The founders of AllHipHop talk about decades of documenting the culture

This year, hip-hop celebrated its 50th anniversary, and a website that documents the goings-on of the scene turns 25. To talk about their journey, I welcomed Newark natives “Grouchy” Greg Watkins and Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur of AllHipHop.com to WXPN studios to talk about the platform they founded in the 90s.

In an indepth discussion, Greg and Chuck talk about recognizing value in the internet as a media platform when many folks were still trying to learn how it works, they talk about forging their own path in music journalism when the major media outlets offered more gatekeeping than opportunities, they talk about the music that got them excited to start the platform and the artists that keep them excited today. And they share information about an event they’re curating this weekend.

On Saturday, October 7, the Delaware Art Museum celebrates 50 years of hip-hop by highlighting contributions of local area artists and behind-the-scenes players. Chuck will moderate a panel featuring rapper Grandmaster Caz, photographer Joe Conzo, DJ Grandmaster Theodore — who is credited with invented scratching — as well as Young Guru and more. The Hip-Hop Cultural Summit takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and information can be found at allhiphop.com/50.

Listen to Greg and Chuck’s interview in the player above and check out their playlist below.

Playlist
“Why I Don’t Know” by The Outfit
“Rebel Without A Pause” by Public Enemy
“Code Of The Streets” by GangStarr