EP 001: The Hardcore Hip Hop Podcast – Origins

The Hardcore Brothers – Classic Hip Hop: Break Beats, Drum Machine Loops, Samples and Dope Lyrics!

The Hardcore Brothers originated from the Parkchester area of the Bronx, New York. The name of the group is depicted by their style of Hip Hop Music that emphasized the hardcore mixing of break beats, drum machine loops, samples, and dope lyrics.

The group was formed by members of different crews from the east Bronx and promoted by Dr. Rock.The formation of The Hardcore Brothers was spearheaded by Grand Master Love aka GML. GM Love brought together his Spectrum Squad group mate of the Serious 4 MCs, Kid Cosmo (now known as kingKOSMOE) and Mic Master Mysterio & Cee Jay from The Danger D-Force. These brothers rocked together as the Hardcore 4 MCs and were backed by DJ Kool G and the Amazing Kay aka Gucci Kev, who were later joined by DJ Top Secret.

Other early members of the Hardcore Brothers were TR Love, Boogie Master Activity aka Kool Keith, who would later join forces as members of the Legendary Ultramagnetic MCs, and Larry D., Tony Tone, Big D. and Sterling.

For the first several years of the group’s existence, they rocked parties in community centers, rec rooms, junior high schools, and parks in the East Bronx. Their first break came a long when they signed to a production deal by Fred Bastone of Danceteria fame and began to work on their demo tapes with the Legendary Hip Hop Producer Paul C, who produced 3 songs for them. It would be several contracts and years later before the group released their 1st and only 12-inch single record “2B Positive/Sum Of My Luv” in 1991 on the Independent label Strata/ACCW/E. Life Productions.

The Brothers disbanded in 1994 after a few name changes (Nubian Controle/Full Effect) and 14 years of rocking together. Although The Hardcore Brothers never received the commercial success of local Parkchester area artists like Joe-Ski Love, Jesse West, The Ultramagnetic Mcs (TR Love and Cito B), there is no doubt that they are forever a part of the history and tapestry of the Hip Hop landscape in the Bronx and they have a story to tell.

This podcast will tell that story through party flyers, rehearsal mixtapes, guest episodes, merchandise, party recordings, and dozens of never-released demos and mix tapes. And according to GM Love and kingKOSMOE, they just might throw some new music in there just because they can!

Join them on this journey as the remaining members of the Hardcore Brothers reunite in honor of the late Top Secret, Cee Jay, and DJ Kool G.

#HipHop #Rap #History #ClassicHipHop #OldSchoolHipHop #TheHardcoreBrothers #GML #GrandMasterLove #TheKidCosmo #KingKOSMOE #GucciKev #Dobe #Mysterio #YesYesYall #BoomBap