Long Island's Hip-Hop Trailblazers Get Second Chance in Europe
In the late 1980s, JVC Force revolutionized Long Island's hip-hop scene with their iconic anthem "Strong Island," which not only put the suburbs on the map but also paved the way for future generations of rappers. The song, a funky ode to the island, has new life today as fans clamor for old-school hip-hop in Europe.
AJ Rok, one of the group's members and a Long Island native, recently reflected on the impact of "Strong Island" during an interview with The Post. "People have come up to me and told me how much that song meant to us," he said. "It was like we created a sense of identity for ourselves as rappers from Long Island."
When JVC Force first released "Strong Island," it marked a departure from the typical hip-hop narrative, which often associated the genre with urban areas. Rok explained, "People didn't really know there were rappers from Long Island at the time." This distinction helped set the group apart and garnered attention from other artists, including Public Enemy.
The Wyandanch-born artist Rakim was one of the first to acknowledge the divide between Long Island and New York City in his 1986 track "My Melody," while Public Enemy followed suit with their song "Rebel Without a Pause" later that year. These references not only gave credit to JVC Force but also helped shape the narrative of hip-hop's regional origins.
JVC Force's impact on Long Island's music scene was significant, as it paved the way for future generations of rappers from the area. As Rok put it, "People didn't really know Public Enemy was from Long Island at the time. When we did 'Strong Island,' it gave identity to those who came after us."
The group's success also caught the attention of college radio stations, which played a crucial role in promoting hip-hop music during that era. Future artists like Busta Rhymes and Leaders of the New School got their start on these platforms, thanks in part to JVC Force's trailblazing efforts.
Now, nearly 37 years after "Strong Island" was released, Rok and B-Luv have reunited for a fall mini-tour in Europe, where fans are eager to experience old-school hip-hop. As Rok noted, "There seems to be a resurgence now... that will open up a lot of doors for us."
The success of JVC Force is a testament to the enduring power of Long Island's hip-hop scene and its contributions to the genre's rich history.
In the late 1980s, JVC Force revolutionized Long Island's hip-hop scene with their iconic anthem "Strong Island," which not only put the suburbs on the map but also paved the way for future generations of rappers. The song, a funky ode to the island, has new life today as fans clamor for old-school hip-hop in Europe.
AJ Rok, one of the group's members and a Long Island native, recently reflected on the impact of "Strong Island" during an interview with The Post. "People have come up to me and told me how much that song meant to us," he said. "It was like we created a sense of identity for ourselves as rappers from Long Island."
When JVC Force first released "Strong Island," it marked a departure from the typical hip-hop narrative, which often associated the genre with urban areas. Rok explained, "People didn't really know there were rappers from Long Island at the time." This distinction helped set the group apart and garnered attention from other artists, including Public Enemy.
The Wyandanch-born artist Rakim was one of the first to acknowledge the divide between Long Island and New York City in his 1986 track "My Melody," while Public Enemy followed suit with their song "Rebel Without a Pause" later that year. These references not only gave credit to JVC Force but also helped shape the narrative of hip-hop's regional origins.
JVC Force's impact on Long Island's music scene was significant, as it paved the way for future generations of rappers from the area. As Rok put it, "People didn't really know Public Enemy was from Long Island at the time. When we did 'Strong Island,' it gave identity to those who came after us."
The group's success also caught the attention of college radio stations, which played a crucial role in promoting hip-hop music during that era. Future artists like Busta Rhymes and Leaders of the New School got their start on these platforms, thanks in part to JVC Force's trailblazing efforts.
Now, nearly 37 years after "Strong Island" was released, Rok and B-Luv have reunited for a fall mini-tour in Europe, where fans are eager to experience old-school hip-hop. As Rok noted, "There seems to be a resurgence now... that will open up a lot of doors for us."
The success of JVC Force is a testament to the enduring power of Long Island's hip-hop scene and its contributions to the genre's rich history.
they were like the pioneers of long island's hip hop scene back in the late 80s with that iconic song "strong island" - it's crazy to think they paved the way for future artists from the area. plus, it's dope to see them getting the recognition they deserve after all these years 
their music may not be as mainstream today, but it still holds a special place in people's hearts and it's awesome that fans are still vibing with old school hip hop 
also, its crazy how much of an impact "strong island" had back in the day its like it created this sense of identity for rappers from long island and helped shape the narrative of hip-hop's regional origins
I'm telling you, this whole thing with JVC Force and their old-school hip-hop anthems in Europe is like, totally connected to the "New World Order" of the music industry 
. They're just trying to bring back those classic vibes and make us forget about the new wave of rappers who are actually pushing the boundaries of the genre 
. And what's with this mini-tour in Europe? Is it just a way for them to cash in on their past fame or is there something more sinister going on? 
The fact that they're getting played on college radio stations all over again is like, super suspicious 
. I mean, who's really behind the scenes pulling these strings and making sure old-school hip-hop makes a comeback? 
. I mean, who would've thought that JVC Force's "Strong Island" would be giving fans in Europe a second chance to experience that nostalgic vibe? It just goes to show how music can transcend time and geography, bringing people together with its universal energy 
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. It's not just about revisiting old memories, but also about introducing new people to the rich history of Long Island's hip-hop scene 
. Can't wait to see how this whole thing plays out! 
think its cool that there's a resurgence now and fans are still feelin' that old-school hip hop energy 
? I mean, sure, JVC Force was from there and all that, but so were plenty of other artists. It's not like the suburbs are inherently cooler or more interesting than cities. Can't we just appreciate hip-hop as a genre without putting labels on where it comes from?
. It just goes to show how iconic those old-school hip-hop anthems are, even if they're not as flashy as some of the new stuff out today 
.
. Think bold fonts, neon colors, and plenty of old-school hip-hop imagery 
. And don't even get me started on the layout – I'd want to create an immersive experience that transports fans back to the '80s 
. It's all about creating a vibe that's gonna make people wanna rock out 
it's amazing to see their iconic song "Strong Island" still resonating with fans 37 years later 
that anthem really helped shape the identity of Long Island's hip-hop scene and paved the way for future generations of rappers 
it just goes to show how much impact one group can have on an entire scene 
you know what's crazy? hip hop came from some random places like long island lol they didn't even associate it with cities back in the day but it was still fire and now we're seeing a resurgence of old school beats and I'm living for it 
! It's amazing how one song, "Strong Island," can create a sense of identity for rappers from the area and pave the way for future generations. I mean, it's not just about the music itself, but the impact it had on the community and the industry as a whole.
) in showing that hip-hop wasn't just about urban areas, but also about other regions like Long Island. And to think that songs like "My Melody" by Rakim and "Rebel Without a Pause" by Public Enemy helped shape the narrative of hip-hop's regional origins is incredible.
So I think what's really cool about this whole thing is how "Strong Island" actually became a cultural phenomenon that transcended just being a song for Long Islanders. It was like, it created this sense of identity not just for JVC Force but also for the entire hip-hop scene in the suburbs, which is often overlooked. I mean, we're always talking about New York City as the hub of hip-hop, but there's actually this rich history on the other side of Long Island that deserves recognition.
. Just cuz it was ahead of its time doesn't mean its still gonna make waves today. And what's with all this nostalgia for old-school hip-hop in Europe? Like, isnt that just the same thing as what's happening now on Spotify playlists 
? Its all good and all but I dont think this is the second chance Europe needs, more like a third or fourth.