One of the glaring smudges to rap music and hip hop culture is beef. I remember the historical lyrical beef between BDP and pretty much all of Queensbridge via MC Shan. I was young about 10 years old or so when that hit and I remember sitting in my room at night when I was supposed to be asleep and listening to WEBB with my dubbed over tape and hearing the loud raucous sound of MC Shan's "The Bridge". That beat was hot but now I find slightly annoying but it was meant to be played loud because MC Shan and Marley Marl knew it was an-ANTHEM for their locale. However, pretty much all of us are proud of our hoods good or bad. Well, the badder the better unfortunately but that's another blog in itself (hmm?).
We now usher in probably one of the most influential two man teams in rap music that later branched into other artist, KRS-1 and the late Scott La Rock. Funny how everyone had to use a little french in their names back then i.e. T La Rock and Coke La Rock (not sure why anyone refer to themselves as coke the rock)? Those two took offense to Shan's repping and claims via his sonic assault of "The Bridge". We all know rap music had it's orgins in the Bronx led by Kool Herc. KRS had a point but he could've simply made an answer to the record but he dissed them on "South Bronx" and the radio loved and more so the Bronx itself. Those songs became war chants if you will for those boroughs. I've seen the vintage show footage of KRS whipping the crowd into a frenzy when the hook drops.
What those two teams managed to do what create 4 awesome and classic tracks in hip hop culture. Shan and Marley came back with "Kill That Noise" which fueled the lyrical beast in waiting KRS. BDP went back and recorded the banger "Bridge is Over". The beat was simple but hard. Actually it was the first piano loop I learned on my keyboard-it was that simple. KRS injected something he would become known for-reggae dancehall infused lyrics that sat him apart and sealed Shan's fate. KRS went after anyone who was affiliated with the Shan's team the Juice Crew. Roxanne Shante attempted to carry the flag with hit "I'm Shante" but the damage was done because KRS cemented her female rap diss infamy with the line "Roxanne Shante is only good for steady f---k-ng" in "The Bridge is Over". What I didn't know until years later Shante was a very young teen in rap game but KRS didn't care this was grown man B.I. as we used to say in Bmore. Guess she should stayed on the sidelines. Well that battle did lead to her to become Dr. Shante-true story, she has a PhD courtesy of stupid record execs doubting she would stay in school via contract stipulation she worked out-SMART! LOL
After that battle Shan and the Juice Crew gradually faded into obscurity due to contract disputes and lackluster albums. As individuals some were incredible i.e. Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Biz Markie, Masta Ace and the severly slept on young Craig G.
BDP would become a super power in rap music. KRS put down the gloves and picked up some books and became a leader in the Black awareness movement. He would later patch things up with Shan and the Crew. They actually did some Sprite commercials together. He said it was pure competition and vehemently denies Scot La Rock's death was linked to beef just people know it wasn't that serious. The mighty KRS would later destroy new pop rap sensation Nelly on his blistering "Ya Not Hot" on his Sneak Attack album. Better cop that one it's slept on but vintage KRS without the teaching.
LL Cool J vs Kool Moe D, Ice T & Canibus
This one was biggest onslaught defeat ever in rap music. I mean why did Moe D bother. L was evolving into a lyric leader and Moe D was stuck in his early 80s rap style. Ice T dissed L and L went on to rhyme about how beat off to the probably best album cover ever, Ice's Power album cover featured his long timed girlfriend in a thong blue bikini holding a shotgun behind her back. Check "To The Break of Dawn" for the Ice T diss and "Jack the Ripper" for the of death Moe D. Ice T developed into a respected actor over years and achieved much notoriety for his phat bootied white girl wife Coco that he flaunts around more than a pinky ring-LOL!
By the way where is Kool Moe D these days?
Canibus apparently slipped into a beef without knowing it and felt Mr. Chapstick's wrath. LL dropped a classic named "4,3,2,1" featuring a major heavyweights on the Def Jam roster, DMX, Redman, Method Man and Canibus was the non-label lyrical mixtape beast that was hell hot at the time. Canibus rhymed about L letting him borrowed the mic tatted on his arm and L took offense to the lyric. Canibus later said L mistook his meaning in the rhyme. L went back in rewrote his lyrics dissing Canibus on the very track he asked him to be on and released that version. Listeners wondered who the heck is L going hard on then if deciphered you realized he was dissing his invited guest. Hmm, dirty and low in my book but it made for awesome record sales and the demand for another video hit and version. Ok Def Jam way to milk but Master P? C'mon Master P freaking P? Yes, he was hot with the new No Limit movement but that dude was wack and didn't fit in at all on that track.
Canibus didn't sit on his marble composition books long and came back with Mike Tyson assisted joint. Very hard track lyrically but the production wasn't on point. I honestly think Wyclef sabotaged him and that whole album. Poor production throught this lyrical beast's career has plagued him. Canibus later joined the Army as an Abrams Crewmember (he's a M1A2 battle tank gunner). I think it's fitting of this very ecletic and gifted MC to do something like this. After all he's one rap's vaunted battle rappers. He lost to L due to lack of clout but lyrically L couldn't touch him. The mainstream gave the nod to L but the streets know L caught an L.
Biggie vs Tupac
We saw the movie, we read the countless articles and saw all of the "authentic documentaries" about these rap phenoms but why did it have to go this way?
Alotta cats don't know Pac and Big recorded a few tracks together until recently. Remember they were good friends early on.
Let's stick to the battles. Big was a humble guy an avoided so many lyric chances to get at Pac and we all knew Big was fully capable of laying Pac to rest without writing anything. Remember "Warning" was written before the beef and most importantly "Who Shot Ya" was as well. That eery death is near beat should remind everyone how calm Biggie could lay you to rest-lyrically that is. Pac's "Hit Em Up" was scathing and layed the blueprint for the coming of probably the greatest "beef rapper" ever 50 Cent. Now Biggie did take his jabs at Pac subliminally and flagrantly at Pac and his soon to be ex-wife Faith on Jay-Z's "Brooklyn's Finest". However, many of you don't know those two lyrical stalwarts were trying to out do each other on that very track but in name of competition. Imagine a Biggie and Jay Z record? You know that would have happened instead of the horrible R Kelly crap.
Solidarity is a mutha tho. Pac did manage to create huge problem for himself by calling out some heavyweights by proclaiming a coastal war. He dragged some lyricist he couldn't match up with lyrically on the clever side like Nas and Jay Z and then he pulled in the ultra violent duo of Mobb Deep. That spawned othe beefs that we get into later. I deemed this senseless violence a draw. These two better together just listen to "House of Pain" and "Running".
Biggie vs Nas
Wait that's not true? No pa you don't know your history or your lyrics. Let's pull up exhibit A "Kick in the Door" by late Francis M. White (Biggie's pseudonym). He rhymes "your rain on top is your short like leprechauns". That was subliminal diss to Nas' push to the top as King of New York. Nas didn't claim it but the crown was placed on him by the masses after his stunning debut "Illmatic". You can't front he was what the game needed at the time and still needs. However, Biggie was smoking hot with his "Ready to Die". Now how did this all come by about. This one is deep and involves entities not viewed as connected but are.
