Growing up in the 1980s, HHGA-founder Cis van Beers developed an early passion for Hip Hop after discovering artists like Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five and Treacherous Three on alternative radio. The track that truly hooked him as a young kid was Melle Mel & The Furious Five's "Step Off" in 1983. From that moment on, he became a dedicated fan, recording everything he could get his hands on and buying albums whenever possible—starting with Run-D.M.C.’s and LL Cool J’s debut records when those dropped.
By the mid to end 90s, Cis found himself increasingly disappointed with the direction mainstream Hip Hop was heading. Determined to provide a counterbalance to the more commercialized sounds dominating the genre, he decided to create HipHopGoldenAge. His goal was simple: to celebrate and preserve the essence of real Hip Hop and provide a platform for classic and authentic Hip Hop culture.
Today, Cis still has his '80s and '90s favorites like Public Enemy, Ice T, LL Cool J, Eric B & Rakim, EPMD, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, NWA, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Wu-Tang Clan, Gang Starr, Redman, and Nas in heavy rotation. He also champions underground icons such as Kool Keith, MF DOOM, Pharoahe Monch, Jurassic 5, Killah Priest, El-P, Aesop Rock, Cannibal Ox, Murs, Cunninlynguists, Jedi Mind Tricks, and R.A. The Rugged Man (among many others). As for current artists, Cis gravitates toward the music of Roc Marciano, Run The Jewels, billy woods, Ka, Marlowe, Mach-Hommy, and others who continue to embody the spirit of Hip Hop he loves.
Cis founded HipHopGoldenAge out of a deep love for classic Hip Hop and a desire to preserve the culture. The platform aspires to be the go-to place for all things Old School and Golden Age Hip Hop, with great lists, articles, artist information, and a focus on keeping Hip Hop’s history alive. HipHopGoldenAge’s mission is to preserve, promote, and celebrate classic Hip Hop and its rich culture, while also shining a light on today’s artists who deserve attention for keeping the spirit of the genre alive.