Golden Age Hip Hop Videos

Hydrogen vs. Boost

2009-08-15T23:37:00.000-07:00

Kam - "Peace Treaty"

2009-08-10T14:14:00.000-07:00

This song comes from that brief moment in about 1992-92 where East Coast and West Coast hip hop sounded very very similar. Kam, in my opinion, was one of the better rappers from the Left Coast from this era, and his album, Neva Again, is outstanding.

This song is about the short-lived peace treaty between L.A. gangs around that time. There was a gang truce after the Rodney King/L.A. Riots. Even though it is anti-caucazoid, it is a very positive song, showing Kam's innocence and/or naivete. The video is in that standard black and white strobe style. And I have to mention that in the color scenes I see a lot of blue and not much red. Could it be that Kam couldn't actually get any Bloods to show up to Crip-town? I wouldn't blame them honestly.

Lookin at the aftermath of the riot
I can still smell the ashes
From all the clashes
But quiet is kept, it wasn't just the blacks
Everybody was lootin, and had each other's backs
We came through in understandin, demandin
Justice, bust this, we all had our hand in
The cookie jar, took it far enough to make a statement
Daryl Gates - that's where all the hate went
We pass by a swap meet
Been shoppin at for years, but it couldn't stop heat
See ya, wouldn't wanna be your next door neighbor
Less government relief checks, more labor
10 percent blood suckers of the poor took a loss
For exploitation, had to show em who was boss
Teach em not to be so greedy
Had to shut em down, bound by a peace treaty

Gravediggaz - "Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide"

2009-08-09T10:17:00.000-07:00

This video isn't quite as scary as I remember it when I first saw it back in 1994, but it's pretty cool. And after I saw it I ran to Camelot records and bought the album.

The Gravediggaz were not the first, but probably the most successful, to be part of the short-lived "horrorcore" scene. The reason they were good is because they had a relatively light touch and put as much satire into the music as they did death-stuff. It was kind of a hip hop expansion team, with The RZA (from Wu-Tang Clan), Prince Paul and Frukwan (from Stetsasonic) and Too Poetic. An impressive lineup until Too Poetic died (seriously, he did).

Let's get it on ock, and watch the spot get blown
I be the sick lunatic with the devilish poem
From the mists of the darkness I come with this
Hittin straight, to the chest, like a Primatene mist
Ryzarector, YAH, the fanatical type
I'm like a bat, in the night, when it's time to take flight
Here I am, in the flesh, and yes I love sess
I'm obsessed, by the sounds, the track posess

Madvillain - "All Caps"

2009-08-07T16:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I just started this thing and I'm already cheating.

Madvillain was a project that combined one of rap's best producers (Madlib) and one if it's best MC's (MF Doom), and although this album came out in 2003 (not anywhere near my "golden age" promise), it could have come out in 1993, except that it would have been so ahead of it's time that no one would have even given it a chance.

Plus it's one of the coolest videos I've ever seen. I love the comic book concept.

So nasty that it's probably somewhat of a travesty
Having me daily tellin' the people
You can call me Your Majesty
Keep your battery charged
You know it won't stick, yo
And it's not his fault you kick slow
Should've let your trick-ho chick hold your sick glow
Plus nobody couldn't do nothin' once he let the brick go
And you know I know that's a bunch of snow
The beat is so butter
Peep the slow cutter
As he utters the calm flow
Don't talk about my moms, yo
Sometimes he rhyme quick, sometimes he rhyme slow
And vice versa
Whip up a slice of nice verse pie
Hit it on the first try
Villain: The Worst Guy

Lord Finesse - "Strictly For the Ladies"

2009-08-06T15:36:00.000-07:00

Good sweet Allah how I love Lord Finesse. For the uninitiated, you may recognize his voice from "Check it out nowwww, the funk soul brotha." But Finesse is the man. Despite his incredibly formulaic rap style, his lyrics are awesome, with a combination of swagger and punchlines.

There are so many great elements to this video. First, the song is hot. It's basically not a love song at all, because he essentially just tells this girl he doesn't want anything to do with her after he very clearly boned her the night before. There is the great Big Daddy Kane "Now girls step up ta this" sample, which is so classic. There is the girl who says things like "Oh it's like that now" and "But last night you was kissin' and huggin' me!" but with a look on her face like she has just been given valium.

Oh, and the piece de resistance: an 18 year old Fat Joe swaying back and forth throughout the video.

Now I give a girl more than she’s asking for
I take them 18 and up, and that’s for sure
So when you’re done or you’re bored with your stupid zero
Contact me and I’ll save you like a super hero
Please your needs and get all close to you
And do you right like a man is supposed to do
Knock your boots until I begin to sprout
Give you something to brag to your friends about
After a date I’m the type to get pissed
When y’all girls want to front on a kiss
I let ’em know I’m not slow or work late
Y’all front the role (I don’t kiss on the first date)
Baby please, don’t give me that feedback
Straight up and down, you expect me to believe that?
I’ll take a kiss or a peck with a tight hug
I’m not the type to go out like a lightbulb
Or get crazy or go insane or get fed up
I’ll get smooth and f**k your whole head up

King Sun - "Be Black"

2009-08-05T16:50:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's how I like 'em. Nice and obscure. Maybe King Sun was a little too African for his own good at times, but this song is hot in a very 1990 kind of way.

The point is that King Sun is sick of people who claim to have African pride but then only use it to be fashionable. But at the same time, his obsession with what people are wearing rivals Mr. Blackwell. And while I understand his need to "be black," is it really necessary to dress yourself in full sheik garb. There may have been a veiled reference to the A.F.R.O.S. as well, and if you remember them you know more about rap than you probably should.

King Sun - Be Black
by iameternal

Now everybody's wearin the red black and green
Here's the point: do you know what it means?
Red for the bloodshed, black for the people
Green for the land to be utilized equal
"Yo I'm from Africa" boy you're just a faker
Name one city "Uhh, Jamaica!"
WRONG... and I think that's a shame
An African look with an American name
You might fool others but you can't fool Sun
Wanna build with the brother, then I am the one
Play connect the dots, all the way to the motherland
What have you done for your nation my brotherman
You can't even do the right things for self
Then you got the nerve to criticize somebody else
If it wasn't for Chuck you wouldn't know of Farrakhan
I understand that the man is a paragon
Open up your eyes and ears and try to learn
Stop perpetratin with your false concern
Even some rappers, frontin in their videos
Nothing but Oreos, tryin to be memorial
I'm not impressed, by the way some stars
perpetrate to be original, you know who you are
I diss my people who choose to lack
Cause there's more to learn on how to be black

Main Source - "Peace is Not the Word to Play"

2009-08-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

What an odd subject for a song. Large Professor (rapper of Main Source, along with Canadian twin-brother DJ's K-Cut and Sir Scratch) apparently got sick of people using the word "peace" and then being ... well, unpeaceful.

Back in 1992 I didn't realize that this had become such a hypocrisy. Until one day, about three years ago, I was at the mall, sippin' on a milkshake, minding my business, taking a break. A crew of corny white boys tried to step to me. So of course I pulled out my glock and started spraying bullets everywhere. People started scattering, babies screaming, etc etc. Anyway, this one punk-ass cracker is lying in front of the Foot Locker wounded. So I squeezed one into his chest, and one in his head. (ALWAYS put one in the brain!) As I turned away, I said, "Peeeeace!" And then I paused. I felt like such a hypocrite. Large Pro was right all along.

PEACE! Piece of what?
You can't mean P.E.A.C.E.
Cause I've seen people on the streets
Shoot the next man and turn around and say peace
But that's leaving people in pieces
It's not what the meaning of peace is
To me it means the absence of all confusion
Not the oozing and brusing
That we're all so accumstomed to
Your friend got beef? I'll bust him too
What a brother from a certain way of life explained to me once, dunce
He didn't realize the fact that
He and myself were brothers on the same rope
Now last month he got hemmed up, huh, that's all she wrote

The Pharcyde - "Ya Mama"

2009-08-03T17:46:00.000-07:00

I think this song is freakin' hilarious. You can keep your Biz Markie or your Fresh Prince or your Coolioolio. I think The Pharcyde was one of the most fun groups of the decade, and their debut album Bizarre Ride II tha Pharcyde is one of my favorite albums of 1993.

This song exemplifies everything that was great about the Pharcyde. Funky, whimsical production and clever lyrics. "Ya Mama" is basically an entire song full of jokes about your moms. And unlike that crappy "Yo Momma" show on MTV, most of the jokes are actually funny. Although can someone tell me why Fatlip is listed as "Derrick" in the video? Why were so many rappers named Derrick and then changed it? (Yeah, I'm talking to you Sadat X!)

Seriously, how this song never became a hit is a mystery to me. It really should be one of those songs that when it comes on at a club the whole place goes crazy and raps along with all the words. But noooo .... people would rather hear Sean Paul. Wow I sound bitter. Just enjoy.

Ya mama look like she's been in the dryer with some rocks
With the big bust nose sucking dirt out of socks
Held up the ice cream truck with a slingshot
She grabbed a bag of Cheese Corn and a soda pop
Ya mama root'n'toot and stole my loot and my zoot suit
She may have the muscles, but no, she's not cute
She's not pretty, oh what a pity, got the glass titty
Filled up with Kool-aid, just for the kiddies
On a cliff butt naked, tootin' on a flute
Ridin on a horse drinkin whisky out a boot
She's got the teeth and the wings of an African bat
Her middle name is Mudbone and on top of all that

Ya mama got the wooden legs with real feet
(Ya mama got the wooden legs with real feet)
Ya mama got the wooden legs with real feet
Ya mama, ya mama, ya mama...

Smoothe da Hustler - "Broken Language"

2009-08-03T14:57:00.000-07:00

I first heard this song in 1995 on college radio and was blown away by it. The beat sounds like something Mobb Deep would create, and the lyrics (after Trigga the Gambler's tepid first verse) are amazing, describing a sort of superhero or uber-badass. For months we had no idea who performed the song or what it was called, so we just called it "The Who?" since nearly every line in the song is "The _________."

Footnote: this is one of the most overhyped, underperforming, disappointing albums of 1996 or almost any year. People really thought that Smoothe da Hustler was going to become the next elite gangster rapper, but this album was so mediocre that there was just no way to look past it. Classic case of setting the bar way too high.

...The money stasher, gun blastin razor slasher
The human asthma breath taker
Body dump waster
The glock cocker, block locker the rock chopper,
The shot popper, the jock cock glocker
The face splitter, human disgrace getter
The lady sh**ter, phone joneser
sneak over f**k your babysitter
The chronic smokin, gun totin hearse initiator
The crack supplier, the human drug generator
The honey gamer, the chicken tricker
The slick the long d**k p***y sticker
The ready to bust that 4ss kicker
The track manoeuvre, the box barrier
The off of the dome rapper
The c-74 ox carrier....

K-Solo - "Fugitive"

2009-08-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

I don't know whether or not K-Solo was really a fugitive in Suffolk County or not, but he paints a pretty vivid picture of why he's on the run from the cops. (Apparently hitting someone in the face with a brick will get you in trouble with the law. Pffffft!) He also does a lot of laughing in cops faces, which I know for a fact they do not care for.

If it is true, he's a lot better about it than I would be. I don't think the person who got the brick to the face died, because if he did, I think K-Solo would have gotten more than just 16 months.

I don't know what beef DMX always had with K-Solo, but he better watch it or he might get a brick to the face!

Two years went by, me running from the cops
My mom looked at my dad, my dad said "Son, this has gotta stop"
Dad gave me money, he said, "Son, this is for ya"
I went to Garden City to go get me a lawyer
I went to jail, Monday I was in jail through Friday
When you're black and you're in trouble man does your lawyer get paid
Then my moms told the judge "My son's a good child"
Then he laughed at my mother and said "Then take us to trial"
I told my mom and dad I felt within
If we took Suffolk County to court or trial, I know I wouldn't win
So without a doubt, like any black kid in Suffolk county
K-S-O-L-O had to cop out
To sixteen months in Riverhead
Instead of fighting and wilding, I wrote my records instead
Comisarry was ???, inmates owed me
CO's would beat me up on shakedowns, but now those suckers know me
And I laugh at those cops who arrest me for what I did
Cause I'm hooked and no longer am I a fugitive

Zhigge - "Toss It Up"

2009-08-02T13:37:00.000-07:00

Zhigge to me was the epitome of that brief moment in hip hop, around 1992, when songs could be both banging and fun. (See House of Pain's "Jump Around," YBT's "Tap the Bottle," Onyx's "Slam".) This song has got everything, a great, ebullient chorus, nice lyrics and a sweet horn riff.

It's one of those songs that just takes me right back to those days when I was like 16 years old, playing basketball after school with Mike C., staying up till 2AM when the local college hip hop radio show would end. Sleeping through sophomore year of high school. And much of junior year. You know...either way, it was a great party jam. And there are dancers in the video! Maybe the last video in history to have authentic hip hop dancing.

Tossin' it up, once again, it's the man
That gets more boots than Tim's got on Berland (hey!)
Through my course I've crossed some tough times
So I write rhymes that's designed to get mine
With a quickness, DJ the thickness
If you're sweet, we'll have you tossin' in your sleep.

Souls of Mischief - "'93 Til Infinity"

2009-08-01T12:39:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it's the song itself or the very laid-back video with the outdoor settings, but this video is one that really sticks in my head as a favorite. It's not all that impressive or innovative but it was such a refreshing change from a lot of the in-your-face, in the ghetto imagery of the time.

Souls of Mischief should have been a great hip hop crew. With four very distinct voices and lyrical styles, Opio, Phesto, A-Plus and Tajai should have revolutionized rap music. Instead, they put out one incredibly good album, which is (of course), '93 Til Infinity.

What is great about this song is not only that they never say the word "infinity" in the chorus, but rather just "This is how we chill from '93 til ..." but that they eschew all the hard-posing that was so popular and showed themselves simply "chilling." At the beach, in the forest, in someone's rec room.

At the time, I would say Heiro was the premier West Coast hip hop crew, but I might be biased because they sounded like an East Coast hip hop crew (more attention to lyrics, jazz beats instead of funk beats, etc.). This track remains one of my favorites.

Yo, crews are jealous cause we get props
The cops
Wanna stop
Our fun, but the top
Is where we're dwelling, swelling, phat
No sleep
I work fifteen jerks get their hoes sweeped
Under their noses
This bro's quick
To hit blunts and flip once I'm chillin cause my crew's close, kid
I boasted
Most kids accept this as cool
I exit
Cause I'm an exception to the rule
I'm steppin
To the cool spots where crew's flock to stare at them
Or see where the shit that's flam b
Bland leaking out his pocket
So, I got tons of endo
And go to the ho in's
Basement
My ace spinned
Phat and enough tracks
Time to get prolific with the whiz kid

Das EFX - "Baknaffek"

2009-07-31T16:14:00.000-07:00

Das EFX's second album, Straight Up Sewaside, was a decent, if disappointing follow up to their debut, Dead Serious, which really revolutionized rap for about 3-4 years with the "biggidy-diggidy" style they perfected. That style was later used by many other rap artists, from Bone Thugs & Harmony to Ice Cube.

This song, however, is a standout. You can tell that from the first verse that they are attempting to be a bit more straightforward, and less off-the-wall. And they have moved their locale out of the sewer into the subways. (I may have to do a post at some point about all the videos that take place in the subways.)

I am very skeptical when using black and white in a rap video, because it has been done many times, and mostly superfluously. EPMD's "Crossover" did NOT need to be in black and white. Neither did Ice Cube's "Be True to the Game." There was no reason other than just directorial masturbation. But here it works and works to great effect. B&W is perfect for the underground setting, then turns to a drab color when they come up from the underground. There is also something cool about the way they are initially rapping to each other in the beginning, as if having a conversation, only to turn to the camera for the final two verses. Great, underrated song and video.

Das Efx - Baknaffek
by rikma

Shippity bop, well hot diggity, where's the iggity? The bum siggity
N****s wanna know but check the flow my little chickadee
I'm comin with the Books so kid, it looks like it's a winner
Ya better get'cha plate because I'm servin raps for dinner
See I freak it from the sewer plus I'm quick to do ya posse
I'm swoopin on the note just like I was a kamikaze
See they thought I lost my spot so they went and got real comfy
So now I gotta hit me hard and bogart like Humphrey
Ya hypocrite, I'm rippin it because I'm flyer
Ya phony, full of bologne like Oscar Meyer
See I attack a pack of rappers just for practice
I bust my tactics, I'm sharper than a f**kin' axe is
(Set it off!) One two (Set it off!)

