Diggin’ Deeper: Five Classic Colored Cassettes {That aren’t The Purple Tape}

Redman – Dare Iz A Darkside
Release Date: November 22, 1994
Label: RAL (Rush Associated Labels)
UPC: 73145-23846-45
Who better than Funk Doc to put out his classic on a red tape? Always out thinking out side of the box, Red’s second album boom bapped in and out of tape decks from the streets of Brick City all the way to the Burbs. Press Rewind If I Haven’t Blown Your Mind!

Run DMC – Raising Hell
Release Date: July 18, 1986
Label: Priority Records
UPC: PCT-1217
In the summer of ’86. this tape along with some fresh Shell Top Adidas and a boombox, made the cipher complete. It was the epitome of Hip Hop. Originally debuting in 2 color schemes, some of the early pressings were misprinted calling both sides, side 2. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, album sales exploded and sales increased, peaking at #1 on Billboard’s RnB/Hip Hop chart.

Jay-Z – The Blueprint
Release Date: September 11, 2001
Label: Roc-A-Fella//Def Jam Records
UPC: 73145-86396-41
Who can forget where they were the day this album dropped. With it’s release date pushed up a week prior, Hov curbed the jackmove of the street bootleggers The album sold over 420,000 copies in its opening week, becoming Jay-Z’s fourth consecutive album to reach number one on the Billboard Charts. Some labeling it as Jay-Z’s best work, the takeover happened when this was issued on a clear blue vinyl LP and cassette. At the doorstep of the digital age, Mr. Carter made a smart move adding a contribution to hip hop heads and collectors worldwide.

Beastie Boys – Ill Communication
Release Date: May 31, 1994
Label: Capitol/EMI Records
UPC: 72438-28599-49

The Beasties have always been known to explore and push the envelope with all their releases. This experiment was no different, in ’94 they dropped a solid green version of their 4th studio album. Although some die-hard fans don’t remember “The Green Tape”, this sure shot proved to everyone and their Ma Bell that the kids from Manhatthan had the Ill Communication.

Masta Ace – SlaughtaHouse
Release Date: May 4, 1993
Label: Delicious Vinyl
UPC: 7567-92249-4
Before taking you on a ride with The INC, Ace dropped the prequel to the highly acclaimed Sittin’ On Chrome LP. This was his second studio album, but the first with his INC imprint. It focused on the commercialism of hip hop and his feelings toward it. Jeep Ass Niguh was the first single he let slide and gave collectors a treat when it was released on clear vinyl. He took this one step further when he dropped the album on an yellow cassette for all of the brainiac dum dums. This is one of those gems that will be gone but will never forgotten.