Culture Cypher Radio November Chart: A mirror to 50 years of hip-hop with Wu-Tang Clan, Junglepussy, Curly Castro and more

Part of what made and makes hip-hop culture so radical is that it considers, reevaluates, and recontextualizes everything. Whether it’s Jazzy Jay playing records by Japanese synth-pop pioneers Yellow Magic Orchestra, or Black kids from Brooklyn or Philly appropriating the preppy fashion aesthetic of Ralph Lauren, hip-hop as a culture is literally made up of things that were not intended for its use. In this sense, Culture Cypher Radio is a hip-hop show, even though the sounds of jazz, experimental electronic, reggae, funk, soul, and more have all graced CCR’s playlists.

With each episode, I try to stay close to this ideal and the sense of openness and eclecticism that hip-hop has ingrained in me. Whether it is in the electro-acoustic fusion of King Britt and Tyshawn Sorey, the avant-garde sounds of Irreversible Entanglements and Art Ensemble Of Chicago, or contemporary hip-hop cuts like Curly Castro’s “Bleek Shadows”, Culture Cypher Radio attempts to mirror the broad and adventurous approach that hip-hop has laid out for the past five decades.

1. Irreversible Entanglements – Open The Gates (International Anthem)

2. Joell Ortiz – Uncle Chris Car (Mello Music Group)

3. Curly Castro – Bleek Shadows (Curly Castro)

4. Emma-Jean Thackray – Venus (Movementt)

5. Tyshawn Sorey & King Britt – Untitled 1 (Buddy System)

6. Junglepussy – Get It Right (Junglepussy)

7. Aesop Rock & Blockhead – The Sea (Aesop Rock & Blockhead)

8. Moka Only – Hi (URBNET)

9. Wu-Tang Clan – Protect Ya Neck (Loud)

10. Art Ensemble Of Chicago – Theme De Yoyo (Nessa)

Playlist
Andres – Soung Brother, Never Be Another
Digable Planets – Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)
PremRock feat ELUCID – Remorse
Scienz of Life feat. MF DOOM – Yikes
A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight
A Tribe Called Quest – Clap Your Hands
Junglepussy – Get It Right
Irreversible Entanglements – Open The Gates
Irreversible Entanglements – Keys to Creation
Joell Ortiz – Uncle Chris’ Car
Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up (Wonderlove edit)
Jazzanova – Mwela Mwela
Aesop Rock & Blockhead – The Sea
Da Youngstas – Mad Props
The Free Design – Where Do I Go (Madlib Remix)
Tyshawn Sorey & King Britt – Untitled 1
Fresh Daily – Dope Hat (Hope Dat)
Curly Castro – Bleek Shadows
Saun & Starr – Look Closer (Cant You See The Signs?)
Moka Only – Hi
Has Lo – July
Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes – Expansions
Emma-Jean Thackray – Venus
Ghetto Concept – EZ On Tha Motion
Letta Mbulu – Mahlalela
CAN – Dizzy Dizzy
Wu Tang Clan – Clientele Kidd
Wu Tang Clan – Protect Ya Neck
DJ Muro feat. De la Soul & Lunchtime – So Cool
Digable Planets – Where I’m From (Remix)
Breeze Brewin – The Application
Neneh Cherry – Feel It (Dobie Remix)
Art Ensemble of Chicago – Theme De Yoy
MF DOOM – Hey!
Marvin Gaye – Where Are We Going
The Spinners – I’ll Be Around