That statement is true indeed, but it is fun to occasionally take a stroll down memory lane and  reminisce about the good ole' days.  Our childhoods have molded us into the people we are today.  Our moniker here at Urban Archives is to Renew, Preserve, and Celebrate Timeless Urban Culture.  Listed below is the first installment of some of my memories growing up in the 80's and early 90's: 

The first Hip Hop songs that I can recall hearing were by The Sugarhill Gang and Grand Master Melle Mel.

I think Busy Bee is by far the best party-rockin' MC, though Doug E. Fresh seems to get that title.

I had the both the black/ red and blue/ white suede Pumas, as well as the black stripe shell toe Adidas.  The Pumas looked better, but the shell toes were more durable.  I would get those holes under the big toe much quicker in the Pumas than in the shell toes.  I would wash my fat-laced shoestrings in the bathroom sink and hang them on the shower rod to dry.

My main man Joe had that Nike suit that Rakim rocked in the "Move the Crowd" video, but wouldn't tell anyone where he go it.

The two times that I can remember my mother cussing me out are after I messed up her Chaka Khan record (the one with the Rolling Stones lips) trying to do the "Looking for The Perfect Beat" scratch, and when I had a breakin' battle on some brand new paneling that she was having put up in our basement (the joints with the thick black lines).

I can recall my sister (See Old School Junkie) dancing in front of the mirror to Heavy D's "Mister Big Stuff" for hours with her Coca-Cola shirt on.

My rap names were Scott Lamont, LLFB, and Aquaman.  Our crew was called The Rap Attack Crew.  My man June played my drum set for percussions and we used my cousin Damond's Casio keyboard for melodies.  In essence, we could be considered the original Roots Crew.

I still remember the piano keystrokes to Sheila E"s "The Glamorous Life."

I thought that Beat Street was a far better movie than Breakin, and “Self Destruction” was better than “We’re All in the Same Gang.”  I did think that Turbo had better skills than Lee, though.  I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was separating East and West coast Hip Hop way back then.

I hated LL's "I Need Love" and haven't bought one of his albums since.

"Paid In Full" was my favorite album back then, and is playing as I write this article.

In my disc changer right now is New Edition, BBD. Big Daddy Kane, BDP (By Any Means), and Run DMC.

This cat named Don used to walk up and down the block playing either "Sucker MC's" or "More Bounce to the Ounce" on his boom box.

I had a crush on Lisa Lisa, Vanity, Sheila E, Sweet Tee (I liked the way she rocked those stone-washed jeans in the "On the Smooth Tip" video), and Baby Dee from JJ Fad (the youngest one).

Though Lyte and Latifah are my favorites, history has forgotten Lisa Lee, Sha-Rock, Debbie Dee, Roxanne Shante, Antoinette, and Sweet Tee (real MCs that didn't have to take off their clothes to rock).

I remember that season of The Facts of Life when Tootie came back fine as hell.

The Fresh Fest was the first and last Hip Hop concert that I (my moms, rather) paid to see.

I remember when no matter what region an MC was from, they all had skills. Each region had different styles, but they all took the time to write rhymes.

I remember those USA biker shorts Yo-Yo wore in her first video.

I remember when MTV never showed Hip Hop videos.

I remember the one and only time that BET revealed Alvin Jones from "Video Vibrations" to its audience.

Read Part II

If you would like to share your fondest memories of the 70's, 80's, and early 90's with our readers, submit your experiences and a picture (if desired) in our Forum, or e-mail us at ost@urban-archives.com.

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