1. Me So Horny – 2 Live Crew – The raunchy Miami boys returned with their 3rd—and most controversial—album, “As Nasty As They Wanna Be,” which landed them in the national spotlight, and in the courtroom. A huge “Freedom of Speech” battle ensued, wherein they found unlikely allies, like PBS political satirist, Mark Russell (who wrote the lyrics for the “Teddy Roosevelt” plays at the Kennedy Center). This single was HOT! I hid this cassette from my parents in a shoebox, but this album definitely provided extra curricular education to my friends and me. LOL!
2. Jackin’ for Beats – Ice Cube – Nowadays most people probably know Ice Cube moreso for his filmwork than his rhymes, but back in the late 80s and early 90s, NOBODY was searing the conscience of AmeriKKKa, like Cube. This is why his alliance with Public Enemy was so perfect. As an original member of N.W.A., Cube wrote a lot of the lyrics for these godfathers of gangsta rap who outlined life on the streets of L.A. with detail and rawness. Cube soon broke away from N.W.A. and went solo. His first album, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” walked a thin line from preachy-Public-Enemy prowess to raw, uncut gangsterism. This song is unique because Cube takes the act of “jackin’” (which is basically slang for “robbing”) and turns it on his rap peers. He takes the hottest beats from that era and rhymes over a hot medley. Definite classic!
3. Bonita Applebum – A Tribe Called Quest – No rap group is more beloved by the world than Tribe. This is the 2nd single from their first album, where Q-Tip rhymes about—what else?—a hot honey that he’s been peepin’. A definite welcomed break from the emerging gangsta rap of the day. A simple, head-bobbin’ classic.
4. The Choice Is Yours – Black Sheep – Another dancefloor classic! This still will turn out any party or club at any time! “You can get wit’ this. . . or you can get wit’ that.” It’s just that simple. Black Sheep, along with De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, and others formed the crew, called Native Tongue, which provided hip-hop heads an alternative to the mainstream.
5. Brenda’s Got a Baby – 2Pac – Prior to this single, 2Pac emerged with the group, Digital Underground, in a song, called “Same Song.” You would’ve never been able to calculate from his verse on that song that he would one day become one of the biggest thug rappers of all time. This single from his first album showed the 2Pac with the huge heart. The story in this song is a heart-wrenching story of a young teen mother on the outs. This track features Jodeci who would soon become R&B superstars not too long after this song.
6. Alwayz Into Somethin’ – NWA – The rap group that America loved to hate! These guys rode onto the scene with the middle fingers WAY up in the air. Dr. Dre, Eazy-E (R.I.P.), Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella had no shame in sharing the stories of growing up on the darkside of Los Angeles. They said exactly what was on their mind, and that scared the mainstream, yet the mainstream couldn’t get enough.
7. Scenario – A Tribe Called Quest – One of the best rap collaborations to date! A rap classic, guaranteed to rouse any hip-hop head to his/her feet. Also featured are other members of Native Tongue, Leaders of the New School (which featured a very young Busta Rhymes), and De La Soul. Full of energy and positive vibes!
8. How I Could Just Kill A Man – Cypress Hill – As gangsta rap branched out, Cypress Hill entered the scene with their brand of gun-talk. The lead, B. Real, has a nasally-voice that was catchy and kind of eery, especially when talking about murder and guns. I couldn’t front. Though I never led a gangster life, this Latin rap group had me hooked!
9. Time 4 Sum Aksion – Redman – Now enters one of the best (and underrated) rappers of all time. Redman is the rapper’s rapper. His lyrics and wordplay cannot be touched. His rhymes are chocked full of punchlines, and charisma. This song is a headbanger! Sampling B. Real’s voice from Cypress Hill, looped over and over again, this song definitely got the attention of the hip-hop community when it dropped in the early 90s.
10. They Want EFX – Das EFX – Woow! When these 2 guys dropped this single back in the early 90s, people were like, “WTF?!” Their quick, tongue-twisting rhymes made the world pay attention. I was a fan instantly! Their rhymes never really had a through-line or story, especially on this album, but they alluded to a lot of popular TV catch-phrases and pop culture. They were discovered by legendary rap duo, EPMD, at a contest at Virginia State University, in Petersburg, VA, so it gave my home-state a little shine.
11. Passin’ Me By – The Pharcyde – C-L-A-S-S-I-C! Nobody can argue that this song is one of the best ever. The Pharcyde dropped one of the funniest albums, which featured this as their premiere single, back in 1994. This song has a great hook for those of us who cannot sing. The worse you sound, the better the hook sounds. LOL! Plus, these guys’ flows were RIDICULOUS. They ride the beats like pros.
12. Pocket Full of Stones – UGK – Honestly, I wasn’t crazy about these Houston, TX boys back when this song dropped, but they were featured on one of my favorite soundtracks (“Menace II Society”). It wasn’t until years later, that I realized that these 2 were pioneers. They, along with Scarface, put Houston on the hip-hop map. They’re style was so drastically different—so laidback and country, during a time when NYC aggression ruled hip-hop. UGK member, Pimp C, just passed a couple years ago, due to overdosing on that Purple Drank/Sizzurp. REST IN PEACE, PIMP C!
13. Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang – Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg – When Dr. Dre presented Snoop in the song, “Deep Cover,” that he did for the movie by the same name, it shook up the world like Muhammad Ali. LOL! Who was this tall, lanky guy who rhymes like he just woke up? During the era of NYC Aggression, Snoop brought the same lyrics and charisma, but he didn’t have to raise his voice. This song dropped and set the summer on fire! It was obvious that Dre and Snoop was a marriage made in heaven.
14. Hip Hop Hooray – Naughty By Nature – This was certainly not Naughty’s first hit single, but could arguably be their best anthem. These guys were HOT in the early 90s. In rap, you are fortunate if you can drop at least 1 anthem. These guys dropped a few, including their first single, “O.P.P.” “Hip Hop Hooray” is a celebration of all that we love about Hip Hop. They were one of my favorite groups back in the day. Treach, like Das EFX, had a crazy, rapidfire flow. Try to keep up.
15. Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) – Digable Planets – Ah, an anthem for us non-gangsta types emerged like a diamond-in-the-rough. Digable brought forth the jazz/hip-hop fusion with this cool-like-Miles hit! It definitely lives up to its name.
16. Slam – Onyx – The complete antithesis to Digable Planets, Onyx came onto the rap scene like a natural disaster. They ushered in the era of “grimy,” grovelly-voiced, loud, rock-like hip hop, that had brothas in mosh pits and getting rowdy, like they were at a Megadeath concert. “Slam” was their biggest hit. A hardcore classic!
17. U.N.I.T.Y. – Queen Latifah – Before she was lighting up the big and small screens with her acting ability, the Queen was bringing an air of respect to the ladies of hip-hop. She stepped on the scene demanding to be respected, and people listened. This was not her first hit, but it may have been her biggest. A very positive message. By this time, her protégé’, Naughty By Nature, was a well-established hip hop group. You can definitely hear the similarities in their styles.
18. Can It Be All So Simple – Wu Tang Clan – I do not know what my life would have been like, if the Wu never happened. I may have been a dental assistant or a baker. Who knows? Outside of my favorite hip hop group of all time, Public Enemy, lies the Wu—my 2nd favorite hip hop group of all time. NO group has ever done what the Wu did in 1993! 9 MCs shook up the world with their kung-fu-theatre-infused music and lyrics. Just like kung-fu, each one came with their own different style and technique. Their first album is a CLASSIC! This particular song only features 2 of the members, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. It is one of the more laidback tracks on the album, however, it talks about all of the details of a life growing up in poverty, barely getting by, when the streets came calling. At the end of the song, there is an interview where they introduce all of the members, and give a little blurb about their function and style within the group. Every member of the Wu has gone on to do several solo albums, but they reunite every few years to do a group album. I am a WU fan for life!!!
What Is Babble-On?
Sunday, July 4, 2010
HIP HOP HISTORY DISC 2 (1984 – 1989)
1. Fat Boys – The Fat Boys – Another commercial success story. Originally known as the Disco Three, the Fat Boys eventually realized that naming themselves the obvious may work in their favor. This song was their introduction to the world at large. The group contained the Human Beatbox (a.k.a. Buffy) who passed in 1995 from natural causes.
2. Roxanne – UTFO – This was the song that launched a thousand rap battles. UTFO was a fun rap group that emerged with energy, style, and personality, in the mid-80s. This song, about a fictitious girl from “around the way,” named Roxanne, spurned several responses from female MCs, claiming to be the “real” Roxanne. At first, the battles were between UTFO and the Roxannes, but then the battles turned into Roxanne-on-Roxanne battles. CLASSIC hip-hop moments!
3. I’m Bad – LL Cool J - LL continued forging his signature on the rap game in this harder-than-hard attack on any sucka who dared to try him. It’s a lyrical slaughter from beginning-to-end. A personal favorite.
4. I Need Love – LL Cool J - In a stroke of genius, LL did a complete 180-degree turn, compromising his uber-macho image for hip-hop’s first love ballad. . . and probably its best. This Jekyll-Hyde image has been LL’s driving force behind his prolonged success, and also the driving force behind his naysayers.
5. Paul Revere – Beastie Boys – Before these guys, White rappers were non-existent. These Brooklyn kids had just the right swag to pull it off and gain instant success. Well-deserved, because these guys found a way to stay true to hip-hop, yet all-the-while forming their own image, fusing rock with hip-hop. They are an absolute romp! This song is my favorite of theirs, simply because of that bassline.
6. Walk This Way – Run DMC ft. Aerosmith – This song basically made it official: RUN DMC were the godfathers of hip-rock. The first collaboration between a rock group (Aerosmith) and a rap group (Run DMC). It was a megahit, bringing hip-hop further into the mainstream. Also causing hip-hop purists to grow more and more nervous.
7. Ain’t No Half-Steppin’ – Big Daddy Kane – BDK is the guy other guys want to be. Smooth and suave, Kane could woo the ladies, but his street edge and hard lyrics could shut down the hardest MC on the mic. His career teeter-tottered like LL’s, because he came on the scene known for his raw lyrics, but soon started to become pegged as a lady’s man with his smoother tracks. This track was his introduction to the world. An incredible song with incredible lyrics and wordplay.
8. Children’s Story – Slick Rick – After parting ways with Doug E. Fresh—amicably—Slick Rick took his storytelling skills and went solo. “Children’s Story” is a great story, which could be considered “gangsta rap,” if the story did not come across like a children’s story. This song is best heard while watching the music video. It’s a keystone caper, put to a hot beat and lyrics. This is a certified CLASSIC!
9. Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos – Public Enemy - In the late 80s, Public Enemy erupted on the scene with their 2nd album, “It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back,” a blatant spit-in-the-face to the status quo. P.E. pioneered the conscious era of hip-hop, when rap took on the government, White oppression, American History, and Black apathy. This song is all about Chuck D giving the prison system and the government a big middle finger. This song changed my life! Public Enemy grew to be one of my all-time favorite rap groups ever.
10. Do Wah Diddy – 2 Live Crew – While Public Enemy was using their freedom of speech to say whatever they pleased to “The Man,” 2 Live Crew—who reigned from Miami, FL—was keeping hip-hop light and fun, in the tradition of humorous stories. However, they used their freedom of speech to spice up their vulgarity-laced lyrics. This song was cleaned up for their music video, however, it is a fun take on an American pop classic. This version is DIRTY, so play with caution.
11. Fight the Power – Public Enemy – Wow! How do I describe this masterpiece? Chuck D pulls no punches with this song. Before this song, I’d never heard anyone take on the Elvis legacy, nor John Wayne. It was exciting! This song is a riot-starter—a call to arms. It helped me to find my power and voice. A very special song. Also recently voted by VH1 as the #1 Hip Hop Video of All Time!