Exhibit B
One of rap greatest CDs ever excuse me tapes Raekwon's "Only Built for Cuban Links". Yes folks the vaunted "purple tape". Rae and Ghostface Killah have a skit at the beginning of "Glaciers of Ice" where they are talking about "Shark Ni----z". Ghost and Rae say "Ni----z bit off Nas' album cover!" Wait who bit off Nas' album cover? What album cover? Oh the Illmatic cover with a picture of him as tot-yep! Now who else had a concept like that just months later? Biggie's "Ready to Die" has a picture of young Chris in a diaper. Coincindence, purely! C'mon fam I'm sure no one was really biting something that minor.
So why are the Wu cats riding for Nas?
Exhibit C
Nas, Ghost and Rae appear on Mobb Deep's "Eye for an Eye" off their second album "The Infamous". Yes fam that's their second album do the knowledge. That track was so hot and their chemistry was incredible that became allies.
Wait there's something wrong right?
Exhibit D
The top lyricist in the Wu, Method Man appears to have broken a pact or something. Why? He appears on Biggie's Ready to Die on the track "The What". The beat wasn't that hot in my opinion but their lyrics were. Now if Rae and Ghost are with Nas and Meth is with Big, what's going here. In a Biggie documentary Method admits his team was not for him doing that track at all but Meth admits Big was hot and he wanted to record with the dude because it was a good move and he was a good dude.
Nas never really shot back but he later admits on "Made You Look" years later that he was briefly the king of NY. Go back and listen for his drop "King of New York, yeah I did that......" Clever Nas very clever but he wasn't a warrior type so he let the all the BS ride. Smart move and better man I guess.
This was a draw because more beefs would be intangled from here as well.
Mobb Deep vs. Jay Z
How did this come about? Well here's how Prodigy felt Jay sat on the sideline when th bi-coastal beef was at it's highest. He had a thinly veiled diss to Pac on Sauce Money's "Dead or Alive". However, that was laughable according to P. I mean P does have a point because Jay actually rhymed "I'm trying to restore the feeling, New York's been since Snoop crushed the buildings". I even took offense to that because of the lyricism of NY's emcees.
Despite the Mobb's verbal assaults on Jay on their "Infamy" album Jay prevailed due to him dropping the pics of P in tap dance attire at his grandmother's dance studio. It was pretty wack in my opinion. P was like 6 years old then and his mom had him doing that. Dude was a baby-LOL!
Jay-Z by a low life blow in my opinion is the winner.
Mobb deep vs Tupac
Pac called out the Mobb on the intro track to his last album he released while he was living. He called the violent rapping Mobb boys "little ni--g-z". Now what do you when you have the game's hottest producer at the time and a emcee who crafts more crimes than a Riker's Island lifer. You bust back with an automatic microphone and speakers. Enter the Mobb's scathing "G.O.D. Father Part III" and "Drop A Gem on Em". You would almost thing P and Hav shot Pac after the latter track.
Pac died before a respones was dropped but the Mobb got em!
Nas vs Mobb Deep & Cormega and oh yeah Nore
Funny how that one major unrest in rap music spun off several beefs. Now what's disturbing it's now infected affiliation that once seemed rock solid. Enter the disintegration of the Queensbridge Finest or QB Connection as they sometimes called themselves.
Nas saw that Queensbridge and Queens in general was the like Medina to the Bronx being Mecca. He wanted to reunite or unite, depending how you saw Queens again. He launched the album that would set of the club banger "Oochie Wallie" which saw his spin off group Bravehearts hit the airwaves. Now it appeared to be all love. However bad blood was brewing.
Cormega was seething from being dropped from the Firm project due to contract disputes with Nas. He was replaced by Nature. Not sure if that was an upgrade lyrically? Cormega would devote several albums to dissing Nas. Nas just laughed and listened, well least somebody was listening Cormega figured according to his sales.
Mobb Deep sided with Mega and recorded "The Anthem" with thinly veiled disses to Nasir with the eery hook "We Wanna Kill You". Tight track probably one of the best Mega's had in his career.
Nas did respond years later with "Build and Destroy" he named names in that track which pretty much ended the mess his hood mates help feed into.
Prodigy took shots at Nas' street cred after getting his chain snatched and alleged his younger brother was more street thorough because he got the chain back. Ironically P had his snatched months latter in the bridge and never got it back. Nas took care of P as well in "Build and Destroy".
Nore was upset because, well we don't know and Nas said he needed to step it up lyrically. Well, can't blame Nasir for that one because it was true. Nore much of nothing except for a few drunken rants on the radio but that's the Noreaga of old.
Nas vs Jay Z
The beef of the century! But how and why? Well let's break it down like this. Jay rhymes "Who's the best MC's Biggie, Jay Z and NAS". Now Nas fans are like Nas, third, naw? Was Jay just throwing names or was putting them in his order?
Let's dig deeper. Jay and Nas were cool before that but it gets deeper. Apparently Jay wanted Nas to do a track with him but Nas never got around to it. Actually that's not true either because they are both on a Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz track. Wait that's not completely true either because they did not record it together.
Jay begain to call Nas out and then it got dirty. We now know Nas plays his card tight and to his chest. He's a very calculated emcee but when he laids down his hand it's pretty heavy and a sure victory. Jay begans to drop mixtape tracks telling of skeeting in his Nas baby mom's truck and car seat. (listen to SupaUgly). Then launches his Rocfella goons on him led by Beanie Sigel and the Young Gunz. Pretty good diss track by the way. Problem was they managed to drag Jadakiss in it who was cool with Jay but managed to murder Beanie a few times.
Nas realized he had to respond and he took his time. What Jay didn't realize he had unleashed the lyrical beast. Nas enlisted an unheard producer that we now pop champagne to and gave the masses the massacre that was "Ether". The battle was over the war was one. It took Nas one track to end it and Jay about 3 and his squad's help to keep it going. Jay would later admit on the historical official beef ending interview on BET that he could not retailate after "Ether" it was too much.
Winner:Nasir Jones; he withstood Jay's flurry of jabs and executed a brutal upper cut to end it.
Nas and Jay would team up to drop 3 extremely tight tracks between their albums from 06-07.
50 Cent vs Ja Rule
This is the infamous career ending or more accurately dampening battle. 50 an Ja actually don't like each other and led to violence in a studio. 50 actually had an order of protection placed on Black Ty from Ja's crew Murder Inc. 50 still denies it to this day but it actually exists. Too many tracks were dropped from both sides to give the blow by blow of this stupidity that ensued roughly 7 years ago.
