Hip Hop Induction
Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde (1998)
Over the last few years I’ve slipped from my hip hop-loving ways of the mid-nineties into an indie/rock/folk/etc. whirlwind – although I do from time-to-time reminisce (see spotify playlist #4) – largely because I feel that sometimes the subtle-as-a-sledgehammer “money & women” message that often prevails in modern hip-hop has little relevance to my own life.
I mentioned this to someone about a year ago who proceeded to slate my ‘closed-minded’ view of hip-hop and responded by making me a playlist of tracks, some classic, some more recent, that made me think again. These are some of the tracks from that playlist:
Concrete Schoolyard – Jurassic 5. This one I had actually come up with myself a couple of weeks before when I heard it on the radio after years and years.
The Seed – Cody ChestnuTT. I laughed and laughed when I heard this for the first time. If you’re easily offended, don’t listen to it.
Startin’ Somethin’ – Dwele (no audio). One of the best MJ covers around.
Passing Me By, Runnin – The Pharcyde. I’d heard these before and remember ‘Drop’ as well for the backwards video. Very cool.
Ms Fat Booty – Mos Def. Contains one of the funniest hip-hop lyrics I can remember…
Thin Line – Jurassic 5 feat. Nelly Furtado. Unexpected collaboration given her shift from folk to R&B/hip-hop. But it works.
I’d like to thank him for re-opening my mind. :p
