BY BANDINI • MAY 10, 2019

At just 24 years old, Joey Bada$$ has been a purveyor of 1990s and 2000s Rap styles throughout the last decade—even if he was not around to firsthand witness all of it. The Pro Era front-man often represents a Brooklyn not unlike crews such as the Boot Camp Clik and Gang Starr Foundation, whose members he has worked with. Moreover, “Badmon” weaves a brand of lyricism that is imaginative, stylish, and distinctly New York at its core.

In recent years, Pro Era, Flatbush Zombies, and The Underachievers have collided to form Beast Coast. For the nearly-10-minute “Basement Cypher” music video, this super-crew flips the channel back to late ’90s, early 2000s BET. They get Big Tigger to restore his post in “The Basement” from Rap City.

Dressed in their best Y2K threads, Beast Coast recreates the booth, glow-in-the-dark posters and all. Big Tigger kicks things off, just like he did on so many afternoon shows. The ageless host (who has since moved to radio) declares, “It’s strange, they’re treating our culture dirty / ‘Cause this year, Rap City would’ve eventually turned 30 / No conversation / No presentation / No social media posts or celebration / I’m just bringin’ you the facts and truth / But shout out to the Beast Coast for bringin’ back the booth!” Tigger, who was a TV gatekeeper of culture between 1998 and 2005, wants the props he rightfully deserves.

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