“I Wanna Be Down” by Brandy was the first single from her debut self-titled album. Written by Keith Crouch and Kipper Jones, the song went to #1 on the R&B chart and to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Featured here is the ”I Wanna Be Down” (Human Rhythm Hip Hop Mix featuring MC Lyte, Yo- Yo, and Queen Latifah) video directed by Hype Williams as a trip down memory lane. This video is a cornucopia of ’90s goodness. It has female rappers we love. Young Brandy is rockin’ her signature braids and emulating (her then idol) Whitney Houston’s vocal stylings. Baby Ray J is trying to hang and look cool. And don’t forget Hype Williams’ signature slow motion shots featuring the artist making aggressive gestures and vying for a spot in the frame. Enjoy.
“Don’t call it a comeback… I’ve been here for years…”
“Mama Said Knock You Out” by L.L. Cool J is a song for the haters loud and clear. Just when there was buzz that L.L. may have lost his touch, he came hard with this one–the single and the album of the same name. When asked about the title of the song, L.L. said his grandmother told him to “knock out” his critics. Produced by Marley Marl, “Mama Said Knock You Out” features samples from James Brown, The Chicago Gangsters, Sly & The Family Stone and from L.L. Cool J himself. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance and is included in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame’s 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.
Ice-T debuted his documentary The Art of Rap to audiences at the Sundance Film Festival. The documentary features some of the best rappers from the past 30 years talking about the craft.
“They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”, is a hip-hop classic. The combination of jazz, a great beat, a smooth flow and great story about childhood, family, love and loss was a winning recipe; not to mention a head-bobbin’ instant hit. “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” went to #1 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart and is one of The Source’s “100 Best Rap Singles Of All Time”.
“Dun, dun, dun, dun… dun dun.” Das EFX’s word play and fast-paced delivery was quite different for hip-hop at this time. “They Want EFX” by Das EFX was one of the top songs of 1992. It reached #1 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. The song features samples of “Buffalo Gals” by Malcolm McLaren and “Blind Man Can See It” by James Brown.
“Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-a-Lot is an in-your-face jam. A song brazen and boisterous about the beauty of the booty. The video, with its symbolism of the male and female anatomy throughout (mild compared to videos today) was briefly banned by MTV. Love it or hate it, “Baby Got Back” was and is an anthem that went to #1 on the Hot 100 chart.
“Summertime” is the official anthem of summer for a certain generation of folks. We drop the top and kick this jam whenever there is even a hint that summer is on its way. “Summertime” samples the Kool & The Gang classic “Summer Madness” and the song won a Grammy Award for best rap single in 1991. Enjoy.
“Check The Rhime” by Tribe Called Quest was the first single from the album The Low End Theory. This hip-hop classic contains samples from The Average White Band, Minnie Riperton. Grover Washington, Jr. and The Steve Miller Band.
