By DJ EFN
Most people have come to associate Miami with South Beach real estate, Cuban cuisine and the bass-heavy music of Uncle Luke. But Miami's hip-hop history runs a lot deeper than that. Few would think of Miami as a playground for b-boys and b-girls, but in the early '90s that's exactly what it was. It's the scene that nurtured my passion for hip-hop and the surrounding culture. The city of Miami would be nothing had it not been for the pioneering music of Luke and 2 Live Crew, Poison Clan, DJ Uncle Al and the Sugar Hill DJs, DJ Laz and Ghetto Style DJs, as well as the blood, sweat and tears shed by the graffiti artists and b-boys.
But for some reason this scene was lost — left out of the history books and denied its proper recognition. It's left to be reminisced about among those that lived it. Many of us veterans still remain and are still strong forces within the Miami hip-hop industry. This is my recollection of this scene, how I experienced it and the people and places that I saw during this period.
In the late '80s and early '90s, New York was the dominant city in regards to hip-hop music and culture, while other cities such as Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston and Chicago were starting to come into their own. Miami had been recognized on the national scene with the success of 2 Live Crew, but it also created a Miami stereotype that made it difficult to take the city seriously as a hip-hop force. Breakdancing pioneers like Chilski and Speedy Legs made sure to inspire young future breakers. The streets of Miami were also covered in art by graffiti crews like Ink Heads, STV, Dam Crew, Aim Crew and BSK, who showcased their talents while avoiding the cops.
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