Amidst all that is going on this week--Shakespeare audition, meeting, film screenings, haircut--I almost forgot that I have to move. Yes, I am moving from my apartment. The thing is, I'm only moving a few courtyards down. Still reppin' Mosby Landing, Vienna, VA, but my roommate just purchased a bigger unit, with 2.5 bathrooms, so he'll be renting the one where we currently reside.
The downside is that we're about 10 seconds further away from the main road--Rt. 123--so my commute to everywhere is going to increase by 10 seconds. In 6 car trips, that's a whole minute lost.
I've already claimed the half bathroom. I figure I can save time, by only taking a half shower. Brushing half my teeth. Using the bathroom, and washing only one hand.
My goal is to be completely moved out by Saturday afternoon, only because my roommate said the internet modem is going to be moved by then. I could stay in the current place until the end of the month, but who could survive a week without wi-fi?
Saturday, I found myself--with girlfriend riding shotgun--at the Columbia Heights Youth Center in the newly gentrified Columbia Heights area of NW DC. We arrived around 4PM. The DC Hip Hop Theatre Festival was in town, and Words Beats & Life was hosting this year's "Freshest of All Time", a b-boy/b-girl battle, that took place from 2pm - 8pm.
Fortunately, I carried my Flip video cam to document this experience, because as I walked around in this wide open gym space, filled with people respecting the original form of hip-hop, it hit me--What other art form has managed to bridge cultural gaps so effectively?
The self-absorption of today's mainstream hip-hop artists (possibly an unfair generalization) would almost make one forget the origins of hip-hop, and the goals of peace, unity and love. Sounds like a bunch o' hippie crap, but listen to some old Afrika Bambaataa. (I love hippies, by the way).
With so many fake rap gangstas getting all of the attention these days, claiming Blood, Crip, Folks, etc., someone not schooled in the entirety of hip-hop would get the impression that it's all about division and violence.
Anyway, as I stood among the hundreds of people in that youth center on Saturday, for hours, I stood among a vast number of Asians, African-Americans, Latinos, and Whites--many from each culture VERY skilled in the art of b-boyin'. They just wanted to dance. I saw people dancing with each other, sans prejudice. Just the normal posturing, but that's just a part of the culture.
All of these people vibing together in one room, in a neighborhood still battling with its own identity among rebuilding and gentrification. In a neighborhood, that still is the home to the occasional murder. I know this, because I see it on the news--NBC 4, Fox 5, ABC 7, CBS 9.
Where were those reporters on Saturday? All of that love, unity and peace and one room, and not 1 news camera.
Well, I had my camera. Here are a few clips from what I saw that day:
1. D.O.A. (Death of Autotune) – Jay-Z – The “god of rap” almost single-handedly shut down the auto-tune movement in hip-hop and r&b. Made famous in the 70s and 80s by Roger Troutman and ZAPP, auto-tune resurfaced in recent years, thanks to the efforts of producer, T-Pain. Highly criticized for its ability to make any talentless joe a hitmaker, auto-tune became a tool of controversy. I guess Jay was tired of its over-usage. Thus this single exploded onto the airwaves, right before he dropped his latest album, “Blueprint 3.”
2. House of Flying Daggers – Raekwon – this Wu-Tang heavy-hitter struck gold with his latest album, “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II,” released on the same date as Jay-Z’s “Blueprint 3.” Much to everyone’s surprise, Raekwon started out-selling Jay-Z in online sales and downloads, plus this album brought Raekwon many accolades, which he lacked from a flurry of bad albums, released after the first “Only Built. . .” album. This song begins with Inspectah Deck, known for starting off a Wu song right. This track sort of brings that old Wu feeling back.
3. Medicine Ball – Eminem – After being on a hiatus for a few years, Eminem returned in 2009 with his album, “Relapse.” Though considered a miss by most critics and listeners, I was a fan. This song is an example of Em going to the extreme, however. In this song, I would say he even goes overboard, by heartlessly joking on the late Christopher Reeves. Love Em or Hate Em, he sure knows how to stir a big bowl of controversy.
4. Drop the World – Lil Wayne ft. Eminem – After so much success at his heels, Lil Wayne has been talking about putting out a rock album for a couple years. This is the first single from off that effort. While it still sounds very much grounded in the hip-hop world, there is an element of guitar and rebellious angst. And who better with which to team up than King Angst, Eminem. I dig the song, though, because I do feel, at times, like doing what they speak of in the hook.