5o wins this one because he damaged Ja's credibility and killed his fan based. 50 also had the mainstream backing of some heavyweights such as Busta Rhymes, Eminem and Dre. Dre was never involved but his Aftermath labeled held too much power and influence compared to Ja's label Murder Inc after Ja there was only Ashanti who was truely noteworthy. G Unit took shots at her but she sang nothing back in return. Ja did manage to garner the affiliation of Almighty RSO and the Source magazine but that did nothing but fuel 50's growing empire.
This was a clear and crushing defeat for Ja and he was never ever able to regain his street cred he experience on his first 4 albums despite the singy and bubble gum like tracks he dropped. I still love "100 Gunz and I Cry".
The problem with 50 is realized beef sells and he fueled his career off beef and I noticed a horrible trend with the guy. If he has a project of some sort in the works he fires up the grill and cooks some beef. The if someone is gaining some steam in the industry he goes at them ala Rick Ross. What's funny is that manages to validate alot of the madness his creates ala heavyweight pushing "The Boss" being a correctional officer. You can't beat that kind dirty being dug up with a shovel-LOL!
In closing I hate beef rap because most of it just publicity now for someone's album that's in the works. What happened to good ol mixtapes, street teams, guest appearances and promo tours? Oh beef is cheaper than a marketing and promotion rep I guess?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Why is Shyt Real?
Someone recently asked me a question about the title of the blog. He was being funny because he wanted to leave a comment on my blog about a topic I dropped and I disabled that feature for a reason which I explain later in this blog drop or rant-LOL!
Shyt is real because I said it's real. I mean it's really real when I decide it to be real and then it's dropped on this blog. Why? Because it's my shyt and I'm giving you the real-shyt. It's just a myriad of real shyt that flies around in my head that I decide to disclose whenever I chose to. I did make a commitment to myself that I would drop a topic at least monthly so you can stay abreast of the current real shyt I might have step on or in.
Now to address my disgruntled reader with the thinly veiled joke. I disabled the comment feature because I didn't want the blog to become unsightly and saturated with short little twitter like burst such as "that's hot son!" or "can you drop the second one for me please my dude"? This is not some facebook, myspace or whatever teen laced or early twenty something Lil Wayne listening thing I'm doing. I only listen to what I consider "real shyt" when it comes to rap music. I'm not remotely thrilled or impressed about 405th mixtape some cat dropped. If the SHYT ain't REAL it won't be here.
Signing Out,
The Realest Shytter
(sorry I had to do it)
Shyt is real because I said it's real. I mean it's really real when I decide it to be real and then it's dropped on this blog. Why? Because it's my shyt and I'm giving you the real-shyt. It's just a myriad of real shyt that flies around in my head that I decide to disclose whenever I chose to. I did make a commitment to myself that I would drop a topic at least monthly so you can stay abreast of the current real shyt I might have step on or in.
Now to address my disgruntled reader with the thinly veiled joke. I disabled the comment feature because I didn't want the blog to become unsightly and saturated with short little twitter like burst such as "that's hot son!" or "can you drop the second one for me please my dude"? This is not some facebook, myspace or whatever teen laced or early twenty something Lil Wayne listening thing I'm doing. I only listen to what I consider "real shyt" when it comes to rap music. I'm not remotely thrilled or impressed about 405th mixtape some cat dropped. If the SHYT ain't REAL it won't be here.
Signing Out,
The Realest Shytter
(sorry I had to do it)
Friday, April 10, 2009
Posse Cuts
Remember back during the golden era of rap most respected MCs or groups had do a posse cut just show the masses the love respect that exist amongst lyric heavyweights and cut out the whole "what would a track with so and so sound like?" I have some favorites that probably are yours. Actually it seemed as if the labels demanded that artist have a posse cut if they could make it happened.
1. The Symphony-Juice Crew All-Stars
Marley Marl was "the" producer of the time when this hit. Who wouldn't want a track with Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap on it. I do think Masta Ace stole the show with his entrance into the game. How many times have rappers tried do a Symphony 2000 or something like that and came up severly short? Lloyd Banks wasn't even close.
2. Scenario-A Tribe Called Quest feat. Leaders of the New School
I knew Busta Rhymes would go solo after stealing the dayum track on here. It was like Questers Phife and Tip just were adequate while LONS came with the energy. Then Busta forevered cemented his place in rap music with infamous line 'Rarraragh like a dungeon dragon'. Do dungeon dragons really make that noise?
3. Scenario (Remix)- A Tribe Called Quest, Leaders of the New School introducing Kid Hood
Such a sad loss after an incredible entrance in the game by Kid Hood. He was supposed to break through like Nas was poised to do after this track but his life was cut short. Now how many artist or groups can say they actually clearly out did the original track wise and lyrics? Impressive!
4. The Last Song- Above the Law feat NWA
My favorite ATL song is their loud Bomb Squad Produced "Murdarap" but this follows close behind it. What an entrance into the rap game by these guys and it doesn't hurt to be backed by the "World's Most Dangerous Group".
5. Headbanger-EPMD, Redman and K-Solo
Before it all went bad this was banging me in the head daily in high school! I always K-Solo never met his full potential because I loved the spelling gimmick back then he met DMX in jail-anyway LOL! EPMD has never been known for being supreme lyrically but they stepped up because their protege's ripped especially and extra hungry Redman.
6. All About the Benjamins-Notorious B.I.G, Lil Kim, Diddy, Black Rob & The Lox
Sometimes the beat is so dayum infectious you begin to break yo neck (ala Busta Rhymes). I really didn't follow the tight lyrics on this track until years later because the beat just knocked. I was Germany at the time and I could be heard banging this in my whip daily.
7. Self Destruction-The Stop the Violence Movement
If you don't know who was on the track then you don't know two things rap music and hip hop culture. Go do the research you ignorant puke! This was a much needed track and there's a need to do this again due to the gang violence that's out of control.
8. All in Same Gang- West Coast All-Stars
This was the west's time to reciprocate what the east had done a few years prior for their region. It was impressive to see everyone come together for a good cause. Ironically it featured rappers with true ties to the very culture they were trying to get the youth away from. Now that's truely really GANGSTA!
9. Wu Gambinos & Guillotinz-Raekwon feat the entire Wu Tang Clan
Scriptures hit the bodies like sawed-off shotties....... C'mon now if you don't know the lead off the Wu Gambinos you are lost. Some will say how are these posse cuts when the Wu is a posse itself. Well it was Rae's album but he dropped these two classics featuring his super team and enders for both sides of the vaunted "Purple Tape".
10. Dwyck-Gangstarr feat Nice and Smooth
We all know Guru is good MC not dominating but he does work. Nice and Smooth are marginal but they are a throwback to the call and response era of early rap with party side infused in it. We all were wondering and are still wondering what the heck is a "Dwycks"? Anyhow this DJ Premiere beat is so banging we all forgot about the "who gives a hot piss" style of rhyming this guys did because it was just a banging and fun track. "You say butter, I say Parkay" okay Greg Nice you got away with that one because it was funny.