12. Cha Cha Cha –MC Lyte – Lyte was the first solo female MC to come onto the scene with the same braggadociousness of her male predecessors. This song was not her first single, but it’s one of her best, to me. In this song, her style is smooth, yet the lyrics go hard, establishing her as a force with which to be reckoned.
13. I Got the Knack – Everlast – Many people don’t know that the front man for House of Pain (“Jump Around”) was actually a solo artist in 1989, who rolled with Ice-T and the Rhyme Syndicate. Everlast would later be known for his gruff, grovelly voice, but when he was a solo artist, his voice was mild, and at times almost timid. This single from his first album has a thumping beat that’s easily danceable. Representin’ for the White rappers!
14. Funkin’ Lesson – X Clan – On the heels of Public Enemy’s Black Power message came X Clan with their Af-romantic messages. Dressed from head-to-toe in Afro-centric garb, and carrying walking sticks, their image sometimes walked a fine line between Africa and the pimps in Blaxploitation flicks of the 70s. However, the extremely articulate Brother J had a very intelligent flow and often had great poetry within his lyrics. Professor X acted as sort of the all-wise leader who never “rapped,” but was never short on words. He died in 2005 from spinal meningitis. In 1995, long-time member, Sugar Shaft, died from complications due to AIDS.
15. U Can’t Touch This – MC Hammer – Hammer received A LOT of heat from the hip-hop community during this time for “selling out” and going WAAAY mainstream, but this song is a hyped-up classic! I think most were jealous of his success. Many today are chasing his success still. His lyrics were remedial, but his energy and personality could not be touched.
16. Steppin’ to the A.M. – 3rd Bass – A true-to-form, White hip-hop group that surfaced with the blessings of the rap community at large. This was their first single. They achieved mediocre success, but garnered a lot of respect. Later beefed with MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice.
2. Roxanne – UTFO – This was the song that launched a thousand rap battles. UTFO was a fun rap group that emerged with energy, style, and personality, in the mid-80s. This song, about a fictitious girl from “around the way,” named Roxanne, spurned several responses from female MCs, claiming to be the “real” Roxanne. At first, the battles were between UTFO and the Roxannes, but then the battles turned into Roxanne-on-Roxanne battles. CLASSIC hip-hop moments!
3. I’m Bad – LL Cool J - LL continued forging his signature on the rap game in this harder-than-hard attack on any sucka who dared to try him. It’s a lyrical slaughter from beginning-to-end. A personal favorite.
4. I Need Love – LL Cool J - In a stroke of genius, LL did a complete 180-degree turn, compromising his uber-macho image for hip-hop’s first love ballad. . . and probably its best. This Jekyll-Hyde image has been LL’s driving force behind his prolonged success, and also the driving force behind his naysayers.
5. Paul Revere – Beastie Boys – Before these guys, White rappers were non-existent. These Brooklyn kids had just the right swag to pull it off and gain instant success. Well-deserved, because these guys found a way to stay true to hip-hop, yet all-the-while forming their own image, fusing rock with hip-hop. They are an absolute romp! This song is my favorite of theirs, simply because of that bassline.
6. Walk This Way – Run DMC ft. Aerosmith – This song basically made it official: RUN DMC were the godfathers of hip-rock. The first collaboration between a rock group (Aerosmith) and a rap group (Run DMC). It was a megahit, bringing hip-hop further into the mainstream. Also causing hip-hop purists to grow more and more nervous.
7. Ain’t No Half-Steppin’ – Big Daddy Kane – BDK is the guy other guys want to be. Smooth and suave, Kane could woo the ladies, but his street edge and hard lyrics could shut down the hardest MC on the mic. His career teeter-tottered like LL’s, because he came on the scene known for his raw lyrics, but soon started to become pegged as a lady’s man with his smoother tracks. This track was his introduction to the world. An incredible song with incredible lyrics and wordplay.
8. Children’s Story – Slick Rick – After parting ways with Doug E. Fresh—amicably—Slick Rick took his storytelling skills and went solo. “Children’s Story” is a great story, which could be considered “gangsta rap,” if the story did not come across like a children’s story. This song is best heard while watching the music video. It’s a keystone caper, put to a hot beat and lyrics. This is a certified CLASSIC!
9. Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos – Public Enemy - In the late 80s, Public Enemy erupted on the scene with their 2nd album, “It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back,” a blatant spit-in-the-face to the status quo. P.E. pioneered the conscious era of hip-hop, when rap took on the government, White oppression, American History, and Black apathy. This song is all about Chuck D giving the prison system and the government a big middle finger. This song changed my life! Public Enemy grew to be one of my all-time favorite rap groups ever.
10. Do Wah Diddy – 2 Live Crew – While Public Enemy was using their freedom of speech to say whatever they pleased to “The Man,” 2 Live Crew—who reigned from Miami, FL—was keeping hip-hop light and fun, in the tradition of humorous stories. However, they used their freedom of speech to spice up their vulgarity-laced lyrics. This song was cleaned up for their music video, however, it is a fun take on an American pop classic. This version is DIRTY, so play with caution.
11. Fight the Power – Public Enemy – Wow! How do I describe this masterpiece? Chuck D pulls no punches with this song. Before this song, I’d never heard anyone take on the Elvis legacy, nor John Wayne. It was exciting! This song is a riot-starter—a call to arms. It helped me to find my power and voice. A very special song. Also recently voted by VH1 as the #1 Hip Hop Video of All Time!
12. Cha Cha Cha –MC Lyte – Lyte was the first solo female MC to come onto the scene with the same braggadociousness of her male predecessors. This song was not her first single, but it’s one of her best, to me. In this song, her style is smooth, yet the lyrics go hard, establishing her as a force with which to be reckoned.
