TravelSkoot

• Sep 22, 2008
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Places on this Skoot

• HOT 97

  395 Hudson St , New York, NY

  WQHT, also known as "HOT 97", is a high-profile (and sometimes controversial) urban radio station in New York City under the corporate ownership of Emmis Communications. Well known throughout the world, the station now broadcasts on 97.1 FM and first signed on the air in the summer of 1986 as "Hot 103" (103.5 FM). The first station in NY to be soley formatted for Hip Hop--HOT 97 was the only radio station in New York you could hear the latest Hip Hop songs until mid-1997 when WBLS reintroduced them on its playlists (WRKS was an R&B station by then and Z100 had not integrated hip hop into the playlist). One of the most celebrated Hip Hop events is HOT 97’s Summer Jam—the “Superbowl” of Hip Hop which has featured performances from Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Nas, Biggie and more.

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• Scratch DJ Academy

  434 6th Ave , New York, NY

  Headquartered in New York City with locations in Los Angeles and Miami, The Scratch DJ Academy teaches students the art form of the DJ. Founded in 2002 by Rob Principe (current CEO), Reg E. Gaines (author, Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk) and the late Jam Master Jay (Legendary DJ of Run DMC), Scratch DJ Academy's goal is to lower the barrier to entry for those interested in DJ’ing and music production. Combining copy written curriculum, hands on training, and celebrity DJ instructors, Scratch DJ Academy offers an incredible opportunity for amateur and aspiring music enthusiasts to learn how to DJ—on of the key elements of the Hip Hop culture.

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• The Roxy

  515 W 18th St , New York, NY

  When the spring of 1982 rolled around the Roxy was a well-established New York roller-skating rink (and still holding skating one or two nights a week. But as the popularity of roller skating quickly began to fade, and in June of '82, it was turned into a dance club on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The Roxy quickly became the Hip Hop center. It was here that rappers, D.J.'s, and breakdancers would perform and hang out. And the Roxy started to sponsor Breakdance contests, which would help the winners get more recognition. Featured in the legendary Hip Hop movie “Beat Street” in 1984, if you wanted to discover a breakdancer for your show or video, you would come to the Roxy. Or if you just wanted to watch or learn some new moves, you would come to the Roxy.

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• The Tunnel

  251 W 30th St , New York, NY

  The Tunnel was the name of a large New York City nightclub with multiple rooms on several levels. It received its name from the fact that the main dancefloor was a renovated train tunnel from the early 1900s. It was one of the most unique dancefloors of its time, untraditionally rectangular and elongated. The dance floor was dotted with several dance cages throughout the floor, and had a notoriously loud sound system. In a 1999 New York Magazine Article D.J. Cipha Sounds, along with Funkmaster Flex, said, "This is the toughest crowd in the world. The Tunnel is like boot camp for D.J.'s." It served as a kind of boot camp for the hip-hop industry too. The gritty black-and-white clip for DMX's "Get At Me Dog" was shot there in February 1997; soon after, the rapper's CD It's Dark and He** Is Hot debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. The Tunnel is now closed.

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• Quad Studios

  723 7th Ave , New York, NY

  In an apparent robbery attempt outside a music studio in Times Square, Tupac Shakur was shot five times on the night of November 30, 1994. Tupac recalled the circumstances in an interview shortly afterwards with Vibe Magazine. He arrived at the studio so he could do some recordings for an acquaintance. When he got to the studio, Tupac was suspicious of two black men in their thirties, both dressed in army fatigues, because neither of them seemed to acknowledge his presence. Shakur simply assumed they must be security for The Notorious B.I.G. (aka Biggie), whom he was a still friend with at the time. Some conspiracy theorists leaped to the conclusion that Tupac had been set up and that the "robbery" was a payback for his perceived attacks on police; others thought a revenge plot by a rape accuser, still others alleged that Sean “Puffy” Combs and the Notorious B.I.G may have had something to do with the “robbery”.

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• Def Jam

  825 8th Ave , New York, N.Y.