1. The Symphony-Juice Crew All-Stars
Marley Marl was "the" producer of the time when this hit. Who wouldn't want a track with Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap on it. I do think Masta Ace stole the show with his entrance into the game. How many times have rappers tried do a Symphony 2000 or something like that and came up severly short? Lloyd Banks wasn't even close.
2. Scenario-A Tribe Called Quest feat. Leaders of the New School
I knew Busta Rhymes would go solo after stealing the dayum track on here. It was like Questers Phife and Tip just were adequate while LONS came with the energy. Then Busta forevered cemented his place in rap music with infamous line 'Rarraragh like a dungeon dragon'. Do dungeon dragons really make that noise?
3. Scenario (Remix)- A Tribe Called Quest, Leaders of the New School introducing Kid Hood
Such a sad loss after an incredible entrance in the game by Kid Hood. He was supposed to break through like Nas was poised to do after this track but his life was cut short. Now how many artist or groups can say they actually clearly out did the original track wise and lyrics? Impressive!
4. The Last Song- Above the Law feat NWA
My favorite ATL song is their loud Bomb Squad Produced "Murdarap" but this follows close behind it. What an entrance into the rap game by these guys and it doesn't hurt to be backed by the "World's Most Dangerous Group".
5. Headbanger-EPMD, Redman and K-Solo
Before it all went bad this was banging me in the head daily in high school! I always K-Solo never met his full potential because I loved the spelling gimmick back then he met DMX in jail-anyway LOL! EPMD has never been known for being supreme lyrically but they stepped up because their protege's ripped especially and extra hungry Redman.
6. All About the Benjamins-Notorious B.I.G, Lil Kim, Diddy, Black Rob & The Lox
Sometimes the beat is so dayum infectious you begin to break yo neck (ala Busta Rhymes). I really didn't follow the tight lyrics on this track until years later because the beat just knocked. I was Germany at the time and I could be heard banging this in my whip daily.
7. Self Destruction-The Stop the Violence Movement
If you don't know who was on the track then you don't know two things rap music and hip hop culture. Go do the research you ignorant puke! This was a much needed track and there's a need to do this again due to the gang violence that's out of control.
8. All in Same Gang- West Coast All-Stars
This was the west's time to reciprocate what the east had done a few years prior for their region. It was impressive to see everyone come together for a good cause. Ironically it featured rappers with true ties to the very culture they were trying to get the youth away from. Now that's truely really GANGSTA!
9. Wu Gambinos & Guillotinz-Raekwon feat the entire Wu Tang Clan
Scriptures hit the bodies like sawed-off shotties....... C'mon now if you don't know the lead off the Wu Gambinos you are lost. Some will say how are these posse cuts when the Wu is a posse itself. Well it was Rae's album but he dropped these two classics featuring his super team and enders for both sides of the vaunted "Purple Tape".
10. Dwyck-Gangstarr feat Nice and Smooth
We all know Guru is good MC not dominating but he does work. Nice and Smooth are marginal but they are a throwback to the call and response era of early rap with party side infused in it. We all were wondering and are still wondering what the heck is a "Dwycks"? Anyhow this DJ Premiere beat is so banging we all forgot about the "who gives a hot piss" style of rhyming this guys did because it was just a banging and fun track. "You say butter, I say Parkay" okay Greg Nice you got away with that one because it was funny.
Change Gon' Come
I know I've said nothing on here since the election but fact of the matter things have changed dramatically since my last drop. Personally, professionally and socially. Well, don't expect me got get personal on here because if you know me, you know I'm very guarded about my personal life.
Professionally I just left probably the worst position I've held in my 12.5 years in my field. Basically it came down to a few profound things. I can't work for someone who has no desire to exploit my talents or experience and then attempt to marginalize my position within the organization. Next, it was just a dead-end position at this point in my career. I needed a new challenge before I stop caring about what I did. That wasn't an option. So I requested a new challenge. However, shortly after requesting the new challenge my personal and social life changed which made rethink about my choice but I had already signed off on my new venture.
So what do you? You go hard or you don't go at all! I decide to dive head first in the change and embrace he newest of it all. I'm glad I did! It made me rethink some choices I made before this time period. However, I'm glad I experienced this time in my life and I would not change it for the world. Thank you!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
and Then History was Made......
I group major events in my life in two categories. Those categories are in acronym forms forms of S.E.E.s and S.T.E.s. The first one stands for what most are familiar with as Significant Emotional Events and the other is one coined by me Sphincter Tighten Event. I explain the second one because everyone knows about the first.
A S.T.E happens when you have been subjected to an unhealthy or unusual amount of stress. Remember not all stress is bad. Good stress increases your performance level through deadlines and challenge because it sometimes causes your body to produce adrenaline which may lead to profound levels of physical and mental performance. Think of a football game that's down to the wire and the play is designed for you to score, the pressure is on but your body responds appropriately.
Moving right along. Tuesday, 8 November 2008 history was made in this country and this world. I say this world because the U.S. is the undisputed leading super power in the world. This election will affect how our fellow world leaders few this nation. Don't ever discount that, mark my words. We are already having "slips" of tongues on how world leaders feel about our new president elect. Just google Italy's prime minister's bad choice in jokes and compliments.
This was a S.E.E. that bulled it's way to my top 3 in life. I will not divulge what are the other two because that's between myself and those involved. After being forced to read inaccurate protrayals of Black leaders for years in school and college and wonder if we would ever get over this horrific racial injustice hump I did witness what many elders deemed what would never happen in my lifetime or theirs.
Rappers have made songs addressing the matter for years. One of the most poignant lyrics ever concerning this monumental occurrence was said by the late Tupac Shakur many years ago in his rap "The Way It Is". Pac rhymes "and long he's heaven sent, we ain't ready to have a Black president". I guess Pac it was heaven sent? Nas later updated the issue and now has the one song that defines this event on his 2008 "Untiled" cd the song is appropriately titled "Black President". I encourage you all to find the DJ Green Latern mixtape version of this track. The reason is that you get the President Obama democratic nomination speech sample that starts the track. Very powerful song that sums up what the new president's monumentous rise to power. Once Nas gets away from the valid threats he may face, the very provactive truth of past presidents having African bloodlines (do the knowledge-it's true), pardon's for innocent Blacks in prison, putting Jeremiah Wright in his place, needed shots at racist, McCain's lame apology for not acknowledging MLK's federal holiday in Arizona and the required braggadocio as a rapper. The hook sums it up "Let's begin, Change the world!-(Pres. Obama-"they said" then "change the world!").
I've been playing that track all week. Heck at 1030 EST I was playing it loudly in my house! I had tears in my eyes. My bestfriend of 20+ years called we rejoiced on the phone and shed tears as men because we actually lived what people thought would never happened. My unlimited text plan on my cell phone was pushed to it's limits. I crafted my own texts that suddenly became forwards back to me that night and the following morning. I was simply tired of the ignorant jokes that I was receiving. I pissed off some acquiantences because I told them refrain from sending me the jovial racist and ignorant garbage.
