Not songs, just tracks. I could front and say ‘instrumentals’ but I don’t have the instrumentals to all these songs. But the tracks? Ridiculous. There are some songs that everybody knows would belong on a list like this, so I’m gonna try my best to steer clear of those, bringing in something lesser-known, but still miiighty fonky when it’s feasible.
25. I’m Only Out For One Thang - Ice Cube, f. Flavor Flav. - It’s the bass and the piano. (Well, that and Flav’s opening rhyme.)
24. Ain’t U Da Masta - Masta Ace. The piano on this track sounds like the walking music from Fat Albert. If there really was a soundtrack to my life and they needed a song for when I was walking around in a good mood, this would be the track.
23. Findum Fuckum & Flee - NWA. Back when I was refusing to buy Niggas4life because of the misogynistic content, I was all good until I heard this. Well, this and another track from this album. But this here? Man, if somebody EVER came out with the instrumentals from this album, it would be a WRAP!
22. The Ultimate - Artifacts. Makes me think of an electrified fence wrapped around that ole boom-bap.
21. Vertical Joyride - AMG. Probably my favorite use of the “Funky Worm” sample. This is another album that I wish I had the instrumentals for.
20. Re: Definition - Black Star. I’m a sucker for stripped-down boom-bap tracks, and this is a great one. The violins just add to the sense of urgency.
19. Made You Look - Nas. Lyrically, I like the remix best, but the track? The track? Yeah, it’s in my top 20.
18. Deeper - Boss. It’s the horn hit. The track itself works for me too, but the horn hit is the catalyzing element.
17. High Priest of Turbulence - Terminator X.
16. Change The Game - Jay-Z, f. Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek. I’m pretty much East Coast through-and-through, but the first time I heard this joint on the radio, I knew I was gonna buy the album - whoever the artist was, and I swore it was West Coast. Of course, the remix features Daz and Kurupt, but thankfully, they keep the track exactly as-is.
15. The Humpty Dance - Digital Underground. I’m pretty much a student of samples and whatnot. One of the things I enjoy most is finding a sample source. But in the case of The Humpty Dance? I don’t even wanna know. I just want the magic that is The Humpty Dance to remain magical.
14. Brand New Funk - DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. “Dominoes” + “Foxy Lady” with a side of “Radio” = unparalleled goodness. Jeff on the wheels is a wonder to behold. I’m tryina tell you.
13. Check The Technique - Gang Starr. This is the first Primo beat on here, but it won’t be the last.
12. Love’s Gonna Get ‘Cha (Material Love) - Boogie Down Productions. Let me spell it out for you: eight-oh-eight. Period.
11. Hardcore - EPMD, f. Redman. Again, my preference for naked tracks is evident here, but the horns, courtesy of the Ohio Players just CRANK.
10. The Formula (Funky FM Remix) - The D.O.C. Built on “Makes Me Wanna Holler,” the album version is already nice. But then, when you take it to the remix and add in the vibes? The VIBES?! Get. Out.
9. Brass Monkey - The Beastie Boys. It’s Brass Monkey. What else can I say?
8. I Got A Story To Tell - Notorious B.I.G. One of the sweetest tracks known to man. That it practically matches the song just elevates it more.
- the Need I Say More category -
7. The Show - Doug E. Fresh, f. MC Ricky D.
6. Reign Of The Tec - The Beatnuts (cuz it can’t be the lyrics!)
5. You Can’t Stop The Prophet - Jeru Tha Damaja. If you know the sample Primo used…
4. Electric Relaxation - A Tribe Called Quest
3. So Wat Cha Sayin - EPMD
2. It Takes 2 - Rob Base & DJ Easy Rock
1. Rebel Without A Pause - Public Enemy (like I was gonna put anything else.)
Entries (RSS)