13. I Got the Knack – Everlast – Many people don’t know that the front man for House of Pain (“Jump Around”) was actually a solo artist in 1989, who rolled with Ice-T and the Rhyme Syndicate. Everlast would later be known for his gruff, grovelly voice, but when he was a solo artist, his voice was mild, and at times almost timid. This single from his first album has a thumping beat that’s easily danceable. Representin’ for the White rappers!
14. Funkin’ Lesson – X Clan – On the heels of Public Enemy’s Black Power message came X Clan with their Af-romantic messages. Dressed from head-to-toe in Afro-centric garb, and carrying walking sticks, their image sometimes walked a fine line between Africa and the pimps in Blaxploitation flicks of the 70s. However, the extremely articulate Brother J had a very intelligent flow and often had great poetry within his lyrics. Professor X acted as sort of the all-wise leader who never “rapped,” but was never short on words. He died in 2005 from spinal meningitis. In 1995, long-time member, Sugar Shaft, died from complications due to AIDS.
15. U Can’t Touch This – MC Hammer – Hammer received A LOT of heat from the hip-hop community during this time for “selling out” and going WAAAY mainstream, but this song is a hyped-up classic! I think most were jealous of his success. Many today are chasing his success still. His lyrics were remedial, but his energy and personality could not be touched.
16. Steppin’ to the A.M. – 3rd Bass – A true-to-form, White hip-hop group that surfaced with the blessings of the rap community at large. This was their first single. They achieved mediocre success, but garnered a lot of respect. Later beefed with MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
HIP HOP HISTORY: DISC 1 (1979 – 1984)
Back in October, while performing "Zomo the Rabbit," in NYC at the Hip Hop Theatre Festival, actress, Jjana Valentiner, asked a couple of us if we'd be willing to make a hip-hop CD for her--a compilation outlining the history--because though she was a part of a DOPE hip-hop show (for the kids), she really did not know much about it.
I'd forgotten to do it, honestly, over the next few months, but when I saw her back in April, she reminded me. So I started brainstorming on what songs I wanted to add to this ONE CD that would give a full overview of hip-hop.
I couldn't do it.
So I said FORGET JUST 1 CD! As a result, I ended up making her an 8-disc anthology, outlining hip-hop from 1979 - 2010. Then I felt the need to type up a study-guide type of document that subjectively lists the reason(s) why I chose each and every song. Some include facts. Most include opinions.
I invite any one who reads these to correct or add anything to what I've said. I don't claim to be a hip-hop expert. Just an avid geek, since the beginning. . .
1. Rapper’s Delight – Sugar Hill Gang – Of course, this is the start of it all, so I had to include it. There is an extended version of this song as well, which is over 9 minutes long.
2. Apache – Sugar Hill Gang - This song still kills at any party or dance. Classic dance track with a crazy beat! As a fan of the video game, SIMS, I was elated to see the dance included on SIMS 2.
3. M.C. Battle – Busy Bee – Busy Bee is an oooold school MC, featured in the 1st hip-hop feature film, “Wild Style,” where this song is featured, as well. He later went on to battle Kool Moe Dee, in one of the earliest M.C. battles on record. Kool Moe Dee crushed him, for the record. I just saw “Wild Style” for the first time about 5 years ago. While it’s a very low-budget film, it does capture the essence of hip-hop: the dj, the graffiti artists, the breakin’, and the mc.
4. Down By Law – Fab 5 Freddy – Another song from the “Wild Style” soundtrack. Fab 5 Freddy was involved in the making of the film. He was one of the original hip-hop producers, before Diddy and Kanye were on the scene. He is not any of the rappers that you hear on this song. Other artists since then have re-made this song. It’s a CLASSIC! A way for all the MCs in a crew to sell themselves. . . almost like speed-dating.
5. Beat Street –Grandmaster Melle Mel – From the “Beat Street” soundtrack. MY first hip-hop film. One that I still love immensely. Just like “Wild Style,” it displays all of the elements of hip-hop, but with a better story. This particular song by Melle Mel was 1 of the first times that an MC used his rhyme skills to comment on society, as opposed to just making a party record for people to dance to. The lyrics are full of brutal images, and almost feel like a news segment. Melle Mel has such an assertive cadence to his rhyming and a conviction in his tone. It’s a moving track.
6. Breakers’ Revenge – Arthur Baker – An intense hip-hop instrumental, where the DJ gets to show off, and the dancers can go crazy! Also from “Beat Street.” Great workout music.
7. US Girls – US Girls – Here come the female MCs putting their stake in the rap game. Lisa Lee, Sha Rock, and Debbie D came on the scene to let the men know that they could “boogie too.” This song is also from “Beat Street.”
8. Reckless – Ice T – From the “Breakin’” Soundtrack. This is our first introduction to Ice-T, credited as the first MC to put the West Coast on the map. Of course later he went on to become an actor, pimp, etc., but this is the first time the East Coast got a peek at this legend. This is a very true-to-form hip-hop track, where Ice-T as the MC is using his rhymes to highlight his DJ. The DJ was originally the front man in hip-hop, but as the popularity of the MCs began to rise, the DJ fell to the background. “Breakin’” is another classic, but it was mainstream Hollywood’s attempt to introduce hip-hop to a broader audience, so there is a lot of fluff, and lacks the edge of “Wild Style” and “Beat Street."
9. Planet Rock – Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force – CLASSIC hip-hop dance track! Full of energy. Great workout track, as well. Afrika Bambaataa is also founder of the Hip-Hop movement, called Zulu Nation, which still exists today, which highlighted the positivity of hip-hop, as a means to overcome the adversity that many faced in the inner city.
10. Slice - World Class Wreckin’ Cru (ft. Dr. Dre) – Before his days with N.W.A. or founding super-talents, like Snoop Dogg and Eminem, Dr. Dre was a part of this West Coast hip-hop pioneering group. This track is also very true-to-form, fundamental hip-hop. “Slice” refers to “cutting” or “scratching”—that sound the DJ makes on the turntable, when he/she spins the records.
