In a fitting tribute, DJ Kay Slay is being honored with the release of the most extensive posse cut in hip-hop history. Titled “Rolling 200 Deep,”
In the tradition of ‘Rolling 50 Deep’ and ‘Rolling 110 Deep,’Rolling 200 Deep’ is his final offering a colossal track featuring an astounding roster of 200 rappers, spanning across multiple generations of hip-hop talent. With a runtime of 62 minutes, this musical extravaganza is divided into 16 distinct tracks and was already in the works before the tragic loss of DJ Kay Slay to Covid last year.
This remarkable body of work is the fourth installment in DJ Kay Slay’s celebrated ‘Rolling Deep’ series, which includes ‘Rolling 25 Deep’ (2005), ‘Rolling 50 Deep’ (2020), and ‘Rolling 110 Deep’ (2021).
The lineup for this epic track is nothing short of legendary, featuring iconic figures such as Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, Raekwon, Run DMC, Bun B, Big Daddy Kane, and Goodie Mob. Alongside these legends, you’ll find other notable names like Tony Yayo, Cory Gunz, KING Crooked, Uncle Murda, Herb McGruff & Stan Spit, Cassidy, Joel Ortiz, Young Buck, Rah Digga, Kid Capri, and many more, all contributing their lyrical prowess to this ambitious project.
The production of ‘Rolling 200 Deep’ is masterfully handled by Suits TM of Trackateering Music, while the music video was expertly directed and edited by Will C. and Richie4K of StreetHeatTV.
DJ Kay Slay’s journey in the world of hip-hop is a tale of evolution. Originally known as a prominent graffiti artist, he gained recognition through his appearance in the iconic 1983 graffiti documentary, ‘Style Wars.’ He bore witness to the birth of hip-hop culture firsthand, observing the rise of luminaries like Grandmaster Flash, Grand Wizzard Theodore, and Kool DJ Red Alert. However, his life took a different turn as he became entangled in street life, leading to a period of incarceration in the late 1980s. Upon his release in 1990, he was granted a fresh start.
His musical career eventually soared with the release of four successful studio albums: ‘The Streetsweeper, Vol. 1,’ ‘The Streetsweeper, Vol. 2,’ ‘The Champions: North Meets South’ (with Greg Street), and ‘More Than Just a DJ.’ DJ Kay Slay also hosted a highly acclaimed radio show on Hot 97.
In August, the streets of his native Harlem, N.Y., paid tribute to DJ Kay Slay by unveiling a street sign in his honor at East 105th Street and 1st Avenue. This poignant ceremony occurred just one day before what would have been the DJ’s 57th birthday and was graced by the presence of hip-hop luminaries such as 50 Cent, LL COOL J, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Tony Yayo, and many others.
‘Rolling 200 Deep’ is a truly unique masterpiece in hip-hop history, echoing the voice of the streets and the culture of hip-hop that DJ Kay Slay so passionately represented. Artists like Papoose have openly acknowledged the profound influence of DJ Kay Slay, with Papoose stating, “I probably wouldn’t be in the game if it wasn’t for Slay.”
