The final 7 albums rounding out the Top 15 albums of 1988 that pretty much defined “true” Hip Hop in all of its faces, from humorous, to street, to house-music, to lyricism, to dance, etc etc.
Eric B. & Rakim – Follow the Leader
Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock - It Takes Two
Ultramagnetic MC’s - Critical Beatdown
The Jungle Brothers – Straight Out The Jungle
Big Daddy Kane – Long Live the Kane
MC Lyte – Lyte as a Rock
ICE-T – Power
Day 89, reminiscing over the Golden Years of Hip Hop…4 more classic albums that came out in 1988.
NWA – Straight Outta Compton
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper
BIZ MARKIE – Goin’ Off
BDP – By Any Means Necessary
“Ya Slippin” – One of my favorite tracks off of the BDP album
Day 88 is dedicated to the some of the best years of my life regarding the hip hop landscape and the impacting influences that shaped my taste and desire to be an emcee and a producer. The year was 1988, one year before Rap, or hip hop was officially recognized by the Recording Academy of the Grammys. Not that it mattered one bit, as no one or anything could have put a stop to the heavy hitting and diverse offering of hip hop that was being released that year and defining “Classic Material” in the Golden Era of the culture.
Rolling Stones Magazine indicated what they thought were the most important hip hop albums that made rap explode into the still-growing, worldwide phenomenon it is today, and I’d have to agree with nearly all 15 selected.
Any opinions, hit me up!
PUBLIC ENEMY – It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
RUN-DMC – Tougher Than Leather
SLICK RICK – The Adventures of Slick Rick
EPMD – Strictly Business
Now, just think about that for a minute. In today’s market where the todays artists are forced to sound like each other. When will we ever relive a time where there was this much dopeness and diversity in one genre? WOW..part II coming.
[Peep the originators - Pay homage]
Today’s Grammy Chase features the group Rose Royce, inspired by TV1′s Unsung series. Every episode has been a must watch. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a positive story yet, as all of the entertainment stories seem to end either tragically or the stars burn out and plummet back to earth.
Unfamiliar with Rose Royce? Maybe this album cover will refresh your mind. Maybe this opening line of the song “Car Wash” will jump-start your memory. “You may not ever get rich/But let me tell ya it’s better than diggin’ a ditch..”
The double-album and soundtrack for the movie Car Wash, performed by Rose Royce was there debut LP that reportedly sold 2 million copies and propelled the movie itself into a classic. You’ll have to watch Unsung on TV1 to find out how the group fell apart within its first 4 years or so, after selling multi-platinum. Misunderstanding, Egos and Money will do it EVERY time.
In the end, my point and interest in posting this, was the Grammy: Rose Royce is not credited with winning a Grammy, but the composer and owner of the label did. The award for Album Of Best Original Score Written For A Motion Picture Or Television Special went to Norman Whitfield at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards.
Sade just released her latest album Soldier of Love to rave review and a very warm welcome, but lets take it back to when Sade first stepped foot into the spotlight. The year was 1984 when she debuted with Smooth Operator, for which she won Best New Artist at the 28th Annunal Grammy Award Show in 85′.
Wow! I wasn’t even in high school, yet I remember every one of her songs from that album, a testament to good music being just that, GOOD music, regardless of the maturity of the content. Her material was always respectful and sincere and it seems she rediscovered the recipe for her latest contribution. Cheers to the Smooth Operator.
And dont forget about this Smooth Operator from Brooklyn.
Day 85, feeling great and what do ya know? I’m feeling even greater after discovering that two of my favorite emcees, who’d I would never have imagined being Grammy Nominees, can actually officially list and identify themselves as “Grammy Nominated” artists. I mean, it only took 20 years or so, geeesh! But, as I always mention, a Grammy is NOT a validation of one’s true talent and contribution to music, but more so just a recognition, a HIGH recognition and acknowledgement of their craft.
