The cast of The 1′s and 2′s were asked to make their throwback mixtape. Here’s Hawaiian native Keola Simpson with his list and breakdown on some of the classics!! 

1. Off The Wall - Michael Jackson - 1979
This is the start for me. The end of disco. MJ trying to break free. He was staying in NYC recording with funk legends, and made a bass line that triggered things in you in the first 2 bars.

2. The Breaks - Kurtis Blow - 1980

3. More Bounce to the Ounce - Zapp & Roger - 1980
I can’t even count how many times this song is sampled in music I grew up listening to.

4. The Message - Grand Master Flash and The Furious Five - 1982

5. Planet Rock - Africa Bambaataa - 1982

6. Jam On It - Newcleus - 1984

7. When I Hear Music - Debbie Deb - 1984

8. Egypt, Egypt - The Egyptian Lover - 1984
This period was back when my big sister and cousins had the all the jams. Their music, the skate parties I was too young to go to, the break dancing, and their big Lisa Lisa hair. Block parties were all I saw with this music.

And then I started finding my own musical taste:

9. The Show - Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick - 1985

10. Rock The Bells - L.L. Cool J. - 1986

11. The New Style - Beastie Boys - 1986
Licensed to Ill was my very first album purchase. I’m okay with that.

The cast of The 1′s and 2′s were asked to put together their 70′s mixtape. Here’s Rutger alum and all day, everyday badass Terralon Walker with her list.

1. Brick House by Commodores 

2. Ring My Bell by Anita Ward 

3. Rapper’s Delight by Sugarhill Gang 

4. I Wanna Be Your Lover by Prince

5. Rock With You by Michael Jackson 

6. No Woman No Cry by Bob Marley & The Wailers

7. Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine by James Brown

8. You Sexy Thing by Hot Chocolate 

9. Dancing Queen by Abba

10. Inner City Blues by Marvin Gaye

Tell us something specific about one of the songs?

Brick House by Commodores
I swear this song finds it way at every family function I attend! I probably knew this song before I could tie my shoes.It’s just so fun, groovy and sexy that I can’t help but be in a good mood hearing it.
Plus it’s in my favorite movie, The Best Man.

The cast of The 1′s and 2′s were asked to put together their 70′s mixtape. Here’s David Pegram of 5 Time Tony Award winning War Horse with his fresh to DEF list.

1 The Breaks - Curtis Blow

2 Shake Your Body - The Jacksons

3 September - Earth, Wind & Fire

4 Jazzy Sensation (Bronx Version) - Afrika Bambaataa & The Jazzy 5

5 Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough - Michael Jackson

6 Got To Give It Up - Marvin Gaye

7 Get Up Offa That Thing - James Brown

8 Rappers Delight - Sugarhill Gang

9 The Message - Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

10 Sucker MC’s - Run-DMC

The cast of The 1′s and 2′s were asked to make their throwback mixtape. Here’s Brazilian native Nathalie Carvalho’s sweet jams!! The photo of Rosie Perez is to illustrate the goddess she channels during rehearsal.

Let’s Get It On - Marvin Gaye

I’ll Be There - Jackson 5

Shake Your Booty - KC and the Sunshine Band

Dancing Queen - Abba

Play that Funky Music - Wild Cherry

Love Thang - First Choice

They Say I’m Different - Betty Davis

Superstition - Stevie WonderI Wish - Stevie Wonder

People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul - James Brown

Let’s Stay Together - Al Green

Can you tell me something special about one or two of the songs and what it means to you?

I’ll Be There - Actually heard it for the first time sung in Portuguese by a Brazilian singer when I was very very young. Later in life came across the original and it has been the kinda of song that still makes me cry EVERY single time I hear it to this day. Especially when I’m listening to it with my Dad. It’s one of his favorite songs ever and its a tear fest when both of us are listening to it together…