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50 Incredible Rap Songs (31-40) · by R.H.S.
This Must Be Thursday (31-40)
Get the hang of it. We brought the realness not just once, not merely twice, but a third time as well, and we’re not stopping until all fifty of our selections are in your hands. Yeah our domain was suspended all damn day today and this is coming a little late, and all we have right now is the .zip file (individual links will be up ASAP). It’s cool though, the suspense was worth it, I promise.
Download All 10 Songs As A .zip File
31. Redman – “Pick It Up” (Def Jam, 1996)
A four minute flow clinic, “Pick It Up” serves as a shining example of lyrical virtuosity that doesn’t sacrifice style and fun for complexity and technical virtue. Unrestrained by a topic or even a general theme, Redman’s mix of boasts, pop culture references, disses, shout outs and convenient rhymes may not mean much but it certainly sounds fly. Still, the song’s greatest appeal is Redman’s razor sharp delivery as syllables bounce and ricochet off the track with a jazz man’s precision, transforming the bass-heavy Erick Sermon track into an almost purely musical exercise. Reggie would slay them in 06 were he to reprise this style. – Sacha Orenstein (OhWord.com)
32. Sleestack’z – “Ruination” (Ichiban International, 1996)
I don’t know too much about this crew but their album Behind The Iron Curtain was rugged, melancholy and cerebral, and blended well into the middleground outer-borough scene characterized by acts like the Cella Dwellas and Bustin’ Melonz. “Ruination” is a somber, poignant meditation on the street life and its endless tragedies recorded at a time when transparently thin mafiosa vignettes were gaining immense popularity. The grimy beat rolls and stutters while the three emcees deliver a mature and empathetic examination of how the coarsening of society impacts the poorest and weakest-willed among us. – R.H.S. (OhWord.com)
33. Jigmastas – “Beyond Real” (Beyond Real, 1996)
The much discussed but seriously overrated “indie push” of the mid-90’s might seem like the “good ol’ days” to fans of Blackstar, but truth of the matter was that most of these Beat Street vinyl exclusives were drowning in their own mediocrity. Not so for Kriminal and DJ Spinna, who dropped this timeless underground anthem that combined the Steve Miller Band and Nas to great effect. – Robbie Ettelson (Unkut.com)
34. Unsung Heroes featuring J-Live and L-Fudge – “Dummy” (75 Ark, 2000)
At the turn of the century, Brit Producers Insite and Shiver recorded a tragically ignored compilation featuring mostly American vocalists titled Unleashed, on Dan the Automator’s now defunct 75 Ark label. Although the album is filled with gems from respected artists like Siah and Yeshua and Rob-O, “Dummy” manages to stand out above the rest. The music is hard but mellow and J-Live and L-Fudge use the distinctive backdrop to drop highly energetic, engaging, and ironic verses on the topic of anti-intellectualism, self-destructive behavior, and plain stupidity. Sometimes the truth hurts so good. – R.H.S. (OhWord.com)
35. Smif-N-Wessun – “Wrekonize (Remix)” (Nervous, 1995)
Tek and Steele grimly spit their martial rhymes over a downpitched, lowpass filtered Grover Washington sample. Like the original, the bass is the only prominent tone in the song, but instead of jazzy, punctuated notes, the remix’s undulating melody drives the song forward. The rhymes, especially the back-and-forth on the last verse, are impeccably rough. Of special interest to hipsters whose rap universe consists of Clipse.– David (OhWord.com)
36. Jeru the Damaja – “Seinfeld” (Know Savage, 1999)
A late career gem from the ex-Gangstarr affiliate, “Seinfeld” wisely forgoes obvious sitcom references for an homage to his hometown of Brooklyn. Imitating Premo’s heavy drums, funky licks and minor key pianos himself, the Damaja rattles off a series of New York thoughts, moments and phrases, condensing the average late 90’s thug rap album into a three minute package. The haunting melody of the wordless chorus stands in sharp contrast to the energetic verses. This ambiguous ‘hood reportage differs from Jeru’s earlier moralistic work, proving his adaptability to the new realities of the rap industry. Too bad he couldn’t keep it up. – Sacha Orenstein (OhWord.com)
37. Sadat X – “Hang ‘Em High” (Loud, 1996)
This Wild West costume drama avoids being corny, at least if you avoid listening too closely to the lyrics. Sadat X cleverly plays off Western motifs, working them into his street life images in a way that is more incisive than the usual one-to-one metaphor (see: “rap game = crack game”).Bonus Beat: Mack 10’s Cash Money outing included “Do Tha Damn Thing.” The brilliant Mannie Fresh beat includes the same great Ennio Morricone sample from The Good, The Bad & The Ugly that appears prominently on “Hang ‘Em High.” Mack 10 does not ruin it and Mannie Fresh’s extended lecture at the end is … instructive. – David (OhWord.com)
38. Keak The Sneak f/ E-40 – “T-Shirt, Blue Jeans & Nikes” (Sumday, 2003)
Though Keak and 40 are clearly two Yay Area titans in their prime, the success of this track completely hinges on Rick Rock’s slap. Sparse, yet thick (like syrup and milkshakes), it’s the present day hyphy sound’s more menacing older brother. – Noz (Cocaineblunts.com)
39. M.O.P “Brownsville” (Relativity, 1996)
Fame, Bill and Premier combine at the height of their respective powers for the most convincing argument for post-’86 shout rap since Willie D. The cut from the outro of “How About Some Hardcore” announces the hardheaded duo’s step into the major leagues, as the beats finally match the intensity of the vocal performances. – Robbie Ettelson (Unkut.com)
40. Krown Rulers – “Kick The Ball” (Soo Def, 1986)
Classic single from the only great Camden rap group. Well known (in dork circles) since the rise of random rap, but never played out. If only more emcees had the balls to rock medieval armor on their album cover. – Noz (Cocaineblunts.com)
Comments for "50 Incredible Rap Songs (31-40)"
did shaq’s SHAZAM have a soundtrack?
