Rap A Reenie by The ReenMachine: A Retro Gem That Still Grooves
If you’re a fan of raw, genre-blurring sounds from the early '80s, Rap A Reenie by The ReenMachine is one album you don’t wanna sleep on. Released in 1981 under Dir-Tee Records, this record blends Hip Hop, Electronic, Funk, and Soul with just enough Disco vibes to keep your feet moving. It’s like they took all the cool stuff happening in music at that time—across the US, USA (yes, it’s listed twice—go figure), and Canada—and mashed it into something totally unique.
The standout track for me has gotta be “OO Chak-A-Willie.” I mean, what even is that title? It’s wild, right? But once the beat drops, you get why it sticks. There’s this funky bassline that feels like it’s straight outta a Saturday night roller rink, paired with these quirky electronic bleeps that scream early ‘80s experimentation. And the flow? Super laid-back but sharp enough to grab your attention. You can tell The ReenMachine wasn’t trying to copy anyone—they were doing their own thing, and it works.
Then there’s the title track, “Rap-A-Reenie.” This one hits different because it’s got this soulful edge mixed with an almost playful energy. The vocals bounce between smooth and punchy, and the production feels stripped-down yet full of character. It reminds me of those old-school jams where the lyrics weren’t overly complicated—they didn’t need to be—but still made you nod your head and maybe chuckle a little. Tracks like this make you realize how much fun music used to be before everything got so polished.
What’s kinda crazy about Rap A Reenie is how ahead of its time it feels. Sure, some parts sound dated now, but isn’t that part of the charm? Listening to it today, you can hear hints of what would later become huge trends in both Hip Hop and Electronic music. Like, did these guys know they were onto something big, or were they just messing around in the studio? Either way, props to ‘em.
So yeah, if you stumble across this album, give it a spin. It’s not perfect, and honestly, that’s what makes it special. Sometimes, it’s the weird, unpolished projects that stick with you the longest. Plus, who else can say they’ve jammed to a song called “OO Chak-A-Willie”? Definitely adds some spice to your playlist.
Oh, and here’s a random thought—what if The ReenMachine had dropped this album today instead of 1981? Would TikTok blow up over those funky beats? Food for thought.