5. I Wanna Rock – Snoop Dogg – Snoop outdoes himself with this hot single from his latest album. It’s a tribute to the Rob Base classic, “It Takes Two.” Snoop just smoothes it out with his West Coast vibe. The beat is hot. I definitely wanna rock right now.
6. I Wanna Rock Too – Skillz – The VA underground legend adds his own wit and lyricism to Snoop’s hit record. Just another testament to why his name is Skillz.
7. It’s That Wu-Sh*t – Method Man, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah – This album is barely a month old. Three of Wu Tang’s big wigs united recently to give hip-hop their version of the 3 Tenors. LOL! The world needs to always be reminded it’s about the Wu.
BONUS TRACKS (These are tracks that I may have overlooked when initially combing through songs for this anthology. They span the decades.)
8. Paid In Full (7 Minutes of Madness – The Coldcut Remix) – Eric B. & Rakim – I would’ve kicked myself if I didn’t include this in the anthology. This song and this group are legendary! Rakim revolutionized rhyming with his complex rhyme scheme. Before him, rappers were only rhyming at the ends of their lines. He brought about the idea of rhyming inside of lines, and it just sounded so sweet, back in the late 80s. This is one of the only songs—other than “Electric Relaxation”—that I have memorized.
9. Blue Cheese – The UMCs – To be honest, I’m not an expert on the UMCs. I used to love this song, and it is considered a classic. They were one of the firsts to represent Staten Island, before the Wu-Tang, circa 1991.
10. Ya Gotz To Chill – EPMD –Just like Eric B. & Rakim, I would’ve been remiss, if I failed to put an EPMD track in this anthology. This head-nodding classic was made “re-famous” in the Ice Cube film, “Barbershop.” However, EPMD was a hard-hitting duo who came out swinging in the late 80s, only to break-up in the mid-90s. The hip-hop community was heartbroken, but they left the world with many hits, including this one.
11. The Gas Face – 3rd Bass – This duo scored a hit with this diss-laden track, where they get to let off some steam at different world figures and pop culture icons of the time. The “gas face” became a bit of a dance craze, without the dance. Hip hop heads will still bring it up on occasions, as a joke. You have to see the music video to get an idea of what a “gas face” looks like. LOL! This song also caused a bit of a beef between 3rd Bass and Vanilla Ice AND MC Hammer.
12. I’ll Take Her – Ill Al Skratch ft. Brian McKnight – This is a hip-hop/R&B collaboration classic! Ill Al Skratch were short-lived rap group in the 90s—a 2-hit wonder (possibly 1-hit, depending on who you talk to), but this single was their major homerun. R&B crooner, Brian McKnight’s vocals are the main attraction.
13. Sittin’ on Chrome – Masta Ace, Inc. – Back in the mid-to-late 90s, Masta Ace hit it big with this bass-heavy summer jam. I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of this song. I love love love this track. Another song designed strictly for riding around in your vehicle.
14. Sobb Story – Leaders of the New School – Back in the early 90s, this trio popped up on the scene, young and energetic. The obvious stand-out though was the very young, Busta Rhymes, who is still putting out hits to this day. This song is a fun story-telling track of people and their sob stories.
15. Jump – Kris Kross – I couldn’t leave out the contributions of kids to hip-hop. “Jump” is definitely a classic hit from this little Atlanta duo, founded by Jermaine Dupri. If you haven’t heard this song, you definitely lived under a rock.
16. Get Money (Remix) – Jr. Mafia ft. Notorious B.I.G. – The remix is just as hot as the original, in my opinion. I love them both, and now you have them both. Just a great dance/club song that encourages us all to acquire financial gain.
17. Five Minutes of Funk – Whodini – This legendary hip-hop group put out this early classic in 1984. It’s pure hip-hop that evokes the b-boy/b-girl inside.
18. Burn Hollywood Burn –Public Enemy ft. Ice Cube and Big Daddy Kane – It gives me great pleasure to end this anthology with my favorite group of all-time, and their single that touched on an issue very close to me—the images of Blacks in Hollywood. A very poignant track with powerful lyrics. Really stirred my mind back in the day.
1. Grindin’ – The Clipse – In 2002, a new duo from VA hit the scene with this simple, yet super-infectious hip-hop beat, followed up by nasally street-laced lyrics. The Clipse, originally from NYC, lived most of their life in VA. Founded by super-producer, Pharrell Williams, these 2 are a solid rap duo. This song is classic, as far as I’m concerned. The beat is so hot!
