BRL.. 90s Hip-Hop par deux...

I've decided to keep each post short and sweet but two tracks really can't illustrate the magic of 90s Hip Hop. So I'm giving you more!

A Tribe Called Quest

Need I really say much more other than ATCQ! Thought not, but anyways it was so difficult to chose just one track from their selection, but I did so with much difficulty. 'Check the Rhime' is so funky, and a perfect illustration of Q- Tip and Phife Dawg's rhyming finesse paired with Ali's incredible beat-making abilities. And just to top it all off.. the beat was sampled in another favourite song of mine...... 90s RnB classic 'Candy Rain' by Soul 4 Real! So check the Rhime y'all x


Ahmad

Ahmad's classic song is the perfect anthem for reminiscing on old times. "Back in the day" embodies the feeling of wanting to revisit the past.

Pete Rock and CL Smooth

This power duo have produced so many true classics. Yet T.R.O.Y will always be the standout track for me, when they reminisce over you my gaarsh!

Skeel lo

Skeel lo's smash is the ultimate 'loser anthem.' Despite the self-pitying lyrics the song is a typical upbeat 90s summerjam and is a great listen, no matter what mood you find yourself in.

Beats, Rhymes and Life... 90's Hip-Hop

Relaxing and reminiscing to the smooth beats and funky flows of 90's emcees, is the paradox of joy and pain. Delight,elation, glee. All these things. Hip-Hop equals pure, original flair and flavour. Sadness and despair. I was listening to Hip-Hop as it was and will never be again.

Hip-Hop as a genre has long forgotten its original, rebellious roots. It's music was powerful and emotive. It's social commentary gave a voice to a generation who needed to be heard. The voice was versatile, it could be raw but then fresh and funky in the next breath. Today, it has even kissed its refreshing, rhythmical beats goodnight. Instead it has welcomed basic, mundane, bass-driven beats that ride under sloppy southern drawl. Lucrative endorsement deals, jewellery and greed- the most deadly of all- is choking the message out of Hip-Hop.

If you think that this is just another 'Hip-Hop is dead' rant, you are mistaken. Hip-Hop is still breathing. There are still artists bringing truth to the mainstream. You just have to search harder to find them amongst the conveyor belt of sound-a-like 'MCs' churned out by the manufacturing line.

This post is an appreciation for the heyday of Hip-Hop creativity. Check out some of my personal 90s highlights to see what I mean.


Common - I Used to love H.E.R






Souls of Mischief - From 93' till infinity

Introducing...Beats, Rhymes and Life

Okay so I am a self-proclaimed Soul sista, but recently as I have been reflecting on my own circumstances and planning for the future, I have found myself making the crossover to Hip-Hop. Lately, it seems as if Hip-Hop is my life's new soundtrack. My mind is far too consumed with erratic thoughts to produce just the one entry, so keep on the look-out because there will be a whole host of posts (no rhyme intended.. don't worry I'll save that to the pros) in the weeks to come x