Miilkbone - "Keep It Real"

2009-07-31T13:31:00.000-07:00

By request...

Quoth my ex-roomie/current-homey Kuba: "I truly believe this cat from NJ would have been bigger if he wasn't white. A damn shame too. The piano chords used in this track will give you a sore neck." Damn right! I forgot how ill the piano loop in this song is.

Lyrically, this is a pretty tight set, if unexceptional. In 1995, people were -- to echo Kuba's sentiments -- a little afraid of a whiteboy who had such crazylegs and used so many hand motions. You'd have to think that if he didn't move around so much, he would have come off so "wiggerish." (Not that there was anything wrong with being wiggerish in '95, mind you!)

The instrumental sounds like something Premier might have come up with back then, and it's a perfect example of what pretty much everything sounded like back in the Nine-Pound.

Boogie Down Productions - "You Must Learn"

2009-07-30T13:14:00.000-07:00

As was one of the most annoying trends of hip hop music in the 1990s, the video version of this song was much different (and far superior) to the one on the album. Whereas the album version starts with the infamous, "Hey Kris? What are you doin' outta school???" bit, this one starts with the Blastmaster KRS-ONE speaking to a bunch of kids in a classroom before he is forceably removed by the white devil school board. He is greeted by the rest of the Boogie Down Productions, including D-Nice and his enormous wife at the time, Ms. Melodie. (Was Melodie her maiden name?)

The cool thing about this video is that it is essentially about learning black history in America, but it more or less sounds like a party song. KRS, for all his flaws and pretention, really rocks this song. And I learned things like that a black man invented the traffic light and another invented the straightening comb. The video is actually surprisingly dynamic for its time period, with a lot of motion and movement. And better than most BDP videos of the day, that's for sure. I do really enjoy the Benetton-multicultural group of teenagers who start lip-sync'ing at the end. And boy does KRS know how to get a crowd to follow him down the street.

Let me continue with Theodosyius
A Greek ruler not known to most of us
He in the fourth century A.D.
Calls the Egyptians fools you see
Two years later, Justinian rules
Six A.D., was it for schools
As a result, ignorance had swirled
Over Christian Europe and grateful Roman worlds
This went on for a thousand years
Of ignorance stupidity and tears
Now comes the seventeenth century hardness
Europe, began to come out of it's darkness
So J.F. Blumenbach, a German
Came out of nowhere and started confirming
White supremacy and men of colors
Before this time, all men were brothers
It was Johann, who went on to say
There are five different colors in the world today
That's caucasian, malayan, and mongolian
American-indian, and ethiopian
Yes, the ignorance gets scarier
He believed whites were superior
According to his idiotic fountain
The purest whites were from the Caucas mountains
J A Blofener, and H S Chamberlain
Both supported this outrageous racism

Big Daddy Kane at VH1 Hip Hop Honors

2009-07-29T15:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this isn't technically a video, but it's honestly one of the best things I've ever seen. T.I., Common, the Roots and the Big Daddy himself doing an excellent medley of Kane's greatest hits at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors in 2005. The part at the end of where he and Scoob and Scrap dance literally gives me chills every time I see it. That son of a bitch can rock a party...

I profile a style that’s mild and meanwhile
Put on trial a rap pile to exile
Make you tumble and stumble, in a rumble just crumble
And I’m still calm and humble
You need another helpin hand to swing on
I stand alone, but still you gotta bring on
Your batman and robin, cagney and lacey
Starsky and hutch, but they still can’t face me
And if may make this one thing here clear
That’s for you not to come near, period
So I ain’t buggin or delirious
My swift tongue’s like a sword, that’s how severe it is
And I can slice and dice a fisher price mc
That thought he was nice into minute rice
Single-handed, I ain’t with that band stuff
Cause Cee’ll scratch a record like flakes of dandruff

Mic Geronimo - "It's Real"

2009-07-29T14:56:00.000-07:00

This is one of the smoother East Coast rap songs to come out in 1995, Mic Geronimo was one of those guys who put out a hot single, and everyone anticipated the album, but the album was average at best. (For the record, the album, The Natural, is not a bad album, and has some good tracks like "Men vs. Many" and "Master I.C." but was disappointing overall.)

This is just a great song to ride in your car to, which is rather inconvenient since you are looking at it on your computer. And those who did not buy rap tapes back in the day might not know that the real title is "S**t's Real." And he also looks a bit like Tek Money from The Real World.

Another day of steppin through the belly of the beast
I leave the compound and make my way to my stomping grounds
I'm just about broke to the letter
It can't get any worse, it could only get better
I burn a lamp I wanna waste lines, Geronimo'll be fine
Brothers come up back in un-divine
So now I unwind and keep my focus on my schedule
It's critical for me to run a scan of my plan
I keep steppin', and on the DL, I be well
It's the gospel, chicks'll get a call when it's possible
I make a redbone a dead bone, after the bed bone
I leave the ***** sewn from my tone.

Prefuse 73 & Edan Live

2009-07-28T15:07:00.000-07:00

This show apparently took place in Brooklyn in May of 2006.

If you aren't familiar with Edan, he is one of the sickest underground artists right now. Not only are his songs filled with bizarre -- sometimes absurd -- hip hop references, but he can flow like you wouldn't believe. Plus, he raps AND DJ's at the same time, with one hand on the mic and the other hand doing the cuts. Sure he looks like John Lennon circa 1962, but the kid is nice. The echo pedal on the lyrics is just typical of the kind of stuff you can expect from Edan.

Prefuse 73 is no slouch either, though he plays the background on this particular video. The sound in the last minute or so of the video is typical of what you can expect from Prefuse, if you aren't familiar.

Intelligent Hoodlum/Tragedy - Grand Groove (Bonus Mix)

2009-07-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

One of the proudest sub-subgenres in hip hop is the "back n da dayz" nostalgia song. Another is the "pour one out for the brothers who ain't here" tribute track. The artist who vacillated between the names "Tragedy," "Intelligent Hoodlum" and "Tragedy Khadafi" combined both sentiments with "Grand Groove," off his second album Saga of a Hoodlum.

The swirling piano keys and the female vocal vamps throughout the song give it a lighter, quasi-R&B feel, which is probably why I wasn't that into the song way back then. But in retrospect, it's a hot track, and a thoughtful, well-constructed song.

The first verse is about being born and growing up, the second verse is about his mother, and the third is about his grandmother who had -- apparently -- recently passed away. ("Grand" Groove, get it?) It comes off as sincere without being overly sentimental or corny, and though he injects a bit of his own experience (going to the penitentiary, for example), but also rings surprisingly universal.

I understand you're going back to the essence
But I do miss your presence
Too busy tryin' to be slick and get over
Back in the days I used to wish I was older
And I remember, and I remember, and I remember
I used to sneak in the house with my eyes all red
Duck the blow that was aimed for my head
Run in the streets like a runaway slave
I didn't know you was headed for the grave
Never miss a good friend until they're gone
As long as I'm alive you're gonna live on and on
Who says your best friend has to be a brother
A friend is someone who's always there for another
No more snakes in the grass when you're near
Grand groove, I love ya and I wish you were here
I still love ya to this very day
One love, grand groove, ya passed away

Illogic - "Birthright"

2009-07-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

No video attached, a great song from Columbus, Ohio's own Illogic, and his 2004 album Celestial Clockwork. This would have been a perfect fit in 1995.

And while you're at it, go to Last.fm and check out the equally transcendent "Lesson In Love."

Danger Mouse - "Encore"

2009-07-27T16:37:00.000-07:00

I think that Danger Mouse's "The Grey Album" -- which features Jay-Z's vocals from The Black Album and instrumentals which uses samples from the Beatles' The White Album -- is one of the great musical achievements of the last decade or so. What a brilliantly clever concept.

This video takes it one step further, with a Beatles concert that gets a modern update. Brilliant. And with better production and instrumentals than Jay-Z picks for himself, it's easier to see the brilliance of his lyrics and flow. As good as Kool G Rap in his prime? Mmmm, that's pushing it. But he's got the goods, no doubt.

Who you know fresher than Hov'? Riddle me that
The rest of y'all know where I'm lyrically at
Can't none of y'all mirror me back
Yeah hearin me rap is like hearin G. Rap in his prime
I'm, young H.O., rap's Grateful Dead
Back to take over the globe, now break bread
I'm in, Boeing jets, Global Express
Out the country but the blueberry still connect
On the low but the yacht got a triple deck
But when you Young, what the f**k you expect? Yep, yep
Grand openin', grand closin'
God damn, your man Hov' cracked the can open again
Who you gon' find doper than him with no pen
just draw off inspiration
Soon you gon' see you can't replace him
with cheap imitations for DESE GENERATIONS

Nas - "The World Is Yours" (Q-Tip Remix)

2009-07-26T15:21:00.000-07:00

To improve on Nas's 1994 Illmatic album would be a tall order, but Q-Tip damn near does it by creating a new, different and more dynamic version of this beloved single.

This is a far smoother instrumental version than the one that Pete Rock assembled for the album. It flows better (in my opinion) than the original, and sounded more like a song you would want to drive around to in the summer, rather than one you would sit in your bedroom and listen to.

Nas also does a cool thing with the second verse where he changes it, but bookends it with some familiar elements of the original. And even if some people don't think the inclusion of this track would be an improvement on the original, it would be a fitting replacement.

To my man Ill Will, God bless your life
To my peoples throughout Queens, God bless your life
My insights and light's vision
Words of wisdom, niggas pay me intuition
To listen, to murder paragraphs of mysticism
Man plant seeds that brings forth multiple breeds
So many cultures and one planet to broke my culture's free
Son, I need Weed to proceed
Change the flow speed and I'm getting vexed, Giuliani is six six six
There's no days for broke days selling smoke pays
I toke the chocolate for the phillies, never roach spray
Shit is a hassle, the bridge is like a haunted castle
The mic my religion, the system is the Devil's lasso
Hey yo, the trife life is most influental
The colors on mens skins and pens is coincidental
How ya living large or broker, you're wasting time extortin papers from smokers
Cacthing court papers getting broker

YAGGFU Front - "Left Field"

2009-07-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

Once in a while a song comes along that is so perfect, and just goes away as fast as it arrived. "Left Field" is such a song, it's an unlikely love song, in the vein of The Pharcyde's "Passin' Me By," and straddles the line between sincerity and irony.

There is a lot to like about the song. The instrumental has a very cool organ riff, and some funky futuristic sounds. The song itself is three distinct verses of guys' rationales for not talking to a pretty girl in a club. One is too shy, one is too fly, one is too stupid. The middle verse is the most poignant, speaking of unrequited love.

Another thing: the band's name means "You Are Gonna Get F**ked Up (If You) Front." That is classic.

I got this girlfriend, but she's not really mine
Cause on the end of girlfriend is the way that she's inclined
Dressed to impress but she don't play dress-up
to catch my attention cause I already messed up
See I get ribbed, cause she acts like I'm sibling
Playin a brother role puts a block between my goals
I'm sold on the thought, cause I know I can correct it
But I don't step, cause I'm scared she might reject it
So I play along just for a chance to be around her
Perhaps she'll catch my hints, and we can end this fencin
then I'll make her my babyyy babyyy babyyy
Drivin me crazy on the one and one tip
When will she stop this brother stuff?

El-P, Aesop, DJ Abilities, RJD2 - Cambridge, MA, 05/02

2009-07-25T20:47:00.000-07:00

Sick sick sick sick. Two of the best indie hip hop DJs in the world, and the two greatest MCs of this decade.

Spice 1 - "In My Neighborhood"

2009-07-25T15:17:00.000-07:00

Since YouTube removed this video, I had to go to their competitor, Daily Motion. Seems like they do a nice job, but this is the first time I've used them so forgive me if there is a glitch.

This song is a bit on the negative side, I suppose, but it's catchy, using a very funky sample and a nice flow. (The rest of this album sucked in my opinion, but that's neither here nor there.) In some ways it's a little positive, just "putting a mirror up to society" [yawn] and showing the "realities of the ghetto." [Zzzzzz]

But the song is very funky, and I even like the "INNN MYYYY NEIGGHHHHH-BOR-HOOOOOD" sung chorus. Spice-1 never really was one of my favorites, but this song was.

Welcome to the ghetto, although I call it my neighborhood
Some people get out, but some people stay for good
I see a dopefiend yellin he's a O.G.
He scratched his head and started starin like he knows me
I say, "What up, old man, I seen your face before"
It was my homie's pops, shirt dirty, pants tore
He had a 40 in his hand, left a little swallow
He said, "Young-ass ni***a," and then he threw the bottle
I ducked down, and I had to duck real fast
Stepped two feet back, and then I banked his 4ss
I started kickin and stompin my n***a's brains out
I heard a b***h yell "freeze!" and runnin out the house
It was his wife, and the b***h started bustin at me
I can't believe this s**t, this b***h is trigger-happy

Aesop Rock - "Pigs"

2009-07-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

This not the official video for the hidden track on 2007's None Shall Pass album, but it's a helluva cool way to spend 4 1/2 minutes.

The director is Dan Wolfe, the artist is Jeremy Fish.

The Jaz - "The Originators"

2009-07-24T16:12:00.000-07:00

It's funny that all of us take it for granted that Jay-Z is pretty much the Alpha Dog everywhere he goes. He's got the swagger of a young Apollo Creed, but the laid back essense of Lando Calrissian.

But true-heads will remember back in the early 1990s when HOVA was actually second fiddle to Big Jaz in the group, The Jaz. Before Chip Fu, Das EFX, Twista or Daddy Freddy, the Jaz had pretty much perfected the so-fast-you-can-barely-understand-it hip hop flow. How the words to this song can even be transcribed is a miracle.

In this video, it is pretty clear that Big Jaz is the B.M.O.C. Definite Treach and Vinnie vibe happening. Big Jaz is cool and seems to have confidence, and Jay-Z looks like a skinny little upstart. (Who knew back then that this little Doc Gooden-on-Crack lookalike would be nailing one of the top-five hottest women on the planet?) There's no question that even back then the kid had insane skills, and in a way all he probably had to do to modernize himself was take that incredible dexterity and just slow it down. Amazing how dumbing things down can get you more notoriety. And it should be noted that this song is so fast that Big Jaz actually says the words "You sucker, you f**ker, you p*ssy, you wussy, nobody can verse me" and it doesn't get bleeped out.

Two questions: 1) do you think that Jay-Z came up with his rap name trying to impress Big Jaz? Like a fondness for an older brother. 2) Do you think Jigga ever calls Big Jaz anymore?

Oh, and I forgot to mention. This song is definitely hot, even today.

Wreckin and wreckin in seconds less than speeds of light
So the miggeda-more that come, the miggeda-merrier, right, right
Excitin the mic much to the delight of millions of Nubians
And Amorites just can't understand the groove we're in
Cool, it might take a couple of takes for you to clarify
Don't lie, you coulda never got in on the first try
But never to worry, I'm not in a hurry, take your time
Cause it's my rhyme, I siggeda-said so, and I'm J-a-y-Z, y'all know me
I wish you could write, cause you'd pay me all the rhymes you stole from me

The Wu-Tang Lego Clan

2009-07-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

Tip o' the cap to Steady Bloggin...

Wu-Tang Lego: Da Mystery of Chessboxin' from davo on Vimeo.

Wu-Tang Lego: Killer Tape from davo on Vimeo.

New Edition - "Word To The Mutha"

2009-07-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

This isn't technically a hip-hop song, but I love it anyway. All original members of New Edition come through and put out a surprisingly hot (for its time) song. The BBD clothes (powder blue suspenders) are pretty atrocious, and the black-and-white-with-blue-tinge film style is a painful reminder of mistakes past. But the song is funky and the rapping is actually kind of awesome. And naturally, it included Bobby Brown going completely ape-shit, many years before it became customary.

Michael Bivins is really a trailblazer. Who else would be that ugly, and that unstylish, and still have the audicity to not only make out with a girl in the video, but wipe his lips right in front of her right before he starts rapping. And that is before he does a very obvious crotch-grab and yells "get the Bozack." He might as well be saying "F--k you, Erick Sermon!" How Biv-10 never became the dominant record label in America continues to mystify me. And they couldn't give Johnny Gill more to do than just sing the stupid opening? Come on, New Edition, you're better than that.

