Classic Material | Main Source - "Breaking Atoms"

ItzYourz411
Jan 23
2 min read

Updated: Jan 28

Breaking Atoms is the critically acclaimed debut album by the legendary hip-hop group Main Source, released on July 23, 1991, through Wild Pitch Records. It is widely considered a cornerstone of the "Golden Age" of hip-hop and is celebrated for its pioneering production and complex sampling techniques.

Primary Producer: The album was primarily produced by group member Large Professor, who used the E-mu SP-1200 to craft its signature sound. Sir Scratch and K-Cut contributed to the production as well.
Musical Style: It is distinguished by its heavy use of jazz and soul samples, creating a "sonic richness" that influenced hip-hop production throughout the 1990s.
Major Debut: The track "Live at the Barbeque" is famously known for featuring the first recorded appearance of rapper Nas.
Core Group Members: The original trio consisted of Queens MC, Large Professor and Toronto-based DJ brothers K-Cut and Sir Scratch.
Sir Scratch (now known as Dizzy Scratch) was a guest on ItzYourzRadio, as he discussed Main Source's history, his historic production credits and what he's up to now.

Essential Tracks

The album produced several classic singles and influential cuts:

"Looking at the Front Door"
"Just Hangin' Out"
"Live at the Barbeque" (featuring Nas, Joe Fatal, and Akinyele)
"Just a Friendly Game of Baseball"
"Snake Eyes"

Legacy and Availability

Despite its high regard, the album was out of print for years in the U.S. following the 1997 demise of Wild Pitch Records. It has since seen various reissues, including a 25th Anniversary Edition in 2017. While it has been available on streaming platforms like Spotify and Bandcamp, licensing issues occasionally lead to its temporary removal from certain services.