Here are some questions I asked my peer groups recently now that the celebrations are dying down and opponents have come to grips and have realized the people have spoken and have taken appropriate action.
o Is Pres. (Elect) Obama now the greatest Black American ever?
o Does his accompolishment supersede Dr. King's efforts?
o Are we now seeing Dr. King's dream actually materialize in front of us? Meanining have we made his dream "tangible"?
o Should everyone deal with the reality that he will utimately be judge on his accompolishments as the president four years from now?
The one thing that we are forgetting is that now all Black parents can look their children in the eye and really have concrete evidence that their children can be anything just by pointing as his picture. I always looked at our Black astronauts for inspiration but now our kids will have the most powerful man on the planet to look up to and that statement is no longer a cliche!
The one thing I studied about his campaign is that I know he looked at Rev. Jackson's and Shirley Chisolm's campaigns and he realized you can't win if you only appear to address one demographic. You are running for the president of United States of America position not as the leader of a race. He caught everyone's eye in '04 with that stunning speech about unity at the Dem Convention. Now that I look at that speech I see foundation of his success. He had a crowd of mixed raced people nodding their heads in agreement with his every word. I was thinking this man is incredible! Then I began to look at him as a person and he was an everyday man. He shot hoops with his friends after work, he smoked (not good but he quit-lol), he had a sense of humor, he spoke like a man in my neighborhood, he chose his words wisely but knew when to bite and he acknowledge those who supported him with an undying sense of concern in his voice and eyes.
Did he garned votes because he's bi-racial? I'm saying no! He achieved this feat because he appealed to everyone who simply was tired of probably the worse president ever in the history of the US. He got me when I saw in an interview say "We must get out of Iraq as careful as carelessly as we got into it." I'm a Soldier and thought wow! This man said that with conviction but he took that stab at Bush with thought and precision. I really didn't care if he never served because he saw the Iraq War from a social and veteran standpoint. I've always said "Military service does not mean you are a stellar person because we thousands of turds in uniform who commit crimes too."
Anyway let's sit back and watch the change! Obama in '12!
A S.T.E happens when you have been subjected to an unhealthy or unusual amount of stress. Remember not all stress is bad. Good stress increases your performance level through deadlines and challenge because it sometimes causes your body to produce adrenaline which may lead to profound levels of physical and mental performance. Think of a football game that's down to the wire and the play is designed for you to score, the pressure is on but your body responds appropriately.
Moving right along. Tuesday, 8 November 2008 history was made in this country and this world. I say this world because the U.S. is the undisputed leading super power in the world. This election will affect how our fellow world leaders few this nation. Don't ever discount that, mark my words. We are already having "slips" of tongues on how world leaders feel about our new president elect. Just google Italy's prime minister's bad choice in jokes and compliments.
This was a S.E.E. that bulled it's way to my top 3 in life. I will not divulge what are the other two because that's between myself and those involved. After being forced to read inaccurate protrayals of Black leaders for years in school and college and wonder if we would ever get over this horrific racial injustice hump I did witness what many elders deemed what would never happen in my lifetime or theirs.
Rappers have made songs addressing the matter for years. One of the most poignant lyrics ever concerning this monumental occurrence was said by the late Tupac Shakur many years ago in his rap "The Way It Is". Pac rhymes "and long he's heaven sent, we ain't ready to have a Black president". I guess Pac it was heaven sent? Nas later updated the issue and now has the one song that defines this event on his 2008 "Untiled" cd the song is appropriately titled "Black President". I encourage you all to find the DJ Green Latern mixtape version of this track. The reason is that you get the President Obama democratic nomination speech sample that starts the track. Very powerful song that sums up what the new president's monumentous rise to power. Once Nas gets away from the valid threats he may face, the very provactive truth of past presidents having African bloodlines (do the knowledge-it's true), pardon's for innocent Blacks in prison, putting Jeremiah Wright in his place, needed shots at racist, McCain's lame apology for not acknowledging MLK's federal holiday in Arizona and the required braggadocio as a rapper. The hook sums it up "Let's begin, Change the world!-(Pres. Obama-"they said" then "change the world!").
I've been playing that track all week. Heck at 1030 EST I was playing it loudly in my house! I had tears in my eyes. My bestfriend of 20+ years called we rejoiced on the phone and shed tears as men because we actually lived what people thought would never happened. My unlimited text plan on my cell phone was pushed to it's limits. I crafted my own texts that suddenly became forwards back to me that night and the following morning. I was simply tired of the ignorant jokes that I was receiving. I pissed off some acquiantences because I told them refrain from sending me the jovial racist and ignorant garbage.
Here are some questions I asked my peer groups recently now that the celebrations are dying down and opponents have come to grips and have realized the people have spoken and have taken appropriate action.
o Is Pres. (Elect) Obama now the greatest Black American ever?
o Does his accompolishment supersede Dr. King's efforts?
o Are we now seeing Dr. King's dream actually materialize in front of us? Meanining have we made his dream "tangible"?
o Should everyone deal with the reality that he will utimately be judge on his accompolishments as the president four years from now?
The one thing that we are forgetting is that now all Black parents can look their children in the eye and really have concrete evidence that their children can be anything just by pointing as his picture. I always looked at our Black astronauts for inspiration but now our kids will have the most powerful man on the planet to look up to and that statement is no longer a cliche!
The one thing I studied about his campaign is that I know he looked at Rev. Jackson's and Shirley Chisolm's campaigns and he realized you can't win if you only appear to address one demographic. You are running for the president of United States of America position not as the leader of a race. He caught everyone's eye in '04 with that stunning speech about unity at the Dem Convention. Now that I look at that speech I see foundation of his success. He had a crowd of mixed raced people nodding their heads in agreement with his every word. I was thinking this man is incredible! Then I began to look at him as a person and he was an everyday man. He shot hoops with his friends after work, he smoked (not good but he quit-lol), he had a sense of humor, he spoke like a man in my neighborhood, he chose his words wisely but knew when to bite and he acknowledge those who supported him with an undying sense of concern in his voice and eyes.
Did he garned votes because he's bi-racial? I'm saying no! He achieved this feat because he appealed to everyone who simply was tired of probably the worse president ever in the history of the US. He got me when I saw in an interview say "We must get out of Iraq as careful as carelessly as we got into it." I'm a Soldier and thought wow! This man said that with conviction but he took that stab at Bush with thought and precision. I really didn't care if he never served because he saw the Iraq War from a social and veteran standpoint. I've always said "Military service does not mean you are a stellar person because we thousands of turds in uniform who commit crimes too."
Anyway let's sit back and watch the change! Obama in '12!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Best DJs Ever
I love DJing and I feel it's the foundation of rap music and one of the pillars of hip hop culture. I think back when the DJ was the focus and the rapper(s) complimented the DJ. It was a requirement to shout our DJ or you were not a real rap group or MC. The "Selecta" or "1 Man Band" had to get his/her shine or you were missing something. So this is an ode to my favorite facet of rap music that's somehow losing it's focus because of producers. Mixtape DJs will not be counted due to Serrato, CDs and computer DJ programs. I'm talking about spinning wax for a group or MC.