— extra p that sat by the door Feb 15, 11:15 PM
Sacha, I gotta give you props for selecting “Pick it Up.” It is the jam for sure. Sorry about the sass this morning, but you pissed me off with that “not much to get excited about in hip-hop in 2007” shit. That’s such a trendy thing for hipsters, indie rockers and posers to say right now and I get so sick of hearing it. I’d argue there’s plenty in hip hop to be excited about. I’m excited about Oh Word in 2007 and you can’t get much more hip-hop than this site. Oh, and by the way, I’ll pass on the offer to suck your balls (nullus).
— Bace Feb 16, 01:06 AM
how is it trendy for hipsters to say hip-hop in 2007 has nothing exciting?
every year people say nothing’s exciting…
— David Feb 16, 01:27 AM
nothing being exciting is strangely exciting to me
— concerned hater Feb 16, 01:42 AM
Brownsville, great choice
— Jay Smooth Feb 16, 01:44 AM
Good point David.
— Bace Feb 16, 03:05 AM
speaking of nothing, about that “Seinfeld” cut. It’s not an ode to his hood per se. The title is itself a reference to the show’s theme – the show about nothing. it’s another list of persons, places, and things Jeru finds hollow. “three minz in[to this joint] and i still aint said [nothing/anything].”
oh, and what’s the difference between Rick Rock’s slap and Dilla’s clap?
— extra penis Feb 16, 04:04 AM
the title is a reference to the show’s THEME? the title of the track and the show are a reference to the comedian who stars in it, Seinfield. there’s no term “Seinfield” which means “something about nothing”...
in any case, this is my favorite post of thi sseries so far. I pulled “Muddy Waters” out on Monday when I actually left my house! Pick It Up is a gem, no doubt. Also, shouts for including “Hang Em High”. Sadat is the truth.
— khal Feb 16, 09:16 AM
Bace: It’s cool. But it’s hard for me to defend being “the guy who hates everything new” when I bump more new records than RHS or Rafi. I’m actually the optimist here.
Extra Penis: An interesting alternate reading but I stick to my case about the song’s title being a reference to New York.
And the difference between Rick Rock’s slaps and Dilla’s claps are that backpackers haven’t picked up on Rick Rock yet. Heads are sleeping on a great producer.
— Sach Feb 16, 01:16 PM
“Igpay Atinlay” by Black Madness better be included in 41-50 or I’m cancelling my subscription. Sincerely,
G. Al
— Gargantuan Al Feb 16, 02:19 PM
I agree with extra penis.
The Brooklyn line seems like an afterthought.
— eauhellzgnaw Feb 16, 05:33 PM
From what I can tell the point of the Jeru song perfectly encapsulates the brilliance of Seinfeld. In keeping a tight focus on humerous observations of everyday life, or “nothing” it is actually a show about everything. Jeru follows this formula talking about Brooklyn in terms of the minutia he associates with everyday life in his borough. For some reason Extra P saw this as hollow and Sach seemed to see it as rap cliches, I disagree. I have never heard this before. Great song.
— Abe Beame Feb 16, 06:01 PM
I think they’re both right: he is stringing together hollow rap cliches, and occasionally pushing them into the realm of the absurd.
I always saw “Seinfeld” as being in the tradition of “Bullshit,” but in the former, Jeru dispenses with narrative altogether and just starts listing rap cliches.
I never read it as detailing local minutae, but now that I hear it again, I can see why people would argue that. I still don’t see it, though it’s possible he’s moving back and forth between the two modes.
I suppose I should have given post-Primo Jeru a closer listen.
— eauhellzgnaw Feb 17, 04:05 AM
...SLAUGHTER YAAA for your goose nauticaa
— drew Feb 18, 07:20 PM
Isn’t Wrecognize a Bill Withers sample, not Grover Washington?
Oh, and I think I remember Jeru explicitly saying the inspiration for the title was the connection of “something about nothing.”
— Kwis Feb 19, 03:11 PM
I have to chime in about the Jeru record—it’s definitely about “nothing” i.e. rap cliches, and Seinfeld was always joked to be “a show about nothing.” The chorus drives the theme home. Jeru’s still giving a moralistic critique but being a little more clever this time around. It was one of his best cuts ever though and definitely slept on, thanks for posting it.
— Slo Mo Feb 23, 09:22 PM