BY BANDINI • APRIL 17, 2019

DJ Evil Dee was a onetime artist at Rawkus Records. In the fall of 1997, he hosted and mixed the first Soundbombing compilation. That release would propel the label launched by Jarret Myer and Brian Brater onto the radars of many. With it, plenty of Hip-Hop Heads got a taste of Talib Kweli, Mos Def (nka Yasiin Bey), El-P, R.A. The Rugged Man, and others. The Soundboming series lasted more than five years. Additionally, in 2001, Evil Dee and brother Mr. Walt released Da Beatminerz’ Brace 4 Impak. The production LP also included work from then-Beatminerz members Baby Paul, Rich Blak, and Chocolate Ty. He also produced on Black Star’s lone LP.

In a conversation with The Library With Tim Einenkel, the Bushwick, Brooklyn native DJ/producer recalls those breakthrough years at Rawkus. He also opines on why the label, with funding from James Murdoch (son of media magnate Rupert Murdoch), made some moves that ultimately halted a glorious run of introducing some legendary artists to eager masses.

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