Of all the significant and groundbreaking music released in what most consider the “Golden age” of hip-hop, there are still unsung heroes. Artists who released innovative LPs and infectious singles never got the praise they deserved due to what could be a million reasons. For whatever reason it may be, the West Coast duo Rodney-O and Joe Cooley never got the flowers they truly deserved. The duo’s debut album Me and Joe charted at the time but has been lost in the conversation when discussing hip-hop’s classic releases. The album boasts unique production styles that took the late ’80s blueprint and flipped it into something entirely new. The main culprit of their innovative spirit is their timeless hit “Everlasting Bass”. The hypnotic synths set to neck-breaking drum patterns are eerily similar to the instrumentals used in the south in the early 2000s and that is just scratching the surface of the group’s underappreciated influence.
For this week’s Golden Age Thursday, we want to salute Rodney-O and Joe Cooley by featuring a performance that proves their timelessness. Recorded only a year ago, the duo took the stage in their native California for an electric performance of “Everlasting Bass” and that mesmerizing instrumental is just as potent in a live setting. Check out an iconic duo perform an underrated piece of hip-hop history below;
