5 Deadly Venoms of Brooklyn: Tony Touch, PF Cuttin, Mister Cee, DJ Premier, Evil Dee (1997)

Side A

DJ PF Cuttin

1. I’ll Be Damned - Verbal Hoodz

2. Puppet Master - Dr. Dre and B-Real

3. Forsaken - Breeze

4. Wild Hot - Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip

5. Say Word - Camp Lo

6. Surrounded - Dutchmin

7. Bright Lights, Big City - Powerule

DJ Mister Cee

1. Request Line - Zhane (Mister Cee blend)

2. Step into a World - KRS-One

3. Not Feelin’ You - Yvette Michelle (Mister Cee blend)

4. The Medicine - The Veterans (Brucie Bee, Luv Bug Starski, DJ Hollywood)

5. Hypnotize - Notorious BIG

6. Know the Game - Frankie Cutlass feat. Kool G Rap, Mobb Deep, M.O.P.

7. Young Luv - Mobb Deep

Side B

DJ Tony Touch

1. Freestyle - Tony Touch

2. Freestyle - Sunz of Man (Killah Priest, Hell Razah, Prodigal Son) and Makeeba

3. Freestyle - Steele, Kat One, Lil’ Noc

4. Freestyle - Guru

5. Freestyle - Freddie Foxx

6. Freestyle - Channel Live and Benny Boom

7. Freestyle - Jeru the Damaja and Lil’ Dap

DJ Premier

1. Military Cut - Grandwizard Theodore, Kevy Kev Rockwell

2. Busy Bee vs Kool Moe Dee: Live at Harlem World

3. Double Trouble: Live at the Ampatheater LES

4. It’s Us - Cold Crush

5. It’s Yours - T La Rock

6. I Need a Beat (Jazzy Mix ‘84) - LL Cool J

7. Buffalo Gals - Malcom McLaren and World Famous Supreme Team

8. I Cram to Understand - MC Lyte

9. Holy War - Divine Force

DJ Evil Dee

1. Posion Pill - Black Skavengers

2. Me or the Papes - Jeru the Damaja

3. Downtown Swinga - M.O.P.

4. Closer - Krumbsnatcha

5. Tight Team - Shamus feat. Flu

6. East to West - Ak Skills

7. Calm Under Pressure - Shadez of Brooklyn

The original Five Deadly Venoms (1978) is a landmark Hong Kong martial arts mystery directed by Chang Cheh for Shaw Brothers Studio. The film follows Yang Tieh, a young disciple sent by his dying master to uncover the true identities of five former pupils and eliminate any who have turned their lethal skills toward evil. Each of the Five Deadly Venoms practices a distinct animal-based fighting style—Centipede, Snake, Scorpion, Lizard, and Toad—rooted in Chinese folklore. As Yang’s investigation unfolds, the film blends kung fu spectacle with intrigue, deception, and shifting alliances, earning its reputation as a cult classic and launching the legendary “Venom Mob” into martial arts cinema history.

Where the film presents secretive fighters defined by distinct combat styles, the 1997 mixtape, 5 Deadly Venoms of Brooklyn, reimagines the concept through turntables instead of fists. The “venoms” here are elite Brooklyn DJs — Tony Touch, PF Cuttin, Mister Cee, DJ Premier, and Evil Dee — each deadly in their own right. Where the film’s tension comes from hidden identities and betrayal, the mixtape’s danger lies in proximity — five heavyweight selectors occupying the same sonic space. There’s no single protagonist and no clear hierarchy, just mastery on display, echoing the original film’s core idea: distinct styles, equal threat, and no weak links.

So… who had the strongest showing on 5 Deadly Venoms of Brooklyn?

The honest answer is that it depends on what you value in a DJ, because each venom excels in a different discipline — very much in the spirit of the film.

Side A

PF Cuttin (The Lizard)

At the time known for his work with Blahzay Blahzay, PF brought a rugged, underground energy. He leads off the tape here, and his set focused on the "new" sound of '97, featuring dark, heavy-hitters from the likes of Camp Lo, Busta Rhymes, and Q-Tip.

Mister Cee (The Toad)

Mister Cee showcases his art of the blend for much of his set. His style was smooth and party-oriented, seamlessly mixing R&B vocals over hard hip-hop instrumentals.

Side B

Tony Touch (The Snake)

Tony focused almost entirely on exclusive freestyles, which was his wheelhouse at the time, with this tape being released in the time between Power Cypha 1 and 2.

DJ Premier (The Scorpion)

Primo focused his set on history and foundation. Rather than playing current hits, he instead delivered a masterclass of old school classic, rare cuts, and live performances, honoring the roots of the culture.

DJ Evil Dee (The Centipede)

Evil Dee’s set is the tape’s rawest and most atmospheric stretch, defined less by flash and more by feel. His song selection leans heavily into the Brooklyn underground, with contributions from M.O.P., Jeru, and Shadez of Brooklyn.