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do you know your history? · by Rafi Kam
Goin Way Back
Yesterday I asked if BDP’s “South Bronx” was the first song to have a go at teaching some hip-hop history.
Robbie of Unkut pointed out that Grandmixer DST had a song on the genesis of hip-hop music a year or so earlier than BDP with “The Home of Hip-Hop”. Later on in the day he also suggested a later song in that category – “Goin Way Back” by Just-Ice.
The internets has been berry berry good to me, and I was able to find both tracks for your enjoyment.
DST – The Home of Hip-Hop (1985)
Just-Ice f/ KRS-One – Goin way back (1988)
I’m curious, how many songs on the history of hip-hop can we come up with. Rap is very self-referential and nostalgic and so it’s often full of old school references but I’m talking songs where an aspect of hip-hop’s history is the main topic of at least a verse if not the song.
Here’s a short list to start things off:
DST – The Home of Hip-Hop
Boogie Down Productions – South Bronx
Just-Ice – Goin Way Back
Common – I Used to Love H.E.R.
Count Bass D – Subwoofer
Quasimoto – Rapcats
Nas – The Unauthorized Biography of Rakim
GZA – All In Together Now
These can be personal recollections, a litany of old school names to know, any time or era, as specific or broad as the case may be.
What oher songs can we come up with that try and present a view of hip-hop history?
Comments for "do you know your history?"
well…the first thingthatcameto mind is Jin’s Top 5
— itwaswritten Oct 20, 12:44 PM
Cormega – American Beauty, The Legacy
Dred Scott – Back in the Days
Nas – Get Down, Last Real Nigga Alive
— admiral Oct 20, 01:43 PM
aesop rock-no jumpercables
— Ramon Oct 20, 02:59 PM
I would also offer KRS’ “Outta Here” in addition to “South Bronx.”
— floodwatch Oct 20, 03:28 PM
Edan has that track off beauty and the beat – fumbling over words that rhyme
— Jay B Oct 20, 03:45 PM
notorious b.i.g-juicy
— Ramon Oct 20, 04:38 PM
My favorite ode to rap history is “Hip-Hip” by Skillz, off of Confessions of a Ghostwriter.
— Kerry Oct 20, 06:17 PM
R.A. the Rugged Man-On the Block
— SmoothJimmyApollo Oct 20, 08:57 PM
I think you’re on the record as disliking Edan but his track “Fumbling Over Words that Rhyme” gives a semi-history but kind of really just spouts off a bunch of names in order to sound “with it”
— CCR Oct 21, 12:26 PM
One of the dopest I’ve heard in recent memory, is Insight’s “Time Frame” off Blast Radius, which was a gem of a record, the whole last verse references 80’s golden era shit. http://www.lyricsdir.com/insight-time-frame-lyrics.html
And on the new P.U.T.S. record “Letter To The Old School” is kinda fresh, albeit brief…
— *midnightheory* Oct 21, 01:33 PM
Bust The Facts-Ultramagnetic MC’s
— Kin Corn Karn Oct 21, 11:35 PM
Pumpkinhead- Jukebox perhaps
— Funky Butler Oct 24, 03:09 AM
Even though KRS totally destroyed Shan with “The Bridge is Over” shouldn’t “The Bridge (Queensbridge)” be included as a historical track, even if it’s only Shan’s version of history?
— DJ Flash Oct 24, 03:53 PM
‘Bomb MC ’ The Coloured Section.
Check out our, Poets Corner’s, London version on myspace or youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgi2VLGO8V0
— Mark C Oct 24, 03:54 PM
2Pac – Old School
Cunninlyguists – Seasons
Dangerdoom feat Kweli – Old School
J-Live – A Charmed Life
The last two are more about childhood memories, but still applicable.
— hullabaloo Oct 24, 05:00 PM
Doesn’t T.R.O.Y. fit into this category?
Even if it doesn’t it’s one of the hottest beats evah!
— Blu Cheez Oct 26, 01:12 PM
It’s a tribute to the late Trouble T-Roy, and it’s certainly CL’s history (strive to be live just like my Aunt Joyce), but is it hip-hop history? It’s a damn good jam no matter what though.
— DJ Flash Oct 27, 10:57 PM