Whether your a hobbyist or a professional DJ, you realize that this line of work is one of passion. . . a profound appreciation for music, it's history, and it's effect on people. Likewise, you may be able to spin many styles of music, and do it well. You may even enjoy them all, but every good DJ has their one true love - the thing that started it all. . . the collection.

This page is about the music and records that lured me into the world of DJing. The same enthusiasm I have for sharing my musical collection with crowds of party-goers night after night, prompted me to create this page.

As you will see, I am an avid collector of classic hip-hop records. I love the music, the time period, and the vinyl records themselves. The songs and artwork are a connection to my childhood, and the challenge of obtaining these rare items adds to the fun.

I hope you enjoy my little effort here. If you are a collector of vinyl records, or other music-related paraphenalia, I'd love to hear from you. You can even send some photos of your collection and a few paragraphs about it. I will gladly feature any interesting submissions on this page. Send your photos and articles to: matt@bpmdeejays.com.		  
Run DMC Run DMC Luke Duke's Headquarters
  I have collected many Run DMC LPs and 12" singles. I could spend an entire day photographing and writing about them. Suffice it to say, Run DMC is the most important group in the history of hip-hop music. Here is a photo of three singles from the most important album in the history of hip-hop, "Raising Hell". The singles, from top to bottom are: "Walk This Way", "Peter Piper/My Adidas", and "It's Tricky".

I chose these particular singles because of their excellent condition and interesting jackets. As you can see, I like them so much that they are part of the decor in my bar-room. I decided to include a glimpse of my lair! Welcome to 1950 Arlington.		  
Fat Boys   Disco 3 - Fat Boys
  Here is a small sample of my Fat Boys Collection. Top center in the first photo is the Fat Boys first (and best) album. It is flanked by the single "All You Can Eat" to the left, which is from the "Krush-Groove" soundtrack, and the "Krush-Groove" soundtrack itself on the right. The Fat Boys LP and Krush-Groove LP are in excellent condition. The soundtrack still has the original shrink-wrap and was purchased in sealed condition. Pretty rare.

I chose the three singles on the bottom because of their rarity. These singles were released before the Fat Boys were the Fat Boys! What's that, you say? Their original group name was the "Disco 3". Of the singles pictured, one of them is actually the song titled "Fat Boys" which was later included on the first album. Another is a song titled "Reality", never released on an album. Peep the close-up label shot, then go rent Krush-Groove!		  
1st School Hip Hoppers Fab 5 Freddy Change the Beat 12"
  Ok, there's Old Skool, and then there's OOOOOLD SKOOL. These would be the latter. Upper left in the first photo is "The Breaks" by Kurtis Blow. It is the first rap single to be certified "gold". Next to it is "Rapper's Delight" by the SugarHill Gang, which is the first commercially released "rap" record. I have several copies of this single, and this one is the cleanest. Also pictured is "Rockit" by Herbie Hancock which features scratching by DJ DST. Classic.

Bottom row contains "The Show" b/w "La Di Da Di" by Doug E Fresh and MC Ricky D (Later known as Slick Rick). This single was purchased in sealed condition and is one of my most prized possessions. The second single is "Change the Beat" by B-Side ft FAB 5 FREDDY. . . Holy Crap! It features rap lyrics in both English and French and is the source of the most used sample/scratch in hip hop music. . . 'this jock is rrreeeaaallly frrressshhhh! It still has the original shrink-wrap on the jacket. I would NEVER part with it.

Finally, every poser who tries to talk "old skool" inevitably mentions "Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five". Pictured is one of their best releases "The Message" which features MC Melle Mel and Duke Bootee on the vocals. Recorded in 1982 at Sweet-Mountain Studios for Sugar-Hill Records. . . how clever.		  
Eric B & Rakim Eric B & Rakim
  One of my favorite rap groups of all time, Eric B & Rakim. I have a nice collection of LPs and singles by them, and here are some of the sweetest.

On the top row are their first three albums: "Paid In Full", "Follow the Leader", and "Let the Rhythm Hit'Em". I own two copies of "Paid In Full", one of which is still sealed!

The bottom row features some rare singles from the first album, the one in the center being the rarest: "Eric B is President" b/w "My Melody" is their first release. It was recorded before Eric B and Rakim were a group, as the label reveals: "Eric B FEATURING Rakim". At the time when this was recorded, Rakim did not have plans to pursue a career in music. He was persuaded by Eric B to cut the single, and the phrase "featuring Rakim" was used to relieve him of any contractual obligations to the record company. Despite what the 4th and Broadway jacket says, this record is not actually a "giant 45", it plays at 33 rpm.

FYI to those who don't know: Rakim is the rapper and the real talent of this duo. His name is pronounced more like "raw kim" not "raw keem".		  
Ice-T Rhyme Pays w/autograph NWA Dope Man Promo 12"
  What became a cliche uttered by thousands of clueless knuckleheads in the media and mainstream America, began as a phenomenon in hip-hop in 1985/86. "Gangsta" rap was born.

Pictured on top is the NWA single "stolen" from the album "Straight Outta Compton". No, the single is not called "stolen". The back of the record states that the material on the single was "stolen from the upcoming album". A little Gangsta humor. This record is actually more of an EP than a single. It contains the songs "Gangsta Gangsta", "Something Like That", "Quiet on tha Set", and "Something 2 Dance 2". Next to it is a very rare promo featuring "Dope Man" and "8 Ball". These songs were originally released on "NWA and the Posse" before NWA had an album of their own. The songs were later included on their first major-label release, "Straight Outta Compton".

Top-right is "Saturday Night" by Schoolly D. I rescued about 15 copies of this from a cut-out bin.

Bottom row is all Ice-T. It's a tough argument as to who the real OG is, but it would be either Ice-T or Schoolly D. The first concert I ever went to was actually an Ice-T/Schoolly D show (1987). I was trying to find my ticket stub when I photographed these, but I have lost track of it. When I find it, I'll post a picture. Anyway, the first two records pictured are copies of the LP "Rhyme Pays". I love the album cover, so I had to show off both sides. I also want to point out that I have one of those copies signed by Ice himself. I met him in '94 after a conference at the University of Pittsburgh. I'm not much of an autograph chaser, but I was very happy to get this signature. Also pictured is the 12" single "Dog'n the Wax" b/w "Six in the Mornin'". This was released before the first LP, and an updated version of "Six in the Mornin'" appears on "Rhyme Pays". Very rare.		  
 
 
Click Here To View Our Miniplayer With Hours And Hours Of Mixes Recorded LIVE By BPM Deejays!