Category: Hip-Hop

Defunkd’s exclusive collection of vintage t-shirts for sale at reasonably exorbitant prices. Item #27: The Arsenio Hall Show Year: 1989 Circulation: Minimal A.H. began his career as a stand-up comedian in L.A. who landed plenty of T.V. work including a stable gig voicing Winston for The Real Ghostbusters cartoon. In 1987 he filled the empty seat of Joan Rivers when she was fired from The Late Show and quickly proved himself in the ratings despite cancellation. After starring with Eddie Murphy in Coming to America Arsenio was given his own show in 1989 – Roo, Roo, Roo, Roo, Roo! [while ... Read more

A photographic tribute to the legendary DJ AM and his amazing vintage t-shirt collection. Shirt #11: Wu-Tang Clan Fact: Wu-Tang was on regular rotation on AM’s decks. View the previous vintage Kool Moe Dee t-shirt.

The Diabolical Biz Markie Year: 1989 Circulation: Rarer than an on-key Biz vocal. In the early 1980s Marcel Theo Hall, aka Biz Markie, made a name for himself around Long Island as a beat-boxing rapper. A decade and three releases later he was among the first rap artists to be sued for unauthorized usage of a sample. But when the Biz got beat in court the landscape of the recording industry was forever changed. His experience prompted the entire industry to universally adopt strict sample clearance policies prior to release. The bad press was said to damage Biz’s reputation and ... Read more

Defunkd’s exclusive collection of vintage t-shirts for sale at reasonably exorbitant prices. Item #16: DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince Year: 1989 Circulation: Rarer than a reunion with Ready Rock C. GANBT was this trios debut single. Trio you say? That’s right, the outfit originally consisted of Will Smith, Jazzy Jeff Townes and Clarence Holmes aka Ready Rock C aka the human beatbox. But Ready Rock was more than just a beatboxer he also co-wrote and co-produced GANBT (before Jazzy Jeff was even involved) the very song that put the group on the map. Ready Rock was ousted from ... Read more

A photographic tribute to the legendary DJ AM and his amazing vintage t-shirt collection. Shirt #10: Kool Moe Dee Fact: Kool Moe over Cool J? I’ve yet to see a photograph of AM in an L.L. t-shirt. View the previous vintage Tribe Called Quest t-shirt.