Battle for The Bridge

So The Roxanne Wars kicked off another rap war off the song "The Bridge" by MC Shan and Marley Marl.  This was the song where Marley made sampling in hip hop music famous - using bits of a drum kit from "Impeach the President" by Honey Drippers.  The lyrics of this song were taken as inaccurate, seemingly claiming that the Queensbridge projects in Queens as the birthplace of hip hop.  The group Boogie Down Productions took offense and retorted with their singles "South Bronx" and "The Bridge is Over."  The conflict between KRS-One of BDP and Marley Marl reported continued as late as 2007, but has since ended as they collaborated on an album in the same year.

A live performance between KRS-One and MC Shan was the first where rappers attacked each other, instead of battling to get the crowd most excited.  There is speculation that KRS-One defeated MC Shan with this performance, and articles that indicate that KRS-One pushed in order to advance his career.  Shan wanted the conflict to end, and KRS-One used the hype surrounding The Bridge Wars in order to get ahead.

The conflict, intentional or not between KRS-One and MC Shan, only lent itself to the success behind The Bridge Wars, one of the most influential hip hop wars in history.

An Early Timeline of Cold Chillin' Records

1983-1984 - Mr. Magic Rap Attack radio show

1985 - Roxanne's Revenge is released on Pop Art Records

January 1, 1987 - Cold Chillin' Records is born, original 4 artists are: Roxanne Shante, MC Shan, Kool G Rap, and Marley Marl

1988 - deal made with Warner Brothers, and by this time all artists were signed to Cold Chillin', and included Masta Ace, Craig G, Tragedy, Wu Tang Clan, etc.