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This tape is intended as an introduction to the beautiful world of
hip-hop, or a comp of classics for the experienced playa. In either case you catch over 30
diverse cuts representing 5 years of record collecting.
side a
- The Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight
The first "hit" hip-hop record, released in 79, Rapper's
Delight was recorded by a bouncer and a couple of his mates. They stole rhymes off the
Cold Crush Brothers, rapped on a version of Chic's "Good Times" and recorded a
remarkably good tune.
- Kenny Dope - Axxis
House fans
will know Kenny Gonzales from his Masters At Work material. His hip-hop work is less
well-known. This tune is an AV8- style mash-up, using the horn riff from T.R.O.Y to great
effect.
- Hustlers Of Culture - Original Hustler
Some white boys from England utilise a hella-funky bassline and Biggie
samples to create the ultimate struttin' instrumental. Banksy uses this tune on his
website, respect!
- EPMD - It's My Thing
The
first release from Erick Sermon and Theo Parrish, from waaay back in '87. They're not
rhyming about Mr T. in an attempt to be retro. One of the tracks that define
old-school.
- DJ Kool - Let Me Clear My Throat
DJ Kool, more well-known for party breaks than "real tunes",
shouts crazily over The 45 King's "900 Number" and gets a real good party feel.
To all the ladies...
- Davy DMX - One For The Treble
This
one is from '87. Probably one of the earliest turntablist tracks, it has a serious electro
feel. Bangin'.
- A Tribe Called Quest - Check The Rhyme
I had to have that horn riff on the tape. The exemplary track for Tribe's
classic period, if you are new to this you must check "Low End Theory" and
"Midnight Marauders". Two gleaming jewels in hip-hop's crown.
- Tommy Tee - Aerosoul
Extensive
sampling of Wildstyle combines with smooth Shadow-like brass to make this a graf-theme
sureshot.
- Jurassic 5 - Concrete Schoolyard
J5's best tune, I will brook no arguments. This one is great, has some
references but isn't derivative, a track to boom while drinking on your stoop on a hot
summer afternoon.
- Quannum MCs - BombOnY'all
Gift
of Gab from Blackalicious, and Latyrx, rip crazy semi-abstract rhymes on a squelchin'
Shadow beat. "Flip the track like the thang was a train/ and you's the Incredible
Hulk".
- Gang Starr (feat. Nice And Smooth) - DWYCK
It was a hard thing to choose a single Gang Starr tune for the tape. DJ
Premier has done some of the most amazing production in hip-hop, and Guru is always
lyrically on-point. This one always did it for me though, such a classic beat, such
bizarre, inane rhymes... "Like a rhinocerous, my speed is prosperous/ and pure
knowledge expands from my oesophagus".
- Beat Junkies - Ill Skills
Babu
and Rhettmatic tear it up over a wicked Diamond D beat.
- A Tribe Called Quest - Scenario (Young Nation mix)
Featuring Leaders Of The New School (Busta's group before he "sold
out"). Learn all the words. Rap along with all your mates.
- Foreign Legion - Nowhere To Hide
These guys musta smoked a lot of weed. Nice that they take the piss out
of themselves near the end of the track. From the album "Kidnappervan", which
also features the blazing "Full-Time B-Boy".
- The Pharcyde - Passin' Me By
Fat
Lip, Tre and Imani (the high-pitched one) all drop the dopest verses imaginable about
their romantic near-misses. Another to learn and sing along with. Check their album
"Bizzare Ride 2 Tha Pharcyde" as well, it's some funny shit.
side b
- Eric B & Rakim - Paid In Full (Coldcut 7 Minutes Of
Madness Mix)
I know, played out. Still, Eric B & Rakim are
important history and upped the stakes lyrically and beat-wise. By the way, King Kapisi
named his son Rakim. Nice one, I woulda gone for Shorty Shitstains...
- DJ Shadow - Numbers Song (Cut Chemist Remix)
Shadow's musical abacus is given a reworking by J5's Cut Chemist, who
flips a folk-influenced heavy-beat masterpiece.
- Beastie Boys - Intergalactic (Colleone Webb Remix)
I liked this remix; it's jiggy, baby! Props for the Mr C samples...
- M.O.P - Ante Up
M.O.P, the
premier shouty crew in hip-hop today, rhyme about cold robbin' niggas. Not the most
intellectual cats, but their flow is phenomenal. They sound like meth addicts or some
shit.
- Shabaam Sadheeq - Side 2 Side
Jiggle
it. Shabaam Sadheeq (of Polyrhythm Addicts fame) did this tune shortly before exploding
with "Soundclash". This tune samples Johnny Hammond and is perfect for pre-club
shakin'.
- Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Pt. II
Possibly
the most sinister hip-hop tune ever recorded, and sampled by about a million people. You
can actually hear people murmuring threats in the background if you listen carefully.
- The Sixth Sense - Common
Hailed
by many as The Single of 2000, Common drops verses in his unique style over a cracking
Primo beat. Special.
- Pharoahe Monch - Simon Says
This
is an anthem, but it doesn't represent the body of the Pharoahe's work. The man is
actually one of the smartest emcees out there, he just don't always act it...so get the
fuck up!
- Diamond D. - When It Pours It Rains (Inst.)
Heard this on Soundbombin' 2 and also a Roc Raida tape, had to get it.
Soulful & heavy.
- Capleton - Wings Of The Morning (Dynamik Duo mix)
An old-school Capleton track given a reworking using the beat to
"Symphony" by the Juice Crew. Features Method Man rambling inanely to himself,
as he is wont to do...
- Dilated Peoples - Work The Angles
Universally hailed as the single of 99, Dilated come with their unique
rhyme-style on a wicked 2-part beat. I slept on this at first, but then you hear that
piano riff... magic.
- BDP - The Bridge Is Over
KRS-ONE's
old group BDP, with D-Nice and hip-hop martyr Scott La Rock, recorded this burner of a
track in response to the Juice Crew's record "The Bridge". A dis record to end
all dis records (at least until Common's "Bitch In You" - take that, Ice Cube!).
- De La Soul - Saturdays
Coming
from De La's superb second record "De La Soul Is Dead", this tune IS a party.
Astounding.
- Man Parrish - Boogie Down Bronx
This one is pretty rare. I think it came out in '86, I feel lucky to have
a copy. Man Parrish lays down a classic funky electro track for Raoul of Freeze Force (?)
to rhyme about how great he is.
- Black Eyed Peas - Weekends
BEP
pretty much rip off "Saturdays". Still, they do it well, with respect, and I'd
been waiting for someone to sample that Sly beat.
- Grandmaster Flash - Adventures Of Flash On The Wheels
Of Steel
Of the original hip-hop DJs, who were spinning from
1976 - Kool Herc (the creator of hip-hop, all respect due), Pete DJ Jones, Afrika Bambatta
(head of the Zulu Nation), Red Alert, etc... Grandmaster Flash was the first to lay down
on record a song which really represented how hip-hop jams sounded before any hip-hop had
been recorded. Flipping two copies of "Good Times" and a slew of other records
he cuts it up block-party style. If you enjoyed this, check a comp called "The
Breaks" and also "Block Party Breaks Vol 1".
You can get your own copy for only $5. Email superbeeyatch@hotmail.com for details. |
