The Combat Jack Show

I'd never heard of Reggie Osse (AKA "Combat Jack"), until I came across an article on his passing in the New York Times, "Combat Jack, Hip-Hop Lawyer Turned Podcast Pioneer, Dies at 53". Immediately, after reading the article I wanted to know more. I listened to the podcast on Hip-Hop industry mogul 'Chris Lighty'. It was extremely powerful and extremely well produced. The passing of Mr Osse is a huge loss. I wish I had got to meet you brother.

Combat Jack and crew, all I can say is - THANK YOU!! :) For you guys have re-ignited my fullest passion for Rap and Hip Hop. My bank account has become lower but my music collection is much higher and 'fresh' again thanks to you and the track names mentioned by your awesome guests, ha ha:) I started listening to this show after Combat Jack appeared on Ice-T's Final Level podcast with Mick Benzo (another great podcast people - check it out), and I have never looked back. I could even say I'm somewhat addicted! Being from Australia, and getting into Hip-Hop around 1983, back then we used to learn about other rappers through the 'shout-outs' on album sleeves as there was no internet, and Australia was far removed from what was happening in the U.S for the most part. Central Station Records in Melbourne's City Square was our imported music supplier, the movies Breakin' and Beat Street were our visual references - Ozone and especially Turbo - we ALL wanted to be Turbo, and date Kelly :p T.K.O - Respect!), and Beat Street (we all wanted to graf like RAMO, "if art is a crime..."), the book 'Subway Art' that featured so many inspiring graf artists, and a few years later in the late 80's a show called 'Wheels of Steel' came on every Friday night on a subscriber radio station called Three Triple R (3RRR) which we recorded on cassettes religiously, to help feed our growing interest. These were our links to your culture. Now in the internet age, you guys are interviewing the artists that I had largely only known about by name, and it is fleshing out my knowledge of the Culture in true abundance. So THANK YOU once again. Much RESPECT to you guys, and keep it comin'...

I've been following your work since a friend of mine put me up on the Daily Mathematics blog 6 or 7 years ago, amazing stuff! I've gone from reading about Easy Mo Bee's acute paranoia (an amazing story might I add) to listening to Freddie Foxxx talking about how he wrote Salt N Pepa's "Whatta Man" amongst the very many other jewels that are dropped on the weekly! The non rapper dude shows have been amazing also, Glen E Friedman, Spike Lee, Bobbito etc.. More importantly, the show is always informative, inspiring and intelligent. I think it's the most current and important documentation of hip hop culture we have at this point in time! Thank you! From Brisbane Australia.

Dope