1. Terminator X (Public Enemy)
Remember he 'Only Speaks With His Hands Man, His Hands'. Guess what when he spoke, we listened and said "Dayum how does he do that?" His cuts and mastering of the 'transforming' scratch technique was seldom matched. Early PE records had to let him rock solo or they had to do a song bigging up argueably the best technical DJ of the era. His skill led to two solid solo albums.
2. Jam Master Jay (Run DMC)
What alot of you don't know is the late great Jay was the brains behind Rum DMC's whole persona and concepts. He wasn't the front runner like Run but they admit Jay was the brains to their success. Jay is a master of cutting and scratching. The lyrical greats had to let him rock. Remember this without Jay there's no Onyx or 50 Cent. Do the knowledge!
3. Jazzy Jeff
Yes we know all about his MC co-defendent. However, you better had been paying to attention to Jeff on their earlier work. Ok, I'll refresh your memory hmm, how about "Brand New Funk". Jeff was killing the 1200's on that track. Jeff is probably a close second to X in terms of turntable wizardry but Jay nudges him out because of his prominence and pioneer factor. Jeff even reappeared on Little Brother's "Can't Stop Me" reminding the new skool he's still got it on the tables.
4. DJ Premiere
Despite his amazing and historical production catalogue you have to recognize and realize his production success it clearly linked to his throw back DJ style. You knew Premiere was on the track because providing the hook for you via his DJ skill of injecting the hook in via scratch. Simple but highly demanded technique. It's pure hip hop culture when he's on the tables!
5. Grand Master Flash
Only reason why I don't put him higher because he faded away but came back with a fury in the 2K. He had to remind cats he's one of the pioneers of scratching records and how to properly catch the break. You have to watch him to appreciate this skill.
6. Kid Capri
He helped push DJing to the mainstream and show you he's one of the greatest he headlined Def Comedy Jam as their sonic requirement. You can't tell me you couldn't wait to hear him do his thing at the end of the show and the dancers get busy to his skills. One of the first to drop a mainstream DJ album as well.
7. DJ Rectangle
East coast cats are probably shaking their heads to this guy but he's a beast. I have a couple of his tapes from back in the day. Guess what? He played everything and I mean everything nothing regional about him. I heard some of my favorite west coast artists for the first time because of him.
8. DJ Scratch
Currently known for his production prowess but do the knowledge on this guy. He's the cat behind EPMD and Redman's show and sound. Very creative on the 1s & 2s! Remember the spin behind your back and scratch with your chin trick? He's one the first DJ to do this consistently and well. I've tried and uh let's say it cost me some needles.
9.Marley Marl
Marley is thought more of as an producers because the sheer number careers he broke and help guide in rap's formative years. We somehow forgot he's actually the guy scratching in all of those songs and constantly cutting in Roxanne Shante's "Roxanne's Revenge". The guy is nice but his prowess at sampling and creating some monster tracks made us forget what Marley's full time job used to be.
10. The Excutioners
This super group of DJs are incredible led by the infamous Roc Raida. I'm not going to name all of them but just listen to their cds and you can really appreicate what they bring to rap music. Pure turntable wizardry!
1. Terminator X (Public Enemy)
Remember he 'Only Speaks With His Hands Man, His Hands'. Guess what when he spoke, we listened and said "Dayum how does he do that?" His cuts and mastering of the 'transforming' scratch technique was seldom matched. Early PE records had to let him rock solo or they had to do a song bigging up argueably the best technical DJ of the era. His skill led to two solid solo albums.
2. Jam Master Jay (Run DMC)
What alot of you don't know is the late great Jay was the brains behind Rum DMC's whole persona and concepts. He wasn't the front runner like Run but they admit Jay was the brains to their success. Jay is a master of cutting and scratching. The lyrical greats had to let him rock. Remember this without Jay there's no Onyx or 50 Cent. Do the knowledge!
3. Jazzy Jeff
Yes we know all about his MC co-defendent. However, you better had been paying to attention to Jeff on their earlier work. Ok, I'll refresh your memory hmm, how about "Brand New Funk". Jeff was killing the 1200's on that track. Jeff is probably a close second to X in terms of turntable wizardry but Jay nudges him out because of his prominence and pioneer factor. Jeff even reappeared on Little Brother's "Can't Stop Me" reminding the new skool he's still got it on the tables.
4. DJ Premiere
Despite his amazing and historical production catalogue you have to recognize and realize his production success it clearly linked to his throw back DJ style. You knew Premiere was on the track because providing the hook for you via his DJ skill of injecting the hook in via scratch. Simple but highly demanded technique. It's pure hip hop culture when he's on the tables!
5. Grand Master Flash
Only reason why I don't put him higher because he faded away but came back with a fury in the 2K. He had to remind cats he's one of the pioneers of scratching records and how to properly catch the break. You have to watch him to appreciate this skill.
6. Kid Capri
He helped push DJing to the mainstream and show you he's one of the greatest he headlined Def Comedy Jam as their sonic requirement. You can't tell me you couldn't wait to hear him do his thing at the end of the show and the dancers get busy to his skills. One of the first to drop a mainstream DJ album as well.
7. DJ Rectangle
East coast cats are probably shaking their heads to this guy but he's a beast. I have a couple of his tapes from back in the day. Guess what? He played everything and I mean everything nothing regional about him. I heard some of my favorite west coast artists for the first time because of him.
8. DJ Scratch
Currently known for his production prowess but do the knowledge on this guy. He's the cat behind EPMD and Redman's show and sound. Very creative on the 1s & 2s! Remember the spin behind your back and scratch with your chin trick? He's one the first DJ to do this consistently and well. I've tried and uh let's say it cost me some needles.
9.Marley Marl
Marley is thought more of as an producers because the sheer number careers he broke and help guide in rap's formative years. We somehow forgot he's actually the guy scratching in all of those songs and constantly cutting in Roxanne Shante's "Roxanne's Revenge". The guy is nice but his prowess at sampling and creating some monster tracks made us forget what Marley's full time job used to be.
10. The Excutioners
This super group of DJs are incredible led by the infamous Roc Raida. I'm not going to name all of them but just listen to their cds and you can really appreicate what they bring to rap music. Pure turntable wizardry!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Greatest Rap Albums Ever
This has been debated and tarnished several times over. To prove a point VH1 listed Lil Wayne as one the top 3 rappers ever. I guess their employee urinanalysis program is pretty flawed. Anyhow here's "my" list. Feel free to second guess, scratch your head or complain-to yourself. Like I said it's mine and we all share a few common body parts and orifices so you get my picture.