Funkmaster Flex feat. 9 Double M - "Six Million Ways to Die"

2009-07-23T13:30:00.000-07:00

Before he dropped the unheralded mini-classic Nine Lives in 1995, Nine went by the name of "9 Double M." And on this forgotten 1993 underground jam, he dropped a pretty hot freestyle/battle verse on this track, with the then-little known Funkmaster Flex.

The song uses a familiar instrumental: it's basically the same instrumental as "Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down" (the original version), only with more hyped up drums and more amped up feel all around. It was memorable not because of the lyrics -- which are solid but don't quite stand the test of time -- but because of the ingenius chorus: "six million ways to die, choose one." It was released on the dearly defunct Wreck Records label. An alternate version also exists with Tragedy/Intelligent Hoodlum dropping a verse in the middle; that version is lyrically superior but did not have a vide.

The video follows the rules of the time: jumpy camera movements, no more than 2.3 seconds on any one thing, a chain link fence, a thugged-out MC with a vest. What might not fly in 2009 is the collage of guns, knives and Chinese throwing stars.

"A" is for action, "B" is for burnin'
"C" I'm catchin' bodies like Erick gives a Sermon
And I'm waitin' for a sucker to get fly
I been around hip hop, and I-I-I-I...
Know how to catch wreck as a car lot
And the schoolyard, I get crazy like a retard
YOU KNOW I GOT CRAZY JUICE
I'm like Houdini in a straitjacket, brother I get loose
Boo yaa kah Boo yaa kah, let me tell ya somethin'
I get wicked like a Luther Vandross wedding singahh
Supahmaaan, Um uh, fly high
Uh way up in uh the sky
Oh whatever, never step to 9DoubleM the gat
With the ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-chit chat
I'm just chillin', that's word to Chuck
Just till I get busy and come back with a HUH-HAW

BONUS!

One of the best tracks that Nine ever put out was not on his albums, but was a dark, brooding single called "Famaldahyde." You can listen to it below (no video attached).

Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - "Ill Street Blues"

2009-07-22T15:40:00.000-07:00

Here is another one from the man I consider to be the greatest rapper that ever lived.

When I first heard this song in 1992 I almost crapped my pants. It was on a college radio station at about 2AM, and I had been waiting for this album to come out for two years. As soon as I heard that lispy "Aww yeah," I knew who it was even before they said it.

The video itself is kinda cool, even if low budget. (This was after the Live and Let Die album got dropped by Warner Brothers after the "Cop Killer" fallout and had to be released by the smaller -- but seminal -- Cold Chillin' label.)

Suckas I clobber, because my town is full of cops 'n' robbers
You're not promised tomorrow in this little shop of horrors
So I got to get with the business and hit quick
Money-grip's pockets lookin' thick, so I stick slick
Hold it right there, hands in the air, I know you got the loot
Or better yet, face down on the ground, empty your pockets, troop
Hit the deck I got the tech right on your neck
And I inspect the megabucks, the heck with a traveler's check.

Funkmaster Flex feat. Akinyele & Sadat X - "Loud Hangover"

2009-07-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

One of the great summer songs of 1996. Funkmaster Flex was trying to promote his mix CD 60 Minutes of Funk, and commissioned two really excellent MCs: Sadat X, best known from Brand Nubian, but arguably the best lyricist in the group, and Akinyele, before he turned into a Biggie/pimp wannabe with his "Put it in Your Mouth" bullcrap.

This song is just hot. Other than the annoying repeating of the first verse and re-doing the damn thing (including the MCs acting along with the scratching) there is so much to like about the song. The beat with the strumming string is awesome. The interplay between the rappers is great. The video is another "sewer" video, which empirically proves how hard these guys are.

Aiyyo, niggaz on my dick
Cause I stay dropping jewels like the incarcerated version of Slick Rick
There's no question I'll, damage a professional
Cause I'm a big child, in this profession
Scatchin and itchin to set it, like a yeast infection
Big up to agreement rappers, don't know the half
Movin like moonwalkers with your backwards ass
I'm too fast, for those who procrastinate
Goin bananas like gorillas from the Planet of the Apes
To play it safe, you punks better wear capes
You can't escape, when I'm on your fire escape
hangin your ass out the window like drapes
You want beef I bring steak bust your motherf**king chop
It's the Ak, straight up and down, like six o'clock
I'm amped like watts with a fo'-fo' that go
Hit that toe and shot, cause word to Sadat
X marks the spot when it's time to get hot

A.D.O.R. - Let it All Hang Out

2009-07-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

This video was M.I.A. on YouTube for several years, which is a damn shame, because it is one of the hottest unsung songs of the 1990s. (The rest of the album is nothing special, FYI, so if you are downloading, you can stick to this track.)

A.D.O.R. supposedly stood for "Another Definition of Rhythm," and I never really knew whether I was supposed to call him "Adore" or "Ay Dee Oh Arr." It would have been super awkward if I ever met him.

The video is standard, boilerplate early 1990s stuff. Lots of streets and alleyways. Slow motion, black and white shots of New York's urban denizens running from some unknown pursuer. A bunch of girls in bandanas and safety-orange bubblegoose jackets are like A.D.O.R.'s personal cheerleading squad.

And it wouldn't be a Pete Rock remix if it didn't have a) horns in the instrumental, and b) Pete Rock talking ("uh-huh, that's right") all the way through the song. [Note to P.Diddy, you didn't fucking invent that or the remix: Pete Rock did.]

Apparently A.D.O.R. only really had one hit in him, but damn if it wasn't a good one.

C'mon, feel the vibe from the rhythms to break the devil's ties
A feeling of good times, musical highs
Rhythm, harmony, soul skills and that
put together for the master plan is surely to attract
The people it take, the speakers to quake, the points to make
The A.D.O.R. posesses what it takes
To make it feel good, the way it should
Give me the mic and Pete Rock and you know I could
Straight up getcha all, UHH, all night long
It feels too right, too strong to be wrong
Let's turn it up, full blast, and make it last
Yo I'm thinkin bout the future, fuck the past
With the beat that's pumpin
To get the people jumpin but sayin somethin
Do you know what, I'm talkin about
When I tell you to express yourself
And let it all hang out

Quasimoto - Rappcats

2009-07-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

There is something very powerful about nostalgia. There is also something about encountering people who know the same kind of obscure crap that you like. Quasimoto (aka Madlib) does both for me in this video.

The song itself is basically a braggart's anthem that "I know rap, my man." And the video is strictly a litany of half-second clips of old rap videos, picturs and clips, some recognizable (Fred Flintstone scratching is a trip), some completely obscure (Maestro Fresh Wes, Son of Bazerk, the Mr. T "Treat Your Mother Right" song, Freshco & Miz). It's a combination of highbrow and lowbrow that makes for sensory overload and a Pavlovian orgy of images that make me want to break out all my old tapes.

Tribe or Black Moon?

2009-07-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

Interesting post going on over at The T.R.O.Y. Blog right now, about which is the better 1993 album:

Midnight Maruaders or Enta Da Stage?

Go on over and weigh in.

Fat Joe - S--t is Real

2009-07-19T10:50:00.001-07:00

There was a very small window in the 1990s where Fat Joe was kind of awesome. This song is probably the apex of that window, and clearly his best song.

The man who would later call himself "Joey Crack" (lame...) had a couple of guest spots on a couple of DITC albums (notably Diamond D and Showbiz & AG in 1992) but really didn't add much. I always put him on par with the likes of Tim Dog and U-God, lyrically... which is to say, stiff, uninspired, kinda dull.

This song, though, has the perfect combination of a very solid FJ flow, along with one of the baddest beats DJ Premier ever made.

The lyrics and video are surprisingly violent. The black and white conceit of the video (of which I am usually very much anti-), actually works here because it fits with the cinematic feel. They actually don't make videos anything like this anymore, especially in modern hip-hop. I feel that even if I didn't like hip hop, I would be compelled by this video.

Of course eventually he would come up with the "Lean Back," the wackest dance craze of the last half-century.

Now I'm sixteen and there's a brand new scene
I'm makin' mad loot, gettin' paid off the dope-fiends
Keepin shit in checkin order,
And my main man Tone was fuckin everybody else's daughter
See everybody knew in town that Joe and Tone had shit locked down
And a nigga wouldn't test me
It seems like every other day the fucking cops arrest me
But the shit would never stick
I make one phone call and be out right quick
Cause uncle Dan had my back
And now niggaz gettin' jealous cause they know I'm livin' fat
Talkin shit around the way and on the block
But never in my face cause they knew I packed a glock
And my crew is mad deep
A buncha crazy Puerto Ricans, so hey yo don't sleep
And all you bitch ass niggaz know the deal, check it out
The fucking shit is real

Crooklyn/Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers

2009-07-16T16:42:00.000-07:00

If you were into hip hop in 1994, there are a couple songs that you hear that transport you right back to that time. If you are the guy who wrote and directed The Wackness, those songs are "Around the Way Girl" by LL Cool J (1990), "Just a Friend," by Biz Markie (1989), "Can I Kick It" by ATCQ and "Summertime" by Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith (both 1991). Plus, you also used words like "wackness."

If you were me, "Crooklyn," by Special Ed, Masta Ace and Buckshot, is the quintessential 1994 East Coast hip hop song.

What is great about this song and video? What ISN'T great about it? First of all, Mike Tyson and Michael Jordan both represent the BK. (Never mind that MJ moved to N.Carolina when he was a toddler.) I'm not sure if this video was directed by Spike Lee or not, but it sure looks like it. Everything about the look of the video is cool: the "Soul Train" footage, the tours of the best parts of Brooklyn -- which make you want to visit -- and the fact that the black and white scenes don't look like some kind of pseudo artsy crap, like most of the B&W footage in rap videos of that era.

Crooklyn - Special Ed, Masta Ace, Buckshot

The coolest part of this is the way they combined three different eras of hip-hop and made it all sound current. Special Ed hadn't had a hit in five years when this came out, and here he flows better than ever as the grizzled veteran. Masta Ace had been building a solid career since "The Symphony," and was kind of the established journeyman. And Buckshot, coming off his succes with Black Moon, is the new-jack at this point.

The interweaving of the lyrics and references to the '70s and childhood and all that made this one a constant spin in my boombox in the nine-four.

Just one year later, when the guy who wrote and directed The Wackness was just discovering N.W.A for the first time, Spike Lee came out with ANOTHER movie and commissioned yet ANOTHER song, this time with three completely different guys who would bring the "Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers."

This time around, the grizzled vet was Chubb Rock, the established journeyman was the cone-headed Jeru the Damaja and the rookie was O.C. This time they called themselves Crooklyn Dodgers '95. This song/video was decidedly grittier than the original -- as Clockers is a decidedly more violent movie than Crooklyn -- but they did interpolate the "we did it like that and now we do it like this" element from the original song. Chubb mentions areas like Flatbush, Bushwick and Bed-Stuy, all neighborhoods that make white people roll up their windows. He also mentions taking back Ebbets field; don't tell the Chubbster (worrrrd up) that Ebbets was torn down back in '60.

Both Jeru and O.C. put out two very very good albums in the 1990s: Jeru had The Sun Rises in the East and The Wrath of the Math, and O.C. made Word...Life and Jewelz.

The lyrics don't have the same nostalgic resonance, but they are still pretty gritty. Jeru says "Chips that power nuclear bombs power my Sega." Christ I hope our bombs are better than that. But 'Ru does end the song with "Peace to the East New York, Perverted Monks and Mike Tyson," which reminds me every time why I love/miss him so much.

I was hoping that a new generation of Crooklyn Dodgers would be spawned every year. (In 2009 we could have Lil Fame, Vast Aire and Skyzoo!) But 'twas not to be.

However...

By the looks of this this concert from June 2008, they still got it!

Jel - Sweet Cream In It

2009-07-15T14:07:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure why Jel decided to give this song such a gay name as "Sweet Cream In It" but the beat is hot as hell, and although the sound is a little off, it looks like he is doing most of it live off the sampler. Shit is off the hook like "not guilty."

Xzibit feat. Ras Kass & Saafir - "Plastic Surgery"

2009-07-14T16:13:00.000-07:00

The best song of many good songs on Xzibit's 1996 sleeper hit At the Speed of Life is what we used to call a "posse-cut." This one features two of the best lyricists of the day: Ras Kass and Saafir. Although neither of these two has put out a good album in their entire careers.

But for the purposes of this song, their punch-ups were just what the doctor ordered. (Pun intended!)

I'm like Dougie Howser MD with a desert eagle
Criminal Genius
Operation Seperatin' them siamese twins hangin' beneath a nigga's penis
Take it to your face like a skin graft
Rappers, I specialize in talent transplants
You want fat lips? Nurse get the colagen
And ten tons of stomach pumps
From all the c*m you and Richard Gere be swallowin'
Now followin' aks Vanna to buy you vowels
So you can C, I, A, E-Swift, O
U know Y
We remain uncontested to the contender,
We can Million Man March all the way to December
January, Feburary 28th

Big L - 1998 Freestyle

2009-07-13T15:57:00.001-07:00

Here is why Big L was one of the best ever...

And for part 2, click here. This motherfu**ker was the truth.

In Loving Memory

2009-06-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

The Best Rapper Alive?

2008-07-19T09:47:00.001-07:00

The steaming pile of crap known as Vibe Magazine has created a "bracket" for Best Rapper Alive. You can download the printable bracket here.

Let's take a look at the list of some of the MCs on the list:

First of all, the four #1 seeds are Jay-Z, Eminem, Andre 3000 and Li'l Wayne. Um, okay. They have the regular list of characters that go into these discussions, such as Nas, Method Man, Common, Ice Cube, Black Thought, Redman, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, et al.

There are some interesting choices of people that I like but wouldn't consider in the Greatest Rapper Ever category, such as Q-Tip, Raekwon, Scarface, etc.

And then they have some MCs on the list that defy all logic. First of all, the "play-in" matchup is Jim Jones and Diddy. DIDDY? F**king DIDDY???!?!?! You are telling me that Diddy is one of the 65 best MCs alive?

Let's look at some of the other MCs on the list: Soulja Boy Tell'em, Nelly, Twista, Snoop Dogg, Jadakiss, Joe Budden, Li'l Kim, Flo Rida? Let's remember this is the BEST RAPPER ALIVE. Whether the songs that these MCs make are good is a matter of taste; I don't think that there is a person alive that would contend that these people are even very good rappers, let alone the best alive.

Most infuriating, however, is the list of MCs that are omitted. Just take a quick peek at this and try to keep yourself from vomiting.

KRS-ONE
Rakim
Kool G Rap
Lord Finesse
MF Doom
Aesop Rock
El-P
PMD
Big Daddy Kane???
Pharaohe Monch

I'm sure you can come up with a lot more. Feel free to contact Vibe and tell them how you feel.

Kwest the Madd Ladd - 101 Things to Do While I'm With Your Girl

2008-07-08T18:40:00.000-07:00

Kwest the Madd Ladd was a very unique and skilled MC of the early 1990s who had a bit of a speech impedement and lots of filthy things on his mind. He had a song called "Skin Care" that began with someone singing "I love p***yyyyyyyy" and then going into a torrent of filthy sexcapades. What made this song fascinating was that Kwest actually censored himself with a Family Feud-style "Buzz" whenever a dirty word would come up.

Forget for a moment that Kwest's voice was identical to fellow obscure early '90s rapper Diamond Shell, and deal with the fact that this guy had some serious lyrics, but he was just a little too out there, and I don't know that this video helped.

There are some interesting elements to the video that make it as timeless as it is moralistic. The pink backgrounds were included in the video, we can assume, because they are pleasing to the female eye, and therefore even more seductive than Kwest's gold fronts. The nose ring adds to his already rugged handsomeness.

Kwest also is interested in helping the children read, which is why he adds so many Batman-like graphics to key lines of the song. But instead of "POW!" or "BIFF" you get "I'll Bag Your Lady." Additionally, the cutaway shots looking up at Kwest as he is standing on glass brings to mind the glass ceiling that so many people in urban areas have encountered. It's a political statement!

I think the one thing we learn from this video is that Kwest tha Madd Ladd is not the kind of person to bring your girlfriend, fiancee or wife around. He will not only try to have sex with her, but he will then tell you, "don't take it personal."