11. Hey DJ – The World’s Famous Supreme Team – This is a song that I recently re-discovered. One of those buried treasures that was a hit in the mid-80s, but has since fell off the radar. I still think it’s great.
12. Force MD’s Meet the Fat Boys – Force MDs and the Fat Boys – Force MDs was one of the first hybrid rap/r&b groups to surface with great success. This song is a novelty. A fun take on the Gilligan’s Island theme song. There’s nothing “gangsta” about it. . . just good fun.
13. Rock the Bells – LL Cool J – in 1985, a young 16 year old from Queens exploded on the rap scene. Little did the world know that he would grow to be THE most prolific rapper in history, having survived the decades with albums spread out over 25 years. This is a great party song, with a hard beat and hard lyrics.
14. King of Rock – Run DMC – Run DMC burst into the scene a year or so before this song with a rock/rap fusion, called “Rock Box.” “King of Rock,” however, is what pushed them into the spotlight. With this rock/rap fusion, they were well on their way to being the first mainstream hip-hop act—a necessary step in taking hip-hop beyond its “fad” phase.
15. The Show – Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick – THE QUINTESSENTIAL HIP-HOP PARTY SONG! You can play this song at any party, and it will garner an upheaval of excitement. With this song you have the partnering of beatboxing virtuoso, Doug E. Fresh, and storytelling legend, Slick Rick, with his stand-apart English accent. The lyrics are catchy and fun. The beat is insane.
16. Push It – Salt-N-Pepa – Here comes hip hop’s female dynamic duo. They came on the scene, letting Run DMC know that they were not the only ones who could win the hearts of the American mainstream. They put out hit after hit, well into the 90s. This song’s tongue-in-cheek ambiguity is what “pushed it” to the top of the charts, plus it’s a great dance track.
17. Big Mouth – Whodini – The legendary Whodini had quite a few hits during this era. This particular track is a fun and catchy way of telling people to shut up. For me, the video left a big impression with the images of Felix the Cat.
I'd forgotten to do it, honestly, over the next few months, but when I saw her back in April, she reminded me. So I started brainstorming on what songs I wanted to add to this ONE CD that would give a full overview of hip-hop.
I couldn't do it.
So I said FORGET JUST 1 CD! As a result, I ended up making her an 8-disc anthology, outlining hip-hop from 1979 - 2010. Then I felt the need to type up a study-guide type of document that subjectively lists the reason(s) why I chose each and every song. Some include facts. Most include opinions.
I invite any one who reads these to correct or add anything to what I've said. I don't claim to be a hip-hop expert. Just an avid geek, since the beginning. . .
1. Rapper’s Delight – Sugar Hill Gang – Of course, this is the start of it all, so I had to include it. There is an extended version of this song as well, which is over 9 minutes long.
2. Apache – Sugar Hill Gang - This song still kills at any party or dance. Classic dance track with a crazy beat! As a fan of the video game, SIMS, I was elated to see the dance included on SIMS 2.
3. M.C. Battle – Busy Bee – Busy Bee is an oooold school MC, featured in the 1st hip-hop feature film, “Wild Style,” where this song is featured, as well. He later went on to battle Kool Moe Dee, in one of the earliest M.C. battles on record. Kool Moe Dee crushed him, for the record. I just saw “Wild Style” for the first time about 5 years ago. While it’s a very low-budget film, it does capture the essence of hip-hop: the dj, the graffiti artists, the breakin’, and the mc.
4. Down By Law – Fab 5 Freddy – Another song from the “Wild Style” soundtrack. Fab 5 Freddy was involved in the making of the film. He was one of the original hip-hop producers, before Diddy and Kanye were on the scene. He is not any of the rappers that you hear on this song. Other artists since then have re-made this song. It’s a CLASSIC! A way for all the MCs in a crew to sell themselves. . . almost like speed-dating.
5. Beat Street –Grandmaster Melle Mel – From the “Beat Street” soundtrack. MY first hip-hop film. One that I still love immensely. Just like “Wild Style,” it displays all of the elements of hip-hop, but with a better story. This particular song by Melle Mel was 1 of the first times that an MC used his rhyme skills to comment on society, as opposed to just making a party record for people to dance to. The lyrics are full of brutal images, and almost feel like a news segment. Melle Mel has such an assertive cadence to his rhyming and a conviction in his tone. It’s a moving track.
6. Breakers’ Revenge – Arthur Baker – An intense hip-hop instrumental, where the DJ gets to show off, and the dancers can go crazy! Also from “Beat Street.” Great workout music.
7. US Girls – US Girls – Here come the female MCs putting their stake in the rap game. Lisa Lee, Sha Rock, and Debbie D came on the scene to let the men know that they could “boogie too.” This song is also from “Beat Street.”
8. Reckless – Ice T – From the “Breakin’” Soundtrack. This is our first introduction to Ice-T, credited as the first MC to put the West Coast on the map. Of course later he went on to become an actor, pimp, etc., but this is the first time the East Coast got a peek at this legend. This is a very true-to-form hip-hop track, where Ice-T as the MC is using his rhymes to highlight his DJ. The DJ was originally the front man in hip-hop, but as the popularity of the MCs began to rise, the DJ fell to the background. “Breakin’” is another classic, but it was mainstream Hollywood’s attempt to introduce hip-hop to a broader audience, so there is a lot of fluff, and lacks the edge of “Wild Style” and “Beat Street."
9. Planet Rock – Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force – CLASSIC hip-hop dance track! Full of energy. Great workout track, as well. Afrika Bambaataa is also founder of the Hip-Hop movement, called Zulu Nation, which still exists today, which highlighted the positivity of hip-hop, as a means to overcome the adversity that many faced in the inner city.
