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Just Another Case Revisited: Cru- Da Dirty 30 · by Abe Beame
In the opening moments of “That Shit”, track number three of the thirty mentioned in the title of Bronx trio Cru’s 1997 debut, MC/Producer Yogi spits “Ayo, I wish I had a track on that Nas Illmatic” and what follows is an album length musical attempt by the group to realize this ambition. Cru’s aesthetic was decidedly indicative of their borough. There is a distinct respect and nostalgia for hip hop’s roots and traditions running throughout Da Dirty 30. Cru’s work is noteworthy because, unlike other retro rap efforts, their album was able to pay homage to the old school, replicating it in style while simultaneously putting a modern stamp on their music that was fresh in 97 and felt like a new, organic product.
Cru is comprised of MC and producer Yogi, whose heavy lidded, blunted, self acknowledged Q-tip like voice and flow contrasts nicely with his nasal, high energy Phife, Chadeeo. The back and forth between these two comprise a bulk of the album’s heavy lifting, but we would be remiss to omit the Mighty Ha, a gravelly, gruff, guttural crooner in the vein of deceased Lost Boyz “MC” Freaky Tah. (Both are the stylistic offspring of ODB, R.I.P.) Unlike Tah, (and the other two Lost Boyz not named Mr. Cheeks) Ha is well utilized throughout this album, unleashing his baritone on several of the album’s hooks and stealing the show with his brief, often comical appearances. Together, these three form an ideal trio. Each bring something complementary to the table (As they aptly put it listing their defining characteristics respectively on one track, as they have been listed above “Fresh, wild and bold”) and their tangible chemistry throughout is what keeps this album from being the flat, repetitive affair retro rap often is in danger of becoming. (See: The Jurassic 5)
As a producer, Yogi reiterates the nostalgia he voices on “That Shit.” Much of it employs dark, active baselines, gritty instrumentation, unorthodox sampling (i.e. Portishead) and boom bap snares, even without the constant shout outs he shoots the Razor Sharp its clear Rza’s work had a profound affect on this young man. Only if I had to name the MC/Producer’s main influence, whether conscious or not, I would go with the Bad Boy’s Hitmen production team that ruled this era of popular New York rap. While Rza takes his samples and subverts their meanings, often turning gorgeous soul records into his own grimy concoctions, Yogi delivers a more faithful, smoothed out rendition of his material, leaving the listener with a gritty yet accessible sound that lies somewhere between the two poles. While never doing much to give them national recognition, this sound was largely responsible for the surprising amount of local respect the group received from late 97 through early 98. “Bubblin”, “Just Another Case”, “Pronto” and the pairing with nearby northern New York brethren The Lox on “Live at the Tunnel” were featured prominently on Hot 97 during Cru’s brief run on New York radio.
The group spends a good amount of time reminiscing on their golden age, a constant presence through personal references not to mention the themes pursued. On “Goines Tale” they pay long overdue tribute to the late great author who was the engine behind the imaginations that created many of Cru’s favorite crime narratives employed by Gambino rap. The aforementioned “Just Another Case” is an ode to story telling over a sped up Rhythm sample, completed with a guest spot from the genre’s most recognized, accomplished pioneer, Slick Rick. (The song’s title and hook were also lifted from the conclusion of “Children’s Story”)
The album’s main drawback is its glut of immediately skippable, never to be revisited skits. A perverted, raunchy, pseudo gangster update of the early De La Soul album formula perhaps? Who knows, it’s almost universally received as misguided and distracting, rightly so. In addition, the one retro rap pitfall Cru can’t avoid is using their style as a license to settle for stock cafeteria braggadocio and tough talk. A decent amount of the actual tracks on Da Dirty 30 are exercises in this old schoolism. At times, despite tight production, their uninspired punch lines make for yawn inducing fare, which is unfortunate because if their story telling abilities are any indication, Yogi and Chadeeo are better writers than that.