  Def Jam was founded by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin in Rubin's dorm room at New York University. The first releases on Def Jam Recordings were LL Cool J’s "I Need A Beat" and the Beastie Boys' "Rock Hard," both in 1984. They signed dozens of artists and have created numerous other record labels that stemmed from Def Jam like Def Jam South, Def Jam Island, The Inc., and Disturbing tha Peace. The array of artists and talents ranged from DMX, Jay-Z to Nas to the Murder Inc. Family, and Ludacris. Russell Simmons has made Def Jam into an empire that branches out into clothing, movie production, TV shows (Def Comedy Jam), and Simmons has even moved a live show called "Def Poetry Jam". Although he may not own Def Jam anymore, Russell Simmons helped build and maintain the rap culture we have today. Jay-Z is now the president of Def Jam.

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• The Hit Factory

  421 W 54th St , New York, NY

  In 2000, the ever controversial 50 Cent was stabbed at the Hit Factory studio on West 54th Street in Manhattan allegedly stemming from a dispute with former rival Ja Rule. But the Hit Factory set a new bench mark against which many recording facilities will be judged well into the new millennium. The studio offered traditional recording techniques supported by innovative technology, and ranged from intimate recording spaces to the city's largest film scoring stage and five mastering suites. The Hit Factory was a recording studio in New York City famous for its clientele. The original Hit Factory housed classic recordings by hip-hop artists Jay-Z (Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life), the Notorious BIG (Ready To Die), Mase (Harlem World), and Lil Kim (Hardcore) - as well as rock-n-roll and soul greats John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Jimi Hendrix, Billy Joel, and Madonna. In 2005 the prestigious recording studio was converted into a condominium complex.

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• Jacob & Co

  48 E 57th St , New York, NY

  These days—you can’t have hip hop without bling. And for many of the hip hop elite—you can’t get bling without “Jacob the Jeweler”. In 1986, Jacob opened his business and began designing products under his brand, JACOB & Co. Jacob Arabo--originally located in a small stall of the Kaplan Jewelry Exchange on Avenue of the America’s and 47th Street, in Manhattan's Diamond District was soon designing his unique pieces for a number of jewelry labels and private clients. In the mid-1990’s, up and coming R&B singer Faith Evans happened upon Jacob’s shop while seeking jewels for her upcoming album. Completely taken by Jacob’s unique creations she returned with her husband, the late Notorious BIG. Becoming loyal costumers, they recommended Jacob to a host of their high profile friends--spawning a buzz throughout the music industry, which continues to resonate today.

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• Graffiti Hall of Fame

  Park Ave & E 106th St , New York, NY

  At one time or another, The Graffiti Hall of Fame has been the canvas of some of the greatest graffiti artists of all time. In 1980, Ray Rodriguez created the Original Graffiti Hall Of Fame in Spanish Harlem as a source of inspiration for his Harlem community. The site has been vivid eye candy for millions, including tourists, community residents, and to those who drive by or ride by on the Metro North Railway system that passes over the historic playground. Only Hip Hop legends, who’ve had a deep influence in one or more of the four key elements of hip hop— graffiti, break dancing, rapping, or DJ’ing are fortunate enough to have their signature work posted on the wall.

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• Harlem World Entertainment Complex (Currently a Conway's)

  101 W 116th St , New York, NY

  When many people think of “Harlem World” they might think of the title of rapper Mase’s first album. But the phrase “Harlem World” has much earlier roots. In 1977 New York City experienced an electrical city wide black out that caused havoc on many businesses including the Woolworth’s outlet in Harlem. It was then converted into an entertainment venue called “Harlem World” for short and served as the arena for many landmark Hip Hop entertainment battles, such the 1981 face off that pitted the “Cold Crush Brothers” against the “Fantastic Romantic”. This was one of the first structured hip hop battles. Today the Harlem World building still stands but as a “Conway’s” Department Store

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• Rucker Park

  8th Ave & W 155th St , New York, NY

  Rucker Park is a playground and basketball court in New York City that has hosted the Entertainer's Basketball Classic (EBC) since the 80's. The EBC began in 1982 as games between rap groups, and bounced around a few parks for a few years before finding a long-time home at Rucker Park. The EBC is what has kept Rucker Park alive for years after the original Rucker tournament and various leagues shut down. Games are played between Monday and Thursday throughout the summer. Basketball teams from all over New York are sponsored by major music, sneaker, magazine and clothing companies like Reebok, Tommy Hilfiger, Jive Records, Fat Joe’s Terror Squad, Bad Boy Records, Ruff Ryders and more.

