I Wish My Brother George Was Here
“The sun rises in the East, but it sets in the West”
Somebody
Props to Bro. Omi for taking me down this memory lane.
There was a time when Hip-Hop did not suck. I could hear Kid N’ Play, Sistah Souljah and N.W.A. in one sitting. I could witness a fight and then watch dudes go over the new dance moves they were gonna do at the club. I could check out the new kicks and hear about how black people needed to rise up. I had stopped pretending that I could actually break dance and stopped spinning on my knees on the lineoleum by our front door. My mother was glad she didn’t have to keep replace worn out jeans anymore. Around ‘92 I was in high school and really buying Hip-Hop, C.D.s were a sure thing and I don’t think I made anymore cassette purchases. Anyway things were good. I wasn’t even smoking weed yet and didn’t think anyone would ever recognize me as an Emcee. I had one problem though. I was not into most West Coast Hip-Hop. It seemed like everyone was gangsta. I liked N.W.A., but it was starting to look like everyone was just trying to come behind them. Now Ice Cube was hard during this time, but for his first album he left the west coast. No matter what anyone says, when Ice Cube left N.W.A they started to die out in my eyes. So, I’m seeing all these dudes and I’m thinking is this it? Then someone put me on to some cats that saved the day. Hieroglyphics. To be more precise Del tha Funkee Homosapien. He joint came out the year before, but it took a while to realize that he was from the west coast. He seemed like he was in the Native Tongues mold and lyrically he didn’t flow slow like those other Left cats. Then I found out he had a whole crew. When 93 ’til Infinity dropped I knew that things would be alright. Like the quote above I had the feeling that as far as this country, the way Hip-Hop turned out on the west coast would have a lasting effect on it. When I look down south now I start to hope that other areas will start to come out, what’s up Alaska!?!?! Anyway, I didn’t want to see Hip-Hop go the way I had seen the west coast going, when you look back at some of the things that came out in the early 90’s (most of them aren’t around anymore) it was as bad as the endless stream of crap that’s coming out now from everywhere. Despite the fact that Hip-Hop…is the way it is. for a brief period of time I was allowed to have my moments with the Hiero crew. I still get down with these cats today. Hell I still have the first C.D.s that I bought. If Hip-Hop went back to where they were I wouldn’t be mad. Props also to: Tha Alkaholiks, The Coup, Blackalicious, The Pharcyde, Dialated Peoples, Aceyalone, Ras Kass and Xzibit. Peep out one of my favorite Del joints of all time. It’s the only song I can actually beat box!!!
nowadays hip hop is whoredom. R&B is whoredom. Crunk & B is budget whoredom. The Game was on the radio a few days ago talking about a reality show he plans to be involved with. Him and some Playboy bunnies. When asked what point of interest will draw viewers to the show, he responded ( I quote loosely), “well, it’s me and a bunch of beautiful women. Anything could happen. And if you need more incentive than that, I don’t know what to tell you”. That’s a damn shame. We should watch the show because he might roll around under a blanket with somebody?
You might say that the best hip hop is underground and that’s where ppl should go to find it. But as you said, it used to be on the radio. Whatever happened to that?
I truly miss the backpacker era of Hip-Hop. When people just wanted to show how nice they were.
A-Slim
Comment by God's Child — August 30, 2006 @ 2:35 pm
It was a trip to me when I found out that Del and Ice Cube were cousins. Their styles were at complete opposite ends of the hip hop spectrum.
I read a quote where Ice Cube referred to Del saying that he doesn’t like all the kinds of Hip-Hop that “make money”.
A-Slim
Comment by Nikki — August 30, 2006 @ 3:12 pm
I feel like a total sell out, but I have not bought a rap album since UH, UH,…Well I know that I bought Dialated Peoples Live on stage, was it? i know I’m slippin, but…
Actually not having purchased much Hip-Hop in recent years may be a sign of intelligence.
A-Slim
Comment by Gina — August 30, 2006 @ 3:51 pm
I’m just hyped that Tribe is hitting the road again. Low End Theory is in current ipod rotation.
For real if I didn’t have as many old school joints as I do, I might be on a water tower somewhere with a high power rifle.
A-Slim
Comment by So...Wise — August 30, 2006 @ 5:23 pm
Hell man.. it seems like we were going nuts with the hip hop cd purchases right around the same time. I was trying everybody and everyone back then. And I even kept a vigil on Rap City when the videos had great distinguishing qualities about them. Nowadays, well you know the deal man. And maaaad props to all the West Coast Gunners that you mentioned. I was going to say the Pharcyde, Xhibit and Ras Kass when you finished off your post and put them in there! Good looking out dude..
Is Rap City still a show…does it still come on? I used to love the old school day. Actually I just liked Rap City period. Don’t know if I can say that now.
A-Slim
Comment by Luke Cage — August 31, 2006 @ 11:33 am
Great post man, Heiro is the shit. I dug that first Del album as well, it was a west coast cat that didn’t sound like anything the came from his state before. I wonder how Del himself feels about that album, because I heard that Ice Cube executive produced it and apparently pushed it in a direction that he felt uncomfortable with. Regardless, its a classic. Those Heiro cats are still doing their thing though. Peace.
Comment by HumanityCritic — September 1, 2006 @ 2:27 pm
oh man! let me try to be brief.
1. This was/is my favorite Del song of all times although that second album was mad slept on. I remember rewinding my cassette and writing out the words to this song so I could sing line for line. I loved the whole Hiero crew. My boy as casual. “*** just lose when I choose The best crews of MCs,
And turn ‘em into refugees.”
2. Was listening to Masta Ace’s slaughterhouse yesterday a 1993 album i believe and his parody of gangsta rap on that album back then is still so amazingly relevant.
3. I know I’m judging witha different yardstick than today’s youth since I grew up with BDP, P.E, Paris, Kane, Rakim and those cats but man I’m still waiting for someone to put together a really impressive album in the new millenium.
Comment by jdid — September 2, 2006 @ 5:53 pm