Of course not, Kwest, how could I?

Now money grip peep it you think you so fly
But on the real I'd like to deck you in the motherf**kin' eye
You think that you so flavor, but if I roll on you kid, huh
Nothing can save you, cause you know I never did like you
Everytime you came around I didn't wanted to fight you
Talkin' bout you get p***y, huh, that's dead
The last time you were in some ass the doctor screamed "I see the head!"
You too busy planning scams with your piece
To realize the wife you have is mad sweet, freaky, tight and naaaasty
So now I guess you gots to know, this here bone is sticking your hoe
On the down low, I did it kind of to get you back
To prove that no one can master the hottie snatcher, punany catcher
And that shit is good like a motherf**ker
Now who's the sucker, ran your girl, go get another
Bet she made you choose a bag evertime you did her
Guess what? I raw dog the first time I did her
While you on the block slangin' rocks, bustin' shots with your glock
Your wifey is playin' with my c**k
So I suggest you go get another b***h, cause this one is made to switch
Cause like the Pepsi challenge she chose me
And last night, guess what? Your girl rode me
UP and down, down and down, south and north, north and south
I even got to put this dick in her mouth
So if you wanna try to play me
Come on kid don't even try to be a baby

Masta Ace Inc - Jeep Ass Nigguh

2008-07-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

Tell you what, this video is awful hard to find on YouTube. (Eventually I will begin making a list of videos I can't find anywhere and offer cold hard handshakes for anyone who can find them for me.)

Masta Ace Inc's 1993 opus Slaughtahouse is one of the most underrated and underappreciated albums of the '90s. It was really the first hip hop album that I can think of that dared to actually criticize the state of rap music -- particularly West Coast and "gangsta rap" -- at that time. The songs do a great job of taking artists to task.

So naturally, the best song on the album is the one about how awesome his car stereo is.

But it's a hell of a song, and it's one of the songs that gets me pumped up whenever I hear it. If there is a cooler three-word line in hip hop than Ace saying "Hey Mutha-f**kaaaas!" I don't know what it is. (Is "mutha-f**kas" one word or two?)

There are three basic movements to the song: First Ace speaks eloquently about how much bass his jeep has. Secondly, he gets into a cross-cultural confrontation with a man of Latino origin; the racial tension is simmering, with Ace calling him a "Puerto Rican Latin Chico Rico Suave." [Note: in the video, the man looks nothing like Gerardo. If he did, Ace should have just shot him.] The third verse is a reference to how white people -- police in general -- hate his music, and would probably be just fine with it were Elvis Presley. He does have a point: I always get annoyed when I am walking downtown and hear loud Dem Franchise Boyz songs, I get upset, but when someone is pumping "Hound Dog" out of their Escalade, I start dancing in spasmodic glee.

Also, his follow-up, Born to Roll, is a steaming pile of bass music that is all about his love of cars. Whither Masta Ace, Inc.

Drivin down the block like what else should a brother do
It's Saturday, it's Saturday, the heat might smother you
Rollin down my windows yeah I have a air-conditioner
But I got the sound I want the whole world to listen ta
Waitin at a red light, Kentucky Fried Chicken in
Low End Theory tape in, bass crazy kickin in
See this Puerto Rican Latin Chico Rico Suave
In a red Corolla eh yo does he wanna play
Pullin up beside me, lookin like he want it
Show me what ya got then watch me get up on it
Holdin up traffic but we can't hear they horns
Cause he music a grande yeah he got it goin on
Bit I think I better school him cause he don't know the time
So I'm turnin up the boom cause he cannot f**k with mine
Brothers hear me hittin from like 50 blocks away I
Wanna turn they heads so you know I gotta play
High decibels passin through a residential district
See a few cuties and I turn it up like this quick
Mira, mira man don't sleep, I got tha, I got tha, I got tha woofers in my Jeep

Yo! MTV Raps 20th Anniversary

2008-05-05T21:02:00.001-07:00

Looks like someone at MTV got an interesting idea to show old rap videos. Am I the inspiration? Who am I to say? But yes....

They are showing a bunch of videos from 1992, which I think it can be safely declared was the single greatest year of hip hop music. Give it a look. (Although the vids on this site, though seldom is it updated, are far superior.

2008-04-11T22:24:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I dropped a new post, so what better way to get back on the horse than post this video of 20 Hip Hop songs you "need to hear." By and large it's a very solid list, highlighting album tracks and more obscure songs rather than the trite-and-true knee-jerk playbook that most mainstream rap fans will throw out there.

Here is Part 1

And here is Part 2

What do you think?

Company Flow - "End to End Burners"

2007-08-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

Company Flow were the Beatles of indie hip hop. not only were they the most influential, but they were the best.

El-P has become more of an industrial artist than the "dirty dusty" rapper and producer he once was; he is actually somehwat mainstream. Ironically, Big Juss is one of the most abstract, avant garde rappers out there.

This track was kind of their swan song, they're last great record before they broke up. I love this song a lot, not only because it was the first video I ever saw from these guys after wearing out their Funcrusher Plus LP, but it's just a blistering track. The pulsating beat dives right into the lyrics with no four-bar intro needed. The lyrics are fast and furious (and sometimes unintelligible, click here for approximate lyrics, a new window will pop up), and contain all the pre-Y2K tension that was being felt at the time. It's one of the songs that gets me pumped up like no other.

And Jesus H. Christ, just check out these lyrics.

[El-P] Yo, I cut most meticulous with a similar interest
King of pain and sing to a metronome without an influence
Shot burner off-kilter bust sh*t at random
Like civil war muskets or A.D.D. kids throwin tantrums
Out out the damn spot with phantom power rebel bunch
Using the populace like Phen-Fen the meat to public school lunches
Sad to say im the matrix with the code for smallpox rapist
Out of all shots mine are worn from hit 'n' runs, caught 'em
mixtapeless
Straight from limbo where the most favourite dish is faces
Marching like Dimes or Orangemen through Belfast
Manimal hybrids recombination, then beatbox
til the tastebuds on our tongues are smooth and shapeless
Dodging thought police this patient zero the folk hero
Klepto steal the spotlight before b-boys turn complacent
Specialize in neuter services and theft of game systems
The crew detaches expands and credits them towards purchases
Wisdom with a bad touch, and I'll provide incision pain plus
that botched the operation and denied insurance claim form
Overfiendish, twenty cock to shoot out f*ck your mind
before that morning cup of ovaltine sh*t
El Producto, C.F. born to break shit down and replace it with
fortified vitamins that you can lick right off the vinyl
Little Leaguer, my phonics is on some clearly ironic shit
like hittin pick six on the day of the apocalypse

Grand Puba - "I Like It"

2007-08-13T21:41:00.000-07:00

I was never a huge fan of Grand Puba. I always thought he was a nice counterpoint rapper with the rest of Brand Nubian, but he tended to get somewhat annoying when he did his own thing. He tended to get a little lazy on the mic, especially with his offbeat flow.

Having said, that I always thought this was one of the coolest, smoothest songs of 1995. It's got a great, mellow beat, with that awesome vibraphone sound. His lyrics, while not amazing, fit the song fine. It is a little ridiculous of course that an ugly, overweight, cross-eyed man such as Grand Puba would talk about getting ass, but it was pretty much his m.o. from the start. And of course he has to mention Stud Doogie, like he does in every other goddamn song he ever made. But he doesn't mention DJ Alamo. Hmmmm....

The video is kind of dumb: he straight up rips off the video for A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario" (3 years later no less!) with the computer graphics theme. I can't help but think that this video would have been about 10x cooler if he had just driven around New York City at night and shot that for the whole video instead of wasting time in Puba's boring apartment.

Oh, but Kid from Kid 'N' Play is in the video, and that is just strange. And why the hell are Lord Jamar and Sadat X in there? Didn't Brand Nubian break up so they didn't have to see each other anymore?

I hit a flow all dipped in lotion
Sit back and sip moe as Im countin my doe
Grand puba macks well, doogie, comin with the new york
We keep it real like jail when we might talk
Honies know cause when Im in the set
Grand puba is the one who makes they stink box wet
So let me tell ya somethin lady
When ya flow this flow then its all cream and baby
I made this one for the brothers in the party
To find a hottie
And dance body to body
Step one: first you grab honey by the waist
Step two: then you move at a ghetto pace
Step three: then ya look her dead in the face
Step four: now its time to leave this place
Hold up, be careful of the cheesas
The teasas, the one who wants the money and the visas
Ima tell honies straight off the bat
But please dont even go there with that, dig it
This ones designed to make your spine in your back wind
Grand puba lights it up for you every time

KRS-ONE vs Kool G Rap

2007-06-17T19:12:00.000-07:00

A great debate here trying to decide who is the greatest MC in the history of hip-hop. You really can't go wrong with either of these rappers. As uneven as many of their albums have been, you can't really deny that they are both in the elite echelon.

What strikes me is the complete dissimilarity of styles. KRS is more about politics and prosyletizing, with the occasional punchline-heavy freestyle. G Rap was all punchlines and storytelling. KRS had the deep voice and conviction; G Rap had the rapid-fire delivery and incredibly inventive wordplay.

If you put a gun to my head and asked me to pick, I go Kool G Rap. He is one of the five greatest MCs that ever lived (and the #1 underrated). He was years ahead of all his contemporaries in the early 1990s -- yes, including Kane and Rakim -- and paved the way for such lyrical technicians as Pharaoh Monche, Black Thought, Nas, Aesop Rock and El-Producto. Jay-Z owes a huge debt to Kool G Rap. M.O.P. basically took their entire style from his third album.

KRS-ONE has more cache and is considered more of a legend, but G Rap is the craftsman's rapper. And also doesn't consider himself the "embodiment of hip-hop."

Hell, I'm just glad it isn't the same tired-ass Tupac/Biggie debate. KRS or G Rap would destroy either one of those fellas.

Top Ten MCs?

2007-06-17T19:08:00.001-07:00

Here is one person's list of the top 10 MCs. I would have to agree with about 7 of them. Can you guess which ones?

Who are yours?

RJD2 - "Ghostwriter"

2007-05-18T15:10:00.000-07:00

Okay I have to admit I have something of a hard-on for this song, and I can't pinpoint exactly why. I think it's the way it builds up from a kind of smooth, laid-back guitar vibe, then breaks out into a dramatic, triumphant horn solo.

The song came out around 2002 and I still have a rather unusual obsession with it. It's my ringtone so call me anytime.

This is a very cool live version that RJD2 did somewhere with some turntablism and some live instrumentation. It's only about 3 minutes long, but it gives you everything you need to know about how awesome this instrumental is. The sound is a little spotty, so you may have to turn it up.

This appears to be some kind of student film that someone made with "Ghostwriter" as the soundtrack. The video appears to be kind of pointless to me, and more a reason to show some cool camera angles. Real film student shit. But I could listen to this song with a video of a kitten taking a nap, and it's the album version, so I don't care. (Actually, I just finished watching the video and it ends up being kinda cool.)

It's such a great song, because at about the 5 minute mark, you think it's just about over and then it kicks into overdrive just one more time. Magnificent.

Lords of the Underground - "Chief Rocka"

2007-05-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

I always had a strange soft spot in my heart for Lords of the Underground. I'm not quite sure why. A lot of their songs were kind of corny. Their names were Mr. Funky, Doitall (like "do it all") and Lord Jaz. And they had a somewhat publicized battle with one of my all time favorite MCs, Lord Finesse.

But this song is one of their greats. First of all, the song itself is beyond hot. The beat itself is vintage east coast funk. It's got an actual DJ doing actual scratching. The lyrics are actually kind of cool, not corny like they got once in a while.

The video itself is very much of its era, with a lot of rapping going on in very dark rooms. But the video is set apart by the slow motion breakdancing. For some reason that is just the perfect, graceful counterpoint to the chaotic and frenetic music. I can't hear the song without thinking of this video.

Also, Redman shows up at 3:38!!! Of course it's so dark you can barely see him.

Keep in mind, there are several versions of this song, all slightly different. The first version contains the chorus is simply Lord Jaz cutting up "The Lord Chief Rocka, Numba One Chief Rocka" on vinyl. The radio edit -- and in my opinion superior, but much harder-to-find version -- is the "Boomshakalaka yo here comes the Chief Rocka" chorus.

"Lord Chief Rocka version"

"Boomshakalaka version"

I'm the, Chief Rocka, so I guess I am in charge
I freak it with a twist so you'll boom it in your cars
I'm the, one with the flow and the grip like G.I. Joe
I snatch, I grab, and then I grab the dough, see if
I was an Indian I'd still be the Chief
Hittin' gangsters like Apache with the funk from beneath
To the hip, the hop, to the hibby to the hibbidy
hip-hop, oh no, I don't wanna go pop!
I got, too much soul, rhythm and blues
R&B ya see, all that's cool, but
hip-hop and rap yeah that's where my heart's at
Even back when I used to break on a box

Heavy D - "Don't Curse"

2007-05-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

I'm back babies!

Before I begin, just a quick few words. The world has changed a lot since my last post in October. YouTube is not as valuable or reliable as it once was. I'm finding many of the previous videos I've posted are not working or have been removed. Why do record companies have their heads shoved so far up their own asses that they can't realize that YouTube (and similar sites) are the best advertisting they can get. Morons!

Okay let's get started

I was never a big fan of Heavy D, however this album -- Blue Funk -- had a bunch of genuine surprises. "A Buncha Niggaz" was one of them, this was another.

If you flash back to 1992, you may not have been able to assemble a better array of hip hop stars of that time period. Count 'em down: Heavy D, Kool G Rap, Grand Puba, CL Smooth, Big Daddy Kane (wearing a Big Daddy Cast on his arm), Pete Rock and Q-Tip. That is a formidable lineup, and you could say that except for maybe CL Smooth, it's a Hip Hop Hall of Fame lineup.

I actually really really like the concept of this video where each rapper gets his own "room" which fits his rapping style. So Kool G. Rap gets a high-stakes roulette wheel, Kane gets a fancy room with a lot of girls, CL Smooth gets a room with a 6'6" basketball hoop? Okay. The problem, as was the problem with most rap videos of the era, was that it jumps around way too much. They could have made this so much cooler and more conceptual, but instead the camera has do bob and weave around like Katherine Hepburn holding a camera while running on a treadmill.

I really like that in the song, they pretend that they were just about to swear, but somehow covered it up. How hard do you think it was to get Kool G Rap to actually NOT swear?

You can't really hear it in this version of the video, but at the end, the chorus chants "Free Slick Rick." That's part of the problem with the hip hop community. If Slick Rick had attempted to murder you, would you want him let out?

You're telling me don't curse on a verse, they did it worse
First I put a curse on every verse
I kind of got outrageous
Check it, even made a record on how I'm doing on the B-I-T-C-Hes
Drop some verses for the bust
Every word that you heard is cause I didn't give a f-, aw shucks
Hey yo, I almost forgot
The curse is a plot but it's getting kinda hot
So I'ma let profanity retire, hey
But if worse comes to worse, I'll cut you out like Richard Pryor
So Grand Puba, kick a verse
But do your man a favor and don't curse

My Sister Site ... Or Should I Say "Sista" Site?

2006-10-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

For all my readers (both of you) please check out my companion site, created by my longtime companion and dear dear friend Mike "Don" Jerome Cialini. He calls the site Number One Chief Rocka, and it is an excellent hip hop lyrics blog.

Mike tackles A Tribe Called Quest (one good verse, one bad), The GZA, Tim Dog, Gang Starr, Big L, Nas and more. Check it out and drop a comment.

Bo$$ - "Recipe of a Hoe"

2006-10-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

Bo$$ used to scare the shit outta me. Bo$$ was an unlikely name for a female rapper, but she had the goods. She had a hard voice, decent lyrics and really good beats. (This video has a little hiss, but you can get the idea of it. Also, I'm printing the dirty version of the lyrics, which are so much dirtier than the video version.)

Bo$$ knew how to get the funk out of the West Coast sound at the time, right before it all turned into phony g-funk garbage. The video is little more than Bo$$ running around in a Carhart jacket, skullcap and black Loc's in the ghetto with a sepia-toned spotlight on her. But the song is nice. I love the "ya, ya gotta, ya-ya ya gotta, ya gotta let a hoe be a hoe!" chorus and the smooth bassline. They don't make 'em like this anymore.

[Note: the embedding was removed on this video, but you can find it by clicking HERE.]