2. 24s – T.I. – Another son of Atlanta, T.I. surfaced with an already solid underground following. He was known for his convincing street swagger and gun-talk. Fortunately, this single is mostly about rims. He and Ludacris had a brief battle, centering around who is the real “King of the South.” This song caught my attention, because the hook is catchy. It was T.I.’s introduction to the mainstream.
3. Pastor Skillz – Skillz – This track has had no commercial success, but Skillz shows his dedication to the legacy of original hip-hop with this humorous rap sketch, where he portrays a pastor chiding his congregation for being hypocrites. It’s very clever, and a lot of fun.
4. Jesus Walks – Kanye West –Herein enters Kanye West. . . and the world would never be the same. He made a song about Jesus Christ a pop/radio hit. Kanye does have a golden touch, regardless of how crass he can be. This song is hot!
5. Virgo – Nas ft. Ludacris and Doug E. Fresh – This is not a team that I would’ve thought up on my own, but I’m glad someone did. These 3 are linked by their zodiac sign. Thank God, because this track is crazy! Doug E. Fresh brings his legendary beat-boxing skills to support lyrical gods Nas and Ludacris. A track made in heaven.
6. Get Crunk – Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz – Again the Southern hip-hop/rap movement always leaves me conflicted. I was not a fan of the whole “crunk” movement that arose in the late 90s/early 2000s, but eventually warmed up to select songs and artists. Lil Jon is one of the legends of crunk. This track is a good example of this testosterone-driven genre of rap. It’s raunchy and aggressive.
7. Take It Easy – The Fugees – The short-lived, but legendary group, the Fugees, teased the world in 2004, by reuniting with the promise of an upcoming album. All we got was this single. Just a glimmer of their former glory. Lauryn Hill, we still await your return to sanity.
8. Get By – Talib Kweli – Hip-hop purist and ½ of the super underground group, Black Star, Talib Kweli cooked up this uber-inspirational anthem in 2002. It’s the type of song that wakes you up in the morning and gets you motivated to make it through the next 24 hours. I absolutely love it!
9. Mind on the Road – Rev. Run – After years away from the microphone, the legendary MC and ½ of pioneering group, Run-DMC, returned solo to the mic to prove that he still “got it.” Now a minister, Rev. Run still manages to remind the world on this track WHOSE HOUSE this is.
10. Just Like Me – DMC ft. Sarah McLachlan – The other ½ of the legendary Run-DMC, after many health battles, decided to embark on a solo project around the same time as Rev. Run. Teaming up with my favorite female vocalist, Sarah, he managed to eek out this radio-friendly tune. His health issues affect his voice directly, and it sounds like a struggle to hear him rap. Good thing Sarah’s sweet vocals are there to back him up.
11. Won’t Do – J. Dilla – The late, great super-producer and former member of Slum Village dropped this album around the time of his ill-timed death. This is a nice track and a great way to remember him. Just some real hip-hop.
12. Sittin’ Sidewayz – Paul Wall – In 2005, Houston, TX started to explode onto the rap scene. Though I was (and in many ways still am) a reluctant customer, I did take a liking to Paul Wall—the South’s White rapping sensation. This song is just the right song to have turned up on your car stereo. It’s all about riding and showing off your vehicle. The beat and hook are mean…in a good way.
13. Cupid’s Chokehold – Gym Class Heroes – Listening to these guys makes me feel old. They are definitely for the high school/college crowd, but their yesteryear stylings make me long for the early 90s, when fun rap groups, like Pharcyde, roamed the Earth. This is a cute-ish story about a doting young boy.
14. Black Republican – Nas ft. Jay-Z – After the intense battle that occurred years prior to this song, no one would’ve ever imagined that this would even be possible. Nas’s and Jay-Z’s reconciliation was a monumental moment in hip-hop. This song is a testament to that. They’re 2 of the greatest to have ever done it.
15. The Rhythm The Rebel –Hueman Prophets – Whoa! These guys should sound familiar. It’s our boy, Baye, and his partner, Jabari, on this stripped-down-to-the-djembe track. It’s simple genius. These guys are students, and in turn teachers, of hip-hop in its purest form. The world needs to know their name.