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• The Skate Key

  220 E 138th St , Bronx, NY

  The Skate Key was a rink in the Bronx that changed locations a couple of times and finally closed for good in March 2006. The Original Skate Key was home to many early hip-hop battles and parties. Back in its hay day one could walk into the Skate Key, off the 149th Street stop on the 4 and 5 train in the boogie-down Bronx, on a Friday night. You could take a left in the Key and spend the evening roller-skating to mainstream rap music. Or take a right into a dimly lit, half-carpeted room where people keep their sneakers on, gathering around a wooden floor in the center to cheer their crew members on for an old-fashioned B-boy battle.

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• Queensbridge Houses

  41 14 10th St , Queens, NY

  Home of Nas, MC Shan, Marley Marl, Mobb Deep, Noreaga, the Bravehearts and more, Queensbridge Houses is the largest public housing development in the United States. Located in Long Island City in Queens, Queensbridge opened in 1939. The 3,142 unit complex is the country's largest housing project of its kind owned by the New York City Housing Authority. Also known as the QB, Queensbridge Houses was featured in Hip Hop songs by Nas, Mobb Deep and more. Many refer to the 40 side or 41st side –which are the 40th street side of the buildings 41st street side of the buildings.

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• Westinghouse High School

  105 Tech Pl , Brooklyn, NY

  This high school is known to many as "Hip Hop High School" for the future stars that had attended. A former vocational school in Brooklyn Heights, The Notorius B.I.G. told his mother he wanted to transfer out of a Catholic school, and ended up at Westinghouse High School. Both Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes were also students. While the school was known more for its famous alumni than is academic programs, it has recently improved and transformed into one of the better public schools in Brooklyn.

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• Biggie's House

  226 St James Pl , Brooklyn, NY

  Christopher Wallace was born to Voletta Wallace, a single mother living in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), also known as Biggie Smalls (after a stylish gangster in the 1975 film Let's Do it Again), Big Poppa, and Frank White (from the film King of New York), was best known as The Notorious B.I.G. (Business Instead of Game). Biggie was noted for his storytelling, freestyling, and his easy to understand yet complex lyrics. His short career was overshadowed by the Bad Boy/Death Row Records feud in the hip-hop scene at the time, but since his death, the Notorious B.I.G. has been celebrated as one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time.

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• Junior's Restaurant

  386 Flatbush Ave , Brooklyn, NY

  For many years, Downtown Brooklyn was the hub of Hip Hop Culture in Brooklyn. You could buy the latest Hip Hop clothing at Dr. Jays; find the hottest mixtapes at Beat Street record store or hangout at Albee Square Mall. But perhaps the most notable of landmarks in the area is the World Famous Junior’s Cheesecake. Featured in songs and videos by Biggie, LL Cool J, Biz Markie and more; perhaps the most famous or infamous reference to the restaurant is on an episode of Diddy’s reality show “Making the Band”. After weeks of selections and training, Diddy chose the members of Da Band on Making The Band 2. For several weeks the group was subjected to vigorous and sometime demeaning tasks, including walking from midtown Manhattan to Brooklyn to purchase cheesecake for Diddy at Junior’s.

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• Unique Auto Sports

  836 Grundy Ave , Holbrook, NY

  In New York—if you want a tricked out car like the ones you see in Hip Hop videos, you go to Unique Auto Sports. Unique Sports in Long Island is all about taking the luxury cars of today’s entertainers and athletes and making them one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Owned by Will Castro, he now hosts the show “Unique Whips (about Unique Sports on “Speed” TV). Castro’s A-list clientele includes Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Wyclef, Fat Joe, G-Unit and Eminem. Unique also works with the N.Y. Jets and the N.Y. Knicks.

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• Stapleton Houses

  210 Broad St , Staten Island, NY

  The home of the Wu-Tang Clan (formed 1991) --rap music legends from the Park Hill section of Clifton whose album sales total in the millions. The Wu Tang Clan took rap to a whole new level. The band name means "sword family" after a style of martial arts. The band's often explicit lyrics focus on gritty urban issues - drugs, violence, poverty and the hardships they create. Their albums include Enter the Wu-Tang Clan (1993) Wu-Tang Forever (1997). Individual members The Rza, The Gza, Ol’ DB, Inspecta Deck, Raekwon, Ghostface Killa, Method Man, U-god and Masta Killa have all has solo careers of their own.

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