If yous a tramp 4ss n***a or no good n***a you get dissed quick!
But ain't no tellin ya know my personalities split
I could just gank you for
Your s**t without a warning
Or f**k it!
Shoot you now and get all this
S**t over with by the morning!
F**k yeah!
I'm feelin' on full too
S**t!
Another reason ya hoe cards pulled fool
I'm down with all this s**t you poppin'
Hell f**k Naw!
I don't wanna put a stoppin' to your hoe hoppin'
Cuz when ya' runnin the motha f**kin streets
In between the sheets every
Week screwin freak after freak
BO$$ is straight kickin' in the do' at ya crib
With enough time to kill a 40 O.Z. thats how I live!
Jackin' for cash and jewelry and all that s**t
Then off to the pawn shop to get another fat 4ss grip
And that's exactly how it is g!
On the real tip..tip...tip..
I know the f**kin' recipe!

Young Black Teenagers - "Tap the Bottle"

2006-10-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

Oh boy. If these dudes didn't try so hard to act black, this song would have been easily as big a hit as "Jump Around."

Their name, after all, is Young Black Teenagers, and they are all very clearly caucasian. We all wanted to be black back then, babies. We just didn't call ourselves that. It is very uncomfortable to watch white guys with dreadlocks speak in urban dictions. However they do throw a black guy in for about two lines about 3.5 minutes in to show their cred.

This song could also be seen as a bit of a rip-off of "Jump Around" in several ways. Let's count them.

1) The intro where they are saying "Camron is in the house and uh..." etc is a direct rip off of the "The House of Pain is in effect ya'll..." intro of "Jump Around." Look it up.

2) It has lots of white people jumping around in a semi-rhythmic motion.

3) It has the same kind of screeching, squealing sound effect as House of Pain used with the Prince sample from "Gett Off." (Look THAT up too!)

Having said all that... it is a really kick-ass song, and really encapsulates the high-energy type of thing that was coming out in 1992. And it's not nearly as overplayed as "Jump Around" to be relegated to musical wallpaper when it comes on. I still get a genuine thrill out of hearing it.

Okay here I go Shorty tap the forty O smash
To a pass, if ya crash make a dash to the trash
Tap a cap, have alot and not alot not a little
Don't grade upon the label take a guzzle, don't dribble
I got the supercalafragileisticexpialadoucious
You're commin to close to this, I get ferocious
Coax this rhyme, smoke this rhyme hype
When we rock it up on the mic, we rock the mic right
Pass the funnel to the tunnel like it's busy till I'm dizzy
Never pass it to get fizzy cause the guard gets busy
Who is he?
Damn just pass the code decipher
When I hit the dress bottom buy a can of Red Stripe

D-Nice - "Call Me D-Nice"

2006-10-10T17:51:00.000-07:00

Many years before Stuart Scott began calling every athlete who's name began with the letter "D" D-Nice, there was this guy, the real D-Nice. He was also known as the Human TR-808, which I can't figure out, because I don't remember him doing a beatbox even once. Of course, KRS-ONE continued calling himself "DJ KRS" for the longest time and I don't think I ever heard him cut up one record.

Anyway, D-Nice was one of the earlier members of Boogie Down Productions, and by most accounts, he got DJ Scott La Rock killed (despite what others may think). D-Nice was a relatively good lyricist, though he fell into that kind of tried-and-true BDP mold: always trying to be conscious, always having KRS-ONE's back, etc.

One of my favorite memories of this album goes like this: I'm listening to this album with my boy Mike Cialini, and there is a song called "The TR-808 is Coming" and as was KRS's custom, he would always tell you what year that song in question was fresh for. The album came out in 1990, so KRS says the song is "fresh for 1990, and also fresh for nineteen ninety one and two." Flash forward a couple years to 1993; Cialini and I are inexplicably listening to this album and that song comes on. He says "fresh for nineteen ninety one and two" and I say to Mike, "Man, he's right this song sucks now. I remember thinking it was good last year."

I guess you had to be there.

I start to think, a very big conscious all around me
Who will be the sucker MC to try to doubt me
Is it you, or you, or you, or you, or him
But I'm like a tree and every lyric is a limb
You throw it on the turntable, very unstable
But you gamble because you need that example
There's a 1000 MC's on the planet earth now
What is the word you say to get hers
Some like to explain, some talk educated
Some like McBoo, he's X-rated
I like to think of myself as a pure rebel
A radical thinker on a musical level
'Cause suckers wanna stop me and girls wanna kiss
Wherever I go, yo, it seems I can't be dis
'Cause my name is D-Nice but all the girls call me Derek
It ran through my crew so I guess I've inherit
The job of explaining and also retaining
The fact D-Nice is remaining
Not a king nor a prince but as a teacher
Wit dopies like this, I know I'm gonna reach ya
So now I don't think you should all despise
This fact D-Nice is on a rise
Straight to the top like a bubble of water
It's a slaughter so I think you oughta
Think realistically, not egotistically
It's suicide if you even think of dissing me
'Cause if you try, I'm a make you wait
To learn the reason I'm the 808, but just call me D-Nice

Wu-Tang Forever: Director's Cut

2006-10-06T22:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am attaching this video for "Triumph" by the Wu-Tang Clan here as an excuse for the rest of this blog. It's strictly an excuse. I will make no comment of the overblown dramatics of the silly "Killer Beez" story line or the cheapo Brett Ratner direction and graphics. That's not why I'm here.

First, a little background.

Many of us remember the summer of 1997. I think it was July. Third Eye Blind was teaching us all how to smile again. Men in Black was taking the nation by storm. I was between my junior and senior years in college, painting dorms and just kicking ass in general.

The most anticipated albums of that summer in William H. Shannon's world were Wu-Tang Forever by the Wu-Tang Clan and For the People by the Boot Camp Clik. I would have to say that both were disappointments. I only listened to For the People once straight through because I thought it was that much of a piece of crap. The Wu album was also not very good, but with an asterisk.

*The album would have been good if they could have cut it in half.

I know I sound like a bit of a hypocrite here, because I was just bitching about how Nas's first album was too short, and now here I am blaming the Wu for packing two full discs worth of music. But let's face it, the album is mediocre because it has too much music on it. The album is so jam-packed with dead weight that I could barely listen to it without wearing out the "next track" button on my CD player.

So I did something that may have never been done in the history of modern home recording: I made my own version of Wu-Tang Forever. I did this by burning my own single-disc copy of the album, and eliminating all the bad songs on it.

For example, you will find no record of the very first track, "Wu-Revolution," on the director's cut of Wu-Tang Forever. Nor will you find awful songs like "Black Shampoo" or "For Heaven's Sake."

In fact, here is the track list:

Reunited
Cash Still Rules/Scary Hours (Still Don't Nothin Move But the Money)
Visionz
As High As Wu-Tang Get
Severe Punishment
Older Gods
Maria
A Better Tomorrow
It's Yourz
The City
The Projects
Bells of War
Duck Seazon
Triumph
Deadly Melody
Hellz Wind Staff
Heaterz

Notice, from the first disc, I have removed "Wu-Revolution" and "For Heaven's Sake," only two tracks, finally confirming for the world that the first disc of this album was far superior. From the second disc, the cutting was much more ruthless. I removed "Intro," "Impossible," "Little Ghetto Boys," "The MGM," "Dog Sh*t," "Black Shampoo," "Second Coming" and "The Closing." What a crappy second disc.

I still claim that if the Wu had simply gone with this track listing on a single disc rather than the one they came up with, Wu-Tang Forever would be considered an outstanding album. Certainly not as good as their first, but close. It's a solid album all around, just with too much filler. The album never gathers any momentum because of some seriously mediocre songs.

If the Wu or any other rap group would like a little A&R help, go ahead and give me a holler. I mean after all, Wu-Tang, who's your A&R? A mountain climber who plays an electric guitar? But he don't know the meaning of "dope" when he's looking for a suit-and-tie rap that's cleaner than a bar of soap.

[By the way, fellas. I am really enjoying the comments on this blog lately. Keep them coming. It will definitely inspire me to post more often.]

Luke - "Cowards in Compton" (feat. Clayvosie and JT Money)

2006-10-06T14:16:00.000-07:00

You asked for it, you got it.

Okay, so it's not that great a song, and Luke doesn't perform anything that could be considered a "rap" on it. (He's more like the narrator.) But for sheer chutzpah, this song had it back in the day. Back when few people were ready to mess with Death Row Records. But when the feud between Dr. Dre and Luke (aka Luther Campbell, formerly Luke Skywalker of 2 Live Crew) came out on Dre's 1992 album The Chronic, Luke had to respond.

Essentially, Luke uses this song to call out Dre and Snoop for being gangsters, when in actuality, Dre had been part of the electro-soul group World Class Wreckin' Cru, where he would routinely wear makeup and shiny outfits.

The video does a pretty good job making fun of Dre's two signature videos of this time period -- "Dre Day" and "Nuthin' But a G Thang."

The lyrics are actually pretty good, but the beat is typical Miami gangster stuff.

[Clayvosie]
It's about time for me to tear the roof off the mother
I grab the gat to make you punks run for cover
You can fool a groupie, but you can't fool a gangsta
1985, you used to be a prankster
Down with Lonzo and the Wreckin' Cru
Turnin' off the lights and dressin' like women too
Everybody on Death Row must be a joke
I put a level to the chair and watch you punks smoke
Real gangstas don't follow punks down here
I guess your boy Snoopie Dogg must be a queer
So who the hell you gonna blast here in Miami?
Step to me and I'll kill your whol' family
And I do mean hoe', you think I'm playin', son?
I got my glock to your head, now where you gonna run?
Before you diss my homie Luke, you better think twice
I'll pull a trigger, punk, and turn off your life

Nasty Nas - "Halftime"

2006-10-06T13:25:00.000-07:00

Some of you who were listening to rap music in 1994 remember when the Source gave a five mic review to Nas's Illmatic album. And this was back when "Five Mics" actually meant something at the Source. Unlike now...(Li'l Kim's "The Naked Truth"???? Are you kidding me???)

Anyway, Illmatic actually is a great album, even though it's only 10 tracks long and the first track is an intro. But one of the tracks on the album is from 1992, when Nasir Jones was known as "Nasty Nas." He had previously dropped a couple verses on posse cuts like Main Source's "Live at the BBQ" and MC Serch's "Back to the Grill." But this song is the one that got my attention.

It has a hot bassline, that awesome horn riff and that unusual wailing voice. The video isn't much, but the lyrics are great; tight but versatile. I love the flow on this song. The multi-syllabic rhyme scheme was still in its early stages and this song showcases it beautifully, damn-near making every word rhyme in multiple sentences. I was a little disappointed when I heard he was changing his name to just "Nas," especially since so many people out of the loop pronounced it "Nass." Of course those same people would have said "Nasty Nass" anyway so what do I care. This song was the first glimpse of what Nas would have to offer as a solo artist, and not just a mic-for-hire.

I got it going on, even flip 'em on this song
Every afternoon, I kick half the tune
And in the darkness, I'm heartless like when the narcs hit
Word to Marcus Garvey or heartless Sparkton
Cuz when I blast the herb, that's my word
I be slaying them fast, doing this, that and third
But chill, past the entree and let's lay
I bag bitches up at John Jay and hit a mantinee
Putting hits on 5-0
Cuz when it's my time to go, I wait for God wit the fo-fo
And biters can't come near
And yo, go to hell to the foul cop who shot Garcia
I won't plant seeds, don't need an extra mouth I can't feed
That's extra Phillie change, more cash for that weed
This goes out to Manhatten, the island of Staten
Brooklyn, Queens is living fat and
The Boogie Down, nuff props, enough clout
Ill Will, rest in peace, yo, I'm out

Groove B. Chill - "Hip Hop Music"

2006-08-24T18:28:00.000-07:00

This was a fun little ditty from the short-lived Groove B. Chill. It's a pretty catchy song with a well-known beat. The cutesy video was clearly made for white people, with its pan-ethnic cast, little kids trying to dance with an old lady, and the fact that they got their hip hop essence out of a Cross Colours catalog.

The song, and group for that matter, are notable for featuring character actor Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, who you may remember as wheelchair-bound Eli on the TV show "Ed," or the black guy in "Galaxy Quest," or the newbie in "Sgt. Bilko." (Trivia: he played a character named Chill both on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and in the first two House Party movies.)

This also points to the very likely fact that the other two members of the group are named "Groove" and "B".

Hip Hop Music - Groove B. Chill

Who said rap ain't music? Please tell me how
Elvis Presley ain't do nothin' that we ain't doin' now
Sellin' records by the millions, girls gettin' laid
We must be doin' somethin' brother, because bills gettin paid
(You mean rap is sellin'?) Nah rap done sold
We been overcame but you just wasn't... told.

Chi Ali - "Age Ain't Nothin But a #"

2006-08-24T18:06:00.000-07:00

This one's for you Toddy.

First of all, who the f**k does Chi Ali think he is making all sorts of demands on women, saying they have to be older and more mature. Chi Ali is like 12 years old, and not even handsome. Are girls really climbing all over themselves to get with him?

Not to mention the fact that he's telling these girls they have to grow up and be more mature, but he's still making songs about lemonade and videos with cartoon coyotes chasing after him.

Get a clue Chi Ali. Just because Dres from Black Sheep is your brother, don't think you have his "skillz."

BUT I'LL BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW THIS:
Chi-Ali is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence in Elmira Correctional facility over the murder of his ex-girlfriend's brother in 2000. The dispute was over $300 and some CDs!!!! And his real name is Chi-Ali Griffith! He was actually profiled on America's Most Wanted.

And to the cops of Fulton County (GA), he was known as a fugitive!

CHI-ALI - Age Ain't Nothing
by homhom

Walking down the street and I saw this honey
She was dipped, the opposite of bummy
I stepped to her, I said "Yo you look swell"
Give me your number, you have a man, I won't tell
It really don't matter cause to me it means nothing
Next time I'm feeling rough, I'll just snuff him
Anyway, how old are you G?
13, I'm Audi
The girl said, "Hold up, who you think you are?"
I said, "I'm Chi-Ali, a superstar"
She said, "I may be young but don't be mislead
With this dope body you'll choose me instead"
I said, "Don't get me wrong, your body may be ready
But come back in three years when your mind is more steady
I'm not trying to diss you, I'm just trying to blow up"
But do me a favor, hon, and grow up

Wu-Tang Clan - "M.E.T.H.O.D. Man"

2006-08-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

By popular demand...

Say what you will about the Wu. In fact, I will say something: their first album is one of the top five hip hop albums ever created. After that they put out various product from excellent, like Liquid Swords and ...Cuban Linx..., all the way down to piss-poor, like Bobby Digital and Heavy Mental. I have always said Wu-Tang Forever would have been a classic album if they had gotten rid of the dead weight like the first track and "Black Shampoo" and only put the one album's worth of outstanding songs on there. In fact, I may just create my own Wu-Tang Forever single-album using the power of CD burning technology.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes. Say what you will about the Wu-Tang Clan, but they are essentially marketing geniuses. Or were at one time. They branded themselves with the awesome "W" logo that my boy Don C has proudly tattooed on his arm. (In fact, can we get a pic of that, Mikey?) The used to have the perfect knack for releasing their solo albums: just when you were getting sick of the last one, they would crank out the next one. They did it like that for about 3 years.

But this song is exactly why they are genius, for two reasons. One, they get the most marketable of their MCs (yes, that includes ODB) and have him put out a very catchy, but dirty rap song. Dirty meaning grimy. But the real genius is the prelude to the song. Since the Wu was trying to pimp out their brand, they had to have a hook, and their hook was that they had 8 MCs, all (well most) talented, and they had this mystique about them. But since this was the single, it would be the most played of their songs at first. So what do they do? They run down all 8 members of the Clan right off the bat, so you know exactly who you're dealing with.

Anyone who knows this song knows the timeless intro of "From the slums of Shaolin, Wu-Tang Clan strikes again, the RZA, the GZA, Old Dirty Bastard, Inspektah Deck, Raekwon the Chef, U-God, Ghostface Killah and the Method Man..." And usually when any of us recite the eight members of the Clan, we do it in that order. Genius. (And I don't mean GZA.)