10. Slice - World Class Wreckin’ Cru (ft. Dr. Dre) – Before his days with N.W.A. or founding super-talents, like Snoop Dogg and Eminem, Dr. Dre was a part of this West Coast hip-hop pioneering group. This track is also very true-to-form, fundamental hip-hop. “Slice” refers to “cutting” or “scratching”—that sound the DJ makes on the turntable, when he/she spins the records.
11. Hey DJ – The World’s Famous Supreme Team – This is a song that I recently re-discovered. One of those buried treasures that was a hit in the mid-80s, but has since fell off the radar. I still think it’s great.
12. Force MD’s Meet the Fat Boys – Force MDs and the Fat Boys – Force MDs was one of the first hybrid rap/r&b groups to surface with great success. This song is a novelty. A fun take on the Gilligan’s Island theme song. There’s nothing “gangsta” about it. . . just good fun.
13. Rock the Bells – LL Cool J – in 1985, a young 16 year old from Queens exploded on the rap scene. Little did the world know that he would grow to be THE most prolific rapper in history, having survived the decades with albums spread out over 25 years. This is a great party song, with a hard beat and hard lyrics.
14. King of Rock – Run DMC – Run DMC burst into the scene a year or so before this song with a rock/rap fusion, called “Rock Box.” “King of Rock,” however, is what pushed them into the spotlight. With this rock/rap fusion, they were well on their way to being the first mainstream hip-hop act—a necessary step in taking hip-hop beyond its “fad” phase.
15. The Show – Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick – THE QUINTESSENTIAL HIP-HOP PARTY SONG! You can play this song at any party, and it will garner an upheaval of excitement. With this song you have the partnering of beatboxing virtuoso, Doug E. Fresh, and storytelling legend, Slick Rick, with his stand-apart English accent. The lyrics are catchy and fun. The beat is insane.
16. Push It – Salt-N-Pepa – Here comes hip hop’s female dynamic duo. They came on the scene, letting Run DMC know that they were not the only ones who could win the hearts of the American mainstream. They put out hit after hit, well into the 90s. This song’s tongue-in-cheek ambiguity is what “pushed it” to the top of the charts, plus it’s a great dance track.
17. Big Mouth – Whodini – The legendary Whodini had quite a few hits during this era. This particular track is a fun and catchy way of telling people to shut up. For me, the video left a big impression with the images of Felix the Cat.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Street Communion
His tongue beats his toothless gums
As he makes a joyful noise
For the cold faces of people
Who pass by
He sings words unheard
In a verse with no rhythm
Sometimes people will throw
Nickels and dimes
But applause they never give him,
Except for the little Black girl
With the warm face
Who also gave tears
As her parents dragged her off
Though she stomped and kicked concrete
With her feet
His thick voice and odor
Fill Richmond city blocks
Like Philip Morris smog
A little cardboard sign
Sits next to him as
His confidant used to do.
A little cardboard sign
That reads
I SING 4 THE ANGELS
--J. J. Johnson (24)
*written in 1999
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Met the Parents
Okay, so no reason to be nervous. The parents were great. Absolutely incomparable hosts! They picked me up from Detroit Wayne County airport on Saturday morning around 9:30. Sonal's mother greeted me with a big hug--the father, a hand shake. Then, we proceeded North, approximately 30 miles to West Bloomfield, where they proceeded to stuff me with goodies.
And that was my entire weekend. . . getting stuffed with "mmm mmm" goodness. Home-made Indian food, mango, french toast. Spoiled, I was. They are a beautiful family, with a beautiful home.
On the first day, once Sonal returned home, we ventured to Dodge #4 Park, where we all sat under a weeping willow by the lake. The weather was amazingly mild and sunny. I took a lot of photos. Sonal and I took a walk by the lake. It was a like a scene plucked from a poem.
Sunday, Sonal and I ventured into the city of Detroit, where we hung out in Greektown. Ate lunch at Pizza Papalis. Some dope deep-dish Chicago style deliciousity! The walk by the river was nice. Saw Canada across the river. Two shady cats approached us, trying to act like they were making small talk about the statue next to the river, depicting slaves awaiting to cross to their freedom. They were beating around the bush for too long, so we jetted up the riverside.
There was a tornado warning in the area, and it'd started to rain quite a bit. So after walking around the depressingly empty downtown area, we took a drive up Jefferson Ave. Drove through all of the manifestations of Grosse Point. Before heading back homeward, we drove along 8 MILE:
Lose yourself in the music
The moment you own it
You never let it go. . .
Monday morning, got prepared to leave. Packed my bags and said my goodbyes to Sonal's mother. Sonal and her father took me to the airport. I said my goodbyes, took a deep sigh, and walked into DTW, only to find out. . .
. . . MY FLIGHT WAS CANCELLED!
I called Sonal. . . and called Sonal. . . and called Sonal. To no avail. Her phone lay dormant on the floor of her purse, vibrating, while Sonal drove back to West Bloomfield. I waited at the airport for 3 hours, before finally deciding to take a taxi back to West Bloomfied. Delta had been so kind to re-book me for a flight the NEXT day, with no consideration that many of us have lives to live. So I called out from my job for that evening, and resigned to staying in Michigan one more day.
So, 30 miles later and $65 shorter, the taxi drops me off at Sonal's parents. Her father answers the door, understandably surprised. He took me upstairs. That's when I found out that Sonal had driven home and passed OUT. LOL! She was fast asleep. She was surprised to see me, I'm sure. It was very cute.
The extra day with Sonal and her family was just as sweet. Her mother had been at the office all day, and as everything happens in 3's, the look on her face when she came home and saw me was no surprise. . . to me. We all went out to eat that evening. Then Sonal and I watched television and laptopped. Later on, some family friends visited, so I was able to meet some more people.
The next day, it was deja vu all over again, but this time my flight wasn't cancelled. I arrived back at BWI right around noon.
I had a magnificent time in Michigan. Among what I mentioned above, I also had a chance to visit the Jain Temple that Sonal's father designed. Plus get a further education on the religion itself.