Public Enemy-It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Even white people loves this Black power and awareness album-so that speaks volumes-LOL! I personally think I was enthralled by Terminator X's DJ prowess more than Chuck D's voice and the Bomb Squad's production. I really love pure DJing and X is incredible! Chuck made you listen and Flav made you laugh during the learning experience that was Black empowerment.
Run DMC-Raising Hell
This album opened doors for all rappers to delve into the mainstream. Pioneers!
Wu-Tang Clan-Enter Da 36 Chambers
This is a tape and CD I've personally replaced 3 times because it's been stolen or damaged that much. Go figure!
Eric B & Rakim-Pain In Full
Probably the first lyrical end to end burner made. The God was so ahead of his time. The lyrical blueprint!
BDP-By All Means Necessary
KRS-1 went from violence to knowledge due to the passing of DJ Scott La Rock and this energy created a masterpiece. It was a lyrical manifesto and call to the masses to wake-up!
LL Cool J-Bigger and Deffer
Some might say Radio but I hate to say it but "I Need Love" changed what was acceptable for rappers to rap about and it was cool to be sensitive but with an edge.
A Tribe Called Quest-The Low End Theory
My personal favorite Tribe album because of the jazzy feel of it and the banga "Scenario-Remix".
De La Soul-3 Feet High and Rising
Pot Holes In My Lawn did it for me! Then rap music changed forever due to them and BizMarkie sampling some whiners who were broke.
EPMD-Strictly Business
These guys were like an updated Run DMC to me but harder with less yelling. Made me go cop a fisherman hat and plaid pants and tell young girls to Get the Bozack!
Notorious B.I.G-Life After Death
C'mon there's no Jay-Z without the late great Francis M. White! He freestyled some pretty incredible stories on this album. Incredible!
M.C. Lyte-Lyte As A Rock
There hasn't been a female MC hard as Lyte in decades and we may never see or hear anyone either. Milk D's lil sis was killing it!
Common-Be
Yes, he had several note worthy albums but this is one that showed everyone and I mean everyone he's a lyrical beast and you should have been listening for 10+ years. Sad you missed out on his earlier stuff. So go cop them!
Queen Latifah-All the Hail Queen
Some might argue "U.N.I.T.Y" was her true soldifying moment-nope! "Wrath of My Madness" is still a very hard track and this album welcomed her as a future great before the acting.
Little Brother-The Minstrel Show
Very few albums get a full uninterrupted play from my finnicky ears but these NC cats really killed their second album but people still are asking who? Heads better recognize!
N.W.A.- Straight Outta Compton
My mom hated this album for the cursing but it made me recopy it several times. I loved the anger and wondered if it was really that bad out in California. Actually it is.
Ice Cube-Amerikkka's Most Wanted
One of the smartest and business savvy rappers ever. Glad he went solo because this album wouldn't have happened.
Scarface-The Fix
I love the Ghetto Boys and alotta of my friends would ask what the heck are you listening to and call them wack. Naw Scarface was killing it for awhile but this album made him national just listen to it!
Souls of Mischief-93 til Infinity
What I love about these guys was that they repped Cali but didn't have the "Cali flow". They were like a west coast Native Tongues affilliate. The tracks fit somewhere in between as well.
Slick Rick-The Adventures of Slick Rick
A ton of classics came from this album he was uplifting, funny and raunchy all in one on this album. The Ruler was in pure form here!
Onyx-Baccdafucup!
The first time I saw video I was like "whoa" are those machine guns? I was only 16 and I couldn't believe it was okay to tell someone to pull guns like that. The violence was intoxicating but not motivating-lol! They paved the way for groups like M.O.P. etc
Redman-Whut! Thee Album
Before Reggie Noble was blatantly funny lyrically he was purely lyrical with a bit of humor and wit here and there. He rocked the E. Sermon tracks from start to finish. Helped usher in the bummy grimey look that my high school hated-LOL!
Raekwon feat. Ghostface Killah-Only Built for Cuban Linx
OMG! "The Purple Tape" This would be higher but I had to pay proper homage to the pioneers. However I will admit this probably my 2nd favorite album ever next P.E.'s. The beats, lyrics, skits and the posse cuts are pure genious and everyone wanted an alias after this.
Nas-Illmatic
1st time out and Nasir Jones made a classic and people wanted him to never grow or advance past this masterpiece and ridiculed him for it. The only MC to go against Jay-Z lose a few times then murder him and have Sean admit that he couldn't come back after Ether. Now they are pals.
Jay Z-Hardnock Life Vol. 1
Ok, Ok why not Reasonable Doubt? Well that album grew on me plus I feel this album had more expansion to it and way harder tracks IMO. I had to replace this one a few times too. Thx fellas for stealing or scratching my cds so much!
Method Man-Tical
Very dirty grimey album but you love it. "Bring Da Pain" is still my theme song. Meth admits this is not the original version of the album but it became a masterpiece. He was never able to duplicate the success of this due to everyone wanting RZA to produce all of his albums like this one.
Dr. Dre-The Chronic
I think the mid-90's was the Golden Era of Hip Hop. This album was a beast and didn't matter where you were from you bumped this G-Funk cd and nodded your head. It wasn't really the lyricsim on this album that made you want to listen it was Dre's melding of rap and funk and how it hypnotically smoothed you out.
Gangstarr-No More Mr. Nice Guy
Who can doubt "Manifest" and Guru's simple but resonating lyrics on this album. This was the startings of one of rap's greatest producer's career. Guru is a good lyricist but Premier steals it with his scratched in hooks and beats.
Busta Rhymes-The Coming
Rarrarggh like a dungeon dragon! Hip Hop quotable that sparked a stellar career and this debut album that was dirty enough and party friendly for all. Playful but hard lyrics were ear catching.
Brand Nubian-All For One
Glad they dropped the old moniker and became positive rappers. Kept the 5 Percent Nation buzz growing and building with this album. Too bad Grand Puba was feeling himself too much and left the group.
Black Moon-Enta Da Stage
Any MC who has worn or rocks a backpack owes it to these guys lead by Buckshot Shorty (drops the Shorty soon after this album). The hard beats provided by DJ Evil Dee and Buck's lyrics make this a must have. Far too many classics on this album.
Snoop Doggy Dog-Doggy Style
I remember I heard "Deep Cover" and thought "Dayum who's that cat with Dre and that beat-OMG!" Enter one of the greatest west coast rappers ever and ushered in the pimp swagger and vernacular. With his laid back flow and Dre's beats this album is a must have.
Ol Dirty Bastard-Return to the 36th Chambers
Some will probably say how? Well here's how for me my girlfriend at the time back in 94 told me to buy this because she kept hearing dudes at work play it and it was funny but hard. I was like really-Ms Rnb love songs like this dirty grimey stuff? Well guess what ol' girl was right this a killa album. Dirty's insane singing and rhymes meshed perfectly with RZA's beats. I actually bought this CD because he had "Dirty Dancing" feat. Method Man which is a banga!
