Good Morning Hip Hop: Wrong Side Of The Tracks - Artifacts

If you guys weren't aware I am a Product of Newark, NJ 07104 to be Exact. A North Newark Area close to end of Newark before you hit Belleville. 

Growing up in Newark is what you would expect from a low income city. Drugs and Violence, but the commonality about the city was the bond of Family. Bonded by tradition and music. Not to get on a rant about my up-comings, but just to let you know I am a part of this Jersey Hip Hop Culture. 

Now on to talk about my Brothers RIP Dj Kaos, Tame One and El Da Sensei the members of Artifacts. A hip Hop Group from Newark, NJ. Their love for Hip Hop and Graffiti explains the group to the tee. 

I can remember exploring the city as a teenager and seeing this ICONIC tag. 

Tame One Tag (Yellow)

It was all over the city, and if you are familiar with the Culture of Hip Hop and Graffiti this was a sign of being the top. If your tag was all over the City and in other Cities yo were said to be one of the top Graffiti artists. 

Tame was a dope artist and Lyricist. I first heard them at a Lyricist Lounge set. Then I got to see then at a club we went to every Wednesday night called "The Pipeline." 

Let's not forget about Club Shields and Club Sensations. These were the spots all the top artists in the city went to chill and network. 

So when this track "Wrong Side Of the Tracks" dropped in 1994 it was classic Brick City music for our ears. The video set the scene if you wasn't familiar with Newark. Cops Cars, Graffiti, and Crews. 

This track was produced by Todd Ray, known professionally as T-Ray, is an American former music producer. His career has logged a lengthy discography, which includes artists Jack Johnson, Nas, Funkdoobiest, The Whooliganz, Mick Jagger, and House of Pain.

The track is dark and hard hitting, hell even grimy which was the sound of Hip Hop in 94 thanks to Wu and Redman. 

This is one of my favorite tracks from the Artifacts cause it showed my life on the TV Screen. I looked up to these brothers as well as Redman, Lords Of The Underground, Queen Latifa, Lakim Shabazz, The 45 King, Chill Rob G, and Naughty By Nature. So many more including my Grafton Avenue Family that was making music at the time. 

Brick City was first made known Commercially by Redman, but the city was already popping behind the scenes for our Underground scene with groups like the Outsidaz and Double O killing the freestyle scene in Jersey. 

Wrong Side of the Tracks is that forever classic Hip Hop Track for its grittiness and fire lyrics. 

Take a trip back and try to remember the first time you heard this track and comment below what you thought or felt. 

Peace, Love, and Hip Hop.

PKSP