There were no polygraph tests, or cats that flushed the toilet. Just a nice, compact getaway with a whole lot of food and love. . . and Delta drama.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Celebrity Sightings
I jacked the following list from my MySpace blog. I posted this list back in May of '06. It's a list of all of the celebrity sightings that I had while working security in Manhattan from '03 - '04. That's where most of the sightings happened. There were others, as well.
While in New York, I worked as a security guard to "pay the bills." I mostly worked at the high-end retail stores on 5th Ave. and Madison Ave. I hated every inch of the job, but the highlights would come when a celebrity would come into the store/boutique. In order to sate the deep-seated geek within, I comprised a list of all of the celebs that I saw during my days in New York. Everytime I saw one, I'd come home and add it to my list.
Just wanted to share the list from 2003 - 2004, which has the name and location:
1. Greg Kinnear (Prada @ 57th & Madison Ave.--P57) - He was my first celeb sighting. It took me about 5 minutes to convince myself it was him. I finally concluded it was him when the people with him started talking about his "upcoming film with Matt Damon."
2. Susan Lucci (2 sightings: Bergdorf Goodman and while doing security for the NY Women in Film & TV Gala)
3. Katie Holmes (Bergdorf Goodman--BG--couldn't believe how tall she is)
4. Clive Davis (P57) - He walked by mostly every morning, because J Records was right up the street.
5. Al Sharpton (P57) - Saw him a lot. He stayed at the 4 Seasons Hotel next door to Prada a lot.
6. Sigourney Weaver (P57)
7. CL Smooth (P5 - Prada on 5th Ave.)
8. Chad from The Neptunes (2x @ P57)
9. Owen Wilson (PMad - Prada @ 69th & Madison Ave.)
10. Renee' Zellweger (P57) - The sweetest celeb I've ever met.
11. Mariska Hargitay (2x @ P57 and BG Men's Store)
12. Nick Lachey (walking along 5th Ave., picking his nose--not a good look)
13. Renee Syler from CBS Early Show (walking into CBS)
14. Matt Lauer (2x @ P57)- He was pretty cool!
15. Donald Sutherland (Saks)
16. Foxy Brown (2x @ P57 and BG) - she has a BAD rep with security guards!
17. Julie Chen from CBS Early Show (P57)
18. Daisy Fuentes (PMad)
19. Mario Lopez (BG)
20. Dan Marino (2x @ Zegna)
21. Frank Gifford (Zegna)
22. Hillary Clinton (Zegna) -- I about fainted when I saw Secret Service roll out of 3 different vehicles in the rain, open an umbrella, and here comes Hillary stepping out of a minivan, and rush towards the door. I immediately opened the door and welcomed her. She was real nice.
23. Robin Williams (BG) - gotta be 4'11"!!!
24. Dre3000 from Outkast (walking up 5th Ave.)--brotha was looking real content with life!
25. Diana Ross (BG)--looked a bit rough
26. DJ Clue (P57) - he was trying to holla at the cashier there. She was a groupie, straight up. Not a good look.
27. Michael Ealy (movie theatre @ 86th & Lexington going to see "ELF") I was taking my ex-girl to see MYSTIC RIVER. He was with a slim Asian model looking girl.
28. Russell Simmons (Loew's Theatre @ 42nd St. & 8th Ave.) He was coming from seeing SPIDERMAN 2.
29. Wendell Pierce from THE WIRE - he was with Russell Simmons and the rest of the WIRE cast.
30. Jerry Springer (5th Ave.)
31. Slick Rick (5th Ave.)
32. Nick Ashford from Ashford & Simpson(2x @ BG Men's Store & Prada Soho)
33. Posdanus from De La Soul (BG Men)
34. Irv Gotti (BG)
35. Ashanti - with Irv Gotti
36. Rosanna Arquette (Miu Miu)
37. Eve (Butter Restaurant)--Looking GREAT!
38. Bernadette Peters (Madison Ave. in front of J. Mendel)
39. mUMs the Schemer (Prada Soho)
40. Mena Suvari (BG)
41. Oprah Winfrey (I was at BG Men's, looking across the street at the BG Women's store as she exited with 2 bodyguards--she was looking like a billion dollars that day!)
42. Barbara Walters (NYWomen in Film & TV Gala)
43. Sandra Bernhardt (NYWomen in Film & TV Gala)
44. Emmanuel Lewis (5th Ave.)
45. Lil Kim (BG) -- looking rough as hell, dressed down.
46. Janet Jackson (BG) - she has to be 3'11". She literally walked right under my chin, and I didn't notice her until my boy punched me in my chest and said, "Do you realize who just walked by you?"
47. DAVE CHAPPELLE! -- went to a live taping of his show. Sat in the audience. Free from 106 & Park was there that night, as well as Charlie Murphy.
48. Julianne Moore (Prada Soho)
49. BEYONCE' (BG) - she may have been my last sighting before moving back to Virginia. It was a few days before Christmas, and she was in the store shopping with an entourage, including a laaarge brotha who looked to be about 6'10". I ASSUMED that he was the bodyguard. Not too long after seeing her in the store, I made my way back to the security base to get my coat, preparing to leave. On my way out of the employee exit, she and her entourage were standing right in the doorway. I had to excuse myself and squeeze past her to get out. I HAVE NOT BATHED SINCE.
While in New York, I worked as a security guard to "pay the bills." I mostly worked at the high-end retail stores on 5th Ave. and Madison Ave. I hated every inch of the job, but the highlights would come when a celebrity would come into the store/boutique. In order to sate the deep-seated geek within, I comprised a list of all of the celebs that I saw during my days in New York. Everytime I saw one, I'd come home and add it to my list.
Just wanted to share the list from 2003 - 2004, which has the name and location:
1. Greg Kinnear (Prada @ 57th & Madison Ave.--P57) - He was my first celeb sighting. It took me about 5 minutes to convince myself it was him. I finally concluded it was him when the people with him started talking about his "upcoming film with Matt Damon."
