Tommy Boy

Tommy Boy on vinyl: electro and hip-hop from New York

In short: Tom Silverman founded Tommy Boy in New York in 1981. With Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force and “Planet Rock” (1982) the label helped shape early electro; De La Soul and Digital Underground followed later. The Vinyl Room currently has 11 Tommy Boy records.

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First pressings

Electro & conscious

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→ Electro · Conscious · De La Soul · How to spot a first pressing

What makes Tommy Boy special?

From the electro era come “Looking For The Perfect Beat” by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force, “Play That Beat Mr. D.J.” by G.L.O.B.E. & Whiz Kid and “No Sell Out”, on which Keith LeBlanc cut speeches by Malcolm X to a beat. For “Lessons 1 - 3”, Double Dee & Steinski built collages from samples – they are regarded as classics of sample art.

De La Soul are here with their debut “3 Feet High And Rising” (1989), produced by Prince Paul, and with “Plug Tunin’ / Freedom Of Speak” from just before. Digital Underground bring P-Funk into hip-hop with “Sex Packets” and “Sons Of The P”. Plus TKA with Latin freestyle from New York and the soundtrack “New Jersey Drive Vol. 2”.

FAQ

Who founded Tommy Boy? Tom Silverman, in New York in 1981.

What is “Planet Rock”? The 1982 electro classic by Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force – with elements of Kraftwerk.

Who produced De La Soul? Prince Paul; “3 Feet High And Rising” is regarded as a milestone of sampling.

What do you have on Tommy Boy? Mostly records from the eighties and nineties – 11 records in all.