16. The Heart Gently Weeps – Wu Tang Clan ft. Erykah Badu – My boys returned to collaborate on another album in 2007. The Wu had undergone a lot of inner turmoil over this past decade, including the death of the Ol’ Dirty Bastard, plus Ghostface Killah going rogue. They managed to put aside their differences to put out this album. This single features the outside-of-the-box singer, Erykah Badu. It’s a remake of a Beatles’ hit. Replace “Heart” with “Guitar,” though.
17. Paper Planes – M.I.A. – Another hit for a female rapper! This song has been huge over the past couple of years. After appearing in “Pineapple Express” and “Slumdog Millionaire,” it was also sampled by T.I. for his single, “Swagga Like Us,” and remixed over and over again. It’s a very cool song, I think. Plus it’s kinda hot to hear an English female rapping.
18. 88 – Cool Kids – These guys have been described as the new Beastie Boys. I don’t know about that, but their hipster-type attitude and heavy-thumping tracks are hard for me to pass up. They found each other on MySpace, where they first achieved buzz some years ago. I dig their style.
19. I’m Innocent – Murs – This guy created buzz a couple of years ago. He exemplifies the everyday brotha, like me. He’s not a thug. He won’t rob you. He is vulnerable to being human and having an opinion. He’s a West Coast rapper without all of the gun-talk. He sometimes uses his voice for fun, and sometimes he gets political. This is a good track by him. You also may want to google him, just to check out his crazy hair.
20. Move – Q-Tip – The legendary leader of the much-missed A Tribe Called Quest put out a wonderful, and much-anticipated solo album, “The Renaissance,” back in 2008. This was a nice, danceable track that re-introduced this legend to the world.
1. Flava in Your Ear (Remix) – Craig Mack – I had to go back a few years, from where the last disc left off, because there were a couple songs that I’d forgotten to include in the last disc. This classic is the best remix, in my humble opinion, ever! It features Biggie Smalls, Rampage, LL Cool J, and Busta Rhymes. It is pure FIRE!
2. Vocab (Refugees Hip Hop Remix) – The Fugees – Too many people don’t realize that the Fugees actually had an album out before they scored with their CLASSIC 2nd album, “The Score.” This was a chill little track that I was a big fan of back in 1994.
3. Runnin’ - Notorious B.I.G. & 2Pac – This posthumous pairing of the 2 earthly rivals was something I believe people needed to hear. This song was released in 1998 after both had been killed in 2 separate incidents only months apart, from 1996 – 1997. A sad reminder of 2 lives gone too soon.
4. Respiration – Black Star featuring Common – Black Star is comprised of Mos Def and Talib Kweli who are now solo artists, but still very close compadres. Mos has gone on to become a very prolific and skilled actor. Chicago’s own poet/MC, Common, could’ve very well been considered a 3rd member of Black Star. This song is probably the most lyrically poetic hip-hop song that I’ve ever heard. It’s beautiful urban poetry. I’m a HUGE fan!
5. Back That Azz Up – Juvenile – By 1998, this is what hip hop had come to. LOL! Juvenile was another New Orleans rapper who emerged from the underground with an already huge following. This song catapulted him to commercial success, because it was an instant hit for the clubs. I begrudglingly nodded my head to it, while brooding about the state of my hip-hop music. LOL!
6. Get At Me Dog – DMX – Nowadays is known moreso for his troubles than his music, but in 1998, this guy exploded on the scene!!! This song was pure testosterone and energy. I loved it! Before the world knew it, I was proclaiming that he was going to be the next big thing. He was the first rapper to ever put out 2 albums in 1 year.
7. Hate Me Now – Nas ft. Puff Daddy – This signifies the time when Nas was considered “falling off.” He’d started to become too “pop,” and strayed far away from his Illmatic days. This song was from Nas’s 3rd album, It Was Written. . ., which many hip-hop heads consider when Nas was at his lowest. The original video for this song sparked controversy, because there was originally an image of Puff Daddy hanging on the cross. The whole video’s theme is crucifixion, which naturally caused an uproar.
8. My Name Is – Eminem – And then there was Eminem. . . THE END. LOL! When I first heard this song, I was in my car, stuck in traffic on I-66 near Falls Church, headed into DC. I thought the song was CRAZY. Quirky and hilarious! I loved it. I was soon shocked to find out that the artist was White. That sparked an immense curiosity. . . and I’ve been a fan since! Eminem shook up the world! Dr. Dre’s biggest find since Snoop Dogg.
