Music Theory: Crooklyn Dodgers

-Originally formed to record songs for various Spike Lee joints, the Crooklyn Dodgers may be the best rap supergroup in history. The group is essentially a collective of Brooklyn hip hop's best oral historians, from the legendary Buckshot to Mighty Mos Def. The group first recorded a song for Lee's semi-autobiographical Crooklyn, with a lineup featuring Buckshot alongside Masta Ace and Special Ed, and a video featuring Brooklyn legends Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson (below).

-The group's reincarnation came with 1995's Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers (below), which was produced by DJ Premier for Lee's Clockers. Their new lineup featured Jeru the Damaja, Chubb Rock, and O.C. Though it is often overshadowed by the success of Do the Right Thing, Clockers is arguably Lee's best film.

-In 2007, DJ Premier passed the torch to 9th Wonder, who recruited Mos Def and Jean Grey to record a song for his album The Dream Merchant, Vol. 2. They continued the group's legacy with another politically charged Brooklyn anthem, and paid tribute to the borough that has produced an insane amount of rap legends, including Jay-Z, Biggie Smalls, and even 2Pac. Thus, the Dodgers' constant evolution is a fitting homage to the reigning rap capital.
*The above shirt available at MooseShirts