Long Island: Strong Island (nickname)

“Strong Island” is a hip-hop name for Long Island, New York. The song “Strong Island” (1987) by JVC Force coined the name.
 
“Strong Island” was used to describe a Long Island’s boys lacrosse team in Newsday (Long Island, NY) on August 8, 1988, and was used in a rap article in Newsday on September 4, 1988.
   
         
OCLC WorldCat record
Strong island
Author: JVC Force (Musical group); Geoffrey Weiss Hip-Hop Collection.
Publisher: [United States] : B Boy Records, p[1987?]
Edition/Format:   Music LP : English
 
Genius.com (lyrics)
Strong Island
JVC Force
Produced by JVC Force
Album Doin’ Damage
 
8 August 1988, Newsday (Long Island, NY), “Strong Island’ Wins Lacrosse Title Again” by Joe Krupinski, pg. 86, col. 2:
Syracuse—Long Island’s boys lacrosse team earned a new nickname while capturing its fourth consecutive gold medal at the Empire State Games.
 
“Strong Island,” said co-captain Torr Marro of Port Washington, after Long Island defeated host Central, 10-6, in the championship game at Syracuse University’s Coyne Field yesterday. “Somebody said it to us kiddingly at the Opening Ceremonies. So we began calling ourselves that for the rest of the week to get ready for what we had to do.”
         
4 September 1988, Newsday (Long Island, NY), “Rap’s Suburban Edge” by Wayne Robins, pt. 2, pg. 4, col. 1:
Public Enemy is from Hempstead and Roosevelt in Nassau County, and the group is not alone, Much of today’s most vital and popular rap, an art form that at its most basic feature rhymes spoken over steady urban beats, now comes from the suburbs, a place and state of mind referred to within rap circles as “Strong Island.”
   
9 March 1989, Newsday (Long Island, NY), “STRONG ISLAND SOUND De La Soul: Down By Lawn” by Leonard Abrams, pt. 2, pg. 3, col. 1:
DE LA SOUL began gigging in towns around Amityville, becoming friends with the JVC Force, whose hit “Strong Island” helped set the record straight about suburbanites’ rapping abilities.
 
Google Groups: alt.music.alternative
Name this rap song… or find someone that can.
Noah Green
4/17/94
In

.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (otis) writes:
>I remember this really intense rap song called “Strong Island” and it must
>have come out some time during the late 80’s, my guess is late 88 or early 89.
>Anyway, I just have to know who did it and on what album does it appear?
>Also, wasn’t it BDP that did “Criminal Minded”? I think so, but I can’t be too
>sure.
>PLEASE MAIL AND TELL ME!!
 
Yup, BDP did Criminal Minded. You can find the original on the hard-to-find Criminal Minded album (BDP’s first album), and a killer live version on World Wide Live.
As for Strong Island, I dont know who did it, tho they must be from Long Island, since that’s what the slang Strong Island means.
 
Google Groups: alt.rap 
Totally Unofficial Rap-Dictionary (Bi-weekly Posting, part 2/2)
Niels Janssen
May 31, 1995, 3:00:00 AM
(...) 
Strong island
Long island.
 
Google Groups: alt.graffiti
Strong Island Graff scene
SERCH
11/8/96
Yo, mad shout out to all my fellow Long Island writers, I know you got mad skills.  Anyway I was just wondering if there are any other writers from Long Island out there?  Where do you represent and who are you down with?  I’m representin’ West Islip!!
     
Google Groups: fido7.ru.hip-hop
Rap Dictionary (3/3)
MarS
3/11/02
(...)
Strong island
(n) Long island.
 
Urban Dictionary
Strong Island
What people from Long Island call their little island because they think they are “ghetto”.
Despite what you may believe, Strong Islanders, people from Brooklyn do not consider you to be their brethren
by Anonymous November 09, 2003
 
Urban Dictionary
strong island
A nickname for Long Island, New York..Most areas in New YOrk have a nickname and Strong Island is the nickname for that area..
Brooklyn-B.K,Crooklyn,
Queens-Cop killa Queens,Q-boro
Long Island-Strong Island
Staten Island-Shaolin
Bronx-Bx,Boogie down
#strong island#nicknames#new york#island#strong
by Marceltheman January 13, 2007
       
YouTube
J.V.C. Force - Strong Island [HQ] (Original 12’’ Version)
Simon Ambler
Published on Jan 29, 2011
J.V.C. Force - Strong Island
COMMENTS
Gore Elohim
Underground NY hip hop from 87. Highly influential 
   
Complex
The 100 Best Hip-Hop One-Hit Wonders
BY PAUL CANTOR
MAY 15, 2012
(...)
69. JVC Force “Strong Island” (1987)
Producer:
Album:
Label: B-Boy Records
JVC Force consisted of rappers B Luv and “AJ Rok” Woodson and DJ/Producer Curt Cazal. After making local noise in Long Island, they signed to B-Boy Records in 1987, and released their hometown ode, “Strong Island.” The group had a few noteworthy records but broke up in 1991.
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark STRONG ISLAND GEAR
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 025. US 022 039. G & S: clothing, namely shirts, ties, pants, belts, underwear, socks, bathing suits, suits, dresses, coats, scarves, hats, shoes, sneakers, athletic foot wear, T-shirts, sweat shirts, sweat pants, sandals, sweaters, jackets, dress shirts, swim wear, tank tops and shorts. FIRST USE: 19990925. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19990925
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 75742016
Filing Date July 1, 1999
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition November 27, 2001
Registration Number 2538927
Registration Date February 19, 2002
Owner (REGISTRANT) Luginsland, James F. INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 49 Westwood Avenue Deer Park NEW YORK 11729
Attorney of Record Michael I. Kroll
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “GEAR” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Cancellation Date November 21, 2008
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark STRONG ISLAND AFFILIATED
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 025. US 022 039. G & S: Shirts, hats, jackets, shoes, shorts, pants. FIRST USE: 20070809. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20070809
Mark Drawing Code (5) WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS IN STYLIZED FORM
Serial Number 77434400
Filing Date March 28, 2008
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Owner (APPLICANT) Canty, Derrick INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 4 Hawthorne Ave. Central Islip NEW YORK 11722
Description of Mark Color is not claimed as a feature of the mark. The mark consists of the stylized words “STRONG ISLAND AFFILIATED”.
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date January 21, 2009