Slice-of-Spice records are releasing a lost LL Cool J cut from 1994, titled ‘Year of the Hip-Hop’.

According to the label, New Jersey DJ K-Def was recording in Marly Marl’s House of Hits studio, when LL Cool J “walked in his session and said “let’s make some tracks together”. Uncle L had always wanted to rhyme on a track using the famous ESG breakbeat ‘UFO’, so he had Def lay it down with some scratches and then went to town with the mic. Both thought they had a sure fire hit on their hands but unfortunately it was never used”.

The DAT tape of the studio session was feared lost for several years, but eventually turned up behind a radiator (it’s always a radiator), and is now being released on limited orange vinyl with gold stamp numbering and a full colour sleeve.

You can stream audio of ‘Year of the Hip-Hop’ below, and pre-order it over at the Slice-of-Space webshop.

K-Def & LL Cool J – Year Of The Hip Hop (Vocal)