Classic Video: Trends of Culture “Valley of the Skinz”

This Harlem-based trio was “all the way live”. To this day, I can still listen to their self-titled album, “Trendz”, start to finish, without any real complaints. I don’t mean to rant (which probably means that I’m going to), but hip-hop albums used to be on a whole different plane “back in the day”. There was no prescribed formula for how the album was to be organized. Of course certain rhyme styles and patterns were employed, but in terms of subject matter, they were all over the map. One of my favorite songs from this album, aside from “Valley of the Skinz”, was “Off & On”. The beat was very ninetiesque featuring heavy kickdrums and a classic “Scenario” sample. Where are they now?

Video Information:
Artist: Trends of Culture (Nastee, M.O.L. and Grapevine)
Album: Trendz
Year: 1993

Classic Video: Concrete Click "Keep It Street"

Straight head bobbing hip hop. New emcees, please take notes. Let it marinate.

"I'm gonna keep it street (true that black), I ain't watering down my sound for no airplay..."

Video Information:
Artist: Concrete Click
Album: Lyrical Terrorism
Year: 1995

Classic Video: Prince Markie Dee "Typical Reasons (Swing My Way)"

Let it marinate.

Video Information:
Artist: Prince Markie Dee
Album: Free
Year: 1992

Classic Video: Da Brat "Funkdafied"

This joint came on the radio yesterday and I went on a trip. Classic. Let it marinate.



Video Information:
Artist: Da Brat
Album: Funkdafied
Year: 1994

Classic Video: Ice Cube "Who's The Mack"

This song is the jam; it has the crazy funk bass line. The concept of the video was dope too. Let it marinate.



Video Information:
Artist: Ice Cube
Album: Amerikkka's Most Wanted
Year: 1990

Classic Video: Nice & Smooth "Sometimes I Rhyme Slow"

Although I say this about almost every song/video, this is my joint. Every since I was younger, my favorite line from this track was "No static, gotta an automatic//too much of anything makes you an addict". Don't ask my why. Let it marinate.

Video Information:
Artist: Nice and Smooth
Album: Ain't A Damn Thing Changed
Year: 1991

Classic Video: Hieroglyphics "You Never Knew"

I love this track. It's so chill. Props to anyone who can put me on to the sample. Let it marinate.



Video Information:
Artist: Hieroglyphics
Album: 3rd Eye Vision
Year: 1998

Classic Video: Original Flavor "All That"/ "Can I Get Open"

This was the jam! Let it marinate.



Video Information:
Artist: Original Flavor
Album: Beyond Flavor
Year:1993


You gotta appreciate some early Jay-Z. He straight murked that last verse. A legend is born.




Video Information:
Artist: Original Flavor ft. Jay-Z
Album: Beyond Flavor
Year: 1993

Classic Video: UGO (Unbiased Ghetto Opinion) "Boogie Bound"

I love this record. The video for this song was filmed on the campus of Howard University. Wait, didn't Puffy end up screwing these guys over?!? Let it marinate.

PS. I am still looking for the vinyl EP for this; if you have it, drop a comment. Word.



Video Information:
Artist: UGO (Unbiased Ghetto Opinion)
Album: Down Or Not / Movin Ya 92 / Boogie Bound Vinyl EP
Year: 1992

Classic Video: Hard Knocks "A Dirty Cop Named Harry"

Where are they now?!?! Let it marinate...



Video Information:
Artist: Hard Knocks
Album: School of Hard Knocks
Year: 1992

Classic Video: Yaggfu Front "Looking For A Contract"

Wow! I didn't think I would ever see this video again. Truly CLASSIC! Let it marinate!

Video Information:
Artist: Yaggfu Front
Album: Looking for a Contract [Vinyl Single]
Year: 1993

Classic Video: Cella Dwellas "Perfect Match"

Classic hip hop love song...I must admit, their hairstyle was always a bit much for me. Let it marinate!

Video Information:
Artist: Cella Dwellas (UG and Phantasm)
Album : "Realms 'N Reality"
Year: 1996

Classic Video: Kurious "I'm Kurious"

I have been jammin' to this joint for the past few days now, so it only seemed right to post the video. This LP was pretty nice, although it went under the radar. Supposedly, Kurious is currently in the studio working on his second album which will feature production by the Beatnuts, 88 Keys, Dj Hi Tek, Dame Grease, and others. Let it marinate!