9. Thelonius – Slum Village ft. Common –This song has no real significance in the hip-hop world at large. However, it is one of my all-time FAVORITE tracks ever. When I first heard of Slum Village, I thought they were some new gangsta rappers, because of their name, but when I first heard their album, “Fantastic, Vol. 2,” I was fascinated. These Detroit rappers’ style is like they are making it up as they go. It’s mischievous, witty, creative and free. On this track, the super-producer, J. Dilla/Jay-Dee steps from behind the beat machines and actually rhymes, bringing up the rear. He slays his verse with masterful, tongue-twisting wordplay. I would often rewind his verse over and over again. These guys knew how to play with a beat, almost in jazz-like fashion. Unfortunately, after this album, J. Dilla left the group to pursue a solo career and continue as a super-producer. His beats are untouchable. Not much longer after leaving the group, Dilla, who suffered with lupus, succumbed to the disease in 2006. The death shocked the hip-hop world. Still to this day, people have to stop and pay respect to Dilla for his contributions. And as if that wasn’t a big enough blow, fellow Slum Village member, Baatin, passed in July 2009. Two members, 3T and Elzhi—who joined after J. Dilla left--still carry the torch today. “Thelonius” is a great tribute to what used to be though.
10. Stan – Eminem – This song is just genius! One of the best written rap songs ever. Eminem paints a clear story of a celebrity stalker, bouncing back and forth, in and out of character. An eerie story told by a troubled genius. The Dido sample is just the icing on the cake.
11. Take a Walk – Masta Ace – Ace is a legend, by all means. He first surfaced in the early 90s with the legendary juice crew, on the Marley Marl produced track, “The Symphony,” a definite hip-hop classic. Over the years, Ace continues to put out albums underground, and his consistency and skill never dulls. He is sharp lyrically, and one of the most underrated rappers alive. This song is off one of the best albums of all time, “Disposable Arts.” Ace paints a picture with this song, like only Ace can.
12. Saturday (Oooh! Oooh!) – Ludacris – Ludacris is one of the best—if not THE best—rapper to come out of the South. His lyrics are lively and witty, as is his personality and most of his songs. He’s a bucket o’ fun, as is exemplified in this song.
13. Takeover – Jay-Z – By the time this song came out, the buzz about the Jay-Z/Nas beef was already hitting the airwaves. Two of NYC’s top MCs were embroiled in a rap battle that walked a thin line between business and personal. Jay-Z comes out swinging at Nas on this track, as well as another Queens artist, Prodigy (of Mobb Deep). Jay refers in the song to “you know who did you know what with you know who.” This refers to an actual incident where Nas’s “baby mama” (not Kelis) performed sexual acts on Jay-Z, back in the 90s. This should’ve brought Nas to his knees. . .
14. Ether – Nas - . . . but it didn’t. “Ether” was Nas’s rebuttal to “Takeover,” and by all accounts, THIS song made Nas the ultimate winner in the Jay/Nas beef. If anything, the hip-hop world owes Jay thanks for putting fire back in Nas’s dwindling flame. His attacks on Nas awoke the dragon! This album, “Stillmatic,” is definitely Nas’s 2nd best album of all time.
15. Hot In Herre – Nelly – It was not until this single dropped that I was anywhere near willing to pay any respects to Nelly, who pioneered the St. Louis hip-hop scene. When he first dropped in 2000, I was nowhere near a fan. I did not like Nelly, at all. This single broke me down though. It’s a great party song—a classic party song, if you ask me. They could play this song at an outdoor dance, in Alaska, in January, and people would have to strip down. The song makes you believe you’re burning up!
16. Work It – Missy Elliott – Missy in her infinite creativity made a hit record by taking the hook for her song and reversing it. It was so weird, yet so genius. . . and it made a big hit for her. Still to this day, I have no idea what she’s really saying, but will still try to sing it like I know what she is saying.
1. I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need To Get By(Puff Daddy Mix) – Method Man & Mary J. Blige – This duo was a marriage made in Heaven! This song is so money, and was a huge hit for both parties involved. It is a combination of a track off Method Man’s “Tical” album, called “All I Need,” and the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell hit, “You’re All I Need To Get By.” This song also was a Grammy winner for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Wu Tang wins again!
3. Toss It Up – 2Pac – I picked this song, because it captures the essence of 2Pac, in all of his boisterous carelessness. It’s what sky-rocketed him to the top. He was bold and complex. This song showcases his gun-slinging lyricism.
