I was fortunate enough to come of age in New York City during what I consider a truly revolutionary period-probably the most recent to date. In the ’80s and early ’90s, there was so much change: post-disco, post-punk, the top 40 revolution post “Thriller”, the alternative rock revolution, new jack swing/hip hop R&B, sea changes in dance music, and of course, the supernova that was and is hip-hop.

Before the internet offered unlimited music-listening options, there was really one place to go and get your new music fix: the radio. New York City radio in my formative years offered up some of the most compelling personalities and introduced me to much of the music that I still enjoy and appreciate today. The documentary Revolutions On Air: The Golden Era Of New York Radio 1980-1988 looks back on the groundbreaking DJs of the era.

This 17 minute documentary, narrated by the legendary MC Lyte and put together by the folks at Red Bull Music Academy, tells the story of why so many NYC teenagers (and adults) would sit by their radios on Friday and Saturday nights with a fresh tape in the deck and their fingers hovering nervously over the “record” and “pause” buttons. In addition to giving shouts to some iconic figures who are no longer with us (Mr. Magic, Larry Levan & the incredible Frankie Crocker), Revolutions offers new interviews from Marley Marl, DJ Red Alert, Tony Moran of the Latin Rascals, Strafe (the man behind the dance classic “Set It Off”) and many more.

Hearing those old Red Alert drops for the first time in two decades literally gave me chills of recognition.

This is certainly worth the 17 minutes it’ll take for you to watch it, and I wish it was three times longer!