No, not Kanye. No, not Nas either. No disrespect, but give the Gods some space to shine, KRS and Rakim!! 50th Grammy Awards in 2008, the song “Classic” was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. AWESOME. But it lost out to Common and Kanye West for – “Southside”.
Enjoy your weekend.
BTW, a might shout out to Kelly Showard! word! The Chase is still on.
Feeling like a throwback. I recently had a conversation with Professor Kush B regarding “authenticity” in hip hop and how some artists of today don’t have any knowledge of the emcees that preceded them, nor the struggle, contributions and sacrifices that many relatively unknown artist have made to BUILD this thing we call hip-hop/rap. When I say, “relatively unknown” I mean in the sense of asking the artists, “young” artists of today, about a particular rapper like say a Craig G, or a Masta Ace and I’m sure that they would have little to no information or idea about said artists. I have a loooooong list of my favorite notables of course, so aren’t as well known as others, but they impacted my taste of hip hop nonetheless. For example, I remember hearing this song WBNY back in the day, sitting in front of radio/tape deck and “tape recording” this song. Why? Because I simply thought is was dope and unique for the time. This dude preceded DMX and JaRule by the way. Not Grammy related, but Billy Drease related because I STILL love this song.
Most important quotable:
Came a long way from back in the day/ we did it for no pay, just rhyme and the hay and sleep/
Wake up, write another rhyme/ hit the park after dark, drop the beat one time/
That’s when Sh__ was real/ No phony, no bologna just a homie, mic and wheels of steel
Say what!? Two Grammy Award Winners, also two of Hip Hop’s most positive artists together on the silver screen? GET…OUT!!!….WOW. This could do SO much for Common if the movie is smash. One thing is for sure, the ladies will flock to see Common and Latifah is just an all around pleasure to watch, she’s seasoned in Hollywood and I think she’ll command an more than decent audience as well. Go Hip Hop!!! I do however smell some ”Love and Basketball” undertones.
I first heard about Kaki King through my friend Alan of Soulive, who at one time shared the same label with each other, Velour Records in NYC. I remember being moved by her music and sound at first, then being in disbelief that she was primarily a solo artist, but played the guitar with unique style that gave the impression that she had back up percussionists and such. Alan then assured me that what I was hearing was ALL and ONLY her, and that’s where the other part of the shock kicked in, learning that the King, Kaki King wasn’t a King at all, but an incredibly talented woman in fact. However, King is only a title, and as we ascribe a gender to it, being that of a male, she is soooo good that she can be KING anytime that she desires.
Is this Grammy related? Yes. Kaki was asked to play on a Foo Fighters, (below) that went on to capture a Grammy in 2007 for Best Rock Album.
Sooo, Kaki can say that she is a Grammy Award Winning Album contributor, which I’d gladly take any day.
One of my favorite songs, written by Ani Difranco and covered by my favorite trio, Soulive, featuring the one and only Dave Matthews. For the LIVE version by Soulive featuring Dave Matthews see here. (Not Grammy related). Just a favorite.
Day 82, more rain and overcast. I’m sure that most Western New Yorkers thought that they could stow away their comforters and blankets, but I personally haven’t done such a thing, as this IS Buffalo, where weather is uncertain.
Speaking of Buffalo, one of Buffalo’s musical heros/heroines, Ani Difranco, founder of the more successful independent record labels, Righteous Babe Records is among the chosen that are able to say that they’ve brought home a Grammy. In 2004, Ani Difranco’s album Evolve, earned Best Recording Package.
I don’t own the album to show pictures of the packaging and the picture I found online is pretty tiny, but I share this more importantly for 2 reasons. 1) To recognize one of Buffalo’s own, because although I’ve never met her personally, I did have the opportunity to meet and work along with her mother at one of my former places of employment. So, again, keeping me hopeful that all things are possible, even in this little, depressed town that I call home. 2) To show that there are many, many ways to obtain a Grammy. As Ani’s music is moving, timeless and powerful, however, it was her design sense and packaging that secured the Grammy.