Clip is loaded when I click bang dang
A Wu-Tang slug hits your brain
J-U-M-P jump and I thump
Make girls rumps like pump and Humpty Hump
Wow, the Shaolin style is all in me
Child, the whole damn isle is callin me
P-A-N-T-Y-R-A-I-D-E-R mad raw I don't cry
Meaning no one can burn or toss and turn me
Ooh I be the super sperm
Chim chimmeny chim chim cherie
Freak a flow and flow fancy free
Now how many licks does it take
For me to hit the Tootsie Roll center of a break
Peep and don't sleep the crews mad deep Wu-Tang
Fadin motherf**kers like bleach
So to each and every crew
You're clear like glass I can see right through
You're whole damn posse be catchin em all cause you vic'd
and ya didnt have friends to begin with

Goodie Mob - "Soul Food"

2006-08-03T18:48:00.000-07:00

Before Cee-Lo was in Gnarls Barkley, most of us remember him from the Goodie Mob, along with Big-Gipp, T-Mo and Khujo. Goodie Mob, incidentally, had one of the coolest acronyms in rap: "The GOOD DIE Mostly Over Bulls--t." And what was cool about these guys was not only their crazy pre-Dirty South look, but their rapid fire delivery and overlapping lyrics.

In this video they are all working in a fast food joint, getting hassled by customers and the boss. And they are bad employees! There is something about all their faces I just love. And I like that when they leave their corporate job, they hang out at a diner in the middle of the night eating food that you have to sing-song to talk about. Corn-BREAAAAD, CHIT-liiiiins, Collard GREEENS, etc.

Sunday morning where you reating at?
I'm on 1365 Wichita Drive
Ole' burd working the stove ride
Churches dripping chicken in yesterday's grease
Didn't go together with this quart of Mickey's
Last night hanging over from a good time
yeah beef is cheaper but
It's pumped with "red dye" between two pieces of bread
Shawty look good with dem hairy legs
Wish I could cut her up but, ma stomach come before sex
A house full of hoes now what's the ingredient
Spaghetty plus her monthly flow

The Scratch Story with Jessica Jason (feat. Whiz Kid and Jazzy Jay)

2006-08-03T18:37:00.000-07:00

This is some kind of PSA from 1981, and it's almost 7 minutes long.

Jazzy Jay is one of the great old school DJ's, and here he shows some ingenue how the black guys scratch records. It's like DJing 101. Jazzy Jay wasn't going to use up his good stuff here, but it's pretty cool anyway. It's almost like a commercial for old school rap.

What's amazing is that when this video came out, hip hop was essentially 6 years old or so. That puts some s--t in perspective. I do love the way this chick calls it "scratch music." And also notice how Jazzy Jay moves right in on Jessica as soon as Whiz Kid has his hands busy. And Jessica does a nice job of whitely nodding her head as if she has any idea what's going on.

RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard at a Talent Show

2006-08-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

By demand...

This pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the Wu. This is a very slim Ol' Dirty Bastard and the RZA performing at some kind of talent show. Basically Dirt McGirt and Zig-Zag-Zig-Allah just bullshit for about a minute fifteen. What is remarkable is that they yell at the soundman to turn the music down, and then speak nothing but pure nonsense for about a minute. Then RZA starts talking about "d--k hardening" and "p---y wetting" and then someone comes out and tells him to keep it clean.

Then RZA starts to bust a very weak freestyle about getting a hummer from some chick, while some random dude in a 1987-era Chess King shirt walks behind him at about 1:45. Seriously, if this was the first you had seen of the RZA, you would never have known they would have ruled hip hop for about a half-decade. Kind of amazing really.

Bigg Jus - "Silver Back Mountain King"

2006-07-25T20:42:00.000-07:00

Okay this song is clearly not from the Golden Age, given its references to 9/11 and other such things. But it is a sick, sick song and one of the coolest and most messed-up videos I have ever seen.

Anyone who always saw Bigg Jus as second fiddle to El-Producto when the two of them were in Company Flow together can just forget it. This song is as perfect a beat and lyric as El-P has ever come up with on his own. The video itself is like some kind of modern art, incredibly macabre, yet utterly compelling, with images of American history and the violence attached to it. It's one of the most breathtaking hip hop videos I've ever seen and I hope assholes like Hype Williams will watch it and feel stupid about that bullshit they have turned hip-hop videos into.

Your lust for legitimacy will put you in that chair
With real disabilities
Receive a useless martyr
Don't forsake a sacrificial starter
Repenting from deliverance
Coming with nothing but belligerence, hittin' irate
Tribulation'll be a wand to destroy this holiday
You obnoxious little fruitcake
I'm unequivocally meticulously vindictive with vengeance
Feel the ramification torturous imagination
Forever endless
I write raps, with a bloody axe
Read you the riot act
Dark days ahead, light a match.

Tommy Seebach - "Apache"

2006-07-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

"Apache" is one of the hottest old school hip hop beats of all time, rocked by the likes of Sugar Hill Gang and the Incredible Bongo Band. It's a classic for all-time.

However, there is literally nothing -- NOTHING -- on planet Earth better than this video. The silliness quotient is off the f**king charts, with gay looking musicians, Indian dancers and lots of leaves. And the lead singer/keyboardist periodically yelling "APACHEEEEEE! AH-HA-HA-HA!" before having a dance-off with the three squaws in the video. And all set to a disco beat.

I don't think that anyone watching this will disagree with me that the highlight of the video is the 00:21 - 00:35 mark, where the keyboardist plays the ivories with the shit-eatingest grin I have ever witnessed.

(This is a serious stretch to include on this blog, but this video needs to be seen....by both my readers.)

The Alkaholiks - "The Next Level" featuring Diamond D

2006-07-24T16:52:00.000-07:00

I included this video on here for a couple of reasons. First of all, this is a very good song off a very good album. I believe Diamond D produced it and is in the video (fat guy with funny hat and sunglasses). And that Coast II Coast album is no joke.

BUT ...

The real reason I included it is because it somehow has both the greatest and worst line in any rap song in the long and storied history of rap. First, the best line, and it's actually the first line of the song. And goes like this:

Who's the n***a everybody diss, cuz you can't bust this?
You got a bad name like Dick Butkus

But he says it like "Dick Butt-Kiss. It's so perfect. J-Ro was really something.

And then it has the worst line I think I've ever heard in a rap song, and I don't even need to give you the whole verse, just the one line, courtesy of Diamond D:

I put words together like Peter Jennings

Just humor me for a second here. First of all, why Peter Jennings? Is there no one else who puts together words? Does Peter Jennings have some sort of super word-structuring power that I never knew about? Probably not, so I can only assume that Diamond needed a name that rhymed with "Peggy Fleming" in the next line. Okay, so Jennings does the trick. But "I put words together"??? That's the best you could come up with? Diamond was never really a great rapper but he's better than that.

For all my n***az in the places with blunts in they faces
Off the two turntables with the anvil cases
It's the L-I-K's that blaze and amaze that
[Gots to roll deep] in these crazy-ass days
But the Alkaholik rhymer, King Tee and Diamond D
Got the gats pointed at ya like we're to round three
Cause nineteen ninety-four is the year we overdo it
With the house party beats and flowin like fluid
Cause ain't nothin too but to do that s**t and print it
But it's all about the loot so every move is documented
And vented, by the man born for lyric kickin
Coolin out with your b***h eatin sweet and sour chicken

Das EFX - "They Want EFX"

2006-07-24T16:19:00.000-07:00

I don't think it would be hyperbolic to say (and boys you can disagree with me if you like) that this song had a profound direct effect on hip-hop lyrical styles for about 2-3 years.

The lyrics themselves are essentially meaningless, a hodgepodge of various nursery rhymes, cartoon characters and children's games. But they are constructed in such a skillful way that it all makes a strange sort of logical sense. Hard to understand? Yes, but after repeated listenings I find myself still catching references I didn't catch the first time.

Also it has an awesome KRS-ONE vocal sample ("They want effects...") and the amazing "[Crack] Snap a neck for some live effects" sample from Erick Sermon.

But the way Das actually changed hip-hop was by popularizing the "diggidy-diggidy" style of rapping, where you could simply add a few syllables to a line by siggidy-saying whatever you wiggidy-want. Now, Das was very skillful, and this song was essentially the first of its kind, given that it was nonsense, but conceptual nonsense; there is a definite theme. And Das was smart by not overusing the "diggidy" style. Did they use it a lot? Well yes, but they rarely seemed too gratuitous. But after this song came out, everyone from Kris Kross to Ice Cube was adding a diggidy to their lyrics. It became annoying after a while, but for a brief period it was actually a lot of fun.

Das Efx - They Want EFX
by rockrot

Well Ill be darned, shiver me timbers, yo head for the hills
I picked a weeping willow, and a daffodil
So back up bucko or Ill pulverize McGruff
Cause this little piggy gets busy and stuff
Arrivederci, heavens to mercy, honky tonk I get swift
I caught a Snuffleufapus and smoked a boogaloo spliff
I got the nooks, the crannies, the nitty gritty fodey-doe
All aboard, cast away, hey wheres my boogaloo?
Ooooh Im steaming, a-go-ny
Why's everybody always picking on me?
They call me puddin tane, and raps my game
You ask me again and Ill t-tell you the same
cause Im the vulgar vegemintarian, so stick em up freeze
So no pork sausages, mom, please
A-blitz shoots the breeze, Twiddly-Dee shoots his lip
Crazy Drayzy shot the sheriff, yup and I shot the gift
And thats pret-ty sneak-y, sis oh yep
I got my socks off, my rocks off, my Nestle's cup of cocoa
Holly Hobby tried to slob me, tried to rob me silly stunt
Diggedy-dun dun dun dun dun, dun dun

Sadat X - "The Lump Lump"

2006-07-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

What is more awesome than Sadat X? Trying to figure out what the f--k he's talking about. Don't get me wrong, I actually think Dotty-X was the best MC in all of Brand Nubian (and Lord Jamar was a very distant third) but I swear to the Big Man Upstairs I have no idea what he's talking about sometimes. He seems to have graduated to the Raekwon the Chef school of just throwing together a bunch of cool-sounding words and making them sound awesome.

I really am not quite sure what Sadat is trying to say here. He looks like he's trying to make a point about being faithful to your girlie-girl or that a bunch of dudes are trying to get with her, but I'm still really not sure. It's far to cerebral for me. But one thing from the video is for sure: Sadat X has sex with a lot of women. And the beat is pretty hot on this song.

Sadat X - The Lump Lump
by homhom

Oh you got your own dough, from where I don't know
You hold degrees from two universities
Girl you're worth cheese in the nine-seis
Sadat owns apartment keys, is it Alize for Dolo
You got a mind on top of that spine plus the lump lump
Highly educated and highly motivated
Workin girl skirt tight love to hurt
What to exert, I break your next man's pocket
Smell of freak fragrant, unlike the vagrant
You can pay the rent always, and don't be gettin hallways
In the bed girlie and at work by nine
Put on the work force ridin on a iron horse
Bring it home to dad, the one piece cause I'm here
Workout baby doll and keep yo' career
No chiggedy, no diggedy, not you
Glad that I got you, when I did
Cause you was runnin wild with this out of style kid, no class
Light in the ass, white enough to pass
Shotproof glass for the midnight mass

Big L - "No Endz, No Skinz"

2006-07-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this video is a little weak, especially considering what an awesome, catchy song it is. But I'm putting it out there for the God Toddy Scrills, since both he and I worship Big L in general, and this song in particular.

The song is peculiar in that Big L seems to lament the fact that you can't get a girl unless you have some cash, and it would be much less shallow to judge a guy based on his looks. Now, the late Mr. L was certainly no looker, but apparently he didn't have any cash either, and therefore had bad luck with women. This song comes from a different era, where it was okay to make fun of a woman for wanting to take all of a fella's money. You can't do that now, due to "political correctness" (thanks Hillary Clinton!), but curious that a girl can still oil herself up and shake her booty in any rap video today. Yikes.

Big L - No Endz No Skinz
by SeenMyBrain

I tell it how it is cause im a goldfigga
And I hate a money hungry girl a.k.a. golddigger
It ain't even funny
Some girls dont even know me askin me can they get some money
I'm lookin nuthin like ya poppa
I wouldnt give a chick 10 cent to put cheese on a Whopper
They wanna know why im so fly
A girl ask me for a ring and i put one around her whole eye
Chicks used to diss but now they wanna kiss
Yo Showbiz, I'ma break it down like this

Rough House Survivors - "Rough House"

2006-07-16T20:02:00.000-07:00

Another one of those one-off, obscure groups that was totally indicative of their era (about 1992) but never did more than put out one album/hit song. This album was actually surprisingly strong. (No doubt most of you remember their other semi-hit, "Check Da Backpack".)

This song has a wicked organ riff, a very interesting reggae-infused chorus, and decent lyrics. And of course the video -- being about a bunch of Rough Guys -- takes place in the ghettos, with a lot of chain-link fences and run-down buildings. And it's in a strange sepia/black and white that uses a lot of zooming and strobing. Yeah, the video isn't that great, and the song doesn't really deviate from the main beat at all, but I liked it when it came out.

Jimmy Smith - "Walk on the Wild Side"

2006-07-10T22:13:00.000-07:00

I know this isn't hip-hop, but just indulge me here.

I came across this video of one of my favorite all time songs, a jazz song performed by the late Jimmy Smith, the master of the Hammond B-3 organ. It is a different version than I've ever heard before. It starts up nice and slow, and then about 3 minutes into the video starts to heat up.

It is flat-out one of the funkiest, most soulful jazz songs I can think of. It's a live television performance from 1961. You can see the master zoning out in about minute four, clearly in a zone. Great song. The original recording is one of my all-time favorite songs.

Jurassic 5 - "Concrete Schoolyard"

2006-07-10T21:38:00.000-07:00

Okay so I am totally cheating on this song from 1997, but I love this song so much I don't even care. It has one of the baddest piano loops of all time, and sounds like an old-school throwdown, but which much better lyrics and flows than the Jurassic's 1980s predecessors. It's not an old school song, but it sure sounds like one.

The Jurassic 5 quickly shed their gimmick tag, when everyone thought early on that they were just old-school fakers. They proved to have the perfect blend of an old-school sensibility, but skilled lyrics. In other words, they weren't going to blame any weak rhymes on being "old school," but instead perfected their four-man interplay with great instrumentals.

Jurassic 5 - Concrete Schoolyard
by keepitreal

Now I walk from Tranzania
Earthquake Transalvania
And on my way I kicked a whole through the wall of China
Just to get the right blend
Cause its schizophrenic of the pathway to livin
I fell into the deep end
You shouldn't have told me
The pyramids can hold me
So now a contest is what you owe me
Pull out your beats pull out your cuts
Give us a mic, whatup
And we goin tear shit up
I'm on some old and forgotten
Sun up to sun down
Like picking cotton
The nutty professor science droppin
Rockin Robbin's hood
From New York to Compton
Me and my three sons
Jabari, Shakir, and Kahsum

Masta Ace - Juice Crew Trivia

2006-07-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

This is pretty awesome.

For all of us who remember the Juice Crew from the late 1980s and early '90s, this is kind of a 5-minute trip back in time. Masta Ace does a cool little thing called "Juice Crew Trivia," an old-school routine where he gets the audience to guess the name of the artist who rapped over the beat his DJ provides. He only does three Juice Crew members (and for leaving out Kool G Rap I almost want to yell at him), but it's very cool. And good to know that even in the 2000s, people still remember who the Juice Crew is.

See if you can guess the three crew members he mentions before you watch it. It's not G Rap, it's not Craig G, it's not Shante, it's not even TJ Swan. Oh, and it's not DJ Polo or Mister Cee. Or Marley Marl for that matter. That sort of narrows it down.

(Note: the sound kind of cuts out toward the middle and goes off-sync, but it's still cool to listen to.)

Del tha Funkee Homosapien - "MIstadobalina"

2006-07-10T20:59:00.000-07:00

This is a funky song that was kind of a precursor to the "new West Coast" movement of the early 1990s. This album, I Wish My Brother George Was Here, is one of my favorites. It was brand new for its time; funky hip-hop with a weird bohemian edge. But not fake, Digable Planets-style bohemian, just an offbeat sensibility. If I could only find it on disc... sigh.

This song always intrigued me. It could mean one of two things. One, it could be an admonishment of a type of person who is a poseur, someone who jumped on the hip-hop bandwagon when it became popular. Del mentions people who used to mock him before, and now want to hang out with him. Hmmm...

