RapTalk.net was originally started in 1996 by a group of Bay Area Hip Hop fans. Within a matter of months, the site began to become noticed and visited by some Major Bay Area Rap Artists, the likes of Rap-A-Lot West CEO, JT The Bigga Figga, New Bay member Balance, Sacramento legend Brotha Lynch Hung and First Degree the D.E. It was the first major Online Hip Hop forum and housed the ORIGINAL Bay Area Rap Talk Forum or BART for short. Around 2001, the site went down for a long period of time. In 2002, Alberto Martinez Jr. entered and ressurected the the site and elevated the website to Promote Independent Hip Hop. He changed the focus from not just the Bay, but the entire West Coast. RapTalk.net held it’s first BBQ at Lake Cunningham in San Jose on August 11th of 2003 for fans and artists alike. They established an excellent networking event. From that point on, the site continued to strive to Promote Indie Hip Hop.
Today, RapTalk.net is revamped with a whole new staff, layout and outlook. The focus has shifted from strictly West Coast to Hip Hop in general. Now, as RapTalk.net is re-launching, the site will be updated daily with News, Audio and Music Videos on a regular basis. Also, you’ll be able to see some of the most EXCLUSIVE Video Interviews and Features with today’s hottest stars in the Hip Hop World. Live show and event coverage will be second to none. New artists from all over the Hip Hop map will be visiting the forums with their own official forums, as well. If you liked the original RapTalk, you’ll love the new and improved RapTalk.net.
But, that’s not all, RapTalk is also venturing into Retail. The Official RapTalk store has changed. KingzRecords.com has been adopted as RapTalk.net‘s Official store. Aside from carrying your typical Mixtape catalog like most Hip Hop sites, you can pick up the latest and greatest Hip Hop and R&B Albums, Vinyl, DVDs, Magazines and Clothing. For the first week (11/4-11/13) of the Re-Launch, KingzRecords.com is offering a 20% off coupon for all our forum members, readers and visitors. And, if you’re in the Los Angeles area, this sale is also valid for the KingzRecords retail location in West Covina (545 E. Vine Ave Unit B. West Covina, CA 91790).
Almost 10 years later and RapTalk.net is still running strong. It was once an elite website that died down due to the politics of the game. But, RapTalk.net is back and is here to stay. Expect a huge change in the way Hip Hop is reported on the Internet. RapTalk.net will strive to bring you, the fans, all your favorite artists, news, audio, pictures and video. And that’s why RapTalk is the Talk of Hip Hop!
