Despite having one of the shorter careers out of their contemporaries, the El MidaZ Affair were one of the biggest groups of the early 1970s. Comprised of lead vocalist Javier El MidaZ, drummer Willie “Knuckles” Johnson, bassist Bobby “Too Tall” Willingston, guitarist K.C. Anderson, backup vocalist Rasheeda “Bird” Jackson, horn players Jake and Drake Wyman, and keyboard player Guter Jivelbergen, the group earned their reputation on the chittlin circuit as a must-see live act, playing festivals, state fairs, and jook joints across the south.
By the time they signed a record contract in 1973, the group was at the height of their buzz. But things took a turn for the worse. Studio sessions were tainted by drug use, alcoholism, and an unprecedented pinball machine addiction stirred inner turmoil among the band members. Though a full-length album was recorded, the band split up before it could be released and the project was shelved indefinitely. The members of the El MidaZ Affair moved on to new phases in their life, while El MidaZ himself became a recluse, never to be heard from again.
Until now.
Ladies and gentlemen, straight out of the dustiest vaults, behold the debut album from the El MidaZ Affair…not only the oldest known hip hop recording, but certainly one of the dopest.
As the hip hop community continues to feel the buzz around the previously-leaked “Creation,” a second song has been unearthed from the shelved 1973 debut album by the El MidaZ Affair. “Stereotypical Black Man” finds MidaZ and special guest Vis Major speaking on the challenges Black America faces in our society – a message that rings just as true today as it did when the song was penned over 30 years ago. Flanked by a stuttering drum pattern and starkly bright guitar, this track is amusing and heartbreaking all at once.
Further exploration in the vaults has revealed that the entire El Midaz Affair album is intact, and Potholes in My Blog will be releasing the entire project for free on January 5. Stay tuned…
Despite having one of the shorter careers out of their contemporaries, the El MidaZ Affair were one of the biggest groups of the early 1970s. Comprised of lead vocalist Javier El MidaZ, drummer Willie “Knuckles” Johnson, bassist Bobby “Too Tall” Willingston, guitarist K.C. Anderson, backup vocalist Rasheeda “Bird” Jackson, horn players Jake and Drake Wyman, and keyboard player Guter Jivelbergen, the group earned their reputation on the chittlin circuit as a must-see live act, playing festivals, state fairs, and juke joints across the south.
By the time they signed a record contract in 1973, the group’s buzz was at an all-time high. But things took a turn for the worse. Studio sessions were tainted by drug use, alcoholism, and an unprecedented pinball machine addiction stirred inner turmoil among the band members. Though a full-length album was recorded, the band split up before it could be released and the project was shelved indefinitely. The members of the El MidaZ Affair moved on to new phases in their life, while El MidaZ himself became a recluse, never to be heard from again.
Until now.
Straight off tape decks that have remained unearthed in the vault for decades, the El MidaZ Affair’s unreleased album is just now seeing the light of day. To kick things off, we present a taste of what listeners can expect from the project with the album’s first leak, “Creation.” Backed by a sweeping string section and soulful horn arrangements, MidaZ demonstrates his impeccable microphone maneuvers in a display that sounds just as fresh today as it did when he recorded the verse in 1973. Be on the lookout for more from the El MidaZ Affair, coming soon…
You’ve downloaded the leaks, and now here it is: The Ozone. Showcasing a slew of underground talent who all rep Orlando, FL, our latest compilation features the work of Optiks (Blitz the Ambassador, Scribble Jam Producer Champion 2008), Swamburger (of Solillaquists of Sound), IMAKEMADBEATS, Emilio Rojas, MidaZ the Beast, Grindtime favorites Smash City Gauntlet, Grey Matter, S.K.I.P., Critical Madness, and more.
Last week we hit you with “Let’s Go” by IMAKEMADBEATS and Emilio Rojas off the forthcoming The Ozone, which showcases the underground hip hop scene of Orlando, FL and is hitting the interwebs October 20. Here’s one more treat to hold you over:
Swamburger is ¼ of Anti-/Epitaph group Solillaquists of Sound. Optiks is the 2008 Scribble Jam Producer Battle Champion who recently produced the bulk of Blitz the Ambassador’s widely-acclaimed Stereotype. “Woe Is Not Me” is the ridiculously dope result of their collaboration.
If you don’t have this song stuck in your head for weeks, we’ll give you a free download of The Ozone on October 20. And if you do? Then you’ll probably still want to download the mixtape for free when it drops on October 20. Enjoy…
Prepare to get thrown into the Ozone. On the heels of our last project Transmitting Live Volume 1, we’re switching gears a bit with a new mixtape highlighting talent both up-and-coming and established out of one of the hottest breeding grounds for underground hip hop…Orlando?!?!?
Don’t sleep – Orlando (aka Ozone) is bursting at the seams with talent, and you’ll understand why when we drop The Ozone on October 20th. To get you ready, we’re leaking a track from the project by IMAKEMADBEATS (yep, he reps Florida) and Emilio Rojas, called ‘Let’s Go.’ It’s some sinister shit. Pass it on…
To gear up for the release of their new record No More Heroes (Anti-/Epitaph), which dropped this past tuesday, Solillaquists of Sound are releasing weekly installments of their “Heroes in the Making” webisode series, showcasing the process that went into making the album and giving viewers a peek into their lives. Also included is another song off the album, “Look.”
![ElMidaz01 Exclusive: MidaZ El MidaZ Affair [Album]](http://potholesinmyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ElMidaz01.jpg "ElMidaz01")
![stereotypical Exclusive: MidaZ Stereotypical Black Man feat. Vis Major [mp3]](http://potholesinmyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/stereotypical.jpg "stereotypical")
![midaz creation Exclusive: MidaZ Creation [mp3]](http://potholesinmyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/midaz-creation.jpg "midaz-creation")
Despite having one of the shorter careers out of their contemporaries, the El MidaZ Affair were one of the biggest groups of the early 1970s. Comprised of lead vocalist Javier El MidaZ, drummer Willie “Knuckles” Johnson, bassist Bobby “Too Tall” Willingston, guitarist K.C. Anderson, backup vocalist Rasheeda “Bird” Jackson, horn players Jake and Drake Wyman, and keyboard player Guter Jivelbergen, the group earned their reputation on the chittlin circuit as a must-see live act, playing festivals, state fairs, and juke joints across the south.
Last week we hit you with 
Prepare to get thrown into the Ozone. On the heels of our last project 
Album Review: Tanya Morgan – Brooklynati (2009)
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