In the early 1980s, a subterranean shift in Seattle’s music scene began. Disco’s reign over parties and dance clubs faded, and hip-hop became the new attraction. A generation of young musicians emerged, and local rappers catapulted the genre into the spotlight. From Sir Mix-A-Lot, who won a Grammy in 1993, to Silver Chain Gang and Jam Delight, the Emerald City produced some incredible talent. These formative years of hip-hop set the tone for the decades that followed, and this once-fledgling music still resonates in pop cultur... Read More
Format: Paperback
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From the Seattle streets to studio beats.
In the early 1980s, a subterranean shift in Seattle’s music scene began. Disco’s reign over parties and dance clubs faded, and hip-hop became the new attraction. A generation of young musicians emerged, and local rappers catapulted the genre into the spotlight. From Sir Mix-A-Lot, who won a Grammy in 1993, to Silver Chain Gang and Jam Delight, the Emerald City produced some incredible talent. These formative years of hip-hop set the tone for the decades that followed, and this once-fledgling music still resonates in pop cultur... Read More
In the early 1980s, a subterranean shift in Seattle’s music scene began. Disco’s reign over parties and dance clubs faded, and hip-hop became the new attraction. A generation of young musicians emerged, and local rappers catapulted the genre into the spotlight. From Sir Mix-A-Lot, who won a Grammy in 1993, to Silver Chain Gang and Jam Delight, the Emerald City produced some incredible talent. These formative years of hip-hop set the tone for the decades that followed, and this once-fledgling music still resonates in pop culture today.
Author and producer Novocaine132 explores Seattle’s early rap artists and their groundbreaking sound.
Details
Pages: 144
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Imprint: The History Press
Series: Narrative
Publication Date: 4th February 2025
State: Washington
ISBN: 9781467158244
Format: Paperback
BISACs: MUSIC / History & Criticism MUSIC / Genres & Styles / Rap & Hip Hop HISTORY / United States / State & Local / Pacific Northwest (OR, WA)
Reviews
From the Seattle Streets to Studio Beats
"The book has drawn praise from industry veterans and Seattle hip-hop icons. Robert Newman, a creative director and editorial consultant, called it “a rich and deeply-researched history of the Seattle hip-hop scene,” highlighting its ability to bring the stories of early Seattle rap figures like Sir Mix-A-Lot, the Emerald Street Boys, and DJ Nasty Nes to life."
Scott Schaeffer, B-Townblog
"DJ Supreme La Rock called the book “a must for hip-hop collectors.” James D. Croone Sr., from the Emerald Street Boys, praised it as a “game-changer” in telling Seattle’s story."
-Erika Beasley, Hot 97.7
"Burien author and journalist, has released a new book titled The Birth of Seattle Rap, published by Arcadia Publishing's History Press. The book delves into the emergence of Seattle's rap scene, highlighting local artists and the cultural transformation that ignited the movement. Burien work offers an in-depth look at the city's unique contribution to hip-hop culture, shedding light on the pioneers who paved the way."
Monte White
Author and producer Novocaine132 digs into the birth of rap music in Seattle in the early 1980's with Dr. James "Captain Crunch" Croone.
Kelly Hanson, New Day Northwest
"In the 1980s, Seattle's music scene was hooked on disco. The success of "Saturday Night Fever" meant venues opted for groovy vinyl over live band performances, and songs like Chic's "Good Times" were on constant rotation. That made room for a similar but modified version of the song's simple breakbeat by a group called The Sugarhill Gang, who quickly brought "rapping" to a nationwide audience.
As Ben Camp tells the story, “Rapper’s Delight” – rap’s first hit – made an imprint in Seattle and kicked off a vibrant local scene connecting Sir-Mix-A-Lot to Macklemore.
Camp, who writes under the name of Novocaine132, has been covering music in the city since the 1990s – and he recently published his first book, “The Birth of Seattle Rap.”
