Classic Tape Week: DJ Clue - Clunino

When many heads from my era (the 90's) think of mixtapes and the process of how they transitioned into the mainstream medium of CD's, became much slicker in their marketing and elevated street DJ's to new heights, many heads indeed think of Queens's finest tape DJ ever; DJ Clue. Ernesto Shaw AKA DJ Clue AKA The Question Mark Man AKA William M. Holla, revolutionized the mixtape game in many ways, but most notably thru his patented echoey drops and his notion to start putting mixtapes on CD's. Clue was a good DJ, but really he was never known for his turntablism, mixing or technical skills. He was very much apart of the new age of "button pushing" DJ's like Whoo Kid, Kool Kid and Kay Slay, who put more emphasis on their alter-egos and their mixtape themes. See Clue's name was built up thru his undeniable connections and knack for always having "exclusives" on his tape. Clue was amazing in the fact that he could somehow score songs months before they were due to appear on an artist's album. It was a talent that once legendarilly, got Clue in some hot water with a promising young artist from Brooklyn named The Notorious B.I.G., who was fiercely upset about Clue leaking some of his new album's material on one of his tapes. Famously Biggie left a curse filled message on Clue's answering machine (which also found it's way on a Clue mixtape, lol) but the two would eventually mend their differences. being a huge fixture on the underground mixtape scene is a big reason why the mainstream, MTV, VH1, and suburban audience is familiar with artists and groups that otherwise might be relegated to the underground. Clue was that new hip-hop additive that took the culture into full swing with the big corporations and the ever fickle casual and new fans. Mixtapes and Clue's mixtape's inparticuliar were lightning rods for all types of kids from all types of backgrounds Clue was also instrumental in making a lot of guys into hip-pop, bubble gum sensations. Every rapper from Jay-Z to Fabolous who wanted to get on the radio with a lighter tune for the ladies usually had to get their record broken in by Clue. These days Clue has all but turned his back on the street side of hip-hop that helped build his name and reputation and whole heartedly delved into doing things like remixes for Mariah Carey and spinning commercial ready singles. "Clunino 98'" was a time when Clue was really starting to peak as a tape DJ. It was just shortly before he dropped the Backstage album, and it was summer time. Clue put together such a comprehensive mix of hardcore raps, R&B rythyms, blends and exclusive material, it was ridiculous. From "Killer's Theme", "John Blaze", "Banned From TV" and "I Gotcha Opin 98'" this tape had the goods in terms of containing all the "official" street/hardcore joints that were going hard at the time as well as also carrying some really crafty and resonant blends like Brandy and Monica's "The Boy Is Mine" blended over the Benjamin's beat. To me the two illest joints that are on this tape are the Kool G Rap Freestyle and the Hot 97 Monday Night Mixtape freetyle from Noreaga and Fabolous. Both are to this day still some of my favorite freestyles from any Clue Tapes ever.

-BIG D O

Side A
http://crr.postmobills.com/djclue/desertstorm/one.mp3

Side B
http://crr.postmobills.com/djclue/desertstorm/two.mp3