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 RAYMOND LEON ROKER
Publisher and Creative Director, URB and President, NativeSon Media, Inc.
Despite publishing the magazine of record for bleeding-edge alternative music and culture, Raymond Roker refuses to be classified. In fact, he can unabashedly cite nearly every lyric from the musicals Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar even though he's currently bumpin' a Lil' Wayne CD in his car. A child of the ‘70s, Roker’s most vivid memories are the soft focus, bell-bottomed and beach-ready soundtracks that fueled his youth and are now late night fodder for VH1 specials. For him, if a song can make you cry, swoon or sing along like a fool, it's all good.
Raymond Roker's Playlist for The AMC Afterparty
( denotes: check out the song!)
“Der Kommissar”
After the Fire
I learned I actually liked the '80s about 15 years too late. To think I could have had all that extra fabric around my legs and much larger logos on my clothes. Not to let the past rule my future, I am revising history and this is one of 1983's best examples of what I needlessly feared.
“Can’t You Hear Me Knocking?”
The Rolling Stones
Classic rock?! Excuse me. This is pure roadhouse blues. The Stones should be played on every night where there's dancing involved as far as I'm concerned. This particular track shows the blues funk of Keith Richards and friends so well, its dance floor chops are right at the surface. Come to think of it, a few Rolling Stones cuts could fill that definition so why this one? Mick’s rap is so tight here, he should be on 106 & Park.
“Don't You Want Me?”
The Human League
A lot of people confuse this with trendy 80s music and it's not . . . per se. This Sheffield band was decidedly more dark and introspective before this pop breakout, but it will be what they're known for. All I remember is that it kept me company for a lot of nights in 1981 with my brand new Walkman cassette player in tow.
“Ten Crack Commandments”
The Notorious B.I.G
Hip-hop—beyond beats, bravado and shtick—is about lyrics. And this is about as genius as it gets. Insert any other commodity in place of crack (say, oil or defense contracts) and this track stands up as universally as anything. And the bouncy, stripped beat is pure gangsta so let your head nod.
“Please Mr. Postman”
The Marvellettes
The Beatles nabbed it in the '60s and Harlem dons Dipset sampled it into a mix tape classic. What more endorsement does it need to be included in a DJ set? I've come to need to hear this classic at least once a week.
Check out the AMC Afterparty playlists of:
Ian Birch | Dana Fields | Brandon Holley | Rob Gregory | Steve Murphy
Register for AMC now!
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