Description
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Hip-Hop Behind The Iron Curtain, a Historic Compilation Revealing the Origins of Zagreb, Croatia (ex Yugoslavia) Rap
In the 1980s, Zagreb was the epicenter of hip-hop culture in the former Yugoslavia. Now, four decades later, its first rap generation is finally receiving the recognition it deserves. The compilation Zagreb Rap Demo (1985–1992), curated by Phat Phillie and Slavin Balen, brings together previously unreleased demo recordings from the pioneers of the Zagreb rap scene – remastered and ready for a new generation of listeners.
The result of years of research and digital restoration of old radio shows like Electro-Funk Premijera and Rap Attack, hosted by the legendary Slavin Balen on the now-defunct Radio 101, this compilation sheds new light on the scene’s beginnings. During the pandemic, renowned DJ, radio host, and hip-hop activist Phat Phillie explored his archives and uncovered rare recordings that had once aired exclusively on Balen’s radio shows – never to be broadcast again. The compilation features original, previously unreleased tracks from some of Zagreb’s earliest hip-hop artists, including: MC Be-Bop Dodo, ET, The Silent Bomb, Master Keops (now Renman), DIFFO, W.F.P., and Fresh Style, along with authentic radio announcements by Slavin Balen and DJ Frx.
Check it out on streaming here:
All the tracks are recorded in English apart from one (Master Keops, 1987) which is in Croatian language. It was common for Zagreb rappers to emulate US legends at the time and English was the choice of language.
Tracklist:
1. DIFFO - Rap Attack Intro (1990)
2. MC BE-BOP DODO - How Fast Money Goes (1985)
3. ET - Rap Attack Radio 101 Freestyle & Beat Box (1987)
4. THE SILENT BOMB - Detroit Shakedown (1989)
5. DIFFO - Gimme That Again (1990)
6. W.F.P. - We're Rocking On The Planet E (1991)
7. MASTER KEOPS - No.1 (1987)
8. SLAVIN BALEN - Electro Funk Premijera Outro (1985)
9. FRX - Rap Attack Intro (1990)
10. DIFFO - On The Jack Move (1990)
11. W.F.P. - Money Controls The World (1992)
12. SLAVIN BALEN & FILIP IVELJA - Rap Attack Intro (1992)
13. W.F.P. - Sick Motherfuckers (1992)
14. FRESH STYLE - Wicked At Weekend (1993)
15. FRESH STYLE - Wicked At Weekend Instrumental (1993)
16. SLAVIN BALEN - Rap Attack Outro (1988)
Phat Phillie on the project: “During the COVID pandemic, I went down to my storage to dig out tapes and began digitizing Slavin Balen’s old radio shows. I found incredible, never-before-released Zagreb rap demos that I decided to select, restore, master in Berlin, and release on the compilation Zagreb Rap Demo (1985–1992). For the first time ever, you have the chance to hear the first generation of Zagreb rappers who recorded demos solely to be played on Slavin’s radio show. M.C. Be-Bop Dodo, ET, The Silent Bomb, Master Keops, DIFFO, W.F.P., and Fresh Style – all officially released for the very first time.”
