Groove on 91.3 WYEP, which features music from a varitey of genres including Nu-Soul, Neo-Soul, Funk, Nu-Jazz, Hip-Hop, and more.

This month, Selecta premiered "Respect the Architect," a set of classic Pittsburgh hip-hop, dates ranging from 1986 to 1998. He will be featuring similar sets once a month, chronicling the city's old school scene.

Butta - For the Ladies
G-Man - Music Production
J-Flint - Hump Day
Hi-Low (Chenits aka Chen Lo & DJ Big Phil) - Rap World
Geo - Here I Come
Afro Cinema (C.I. aka I Majestic & Born Shamir of RXC/Classic 1824) - Rap Zodiac
Cool Vibes (feat. Stretch, Sire, & Impulse) - Unstoppable
N. Harmonyx - Talks the Griot
Supa C - Hardcore Heads
Supa C - Freestyle
Strict Flow - Fall Of '95
TaQuest - It's About Time
Hardcore Crew (Mel-Man) - The Crew Got Paid
Mel-Man - Aftermath Freestyle
Domestic Brothers - Gridiron
Jazzi Love - The Real Queen
Bonus: Davu - Follow Suite (Prod. by BusCrates) (2010)



DOWNLOAD THE CLASSIC PITTSBURGH HIP-HOP SET HERE

You can listen to Selecta's radio show live:
Sunday nights/mornings from Midnight - 4a EST at WYEP.org

Strict Flow - Homegrown (1997)

Strict Flow is a legendary hip-hop crew from Pittsburgh, PA. In fact, releases such as their "People On Lock" b/w "Radio" 12-inch and the Without Further Ado LP have helped to earn them props from hip-hop heads worldwide.

Strict Flow is made up of four artists, two emcees and two producers. The lead emcee is Masai, who is a lyrical heavyweight. He is assisted on the mic by Sied. The production is handled by Chad Glick and E. Dan. For this album, they composed the laid-back, head-nodding boom bap that me and my a-alikes love. The scratches are handled by local favorite, DJ Selecta.

Although the group disassembled around 2004, they have each continued to have successful music careers. Masai is the lead emcee for Formula 412, a Pittsburgh band à la The Roots. Sied now goes by the alias Pittsburgh Slim, and reached the mainstream with his 2007 hit single "Girls Kiss Girls." E. Dan has contributed production to Wiz Khalifa, ChaRon Don, The Govament, and many other local and national artists. Him and Chad run I.D. Labs, one of the most highly regarded studios in Pittsburgh. Chad also created the Rostrum Records label and manages Wiz Khalifa.

Sadly I do not have scans for this, as I only have an mp3 version of the album. It was released on CD, and possibly vinyl and tape. This album is truely an underground classic and a important piece of Pittsburgh hip-hop history.

Strict Flow - Homegrown
Tracklisting:
01. Intro
02. Homegrown

03. The Classic Pittsburgh Story
04. Live & DieWrecked
05. Who U Be (Ebonics Version)
06. 1 Night Stand

07. The 6 Elements
08. Fall of '95
09. Dirt

10. Mark My Words
11. Whatsitallabout

12. It Just Happens
13. Real Heads Relax
14. The Equation

15. Somethin' Like This

16. Once You Get the Props