4. Big Momma Thang – Lil Kim – This was Lil Kim’s club banger from her debut solo album. At this point, she and Jr. Mafia were still very much family, and they make a few guest spots on this album. I remember this being one of the songs that would bring everyone out to the dancefloor. Lil Kim brought a much needed femininity to hip-hop, even though she was very explicit at times.
5. Camay – Ghostface Killah – Another solo album from another Wu Tang member. Ghostface through time has come out on top, beating Method Man in being the most prolific member of the Wu. Ghost has nearly 10 solo albums and shows no signs of quitting. “Camay” is one of my Wu favorites. A relatively softer side of Wu. It has a great groove. I’m a HUGE fan!
6. What They Do – The Roots – Ahhh. . . the Roots. The group who introduced true musicianship to the hip hop game. The first real hip-hop band who bucked the trends and forged their own path, which has landed them in the lane of longevity. This particular song is a comment on how rappers were lacking creativity and innovation and how that led to cookie-cutter trends in their music videos. The video for this single is an awesome parody of the music video trends of the mid-90s.
7. Can’t Knock the Hustle – Jay-Z – In the era of classic albums, arose Jay-Z—the one and only. This was one of his biggest singles from his debut album, “Reasonable Doubt,” a recognized classic in the vein of Nas’s “Illmatic” and Biggie’s “Ready to Die.” This single features the Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige. This was the beginning of probably the biggest rapper of all time. Jay is a monster, and I mean that in a positive way.
8. 2 of AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted – 2Pac ft. Snoop Dogg – By this point, 2Pac had joined Death Row Records, the infamous record company headed up by Suge Knight and Dr. Dre which featured prominent West Coast artists. The pairing of Snoop and 2Pac was great in that they are antithetical, style-wise. Snoop’s laidback flow playing off of 2Pac’s aggressively didactic flow made for a West Coast classic. “Ain’t nothin’ but a gangsta party!”
9. The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) – Missy Elliott – Meanwhile back in Virginia surfaced a quirky female MC, named Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott whose whole style defied the laws of gravity. Her pairing with super-producer, Timbaland, set a trend that changed the face of hip-hop to this day. They changed the whole sound with their anti-rhythmic beats. Changed the way people had to dance.
10. Step Into A World (Rapture’s Delight) – KRS-One – This is probably the hottest track KRS-One has ever laid down, as far as I’m concerned. Sampling the Blondie classic, KRS easily made one of his best classics to date. A dance-inducing field day that pays tribute to the original days of hip-hop.
11. Coolie High – Camp Lo – Bursting out of relative obscurity came another quirky act, hailing from the Bronx, NY, the home of hip-hop. This duo laced every track with enough 70s allusions to make you think you’d been transported back in time. It was never easy to make sense of their songs, but this first single and this first album is definitely considered a classic to this date. Smooth grooves and a plethora of Blaxpoitation imagery just work well together.
12. Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See – Busta Rhymes – When Leaders of the New School emerged in 1991, it was obvious who the star of the rap trio was. Busta Rhymes broke out and went solo in 1994. This single is from his 2nd album. Probably one of his biggest early hits. He’s one of the fortunate artists who still continues to churn out hits to this day. This is one of my personal favorites of his. A great party record, brimming with energy.
13. Who You Wit II – Jay-Z – From his 2nd CD, came this hot single from the self-proclaimed “God of Rap.” It showcases Jay’s boss-like confidence and arrogance that has made him who he is.
14. Triumph – Wu Tang Clan – My group reunited to release their 2nd studio album in 1997. This was their first single from that effort. A definite classic. Probably one of the most popular opening rap verses of any rap song ever. Inspectah Deck, one of the more underrated MCs in the group, sets off this track with “I bomb atomically/Socrates, philosophies and hypotheses. . .” Say this line around any hip-hop head and it’s bound to warrant a response. Personal story, I was watching this music video at a friend’s house in Richmond in 1997, when I got the news of Princess Di’s death.
15. Twinz (Deep Cover 98) - Big Pun – Another potential legend whose life ended too soon. Big Pun was discovered by rap veteran, Fat Joe (a rapper that I’ve never been a fan of). Pun, a whoppingly obese MC whose flow would make any hip-hop listener’s jaw drop. Before Big Pun, no Latino rapper had ever gone platinum. This song features Fat Joe, and is a remake of the Dre/Snoop duet, “Deep Cover,” that brought light to Snoop. This track contains one of the GREATEST word plays that any rapper has ever spit. A line that still sends chills up my spine, it’s so delicious. Big Pun, during his verse, when the beat drops out, spits: “Dead in the middle of Little Italy. . .” You’ll have to listen to the rest of the tongue twister. He was an AMAZING MC who passed after reaching over 600 lbs in the late 90s, a time when we were losing too many greats.
