Main Source – ‘The Science,’ the Follow-Up Album to ‘Breaking Atoms’
The Main Source album that was lost then found 32 years later.
Most of the foundational hip hop beatmaking icons belonged to and made their name in groups before they became known separately as top beatmakers (producers). Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest. DJ Premier from Gang Starr. Dr. Dre from N.W.A. Pete Rock from Pete Rock and C.L. smooth. Showbiz from Showbiz & A.G. RZA from Wu-Tang Clan. And Large Professor from Main Source.
When Main Source’s debut album Breaking Atoms dropped in 1991, it took the hip hop/rap world by storm. Here was group hailing from Queens, New York and Toronto, Canada that featured Large Professor, a teenage rapper/producer — who, by this time had already ghost produced for Eric B & Rakim — and two DJs from Toronto, K-Cut and Sir Scratch. Breaking Atoms, the title itself a subtle nod to the “science” of beatmaking, Main Source accomplished five incredible things all at once. First, it introduced a star rapper/producer in Large Professor. Second, it further established the art of sampling as a legitimate art form. Third, it established Main Source as one of the classic all-time hip hop/rap acts. Fourth, it introduced the world to Nas (on the posse cut “Live at the Barbecue”), arguably one of the top 3 rappers of all time. Fifth, it secured a spot on the list of classic hip hop/rap albums and the list of one the greatest hip hop/rap albums of all time.
After the release of Breaking Atoms, Main Source was poised to go far! In fact, there follow-up album, which some tracks were initially intended to be on Breaking Atoms, had already been recorded. Unfortunately, however, some time after the release of Breaking Atoms, the original Main Source lineup broke up, and the group’s follow-up album, The Science, was shelved and not released until 32 years later in 2023.
The music and videos below are presented here for the purpose of scholarship.
Main Source – ‘The Science’
Main Source: 25 Years of ‘Breaking Atoms’
