Do Remember!: The Golden Era of NYC Hip-Hop Mixtapes

by Evan Auerbach, Daniel Isenberg

Do Remember! The Golden Era of NYC Hip-Hop Mixtapes is the first comprehensive deep-dive oral and visual history of the golden era of hip-hop mixtape culture in New York City.

From street corners to corner offices, mixtapes made a huge impact on the music industry and hip-hop culture in New York City during the late ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s. Mixtapes helped dictate what rap songs were hot in the clubs, on the radio, and in the streets, and they influenced which artists would get signed to record deals. Mixtapes also showcased which DJs had the most skills and creativity, and who had the juice to pull the illest exclusives.

Do Remember! combines the best elements of oral and pictorial histories to explore the evolution of mixtapes as a crucial component of New York City hip-hop culture. Featuring a comprehensive collection of rare mixtape cover art, never-before-seen images, vintage tracklists, and exclusive interviews with Kid Capri, Brucie B, Mister Cee, Ron G, S&S, Doo Wop, Green Lantern, Lord Finesse, Clark Kent, Bobbito, Cipha Sounds, Havoc of Mobb Deep, the late, great DJ Kay Slay, and many more, including a special foreword by Fab 5 Freddy, Do Remember! captures an era in New York City that went on to inspire future hip-hop generations all over the world.

Genres: Coffee Table Books, Collections, Nonfiction, History, Music

240 pages, Hardcover

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Tony D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit, this is an incredible book. A must purchase for all hip-hop fans and students of the culture, DJs, heads from the 90s, or those who simply want the deepest possible look into the NYC mixtape subculture. It's all here. From Starchild to the 50 Cent era, a deep look into the Tape Kingz, interviews with everyone from the graphic designers to the tape hustlers and store owners, hella Kinkos stories, beef, Big Pun kidnapping a DJ...This has to be some of the coolest and most interesting music-related stuff I've ever read. Crazy nostalgia for those who were around and paying attention to this movement from the late 80s to the early 2000s.

I know I was, but from afar. In my ultra-white Minnesota suburb, in the mid-90s, my parents sure wondered what the hell I was doing getting packages from the Tape Kingz in Brooklyn. In my room, I absorbed the exclusives beamed in from DJs Ron G, S&S, Craig G, Tony Touch. NYC rap and these DJs were mythology to me. Gods. This is the whole story. And as a bonus, I come to find out from this book that Minnesota company Josten's (with which I have a personal connection) designed and manufactured the championship ring for Justo's mixtape awards. Goddamn, what a book. Stacked with gems end to end.

[Josh Terceira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holding this book feels like holding an ancient religious text found buried in the desert. The author's love and reverence for this era of hip-hop shines through every page. Required ownership for any rap fan or creative.

[Julian Duprey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary: "Yeah, NY used to be cool, you shoulda been there, man."

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I let my tape rock til my tape popped.