But my theory has always been that the song -- and the namesake, Bob Dobalina -- represents the white man, who used to hate rap music, and now latches onto it since it is popular and can make money. Not only does the video (with suited-up caucasian businessmen) seem to support this, but a few select lyrics do as well. He speaks of serpents and snakes, which could be a veiled reference to the "white devil." (In fact, I remember reading an interview once where Del's cousin Ice Cube said about whites, and I'm paraphrasing, "All white people are snakes. Now, not all snakes are poisonous, but they are all snakes." Amen, Cube!)

Ooooo, ooooo, mistadobalina
You thought ya could manipulate
You thought you could fool me
Ooooo, ooooo, mistadobalina
Teach would have put me on a stump and then he schooled me
Friends can be fraudulent
Just you wait and see
First he was my moneygrip
Then he stole my honeydip
Mistadobalina is a serpent
Don't you agree
The little two-tima
Resembles aunt jemima
With jeans and a dirty white hoodie
Seems like he wouldn't be a snake
Or would he?

Common Sense - "Soul By the Pound" (Remix)

2006-07-06T21:34:00.000-07:00

Back before some queer now-defunct fag-rock band named Common Sense made him change his name, the original Common Sense (now known simply as Common) put out two of the best albms of the mid 1990s. His second album, 1994's Resurrection, is textbook hip hop for the sensitive guy who also wants to drop some clever lyrics. It was right before he turned into a loverman and decided to do R&B songs with D'Angelo and the Roots. And that Common is fine, but I miss Common Sense! This song is from the time of Common's first album, Can I Borrow a Dollar? which is another fantastic album.

Warning: This song is NOT the version that is on that album. It was a 12" single. This is one of my greatest pet peeves. And hip hop is about the only genre of music where it's a problem, because of remixes and alternate versions and whatnot. How many times have you seen a great video, then gone out to buy the album, and the version on the album is totally different from the video version? (Examples: "Buddy" by De La Soul, "Nappy Headz" (original version) by The Fugees, "I'm the Magnificent" by Special Ed, "Check Yo Self" by Ice Cube. The list goes on and on.)

But this song is far superior to the tepid album version. And Common not only has a fresh beat, but adds the awesome Grand Puba sample. And the "gimme a T.O. baby like, um, Chris Webber" always brings me right back to that time period when I hear it. Great song.

I'll buy you on a cracker, bayow, watch where the sparks went
Fatter than Dre, a Lover like Ed, super as Clark Kent
So give it away Lois, as I change clothes without a booth
And ride like this, like woof
The roof is on fire, it's not an LA riot
I got more ho-ho-hoes than the Jolly Green Giant
Large as the Professor and I'm never faking funk, hock
Fat as heavy metal yet I'm harder than punk rock
So take me to a land I know not too far away
I got skills like Tim and I'm coming in a Harda-way
So keep the crossover, Common is a b-boy
While you be dragging last, I be kicking like Bruce Leroy
Sho nuff, yo I got the stuff that tops the stove
And I am about to explo-o-o-ode!

Ice T - "You Played Yourself"

2006-07-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

One of the coolest songs from one of the formerly coolest rappers on the planet. This song is from the Iceberg/Freedom of Speech Just Watch What You Say album.

Ice-T was never the greatest lyricist, but back in like 1989, he was one of the coolest guys around. He was in serious pimp mode all the time, with a kangol and fresh truck jewels dripping off him. He always had a smokin' hot girl with him. He had fresh sunglasses and a bitching ponytail.

This is such a cool song with such a great guitar riff for a beat. And the song is basically about how people talk smack but can't really follow through on it. Ice is kinda lame now, playing a cop on network TV and no longer killing people, but this was when he was awesome.

You got problems, you claim you need a break
But every dollar you get you take
Straight to the Dopeman, try to get a beam up
Your idle time is spent tryna scheme up
Another way to get money for a jumbo
When you go to sleep you count Five-O's
Lyin' and cheatin', everybody you're beatin'
Dirty clothes and you're skinny cos you haven't been eatin'
You ripped off all your family and your friends
Nowhere does your larceny end
And then you get an idea for a big move
An armed robbery...smooth
But everything went wrong, somebody got shot
You couldn't get away, the cops roll, you're popped
And now you're locked, yo, lampin' on Death Row
Society's fault? No
Nobody put the crack into the pipe
Nobody made you smoke off your life
You thought that you could do dope and still stay cool? Fool.

Akinyele - "The Bomb"

2006-07-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

Akinyele's (pronounced AK-uh-NELL-ee) first album was called Vagina Diner, which is really ironic, because there was very little sexual content. And ironically, Ak's biggest about two years later was called "Put It In Your Mouth" which is about exactly what you would think.

But after the first two tracks, this is one of the great overlooked classic hip hop albums of 1993. This song isn't the best on the album (I would say "No Exit," "Exercise" and "Checkmate" are my favorites), but it's the most commercial. It's got a catchy beat and got Ak some recognition.

One of Ak's gimmicks was that thing where he would suddenly lower his voice for one or two words in a verse. For example, in the song "Checkmate," he says the following:

So don't front like you don't know what my name is
Before I start diving up in that ass like Greg Louganis
That's not my number one AIM IS
You take my style and squeeze your lips
like probably you see your life stopped, you're freakin FAMOUS
I dare another rapper try to TAME THIS
I hit you in the ANUS
Once y'all reach for the damn STAINLESS

I loved it but it never really caught on for the guy. (And I can't tell you how many times Todd and I have said "I'll hit you in the ANUS.") You can see what I mean with the lyrics printed below in the second verse of this video. And yes, he did do it in every song.

I catch wreck like an automatic tec
Ripping rhymes as if it was written with Gilletes
Rapping over slamming tracks
My hand's compared to a drug called crack
Because it don't take much to get your ass smacked
So you can save bullshit
Word is bond get your shoehorn
Because I got a style that fit
See Akenyele be cold cuttin' brothers up like a DELI
Keeping my cool like Arthur FONZARELLI
I kick more black ass than Jim KELLY
Down with easy shit, this nigga TELL ME

(Navigational Note)

2006-07-04T18:27:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to point out that I have changed the archiving on this site to weekly instead of monthly. I have been getting a little happy with the additions of videos and so there is a lot wedged into June. Hopefully this will be a little easier. I may move to the daily archiving if it gets too crazy, but I hope not.

Just wanted to remind all 3 of my readers to please leave comments and suggestions. Half the fun of re-living all these videos is getting feedback, impressions and memories. Maybe you think one of my choices sucks, so if so, please let me know. I will fight you to the death on such an argument, but that goes without saying. Or if it's your first time checking out any of the videos, your educated comments are welcome.

Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy" (Live at MTV Movie Awards)

2006-07-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

Technically, this isn't a rap video, but I love this song and the performance was great. Especially the totally awesome Star Wars theme. Chewie on the drums, Rebel pilots on backup vocals, a stormtrooper on the guitar, and Imperial officers playing the strings. Brilliant. Danger Mouse (on the keyboards) is borderline genius. Maybe finally it will be cool to be a geek.

N.W.A - "Straight Outta Compton"

2006-07-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

If you're anything like me, the first time you heard N.W.A's "Straight Outta Compton," you were probably in your buddy's room, listening to it very quietly on a stereo so your mom wouldn't hear it. And you were probably a combination of exhilarated and scared sh!tless. On one hand, it was terrifying to hear that people were actually like this: violent, misogynistic, vulgar. But the fact that they were allowed to say it was remarkable to me.

In 4 minutes and 26 seconds, the "F" word (and all its derivatives) is uttered 21 times. And this is the unedited version, so you won't get "Straight outta Compton / Crazy young brother named Ice Cube..." or any other lame attempt to clean it up. For better or worse, gangster rap started right here.

A crazy muthaf**ker from tha street
Attitude legit cause I'm tearin up s**t
MC Ren controls the automatic
For any dumb muthaf**ker that starts static
Not the right hand cause I'm the hand itself
every time I pull a AK off the shelf
The security is maximum and that's a law
R-E-N spells Ren, but I'm raw
See, cuz I'm the motherf**kin villain
The definition is clear, you're the witness of a killin'
that's takin place without a clue
And once you're on the scope, your 4ss is through
Look, you might take it as a trip
but a n***a like Ren is on a gangsta tip
Straight outta Compton...

Diamond D - "!! What U Heard"

2006-07-03T14:13:00.000-07:00

Not exactly sure what they were doing with this video. There are a couple odd elements. First of all, the video itself is pretty lame hip-hop video stuff. Dark crowds of people, lots of zooming and fast-panning camera motion. A combination of black-n-white and color. And the strangest thing, Sadat X in the video lip-sync'ing his own sampled voice in the chorus.

The video pretends the song is called "What U Heard," but the song is really called "F--- What U Heard." Actually, officially, the title is listed on the album as "!*!* What U Heard." The bassline is hot and it's one of the better songs on the album. Of course, he also went by the name "Diamond and the Psychotic Neurotics" on his albums, but called himself Diamond D. and never introduced the Psychotic Neurotics at any point in any of his albums.

And by the way, in my opinion this album, Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop was the best hip-hop album of 1992, which was the best year of rap music. So what does that tell you? It would have been better if they had made a better video, but the song is good and Diamond's lyrics are surprisingly good here.

From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli
My sounds slam, but some still wanna get with me
I don't understand, kid, you just can't see me
When the LP drops all my friends'll want a freebie
Whether in a car or you ride the train
My style stands out like a varicose vein
So don't front, cuz you know I'm the champ
Better off tryin' to buy a pack of Newports with a food stamp
Cuz the odds are none, and like Jimmy Castor, I've just begun
Brothers can't believe how the skills have gotten
Spicy as a steak with potatoes au gratin
But I'm not suped, I just got a lotta nerve
Cuz motherf**kers wanna see me shoot to the curb
But I just won't slip, cuz a slip ain't hip
I stay on my toe, like Broadway Joe

Shawshank Redemption - Edited Scene

2006-07-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves the movie The Shawshank Redemption. But not everyone has seen this left-on-the-cutting-room-floor scene, with a distinct hip-hop flavuh! Apparently they couldn't get the rights to the song used, so they had to use the classical one instead.

Smif-N-Wessun - "Bucktown"

2006-07-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

This song is about as close to a hip-hop anthem as you can get. Not only does it have the beautiful horn riff throughout the song, but a kick-ass drumbeat and that great chorus: "BUCKTOWWWWWN! Home of the original gun-clappers." While that phrase doesn't really make much sense at face value, those of us down with the Boot Camp at the time knew what it meant. (Note: I was not actually "down" with the Boot Camp at the time, I merely bought their albums.)

I don't smoke pot and I have never shot anyone in the face, but somehow listening to this song makes me feel like I have. This video seems very ordinary but it really captures a lot about the time period. The ghettos (of course) and some black and white photography are obligatory, but some of the standalone shots (like the noose swinging and the blood dripping off the curb) lend a sort of eerie menace to the whole affair.

This album (Da Shinin') by the way is one of the underrated gems of mid-'90s East Coast rap, top to bottom. It's too bad they had to change their names to Cocoa Brovaz and put out albums with a lot of synth. Oh well...

Another murderer, just another prankster
Rude Boy dead 'cause him t'ought him was a Gangster
Tried to live the life of a hood from the streets
Test the wrong Dread, now him in eternal sleep
Mr. Ripper, I-I-I, lurk in da Stuy
Twist up da ganja when I want ta get high
With my Breaddren, a buddah session
Learn ya lesson
Or get blasted by Mr. Smif or Mr. Wessun

Cypress Hill - "Hand on the Pump"

2006-06-29T15:25:00.000-07:00

Cypress Hill's first album from 1991 is one of the first albums I ever heard and thought, wow, hip-hop is really starting to branch out. This album had production and instrumentation (mostly by DJ Muggs) I had never heard before. In fact, at the time I remember it being one of the only hip hop albums I owned where the lyrics sort of didn't matter. The sounds were so unusual for the time.

This song is very indicative of the West Coast drugs and gangs culture of the early 1990s. I think it's hot. Cypress was basically all about smoking weed and shooting people (which is why I was drawn to them, being that those are also my favorite two activities). This song is just badass, and it uses as sample from the song "Duke of Earl." Now who woulda thought to pull that one off? There is also a certain fluid artistry to the video that I appreciate.

(This is the explicit version of the song. It was followed up by the equally good, if not better, "Hand on the Glock." Same chorus, but slightly different intstrumental.)

Comin at you like a stiff blow, f**kin up your program
Ain't takin s**t from you him or no man
Master mind maniac and a menace, soooo
How they want to pass sentence
All because a nigga tried to play me on the trigger
He missed, so now the n***a's hist
Rude and crude like a pitbull, get to the point
Your f**kin car to get pulled, now
I'm headed up the river with a boat and no paddle
And I'm handin out beatdowns
I'm headed up the river with a boat and no paddle
And I'm handin out beatdowns [get your face down!]
Put me in chains, try to beat my brains
I can get out, but the grudge remains
When I see ya punk 4ss, I'm gonna getcha
F**king do ya
Shotgun goes boo-yaa!

L. L. Cool J - "Big Ole Butt"

2006-06-29T15:16:00.000-07:00

What is better than a girl's big ole booty? Almost nothing. That's why white boys like me rejoiced back in 1988 when L.L. released this ode to the rumpasaurus rex. So enthralled with the backside is Uncle L that he shows almost no loyalty to his current girlfriend. He will be dating a girl, and then when he finds another girl with an equally large posterior, he will leave the current girl for the new one. What's worse is that he had told the exes that he would be true.

The part of the song I am still confused about is why he is leaving the previous girl for the next girl, when all the girls featured in the videos have large behinds. It's not like he's saying, "Lisa got a bigger but than you." He's just saying that Lisa has a big ole butt. But if the previous girlfriend has a big old butt already, then why doesn't he just stick with the old one? He says nothing about falling in love with the new girl, or that they have a really special connection, or that they have the same interests. All he has to go by is the measurements of the new girl's keister.

Ironically, in real life L.L. was married at the time, and has been married to the same woman for about 20 years. I wonder how SHE felt about all this big ole butt business!

I went to Red Lobster for shrimp and steak
Around the time whe the waitress are on their lunch break
I pulled in the parkin' lot and parded my car
Somebody shouted out, "I don't care who you are"
I paid it no attention, I walked inside
Because Brian had a nine and he was chillin' in the ride
I walked in the place, everybody was lookin'
And shrimp and steak wasn't the only thing cookin'
I sat down to eat, ordered my food
I said to the waitress, "I don't men to be rude
But I'll take you on a platter"
She said, "You got a girl," I said, "It don't matter
You look like you're tastier than a pipin' hot pizza
What's your name?" She said, "My tag says Lisa"
I said, "O.K., you're smart and all that
But when you get off work, yo, I'll be back"
She looked at me and said, "Make yourself clear
L, where we going?" I said, "Right here"

Fu Schnickens - "La Schmoove"

2006-06-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

Some like "Ring the Alarm," others prefer "True Fu-Schnick." But I always thought "La Schmoove" was the best single from the 1992 F.U.: Don't Take it Personal album. This one features Phife from A Tribe Called Quest.

Fu-Schnickens were an interesting group, though not very prolific. They had three MC's: Moc-Fu, Poc-Fu and Chip-Fu, none of which were Asian. Moc and Poc were solid rappers, neither that outstanding but decent. Chip was a freakshow, like Das EFX sped up. He never really said anything, but he had a backward technique he would use on some songs which was really quite remarkable. I mean, we all know that can't nobody rap faster than Daddy Freddy, but Chip-Fu came darn close.

But after this first album came out, they hired Shaquille O'Neal to co-star on their song "What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock?)" as Shaq-Fu. He later parlayed this limited set into a mediocre rap career of his own. Oh, and they released a greatest hits album after two albums, the second of which was a piece of crap. Still, this song is kinda cool.