Their saving grace is Yogi’s ability to keep the proceedings moving, a majority of the tracks comprising the album are concise, affective bursts over head knocking production. On “Wreckognize” Yogi and Chadeeo take a conscious moment to decry drugs and violence. “Lisa Lips” is The Mighty Ha’s star turn in which he directly channels Method Man and his perverted nursery rhymes delivered with melodious, infectious enthusiasm. “Ebonic Plague” features the best cameo on an album with more than a few courtesy of Ras Kass. With this diverse range of approaches over eighteen actual songs, Cru shows the value of consistent production coming from one place. It’s Yogi’s steady hand that unites this album and avoids an unbalanced, A.D.D. addled feel one would think Da Dirty 30 might be in danger of falling under.
Da Dirty 30 is best summed up by track 28, “Loungin wit my Cru.” Yogi mines some gorgeous, Sade sounding World music to create a wonderfully simple song about riding around the Bronx on a summer night with your boys. Are we hearing something we’ve never heard before? Not at all. Does it feature an innovative perspective or revolutionary production technique? Decidedly not. Is it even the first song in the late 90s to use the word loungin in its title? Hell no. Is it a polished, beautiful song by a talented, well versed crew who knew exactly what they wanted to do and executed a song that actually feels like a blunt ride around the Bronx in a convertible on a mid summer night with pin point precision? Without a doubt. Someday I hope to understand a universe in which this talented trio are only given the opportunity to make one album, which they convert, before fading into relative obscurity. But until then, I’ll occasionally be listening to “Loungin wit my Cru” when it pops up on shuffle, taking refuge in the knowledge that regardless of context, great music is timeless.
Comments for "Just Another Case Revisited: Cru- Da Dirty 30"
Abe,
Fantastic look back at the Cru LP. I remember copping this a few years ago and actually being a little disappointed, largely because the number of skits and their dubious quality prevented me from really appreciating the album in full.
I’m going to revisit it as a result of your write-up: nice one!
Peace,
Dan
— Dan Love Sep 19, 01:38 PM
Word. thanks for the flash back. the album did have mad skits, but was a nice shift for the ny sound that dominated the era. had it in the crates for mad summers, but nobody ever got it…
— dj.eurok Sep 19, 02:06 PM
Word… Just Another Case has to be one of my favourite tunes ever. Not that familiar with the rest of the LP, but definitely gonna give it a check now…
— Koaste Sep 19, 06:00 PM
Wait, was Black Rob on this album?
— Colin C. Sep 19, 07:33 PM
hmm i coulda sworn yogi eventually got down with puff and the hitmen later on..
dirty 30 was also a reference to the corrupt 30th precinct
— cv Sep 19, 11:08 PM
fantastic album – plain and simple. excellent writeup.
— voo Sep 20, 10:15 AM
cru sampling portishead?i thought they were sampling lalo schiffrin directly….as heltah skeltah did….yogi was quite part of the hitmen definitely(he produced some stuff for puffy)..and it’s black rob on the album plus tracy lee…“repetitive affair retro rap often is in danger of becoming. (See: The Jurassic 5)“what are you talking about?...and chadio doesnt sound like phife at all!!!!!!!!!!!
classic album anyway, but someone dont know the ledge…..
— djmp45 Sep 21, 12:15 PM
Dog, I found the sample credited to Portishead and actually tracked the original down to confirm, I dont know who Cru sampled. I was speaking to Yogi’s production influences on the album for all I know he ended up at Golden Krust, outside their initial push when the J5 came out after every hip hop fan I know realized they make the same song over and over again the only people left I know who fuck with them are bowl smoking hippies in Maryland who like to see them opening jam band festivals and love the hard edge they bring to radio jams with Nelly Furtado and the Dave Matthews Band. And I WASNT saying Chad sounds like Phife I was saying he was the uptempo nasal contrast to YOGIS Q-Tip. Its like one of those SAT verbals. But I feel what youre trying to do I dont want irresponsible shit out there either.
— Abe Beame Sep 21, 04:02 PM
No love for a young Black Rob on “Wreckognize” and “Nuthin’ But”!?
— Chajlo Jun 7, 05:53 PM
who was the first girl in the bubblin video?
— max Jul 7, 12:07 PM