2. Susan Lucci (2 sightings: Bergdorf Goodman and while doing security for the NY Women in Film & TV Gala)
3. Katie Holmes (Bergdorf Goodman--BG--couldn't believe how tall she is)
4. Clive Davis (P57) - He walked by mostly every morning, because J Records was right up the street.
5. Al Sharpton (P57) - Saw him a lot. He stayed at the 4 Seasons Hotel next door to Prada a lot.
6. Sigourney Weaver (P57)
7. CL Smooth (P5 - Prada on 5th Ave.)
8. Chad from The Neptunes (2x @ P57)
9. Owen Wilson (PMad - Prada @ 69th & Madison Ave.)
10. Renee' Zellweger (P57) - The sweetest celeb I've ever met.
11. Mariska Hargitay (2x @ P57 and BG Men's Store)
12. Nick Lachey (walking along 5th Ave., picking his nose--not a good look)
13. Renee Syler from CBS Early Show (walking into CBS)
14. Matt Lauer (2x @ P57)- He was pretty cool!
15. Donald Sutherland (Saks)
16. Foxy Brown (2x @ P57 and BG) - she has a BAD rep with security guards!
17. Julie Chen from CBS Early Show (P57)
18. Daisy Fuentes (PMad)
19. Mario Lopez (BG)
20. Dan Marino (2x @ Zegna)
21. Frank Gifford (Zegna)
22. Hillary Clinton (Zegna) -- I about fainted when I saw Secret Service roll out of 3 different vehicles in the rain, open an umbrella, and here comes Hillary stepping out of a minivan, and rush towards the door. I immediately opened the door and welcomed her. She was real nice.
23. Robin Williams (BG) - gotta be 4'11"!!!
24. Dre3000 from Outkast (walking up 5th Ave.)--brotha was looking real content with life!
25. Diana Ross (BG)--looked a bit rough
26. DJ Clue (P57) - he was trying to holla at the cashier there. She was a groupie, straight up. Not a good look.
27. Michael Ealy (movie theatre @ 86th & Lexington going to see "ELF") I was taking my ex-girl to see MYSTIC RIVER. He was with a slim Asian model looking girl.
28. Russell Simmons (Loew's Theatre @ 42nd St. & 8th Ave.) He was coming from seeing SPIDERMAN 2.
29. Wendell Pierce from THE WIRE - he was with Russell Simmons and the rest of the WIRE cast.
30. Jerry Springer (5th Ave.)
31. Slick Rick (5th Ave.)
32. Nick Ashford from Ashford & Simpson(2x @ BG Men's Store & Prada Soho)
33. Posdanus from De La Soul (BG Men)
34. Irv Gotti (BG)
35. Ashanti - with Irv Gotti
36. Rosanna Arquette (Miu Miu)
37. Eve (Butter Restaurant)--Looking GREAT!
38. Bernadette Peters (Madison Ave. in front of J. Mendel)
39. mUMs the Schemer (Prada Soho)
40. Mena Suvari (BG)
41. Oprah Winfrey (I was at BG Men's, looking across the street at the BG Women's store as she exited with 2 bodyguards--she was looking like a billion dollars that day!)
42. Barbara Walters (NYWomen in Film & TV Gala)
43. Sandra Bernhardt (NYWomen in Film & TV Gala)
44. Emmanuel Lewis (5th Ave.)
45. Lil Kim (BG) -- looking rough as hell, dressed down.
46. Janet Jackson (BG) - she has to be 3'11". She literally walked right under my chin, and I didn't notice her until my boy punched me in my chest and said, "Do you realize who just walked by you?"
47. DAVE CHAPPELLE! -- went to a live taping of his show. Sat in the audience. Free from 106 & Park was there that night, as well as Charlie Murphy.
48. Julianne Moore (Prada Soho)
49. BEYONCE' (BG) - she may have been my last sighting before moving back to Virginia. It was a few days before Christmas, and she was in the store shopping with an entourage, including a laaarge brotha who looked to be about 6'10". I ASSUMED that he was the bodyguard. Not too long after seeing her in the store, I made my way back to the security base to get my coat, preparing to leave. On my way out of the employee exit, she and her entourage were standing right in the doorway. I had to excuse myself and squeeze past her to get out. I HAVE NOT BATHED SINCE.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Meet the Parents
Early Saturday morning, I fly out of BWI, heading to Detroit. This is my first time in Michigan, so I am excited. I'm a huge fan of many of the hip-hop artists that hail from "The D:" Eminem, Slum Village, J. Dilla, Proof, Baatin (R.I.P.). However, I'm not going to spit some hot 16's over a Black Milk track. I'm not going to attempt to resurrect the Motown era, or even to appear in a Michael Moore documentary.My girlfriend, Sonal, hails from West Bloomfield. I am going to meet her parents. Sonal's already driven out there today and will not be returning until the weekend of July 4th. I am only able to go out for a weekend. . . and I'm flying. Forget taking the Kia.
Because I will not be renting a vehicle, I will immediately have to relinquish all of my control issues. (Pray for me, Church!)
Sonal met my parents, brother, and many other relatives during this past Easter. She passed with flying colors. I've met several of her cousins who live in this area, and have enjoyed all of their company. However, since booking this flight, I can't help but feel like Ben Stiller. After all, I am a big fan. When nervous though, I can go from coherent-to-absent-minded in just under 5 seconds.
I've been meditating. Constantly repeating to myself:
Think before speaking
Think before speaking
Think before speaking
This will help to suppress symptoms of "foot-in-mouth" disease.
I'm sure everything will go swimmingly (one of my favorite words), but new adventures always cause some level of anxiety.
My anxiety could also have something to do with this:
These kids work for the welcoming committee?
I think I'll be spending most of my time in the 'burbs. . . hopefully it's a bit "warmer" there.
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