'Leave it to Beaver'-arriva, derci, Heavens to mercy ba FU sayanora
adios muchachos dorme vous unbuckle my Fu-Schnick shoe
Mr., Chip Fu, about to wreck shop
With the Judo (CHOP!) a Judo (CHOP!) a Judo chop CHOP!
Yo, zilch kaput me nada none son, I don't think so, so take a look at
a Superfly big Jimmy the Honeynut Cheerio Bee
ba schnicker bah snchnucker
I ams what I ams that's all what I ams, My lyrics are never done
I'm the big John Elmer Glue the Elmer the Fudd, Al Bundy the Bud Light stud
Come like tongues lashes, with the quickness, Moc and Poc is, my witness
Ask the Kung about my tongue and the styles that I brung instead
I'm the Ali Babi cutty rankin shuba-dib-da-dabble
Jaw Boy Wonder Bread dread, BUM BA READ
These lyrics ah-come out of mi head, BUM BA READ
Mr. Chip Fu's gon stay' di-di, da-di-di, dra-dread
You said I couldn't rap, but I really wrecked shop
and I don't stop drop, I get props
I pick up the mic drop a style and pattern and fashion
and all MC's jaws drops down
My accent, you're mockin, my clothes, you're clockin
Rippin MC's to smithereens to their ribbidy-diddiby-Pippi Long-STOCKINGS
So don't step to Chip, I'm on the La Schmoove tip
You'll say "Drats I really failed again plus he sank my Babble-ship"
So oooh, s**t G, wa-wa or biscuit?
Rip it and be specific doin it terrific when I kicks it
Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang, Pepe LePew, Pepe LePew
La Schmoove, yo I ain't got NUTTIN to prove!

MC Serch - "Back to the Grill"

2006-06-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

The video is kinda lame, and the beat is kinda corny, but the song itself is a classic. With it's killer "Back to the grill again, the grill again" chorus, it is one of the definitive "posse cuts" of its era. It features MC Serch, Red Hot Lover Tone, Chubb Rock and some no-name called Nasty Nas (now simply known as "Nas," whatever he's doing now).

Lots of great things happen in this song. First of all, Red Hot Lover Tone gives the original George Bush "nuff props." Nas talks about waving automatic guns at nuns. And one of my favorite lines of all time is in it: "Jump jump with the man, with a plan, Chubb Rock." (If they could have only added the "A you know, a judo, a chop-chop-chop" part I would have a bulge in my pants.)

Finesser, keep a Tech-9 in my dresser
Lyrical professor, keep you under pressure
Mind like a computer, the inserter
Paragraphs of murder, the nightclub flirter
This is Nas, kid, you know how it runs
I'm waving automatic guns at nuns
Sticking up the preachers in the church, I'm a stone crook
Serial killer, who works by the phone book
For you I got a lot to shoot my songs in here
My rhymes are hotter than a prostitute with ghonnerea
On the mic I let vocabulary spill
(It's like that y'all) That y'all, kick em in the grill

House of Pain - "Jump Around" (Pete Rock Remix)

2006-06-26T17:31:00.000-07:00

Since we have all heard the original "Jump Around" about a million times since 1992, it would be rather superfluous for me to show that one. Instead, I present to you the not necessarily superior, but far less-played, Pete Rock remix. The trademark horns are an interesting counterpoint to the video. The vocals are exactly the same, but the wailing Prince sample is gone and it's much more laid back. The video is identical.

I just have to say one thing about this song -- and Tony DiGiacomo, you can say what you want -- it was the greatest white rap song of its era, and maybe the best white person rap song until Company Flow came along.

When I first heard this song, it was 1992, and my sophomore year of high school was just winding up. I was watching "Hangin' with MTV" hosted by John Norris. He said they were going to be right back with a trio of Irish rappers called House of Pain. I had never heard of them before, and thought for sure it would be some jokey Digable Planets-rate lyrics and some corny Irish imagery. Instead, it was a dirty song with a hot beat, and the video took place with filthy Irishmen in a bar and at the St. Patrick's Day parade. As soon as I saw Everlast in this video, I shaved my head and started trying to grow facial hair. That's a true story.

(This video does not include the additional Pete Rock verse toward the end. And if you absolutely MUST see the original version, click here.)

I'll serve your ass like John McEnroe
If your steps up, I'm smacking the hoe
Word to your moms, I came to drop bombs
I got more rhymes than the bible's got Psalms
And just like the Prodigal Son I've returned
Anyone stepping to me you'll get burned
Cause I got lyrics but you ain't got none
So if you come to battle bring a shotgun
But if you do you're a fool, cause I duel to the death
Try and step to me, you'll take your last breath
I gots the skill, come get your fill
Cause when I shoot the gift I shoot to kill

Kool Moe Dee - "Wild Wild West"

2006-06-25T20:05:00.000-07:00

I think this video is awesome. Say what you want about Mr. Mohandas Dewese, but that brother could make some cool videos.

The wild west theme here -- with the pallbearers carrying the coffin and the snow on the ground -- make it a different video, and very cinematic. The other guys in the video look awesome in their stoic, angry wild west gear, and Moe Dee himself looks surprisingly cool with the cowboy hat, red leather jacket and Star Trek shades.

The lyrics are also very cool about basically how Moe Dee and his crew had to lock down their neighborhood. Putting it in a wild west video makes the song and subject more interesting, for some odd reason. Also, this was back in the days when you could still show a dance-off in a video and it not be gay.

I remember parties out in the park
With the girlies, rubbing up in the dark
I was smooth, until someone pulled a gun
It was over, they spoiled my fun
I was flying, just like a track star
Dying, nah, I ran through the back yard
Trying to get into my building
Thinking, "Why in the heck won't somebody kill them?"
One day the fellas got together
They vowed that no one would ever
Come on our block, and terrorize us
The gangs that used to do it, now they idolize us
Guns, we don't like to use them
Unless, our enemies choose them
We prefer to fight you on like a man
And beat you down with our hands and bodyslam you at the...

Onyx - "Throw Ya Gunz"

2006-06-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

This song was creepy as hell when it came out back in 1992-93. That dungeon-like piano riff, along with the crazy bald guys throwing their arms wildly about. A guy licking an axe?

The album was called Bacdafucup, and although I can't count how many people from NYC told me that they were a bunch of wusses that got their asses kicked in high school, that album is solid. Some really great songs on there: "Slam," "Bichasniguz," "Atak of da Bal-Hedz," "Da Nex Niguz," and this one. They also spawned a couple of imitators (such as Hoodratz) that were like Demolition to their Road Warriors. (That is a pretty obscure 1980s pro wrestling reference right there, folks.)

Suave, Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz and Big D.S. were the four baldies, and Big D.S. was kicked out on the next album. (Didn't miss much there.) And Sticky is going to be playing the TV version of the comic/movie "Blade." What the...?

Onyx - Throw Ya Gunz
by hiphopmomo

Just in the nick of time, I commit the perfect crime
Rip my heart, from my chest, put it right into a rhyme (YEAH!)
I don't feel pain cause it's all in the mind
And what's - mines is mines and, yours is mine
Don't f**kin blink or I'ma rob yo' 4ss blind
Onyx, is rippin s**t, I got the tech nine
So what the plumber got boy buck buck buck buck
It's like a catastrophe, f**kin with me G
I'm a bald head with a kinfe
I want your money or your life
So, so, so, so?

Everlast and RZA - The Early Years

2006-06-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

This song is so godawful I am almost ashamed of putting it up here, but I had to.

This song is terrible even by early 1990s pseudo-world music standards. It features some singer with the generic-ass name of Diva, Rhyme Syndicate stalwart Donald D (in a surprisingly weak verse) and Ice-T, who sounds robotic even by his standards.

But the best part is Everlast (later to be of House of Pain) himself, who toggles between the floppy-haired Harry Connick wannabe to doo-rag wearin' urbanite. I actually own this album, and why they picked this piece of crap song, that has almost no lyrics, and a terrible club beat, is completely beyond me. They would have been much better off releasing "F--- Everyone" off that same album. At least it would have been honest.

Everlast - The Rhythm (feat. Ice-T, Donald D & Diva)
by BOUNADA

I'm Everlast born to be a caucasian
But it makes no difference what persuasion you are
As long as you know how to get up
Get on the floor and start workin' a sweat up
To a musical measure that makes you move
As soon as the needle drops into the groove
So get up and dance to the gift I'm giving,
Forget about your troubles get into the rhythm

*********

But if you think that's out of character, check out this old video from the RZA, when he was still known as Prince Rakeem. It's a song about how girls love him and he can simply not bring himself to saying now.

This "Big Poppa"-esque song reeks of persona overhaul. I can't imagine that the RZA, later of Wu-Tang Clan and the Gravediggaz, would have come up with this concept on his own. The song is kind of tongue-in-cheek, but damn if he isn't trying to come off like Big Daddy Kane in this song. It's just so very odd.

When I walk down the block
The girls stop and glock
They hop on my jock
Cause I got mad props
Tall & slim with the brown skin conflection
Half them sweating my love and affection
As I collect them, I must wan't to protect them
Love them deeply, but never disrespect them
I keep a tab on the large amount
But sometimes I find myself losing count
Of Latika, Diane, Lisa
Stephanie, Jackie, Teresa
Sharonda, um um, Veronica
Latasha, Sinthia & Monica
Never the less, you must give respect
To the femine queens that the God selects
I love them all, but even though
I'm rather happy, I should of said no
But yet my ego gets in the way
And always something that I'll never say
I'd just bag them, keep 'em under my wing
Put them in a posse, and let them sing

Sir Mix-A-Lot - "My Hooptie"

2006-06-20T16:02:00.000-07:00

Before "Baby Got Back" made Sir Mix-A-Lot the king of ribald rhymes about women's jiggling body parts, he was a sardonic Seattle rapper who talked about other amusing topics. But this is his magnum opus, as far as I'm concerned. A song about a crappy car. It was the first time I had ever heard the term "hooptie" to refer to a piece of junk auto.

Honestly, in this era of people talking about their Escalades and whatever other hot car is in fashion these days, isn't it refreshing to hear a rapper talk about how shitty his car is? I'd have to say yes.

(The sound quality on this is less than stellar, and it's slightly different than the album version. But you get the idea.)

My hooptie rollin', tailpipe draggin'
Heat don't work an' my girl keeps naggin'
Six-nine Buick, deuce keeps rollin'
One hubcap 'cause three got stolen
Bumper shook loose, chrome keeps scrapin'
Mis-matched tires, and my white walls flakin'
Hit mickey-d's, Maharaji starts to bug
He ate a quarter-pounder, threw the pickles on my rug
Runnin', movin' tabs expired
Girlies tryin' to dis 'n say my car looks tired
Hit my brakes, out slid skittles
Tinted back window with a bubble in the middle
Who's car is it? Posse won't say
We all play it off when you look our way
Rollin' four deep, tires smoke up the block
Gotta roll this bucket, 'cause my Benz is in the shop

Eric B & Rakim - "Juice (Know the Ledge)"

2006-06-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

Flashback time.

It's Christmas of 1991 and I'm watching Rap City after school. Rakim had just released a song called "I Wanna Know What's On Your Mind" which was an R&B song that did not blow my skirt up too much. So when they said they were going to show a debut video from Rakim, I refrained from yawning.

What followed was one of the best basslines in any rap song ever, and also one of the best lyrics. It's from the very mediocre movie Juice featuring Omar Epps and a young, pre-Thug Tupac Shakur. Regardless, Rakim absolutely demolishes this song, with possibly his best lyrical display ever. Who else could reference Elliot Ness, Al Pacino and Anwar Sadat in the same song?

The R was the s**t, and I can smell him from here.

Shells lay around on the battleground
Dead bodies are found throughout the town.
Tried to put shame in my game to make a name, I'm a
Put it on a bullet, put it in your brain.
Rip the block like a buckshot,
Who cares where it goes, just keep the casket closed,
No remorse when a life is lost
I paid my dues- paid the cost!
...And my pockets are still fat,
Wherever I'm at, I get the welcome mat.
Even if my crew steep with one deep
I attract attention, people like to peep
So come say hi to the badguy
Don't say goodbye, I don't plan to die!
'Cause I get loose and I got troops
And crazy juice!

Stetsasonic - "No B.S. Allowed"

2006-06-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

No, this is not some sort of warning to keep me -- and anyone else with my initials -- out, this is a very obscure song by Stetsasonic. You may remember their big hit, "Talkin' All That Jazz," or you may not. They were considered the first "hip hop band" before the Roots or Smokin Suckas with Logic. (Who? Exactly.) Although the only element that really made them anything like a band was Bobby Simmons on the drums. Actually they have Simmons on the drums AND DBC on the drum machine! Name another group that has both!

The six-man crew had more talent than one might have guessed from much of their output. Daddy-O came a bit of a hip hop elder statesment, notably on his work with Freestyle Fellowship. Fruitkwan later went on to join the Gravediggaz. Prince Paul is one of the best and most creative producers around. DBC, Delite and Wise didn't go on to do much, but they were fun, weren't they? But to be fair, I think Delite was actually like 45 years old.

What I like about this song is the live drums and the horn flourishes. Despite their occasional shortcomings, Stet was good at mixing up their beats and adding interesting instrumentation. None of the MC's in the group was that outstanding, but they were a good mix. And the live drums are kinda hot on this song.

(Oh, and in case you didn't know, B.S. stands for "bullsh!tters.")

Stetsasonic No BS Allowed
by oublierleracismeskyblog

Let's get this straight - rappers are a dime a dozen
Some were around from the start, some wasn't
Some are okay on the lyrical tip
But some of these bums, they ain't say shit
I happen to know that some of think they can throw on
Thought we were soft cause of Float On
But we ain't soft, who you think we are, Jeckyll and Hyde?
You been watching too much _Tales from the Darkside_
Or drinking too much, or smoking the crackpipe
Man, instead rag your ass on the mic
So now, me and you face to face, any time and place
Your choice, wanna test your voice
With the O-d-a-d Doctor of -tology
Teacher of youth and MC's without couth
Better call in a bomb squad, cause I'm gonna blow
You and your voice and your rhyme out the window

Sage Francis vs Alius - Freestyle Battle

2006-06-19T21:50:00.000-07:00

This is a pretty hot freestyle battle between two white boys: Alius and a very thin Sage Francis. The video quality sucks and the audio isn't great, but you can tell there is a lot of energy. It took place somewhere called the 1999 Superbowl. But I don't see John Elway anywhere.

It looked like my boy Sage was going to lose it before he came back with a very strong third round. That cracker can rock it when he wants to.

Masta Ace vs. Boogieman - Freestyle Battle

2006-06-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

This a-cappella battle took place at the Lyricist Lounge, hosted by that legendary freestyler ... Ice-T?

Anyway, anyone who knows me or anything about me knows that I love Master Ace (yes, Master Ace, not Masta Ase). In fact, it's usually the first thing I tell anyone about myself. And his "Born to Roll" phase notwithstanding, Ace is awesome.

However...

I must say that this Boogieman character pretty much destroys Ace in this freestyle. I wish someone would show this to those clowns on that "Yo Momma" show to see what a real dis-fest is like. Boogieman can now tell all his coworkers at the Carnegie Deli that on one special day, he ripped up a rap legend.

Tha Alkaholiks - "Make Room" / "Last Call"

2006-06-19T20:48:00.000-07:00

When I first hear the 'Liks on King Tee's "I Got It Bad Ya'll" (video forthcoming) I thought they were great but destined to be one of those one-off groups that made one video or one obscure album and then would fade into obscurity.

But the 'Liks were surprisingly solid and prolific. This song (off the excellent 21 and Over album) is full of great punchline lyrics and jokey raps about drinking and getting into trouble.

This video showcases two of their great songs: "Make Room" is a funky little ditty where Tash shows he is one of the most out-of-nowhere, underrated lyricists around. But my favorite part of the video is where it morphs into the "Last Call" song and Tash says, "It's time to roll my sleeves up, [THWACK] a few MC's up..." That THWACK sound is the best thing I've ever heard. One question that always has bothered me though: Tash says, "I never drink and drive cuz I might spill my drink / I failed the breathalyzer so they took me to the clink." If you don't drink and drive, why would you fail the breathalyzer? Think about it!!!!!

You don't have to be a drunk to love the 'Liks ... but it helps!

The super, duper, gets it poppin with the quickness
King tee and the alkies straight gettin down to business
It’s all about the liks cause we’re heavy on the kicks
But we’re easy on the treble (adjust my mic level)
So fools can here me mic checkin all the way in china
The skills you can’t front on, tha alkaholik rhymer
Could rip a show up to’ up so I always flex my talents
But my words don’t be slurrin, I never lose my balance
But that’s cause I’m slick tossin bottles like a discus
The liks could rock a party from halloween to christmas
That’s why I’m screamin on mc’s like I’m onyx
I’m hooked on gin and tonics like your momma’s hooked on phonics