Video Information:
Artist: Kurious/Kurious Jorge
Album: A Constipated Monkey
Year: 1994

Classic Video: Freestyle Fellowship "Inner City Boundaries"

"Who is that surrounding me // enemy enemy //you crossed the wrong boundary *poof* wicked witness wizardry disappear from here and end up in a tree"

Who remembers this joint? This track is so smoothed out. Let it marinate!




Video Information
Artist: Freestyle Fellowship ft. Daddy-O
Year: 1993
Album: Inner City Griots

Classic Video: Fab 5 "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka"

Damn...tracks like these put my mind at ease. Let it marinate...

Video Information:

Artist: Heltah Skeltah (Rock and Ruck) and O.G.C. (Starang Wondah, Louieville Sluggah and Top Dog).
Album: Nocturnal
Year: 1996

Classic Video: Paperboy "Ditty"

Do any of y'all remember this track circa 1993? I used to love this joint due to the Zapp and Roger "Doo Wa Ditty" sample (RIP Roger Troutman). They straight freaked that beat...Anyway, kick back and enjoy. Let it marinate.

Classic Video: Pete Rock & CL Smooth "I Got A Love"/"Take You There"

So...I have been MIA lately dealing with life and all that jazz, and I guess you can say this is my comeback. Sometimes it's just good to just get away from things and reflect. For me, that comes in the form of zoning out to some ATCQ or NaS. This time it was a little different though, because, instead of listening to "Illmatic" or "The Love Movement" (my personal favorite, although it is often slept on), I decided to pop in Pete Rock & CL Smooth's "The Main Ingredient". I have always been a fan of Pete Rock and CL Smooth, dating back to the 8th grade when I first heard their LP "All Souled Out", but I never really took the time to "let it marinate" as I always say.

"I Got A Love"

For the past two weeks, I have been bumping this album non-stop and I have easily listened to it over 30 times. Pete Rock's crazy production coupled with CL Smooth's "smooth" and philosophical rhymes offer the perfect "ingredients" for, dare I say, a PERFECT album. I might have lost some of you right there with my use of the word 'perfect', but I am standing by my claim. This album is a perfect example of what hip hop is missing right now, DIVERSITY. Each track tells a different story and in the process hits you with a plethora of similies and metaphors which are enhanced by Pete Rock's SP1200 laced beats. From the first track, "In the House" which features a Biz & Q-tip sample, Pete Rock and CL Smooth immediately pull you in and invite you to join them on a musical journey through "Carmel City". I can go on for days about this album, but it seems only right for me to let you dig this one of of your crates, or digital archives and give it a few spins. Peep the videos for "I Got A Love" and "Take You There", and also be sure to check out the interview with Pete Rock. Let it marinate...

"Take You There"

Pete Rock Interview:

Classic Video: The Beastie Boys "Hold It Now, Hit It"

This is probably one of my favorite Beastie Boys cuts right here, aside from "Brass Monkey". I used to go real hard for the Beastie Boys back in the day and one of the major reasons I messed with them is because they were so crazy and random. To me, they are like the Jim Carey of hip hop, and no it's not just because they are white. I mean just peep the video, can't you see Jim Carey doing some of that s**t on "In Living Color" or in one of his movies? Aight, that's enough...let it marinate.

Classic Video: Digital Underground "Same Song"/"Dowutchyalike"

When I was younger I used to love Digital Underground. Coming from the west coast, they showed people (especially us cats on the east coast) that west coast rap was not limited to just "gangster rap" and it could actually be about having a good time. Funk-ridden beats and whimsical rhymes became a staple of the group, which was a huge shift from their initial political focus. These are two of my favorite Digital Underground videos. "Dowutchyalike" was a feel good song which told us to let go and have fun, an essence that was definitely captured in the video. "Same Song" was dope not only because was it a music video for the hilarious movie "Nothing But Trouble", but it also featured a young Tupac Shakur who was once a member of the group. Aight, that's enough chatter....let it marinate.

PS. Shock G gets mad props for producing one of my favorite Tupac joints "I Get Around"

Classic Video: Tha Alkaholiks "Daaam"

What can I say about this track?....straight CLASSIC. Let it marinate...