I think of myself as a latecomer to rap and hip hop, but last September New York Magazine printed “The City and the Beats: 100 songs that tell the story of New York rap.” It took me a few months but I listened to all 100 songs. I was sorry when I got to the end of the list. Hip hop had become part of my soul.
The Wu Tang Clan’s C.R.E.A.M (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) and Slick Rick’s licks were a couple of my faves on the list that I dial up again and again. Slick Rick’s Children’s Story (1989) and La Di Da Di* (1985) just caught my fancy and I loved this London-born nasal-toned pirate with the biggest bling necklace on the planet.
Here were my other 10 top faves from the list of 100. Click this KQS NYC Beats playlist if you need a lift to your spirits and dance like it’s 1989.
- M.O.P. – Ante Up (Robbin Hoodz Theory) – 2000 Broolyn armed
- DMX – Ruff Ryders’ Anthem – 1998 poppy motherfuggas
- Erik B. & Rakim – Paid in Full – 1987 “This is a journey” was sampled by Handsome Boy Modeling School, a long-time fave.
- Juice Crew – The Symphony – 1988 Opening with Morricone’s haunting spaghetti Western call, this posse cut is hilarious.
- Lost Boyz – Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz – 1998 catchy Queens representin’.
- MC Lyte – Ruffneck – 1993 butch swagger that led the way.
- Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Streets of New York – 1990 hardcore street rap.
- Run-DMC – It’s Tricky – 1987 love it! Obviously a big influence as evidenced by many** who came after.
- Salt-N-Pepa – Push It – 1987 this was a cross-over hit that I saw on Much Music in Canada. The dancing, the balls, the rapaciousness. Like I wish you would! And I have to add Shoop – even hotter, and filmed at Coney Island.
- Beastie Boys – No Sleep Till Brooklyn – 1986 big surprise for me – I thought they were white wannabies, but they can rap, finishing each other’s lines with a metal backbeat. This one is obviously an homage to Motörhead’s No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith, and Slayer’s Kerry King is guesting on guitar.
Big surprise, most are from the 80s, when I was a metal head. But I guess it’s the era we come up in that creates the music that stirs our soul.
* Don’t cry, dry your eyes” sampled on Handsome Boy Modeling School’s 1999 Album, So… How’s Your Girl? Fave track: Rock n’ Roll (Could Never Hip Hop Like This).
** I still have the 45 of Funky Cold Medina (1989, Tone Loc), which I used to bring to the biker bar in New Westminster, Rockin’ Tonight, and force the DJ to play 5 nights a week!