Today on social media, I learned of the passing of a Pacific Northwest and West Coast music industry legend, Nasty Nes Rodriguez.
As far as I can remember, I never met him in person, although I know people who have. At times, I feel like I actually have met him or that we’ve been in the same Seattle location at the same time.
I remember him from back in the day when Seattle’s KYAC/KFOX Black Radio Station was my go-to for singing along to my favorite songs, dancing around my room, and staying updated on new releases. It was a sad day when that station ceased to exist. I never fully understood why, or maybe I did but didn’t want to accept it. Regardless, it was a huge disappointment for me, my friends, and my community.
Nasty Nes was a part of those cherished memories of music on the radio.
Years later, I could never have predicted that I would work with incredible Hip Hop artists from the Pacific Northwest and eventually come across the online presence of Nasty Nes Rodriguez.
Seattle had a variety of Hip Hop cliques. Some collaborated, while others seemed to be rivals in the local music scene. But one thing remained true: they all wanted to hit the charts on RAP ATTACK, a West Coast online Hip Hop forum where artists could be featured, acknowledged, and heard. My understanding is that weekly, DJs up and down the West Coast would vote on artists in their rotation or those requested by listeners. RAP ATTACK played a significant role in getting Hip Hop into rotation on college radio stations, which was a huge achievement for underground independent artists.
Again, while I may not be an expert on Nasty Nes or RAP ATTACK, I know that his influence on the Hip Hop scene was immense and undeniable.
My heart is sincerely heavy upon learning of the loss of Nasty Nes Rodriguez. He will forever remain a Pacific Northwest and West Coast music industry legend.
Before these modern times, Nasty Nes was instrumental in the rise of Sir Mix-a-Lot, discovering him in 1980. He was also the mastermind behind FreshTracks, the first all-rap radio show on the West Coast, airing on Seattle’s 1250 KFOX. Additionally, he helped establish the Pinoy music scene with his Crazy Pinoy Productions.
Rest in power, Nasty Nes. Your legacy will never be forgotten.
40 years ago I was dj’ing at breaking events in Seattle. Who’d a thunk that 40 years later, I’d be watching breaking competitions at the Olympics, complete with a live dj! Amazing. Truly a huge milestone in Hip Hop!
Hip Hop saved my life & I’m forever down with it.
From 1979 to the ever-present NOW!
DJ Nasty-Nes
https://www.rapattacklives.com/aboutcontact/pageinterviews/
KCMU RAP ATTACK #FBF 1988: I found this on You Tube — a rare recording of two of my very first RAP ATTACK radio shows aired in 1988. The first link is about 37 min long & you can hear my MasterMix around 10min 30 sec into it. Both aired on 90.3FM KCMU, 28 years ago. I was fired from KFOX in April of 1988 as the station was sold & they made it clear to me that the new KFOX would NOT play RAP/Hip Hop anymore. KCMU, based on the UW campus, offered me a Sunday night slot around July of 1988 to keep KFOX FRESHTRACKS on the air. I accepted the offer, went from AM to FM in 3 months & renamed my show KCMU RAP ATTACK. I wanted this show to sound just as good as if you’re listening to a Casey Kasem American Top 40 show or any professional sounding show you’d hear on commercial radio. I didn’t want to just yell on a mic & say my name in a mix or during the show so I invested $$$ in getting Professional Custom Voice Over Drops. I also made my own Drops & the rest is Seattle Hip Hop HISTORY!
Here it is from 1988 (28 years ago) yours truly, NASTY-NES on KCMU RAP ATTACK!
Information Links Sharing The History/Legacy of Nasty Nes:
Lady Flava News 