A couple weeks ago, a reader emailed me and I said I would give up a playlist of what I consider to be the most essential tracks to help somebody who’s unfamiliar with hip-hop to understand what it’s about. When I said it, I knew it would be a challenge, but I ain’t know it was gonna be this hard. I think the hardest thing about it is differentiating between songs that are important to me and songs that are important to hip-hop. Having said that, however, here goes
It’s A Demo - Kool G. Rap
Poison - Kool G. Rap
Brand New Funk DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Radio - LL Cool J
Planet Rock - Afrika Bambatta
Jam On It - Newcleus
My Melody - Eric B & Rakim
Lyrics of Fury - Eric B & Rakim
Microphone Fiend - Eric B & Rakim
Straight Outta Compton - NWA
The Grand Finale - The DOC, f. Ice Cube, MC Ren, and Eazy E
Rebel Without A Pause - Public Enemy
If you can think of anything I missed, feel free to post it up.
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The Message
Talkin’ All That Jazz
Marley Marl Scratch
South Bronx
i don’t know what i was thinkin about, not including some grandmaster flash!
Some tribe called quest would also be appropriate.
I know this is a bit off-topic, but check outthis one and only classic from the Floaters.
i was just listenin to that yesterday. i remember a couple years ago, i asked my mom if that astrological rap really worked back in the day.
Damn Skippy. Shoot, women were into the zodiac more than the men. I had a hella blacklight velvet poster.
And since I’m a cancer, I had a little variation on Larry’s line:
Let me show you how sweet it can be,
Sharing your love with Brother B
Those moves were smooth, too. That was kind of a pre-MTV video. I imagine that if they got back together on a reunion tour, they would be a little rounder today.
Let me show you how sweet it can be,
Sharing your love with Brother B
*dead*