COVER STORY Diamond D
In hip hop, vinyl is not nostalgia. It is scripture. Few figures embody that relationship between artist, DJ, producer, and record as completely as Diamond D. Diamond D stands as one of hip hop’s most trusted architects, a craftsman whose ear was sharpened by stacks of wax long before algorithms or shortcuts entered the conversation. His journey is inseparable from vinyl culture itself, from the ritual of digging to the discipline of knowing exactly what to pull, where to pull it from, and how to flip it into something unmistakably new.
This interview explores more than just favorite records or rare finds. It traces how vinyl shaped Diamond D’s creative philosophy, his work ethic, and his understanding of hip hop as both art and responsibility. Through his lens, we revisit the culture not as a museum piece, but as a living, breathing practice, one record at a time.
DANNY DAN THE BEATMANN
It’s almost a given that when people hear the name Danny Dan The Beatman they instantly
say “Oh yeah Dusty Fingers” and recognize that he has deep crates, but who doesn’t already know that? When it comes to “diggin” we have a slightly different philosophy at Nostalgia King, “digging doesn’t stop with records” which is why there are those DJ’s out there who have collections that span far beyond just records. To quote our man Biz Markie “What Else You
Got?”, and that’s exactly what we’re here to find out in this interview with Danny because our connection runs deeper than just records. We both share the common love of not only classic television shows and made for TV movies that have been collected over the last 30 years and putting together an
incredible collection of these shows personally recorded to VHS from analog TV
stations way before most people had a VCR let alone Cable or Satellite TV in their homes. Tapes that are deeper than most “diggers” crates is what we’re going to unearth and that passion of collecting in general which runs deep within circles of DJ’s and collectors including Paul Nice, Marsellus Wallace, J-Zone and Biz Markie to name a few.
DAN LISH
He’s been called the “Robert Crumb of hip hop.” Dan Lish’s artwork is simply iconic as spotlighted by the many album covers he has illustrated as well as within his EGOSTRIP book series. Within one artistic piece, Dan Lish’s unique artistic style examines and explores the nature of our reality, the nature of consciousness, and the metaphysical aspects of reality. There is a reason this artist is a LEGEND IN OUR OWN TIME.
CHRIS MAESTRO / BIERWAX
Craft beer and vinyl bar BierWax opened in 2017 after founder Chris Maestro realized the potential of an idea he’d been working towards for some time. With more than 4,000 records lining the wall above the bar, boom-bap evangelist Maestro pioneered the ‘listening bar’ concept in Brooklyn, the first of its kind in NYC. Drawing inspiration from record bars in Japan called jazu kissa (jazz cafes) and a bar in Amsterdam where he saw DJs spinning actual hip-hop records (not Serato), Maestro formulated a plan to serve a diverse community of folks that could also support his other passions. But even with neighboring streets occupied by other bars and restaurants, BierWax stands out with its warm, welcoming environment similar to that of Maestro’s own living room.
WHEN LOVE FOR MUSIC BECOMES A FIGHT
What music lovers gravitate toward isn’t dictated solely by radio rotations, record store inventories, or mainstream exposure. Political shifts seep into culture at a deeper level, influencing not just what is heard, but how music is sought out, circulated, and given meaning by those who dig for it. Changes in power reshape access, scarcity, and risk — quietly redefining how people listen.
In some cases, this power reaches the border itself, where authorities decide which sounds are allowed in and which are kept out. Music culture doesn’t disappear under these conditions; it adapts.
I'LL MAKE YOU FAMOUS
The infamous quote, "Yoohoo... I'll make you famous!" comes from the American outlaw and gunfighter of the old wild west, Billy the Kid (William H. Bonney), played by Emilio Estevez in the movie “Young Guns II” (1990). Billy the Kid would say that expression right before he was about to kill someone, adding a dark twist to the idea of fame. I’d gather that the hip hop DJs of the foundational period thought the same thing while going out digging for records, looking for a perfect beat within recordings that were unknown or unpopular to the general public. Records that were not played on the radio. Dollar bin material. Records that were not “hit records” in the popular sense... but records that transformed into pure GOLD at the park and rec center jams.And why?They found records with that fire... the records that had the pure black gold of the “get down” part. The part of the record where all the music dropped out and nothing but the drums played, making dancers go into a frenzy.That “get down” part may have lasted about 20 or 30 seconds, but to the hip hop crowd it was everything.That DJ would make that obscure, cut-out, dollar bin record FAMOUS.
OXYGEN
The phrase “Diggin’ in the Crates” first
appeared in the ’90s with the formation of Bronx hip-hop collective D.I.T.C.
(Diggin’ in the Crates Crew). Founding member Showbiz had been quoted saying,
“We coined that term….that’s what we were doing, that’s how we searched for
records.” Several decades later, ‘crate diggers’ now exist in cities across the
globe, but true heads are weary of those who claim to be part of this crew since
the patience and dedication necessary to even be considered with that label are
unique skills reserved for true lovers of the craft.
Oxygen is one of those vinyl enthusiasts who has made a name for himself in the often-oversaturated corners of hip-hop culture. The Atlanta-based DJ/producer is known for his diverse sets, which are enhanced by records others may have never heard before. The ‘Strong Island’ native first made a name for himself as an emcee with a discography dating back to the late ’80s but who finds himself working more on the DJ and production side of the music business these days.
NEXT ISSUE COVER STORY – SUPREME LA ROCK
Supreme La Rock is an internationally known DJ and one of the greatest record collectors in the world. in a lane of his own. He is a
world-class DJ set on raising the bar every time he steps up to the decks. With profound respect for music & always-evolving stylizations, he commands the respect of both fellow DJs & artists alike. Supreme La Rock has expanded his career by being a label owner (Conception Records), producing for major & indie labels, releasing albums, & touring. His DJing efforts have earned him accolades such as, The Seattle Mayor’s Award, Best DJ for Seattle Weekly & Seattle Bridal Magazine, & a U.S. Diplomat whose purpose was to bridge the gap with other countries through music. From sharing stages with major artists to being the official DJ for the Seattle Seahawks the year they
won the Superbowl, Supreme La Rock focuses on bringing dance floors worldwide
to life while preserving timeless music in modern ways.