16.Make ‘Em Say Ugh – Master P – Oh boy. . . Master P who hails from New Orleans was the first rapper who put the Big Easy on the hip-hop map. However, his emergence signified, TO ME, when hip-hop began its denouement. I HATED his music when he first emerged and was only warmed up to it, while at a club. Still then, it was only the beat. Hip Hop had gained a Southern accent and it was devastating at the time. This was probably one of his biggest hits. It featured several of his No Limit recording artists, including the larger-than-life Mystikal whose rapid-fire delivery skyrocketed him to the forefront of this label. Today, I can appreciate some of P’s early singles, including this one.
17. Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) – Jay-Z – This song was pure Jay-Z genius. Whereas the hip-hop community understood his genius up to this point, this crossover chart-topper brought Jay-Z to the attention of the world. Who would’ve ever thought that an “Annie” sample would make for a hip-hop classic? Pure genius! This single came from Jay’s 3rd album (he put out 1 album per year since 1996 for 7 straight years—give or take a year).
1. Method Man – Wu Tang Clan – From the Wu Tang Clan emerged Method Man. He was the obvious leading persona of the group, with a deadly flow and charisma to match. This song is ALL him, and instantly established him as the go-to guy for the Wu, as he started making guest appearances on everybody’s songs and remixes in the mid-90s. . . like Lil Wayne today.
WARNING: The beginning of this track starts with a grotesque game they play, called “Torture.” Don’t listen to it around kids or parents. LOL!
2. Electric Relaxation – A Tribe Called Quest – Definitely in my Top 5 favorite hip hop songs of all time. It is a breath of fresh air, amidst all of the gangsta talk of this period in time. Phife and Q-Tip just rhyme and dote over some cute honeys. It is simple and catchy. One of 2 hip hop songs to which I know all of the lyrics. LOL!
3. The World Is Yours – Nas – My favorite solo rapper! This song is off of his first album, Illmatic, which is considered by many to be THE best hip hop album of all time. This song is an inspiration. One of my motivators, when I was in college.
4. Juicy –Notorious B.I.G. – 1994 was a major year for hip-hop! First Nas, then Biggie comes onto the scene and drops his debut album—another classic (Ready to Die). “Juicy” was his first single. It was an instant smash hit. The song is a danceable autobiography of Biggie’s rags-to-riches come-up. A fitting celebration! Unfortunately, Biggie later grew in fame because of his beef with 2Pac, which resulted in the death of both artists.
5. Mass Appeal – Gang Starr –Wow! Little did I know that in the middle of this project, another hip-hop legend would pass on from this Earth. Guru, the voice of Gang Starr, passed on April 19, 2010, from a battle with a cancer. He is undoubtedly a legend, being credited with starting the hip-hop/jazz fusion movement that began in the early 90s. He was a wise and talented soul whose contributions are endless. His former DJ, Premier, and him did not end on the best terms, but in their hayday, they were unstoppable. Premier is still considered to be the hottest hip-hop beat-maker/producer ever. His beats are steeped in the essence of real hip-hop. This song is 1 of my favorites from the Gang Starr repertoire. The beat is the best. R.I.P. GURU!
6. Fat Cats, Bigga Fish – The Coup – Though this song is not considered a classic by the mainstream, I think it is pure genius. The Coup is an outspoken West Coast group whose lyrics often reflect the common people versus the government. This song is an extensive story, full of details, wit, and profundity. The story follows a young, common street hustler who makes a couple quick hustles on the street, including charming a fast-food cashier into some free food. While enjoying his food, his cousin emerges from a building, dressed as in a tux. His cousin informs him that he is working as a waiter at a party taking place inside the building, full of very rich, important people. The young hustler gets the idea to trade clothes with the cousin, to get inside disguised as a waiter so he can pickpocket some of these rich people. Well, he gets inside and starts to listen to the conversations between these powerful politicians and businessmen, and their intentions to knock down projects, and gentrify, etc. The realization comes to the hustler that he is actually the one that has been getting hustled all along. It’s a really cool song. Not a lot of people probably even think about this song anymore, but it definitely left an impression on me.
