The Source Magazine May 1993

The write ups are probably going to be short and sweet from now on as since I’ve gotten a new scanner my focus has primarily been on that. This is the oldest issue of The Source in my personal collection and features articles on Slick Rick, who was in prison at the time, and LL Cool J who is featured on the cover.

Doing a three and a half year stint at South Falsberg Correctional Facility in New York for shooting his cousin (read the article), Slick Rick tells all. Rick went from sipping Moët in the back of limos to locked up behind bars but the chains he wore in prison were still $60,000. While he was locked up Slick Rick spent most of his time listening to or writing new music while keeping in touch with his family and girlfriend. In 1994, Slick Rick would release his 3rd studio album, fittingly named “Behind Bars”.

LL Cool J is the next hip-hop legend featured in this issue. While the rapper had already made a name for himself in the industry with 4 platinum albums, fans and critics alike were getting a bit used to Russell Simmons-Def Jam-LL Cool J formula and wanted something fresh. “14 Shots To The Dome” was LL’s answer, giving fans a more contemporary sound. In the interview, LL Cool J discusses his dismay with the current state of hip-hop; “everybody that talks about a pistol don’t have one yo. Fakin’ the funk.” My favorite part of the interview however is when writer Reginald C. Dennis surprised LL Cool J with a tape recording of him rapping in Rick Rubin’s NYU dorm room at just 16.

Later, during our interview, I tell LL that I have a surprise for him. He watches intently as I slip a tape into the small box sitting on the desk. I press play and watch his reaction. He smiles and slaps his forehead. "Awww, man," he sighs. "Where did you get that tape? Yo, that was it, man."

It's always easy to get rappers to talk about the past, but having one relive it before your eyes is another thing. The tape is from 1985. It is a recording of one of LL's "studio" sessions in Rick Rubin's NYU dorm room-the room where Def Jam Records was born. In the background, behind LL's vocals, there are sounds of ringing telephones and kids running up and down the hall, oblivious to the history being made in the next room. At one point, during a stripped-down demo version of "Dangerous," LL starts coughing, loses the beat, and stops. "Chill," he says as the beat keeps rolling. "I'm too sick for that shit, man."

"Just talk," Rick replies reassuringly. After a few more beats, he tells LL to "start comin' in." LL complies and finishes the song.

I think that about wraps it up, no pun intended, for the free subscribers. Lots more gems in the full issue and a downloadable PDF! Please consider becoming a paid subscriber as it allows me to continue to share these publications with you.