Soundside producer Alec Cowan caught up with the writer to hear more about the book and Seattle’s pre-grunge music scene – starting with why it was disco that gave way to hip hop."
Alec Cowan, KUOW
Author Bio
Novocaine132 was born in Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington. He’s been a music journalist since the mid-1990s at magazines including The Flavor, The Rocket and The Stranger. He has directed three short documentary films, and from 2020 to 2022, he executive produced four albums for Ever Rap Records in Seattle. His interest in rap music goes back to his first rap cassette by KTEL in 1984, containing memorable hip hop classics like “Electric Kingdom” and “Tour De France.”
In the early 1980s, a subterranean shift in Seattle’s music scene began. Disco’s reign over parties and dance clubs faded, and hip-hop became the new attraction. A generation of young musicians emerged, and local rappers catapulted the genre into the spotlight. From Sir Mix-A-Lot, who won a Grammy in 1993, to Silver Chain Gang and Jam Delight, the Emerald City produced some incredible talent. These formative years of hip-hop set the tone for the decades that followed, and this once-fledgling music still resonates in pop culture today.
Author and producer Novocaine132 explores Seattle’s early rap artists and their groundbreaking sound.
Pages: 144
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Imprint: The History Press
Series: Narrative
Publication Date: 4th February 2025
State: Washington
ISBN: 9781467158244
Format: Paperback
BISACs: MUSIC / History & Criticism MUSIC / Genres & Styles / Rap & Hip Hop HISTORY / United States / State & Local / Pacific Northwest (OR, WA)
From the Seattle Streets to Studio Beats
"The book has drawn praise from industry veterans and Seattle hip-hop icons. Robert Newman, a creative director and editorial consultant, called it “a rich and deeply-researched history of the Seattle hip-hop scene,” highlighting its ability to bring the stories of early Seattle rap figures like Sir Mix-A-Lot, the Emerald Street Boys, and DJ Nasty Nes to life."
Scott Schaeffer, B-Townblog
"DJ Supreme La Rock called the book “a must for hip-hop collectors.” James D. Croone Sr., from the Emerald Street Boys, praised it as a “game-changer” in telling Seattle’s story."
-Erika Beasley, Hot 97.7
"Burien author and journalist, has released a new book titled The Birth of Seattle Rap, published by Arcadia Publishing's History Press. The book delves into the emergence of Seattle's rap scene, highlighting local artists and the cultural transformation that ignited the movement. Burien work offers an in-depth look at the city's unique contribution to hip-hop culture, shedding light on the pioneers who paved the way."
Monte White
Author and producer Novocaine132 digs into the birth of rap music in Seattle in the early 1980's with Dr. James "Captain Crunch" Croone.
Kelly Hanson, New Day Northwest
"In the 1980s, Seattle's music scene was hooked on disco. The success of "Saturday Night Fever" meant venues opted for groovy vinyl over live band performances, and songs like Chic's "Good Times" were on constant rotation. That made room for a similar but modified version of the song's simple breakbeat by a group called The Sugarhill Gang, who quickly brought "rapping" to a nationwide audience.
As Ben Camp tells the story, “Rapper’s Delight” – rap’s first hit – made an imprint in Seattle and kicked off a vibrant local scene connecting Sir-Mix-A-Lot to Macklemore.
Camp, who writes under the name of Novocaine132, has been covering music in the city since the 1990s – and he recently published his first book, “The Birth of Seattle Rap.”
Soundside producer Alec Cowan caught up with the writer to hear more about the book and Seattle’s pre-grunge music scene – starting with why it was disco that gave way to hip hop."
Alec Cowan, KUOW
Novocaine132 was born in Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington. He’s been a music journalist since the mid-1990s at magazines including The Flavor, The Rocket and The Stranger. He has directed three short documentary films, and from 2020 to 2022, he executive produced four albums for Ever Rap Records in Seattle. His interest in rap music goes back to his first rap cassette by KTEL in 1984, containing memorable hip hop classics like “Electric Kingdom” and “Tour De France.”