7. Bring the Pain – Method Man – Wasn’t long after the Wu Tang album dropped that Method Man dropped the first of the Wu solo projects. Though I am a fan of this album, Tical, many thought it was considerably lackluster. No one can deny that this song is great! The best Method Man song of all time, and his first single.
8. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik – Outkast – This is the group that put Atlanta on the hip-hop map! These 2 guys are definitely legends nowadays. This song was their 2nd single from their first album. Besides having a great title, the song is very catchy with its sing-songy hook that could very well get stuck in your head for a full day.
9. Git Up, Git Out – Outkast – From the same album came this little gem—a wake-up call to the people, as it were.
10. Regulate – Warren G. & Nate Dogg – From the West Coast came Dr. Dre’s little step-brother, Warren, who followed in Dre’s footsteps with the beat-making and rhyming combination under his belt. As what was becoming characteristic of the West Coast style, Warren’s rhyming took on a very mellow tone, even while rhyming about the most criminal activities. This song pairs Warren with the Death Row vocalist, Nate Dogg, who brought “gangsta” to R&B. This song was a major hit for both involved. It is from the “Above the Rim” soundtrack, a film which featured 2Pac.
11. So Whatcha Gone Do Now? – Public Enemy – My favorites re-emerged in 1994 with one of their final “good” albums, Muse Sick N Hour Mess Age. This song held the rap community accountable for the direction that it had chosen. In a market beginning to be saturated by fake gangsters and thugs who rapped, Chuck D had to pull off the belt and deliver some punishment.
12. MVP – Big L – Unfortunately, Big L passed before ever achieving his full potential. He was shot in 1999, before the release of his 2nd album. However, he is one of the most skilled –and scariest—lyricists that has ever existed. There was a darkness to his existence and it came out in many of his songs. This song is probably one of his safer tracks. It was his first single, and an introduction to the world. In his early years in the rap game, he often appeared with Jay-Z at his side. His skill often left Jay-Z in his shadow.
13. MCs Act Like They Don’t Know – KRS-One – The legend that Paige loves to hate. LOL! KRS is the self-appointed teacher and torch-bearer of hip-hop. A profound mind and lyricist himself, he has been churning out mind-blowers since the late 80s, when he was with the rap group, Boogie Down Productions. He is also a skilled battle MC who has ended several careers and had some legendary battles. This song was one of this singles from his first solo album. It’s a classic hit which stays true to the boastful roots of hip-hop.
14. Ice Cream – Raekwon – Ah, another solo album from a Wu-Tang heavy-hitter! This time Raekwon delivers an undisputed CLASSIC! “Only Built for Cuban Linx” once again let the world know that the Wu Tang Clan was nothing to @#$# with! This time the members took on Italian mafia aliases, and set a trend among all of their peers. This song was pure bliss! A celebration of beautiful women with a hot beat that made the club turnover on its side whenever it was played. People were CRAZY for this song. Still one of the best hip hop dance tracks to date, in my opinion. This song also introduced a new member of the Wu, Cappadonna, who rips this track, but soon after lost steam.
15. The Nod Factor – Skillz – I HAD to show love to the kid who put VA on the map! Originally called “Mad Skillz,” Skillz lives up to his name to the fullest. He is a super-lyricist who has also made his money from ghost-writing for many of hip-hop’s heavy-hitters. This song was his first studio single. As with his entire album, it is full of witty punchlines—it’s what he’s really good at. I was at school in Richmond when this album dropped, so I’d often see Skillz. Richmond is his home town. The city was ablaze during 1995! We were so proud of him and his accomplishments. He still manages to maintain a moderate level of fame in hip-hop with his annual “Rap Up,” where he recaps the year in hilarious rhymes. Plus, he has put out a couple mixtapes and another studio album. Much love to Skillz!
16. Uknowhowedu – Bahamadia – In a male dominated musical genre, came this Philly female with the sultry smooth flow. Her lyrics are tops as well as her flow. She is a heavyhitter who has never quite reached her full glory. Very underrated! This song may be considered to slow for the modern day rap listener, but it was a club banger back in 1995.
17. 4th Chamber – GZA/Genius – Yet ANOTHER solo project from a member of Wu-Tang! The GZA (pronounced “Jizza) did not come with the charisma of fellow Wu members, Method Man or Ghostface, but his lyrics are dense and intelligent. Mind candy. This particular song is a collaboration with fellow Wu members, from GZA’s debut album, “Liquid Swordz,” yet another undisputed CLASSIC!
