Rammellzee Vs. K-Rob – Beat Bop

This bundle includes officially licensed artwork from Jean-Michel Basquiat on a premium record carrying case. In addition this bundle includes a copy of the Tartown Records version of Beat Bop, featuring MCs Rammellzee and K-Rob that was produced by and features the artwork of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Only 1,000 of the record carry case exist and will never be produced again after this run.

Holding up to 50 records, this ultra-sturdy record case, with an interior tiled with Basquiat’s famous crown logo, is a true and literal work of art, covered in classic images from the original Tartown Records version of the 1983 classic hip-hop track Beat Bop.

The original vinyl issue of Beat Bop by Rammellzee and K-Rob – which is the inspiration for the Box – has been heard by many, but held by few. Only a reputed 500 of the songs initial run, on Jean-Michel Basquiats one-off Tartown Records label, were made with jacket cover art by the infinitely influential graphic artist (and moonlighting musician and producer). They remain one of hip-hops Holy Grail items, selling north of $1,500 if you can even find one. The audio, which clocked in at over 10 minutes, was issued – with no picture sleeve – on Profile Records soon after the Tartown pressings, and went on to influence countless MCs, with its minimal, languishing funk beat (produced by Basquiat) and Rammellzee’s and K-Robs next-level lyricism.

The picture sleeve version of the release has – until late last year – never been officially re-issued. For this edition, Get On Down has officially licensed the original artwork directly from the Basquiat estate and included a four-panel folded insert with in-depth background on the original singles creation. Compiled by Andrew Noz Nosnitsky, the insert includes interviews with many of the artists involved in the songs production: Rammellzee, K-Rob, Glenn O’Brien, percussionist Al Diaz, Profiles Cory Robbins and more.

Jean-Michel Basquiat passed away in 1988 and Rammellzee left this Earth in 2010. With this Record Box, Get On Down celebrates and remembers Basquiat’s important contributions to the formative years of hip-hop, visually and on wax. And besides being a trophy piece, the Box is a vision of utilitarianism, which will keep your most previous wax safe for years to come.