Public Enemy-It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Even white people loves this Black power and awareness album-so that speaks volumes-LOL! I personally think I was enthralled by Terminator X's DJ prowess more than Chuck D's voice and the Bomb Squad's production. I really love pure DJing and X is incredible! Chuck made you listen and Flav made you laugh during the learning experience that was Black empowerment.
Run DMC-Raising Hell
This album opened doors for all rappers to delve into the mainstream. Pioneers!
Wu-Tang Clan-Enter Da 36 Chambers
This is a tape and CD I've personally replaced 3 times because it's been stolen or damaged that much. Go figure!
Eric B & Rakim-Pain In Full
Probably the first lyrical end to end burner made. The God was so ahead of his time. The lyrical blueprint!
BDP-By All Means Necessary
KRS-1 went from violence to knowledge due to the passing of DJ Scott La Rock and this energy created a masterpiece. It was a lyrical manifesto and call to the masses to wake-up!
LL Cool J-Bigger and Deffer
Some might say Radio but I hate to say it but "I Need Love" changed what was acceptable for rappers to rap about and it was cool to be sensitive but with an edge.
A Tribe Called Quest-The Low End Theory
My personal favorite Tribe album because of the jazzy feel of it and the banga "Scenario-Remix".
De La Soul-3 Feet High and Rising
Pot Holes In My Lawn did it for me! Then rap music changed forever due to them and BizMarkie sampling some whiners who were broke.
EPMD-Strictly Business
These guys were like an updated Run DMC to me but harder with less yelling. Made me go cop a fisherman hat and plaid pants and tell young girls to Get the Bozack!
Notorious B.I.G-Life After Death
C'mon there's no Jay-Z without the late great Francis M. White! He freestyled some pretty incredible stories on this album. Incredible!
M.C. Lyte-Lyte As A Rock
There hasn't been a female MC hard as Lyte in decades and we may never see or hear anyone either. Milk D's lil sis was killing it!
Common-Be
Yes, he had several note worthy albums but this is one that showed everyone and I mean everyone he's a lyrical beast and you should have been listening for 10+ years. Sad you missed out on his earlier stuff. So go cop them!
Queen Latifah-All the Hail Queen
Some might argue "U.N.I.T.Y" was her true soldifying moment-nope! "Wrath of My Madness" is still a very hard track and this album welcomed her as a future great before the acting.
Little Brother-The Minstrel Show
Very few albums get a full uninterrupted play from my finnicky ears but these NC cats really killed their second album but people still are asking who? Heads better recognize!
N.W.A.- Straight Outta Compton
My mom hated this album for the cursing but it made me recopy it several times. I loved the anger and wondered if it was really that bad out in California. Actually it is.
Ice Cube-Amerikkka's Most Wanted
One of the smartest and business savvy rappers ever. Glad he went solo because this album wouldn't have happened.
Scarface-The Fix
I love the Ghetto Boys and alotta of my friends would ask what the heck are you listening to and call them wack. Naw Scarface was killing it for awhile but this album made him national just listen to it!
Souls of Mischief-93 til Infinity
What I love about these guys was that they repped Cali but didn't have the "Cali flow". They were like a west coast Native Tongues affilliate. The tracks fit somewhere in between as well.
Slick Rick-The Adventures of Slick Rick
A ton of classics came from this album he was uplifting, funny and raunchy all in one on this album. The Ruler was in pure form here!
Onyx-Baccdafucup!
The first time I saw video I was like "whoa" are those machine guns? I was only 16 and I couldn't believe it was okay to tell someone to pull guns like that. The violence was intoxicating but not motivating-lol! They paved the way for groups like M.O.P. etc
Redman-Whut! Thee Album
Before Reggie Noble was blatantly funny lyrically he was purely lyrical with a bit of humor and wit here and there. He rocked the E. Sermon tracks from start to finish. Helped usher in the bummy grimey look that my high school hated-LOL!
Raekwon feat. Ghostface Killah-Only Built for Cuban Linx
OMG! "The Purple Tape" This would be higher but I had to pay proper homage to the pioneers. However I will admit this probably my 2nd favorite album ever next P.E.'s. The beats, lyrics, skits and the posse cuts are pure genious and everyone wanted an alias after this.
Nas-Illmatic
1st time out and Nasir Jones made a classic and people wanted him to never grow or advance past this masterpiece and ridiculed him for it. The only MC to go against Jay-Z lose a few times then murder him and have Sean admit that he couldn't come back after Ether. Now they are pals.
Jay Z-Hardnock Life Vol. 1
Ok, Ok why not Reasonable Doubt? Well that album grew on me plus I feel this album had more expansion to it and way harder tracks IMO. I had to replace this one a few times too. Thx fellas for stealing or scratching my cds so much!
Method Man-Tical
Very dirty grimey album but you love it. "Bring Da Pain" is still my theme song. Meth admits this is not the original version of the album but it became a masterpiece. He was never able to duplicate the success of this due to everyone wanting RZA to produce all of his albums like this one.
Dr. Dre-The Chronic
I think the mid-90's was the Golden Era of Hip Hop. This album was a beast and didn't matter where you were from you bumped this G-Funk cd and nodded your head. It wasn't really the lyricsim on this album that made you want to listen it was Dre's melding of rap and funk and how it hypnotically smoothed you out.
Gangstarr-No More Mr. Nice Guy
Who can doubt "Manifest" and Guru's simple but resonating lyrics on this album. This was the startings of one of rap's greatest producer's career. Guru is a good lyricist but Premier steals it with his scratched in hooks and beats.
Busta Rhymes-The Coming
Rarrarggh like a dungeon dragon! Hip Hop quotable that sparked a stellar career and this debut album that was dirty enough and party friendly for all. Playful but hard lyrics were ear catching.
Brand Nubian-All For One
Glad they dropped the old moniker and became positive rappers. Kept the 5 Percent Nation buzz growing and building with this album. Too bad Grand Puba was feeling himself too much and left the group.
Black Moon-Enta Da Stage
Any MC who has worn or rocks a backpack owes it to these guys lead by Buckshot Shorty (drops the Shorty soon after this album). The hard beats provided by DJ Evil Dee and Buck's lyrics make this a must have. Far too many classics on this album.
Snoop Doggy Dog-Doggy Style
I remember I heard "Deep Cover" and thought "Dayum who's that cat with Dre and that beat-OMG!" Enter one of the greatest west coast rappers ever and ushered in the pimp swagger and vernacular. With his laid back flow and Dre's beats this album is a must have.
Ol Dirty Bastard-Return to the 36th Chambers
Some will probably say how? Well here's how for me my girlfriend at the time back in 94 told me to buy this because she kept hearing dudes at work play it and it was funny but hard. I was like really-Ms Rnb love songs like this dirty grimey stuff? Well guess what ol' girl was right this a killa album. Dirty's insane singing and rhymes meshed perfectly with RZA's beats. I actually bought this CD because he had "Dirty Dancing" feat. Method Man which is a banga!
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