My Top 3 Hip-Hop Songs of All Time
If you had to choose your top three rap / hip-hop songs of all time, what would they be? As I got on down to my Old School Mix at the gym today, that question worked its way into my head. My top two came to me immediately. The third took a few more seconds of thinking.
My selections all came out in either 1986 or 1987. Many years have passed, and many great hip-hop songs have come along. But when all’s said and done, these three still do it for me. There are a lot of great old school tunes from this era, but a lot of ’em haven’t aged too well. I’m talking to you Whistle, UTFO, and Boogie Boys. But the three classics below definitely stand the test of time.
How ’bout you? Whether you’re a fan of hip-hop or not – if you had to pick, what would your top three be? Speak, people!
My Top 3 Hip-Hop Songs of all Damn Time
#3: “Paul Revere” – Beastie Boys / “Fight For Your Right” and “No Sleep Til Brooklyn” were the early mass favorites from Licensed to Ill, but based on those two songs, I wasn’t wholly impressed by the Beasties… but when I heard “Paul Revere” – the funky as hell backward beat; the fun story set in the old west… there are lots of great Beasties songs – “Root Down”, all of Paul’s Boutique<, but nothing beats “Paul Revere”.
#2: “Peter Piper” – Run-DMC / As far as crossover appeal goes, 1986 was a monumental year in hip-hop. Licensed to Ill was released in the spring, and in the summer, Run-DMC released Raising Hell – which featured the biggest rap-rock crossover to date: “Walk This Way” with Aerosmith. But again, for me, the appeal lay elsewhere on the album. In particular, “Peter Piper”. It’s the rhythm that primarily does it for me with hip-hop. Give me a dope beat and I’m a happy camper. “Peter Piper” was like nothing I’d ever heard. In fact, color me ignorant, I didn’t know until a couple months ago that the beat is taken from Bob James’s version of Paul Simon’s “Take Me To The Mardi Gras“.
#1: “I Know You Got Soul” – Eric B. & Rakim / The summer of ’87 was when I met my high school sweetheart, and also the summer that Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid in Full album was released. Like all my music back then, I bought the vinyl and immediately taped it so I could bump it in the car. Many an hour was spent in my mom’s Buick Park Avenue with my girl and the song “I Know You Got Soul.” It still doesn’t get any smoother than Rakim. His delivery flows effortlessly, and it’s still my favorite old school tune to rap along to in the car. Numero uno.
If you’re interested, I just re-posted my Old School Mix here. Please – when Too Short’s “Freaky Tales” hits, make sure your mother isn’t around. It’s about as NSFW as a song can be.
Review: Desktop, “Desktop EP”
If you hadn’t guessed already I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for the blips and bleeps of the current generation of electronic indie pop. Detroit duo Desktop bring blips, bleeps, swooshing synths, atmospheric guitars and enough pop sensibility to make this all too brief EP an easy sell. Think of it as dance music at a time when we could all could use a reason to ignore our concerns and just dance. “Liberty” leads off the set with its quirky ‘80s techno leanings. “Fired Up” is the funkiest of the bunch with a driving beat a la Prince with shades of Cutting Crew. “Too Much” brings it all home with some over the top, make your ass wiggle goodness. What makes this an even easier sell is the fact that the group is offering it up for free.
Download Desktop EP Here
Links: Official Site | on Last.fm | on MySpace
New Video: Ryan Bingham’s “Snake Eyes”
Anyone catch Ryan Bingham on Austin City Limits recently? A great set, and it made me lament the fact that I missed him when he came through town in July. He’s got an awesome voice, and the kind of swagger on stage that I admire.
Here’s the new official video for “Snake Eyes”, one of the introspective slow numbers from his latest record, Roadhouse Sun.
Incoming: Gaslight Anthem, Citizen Cope
My next two shows are in the books…
The Gaslight Anthem – September 15th – Martini Ranch, Scottsdale | I’m not crazy about the venue – right in the heart of Old Town Snottsdale – but for Brian Fallon and the boys of Gaslight Anthem, I will endure the surrounding douchery. They’re fresh off a summer festival season highlighted by a couple of guest appearances by fellow Jersey boy Bruce Springsteen, and hallelujah, they’re back in Arizona for their second appearance in 6 months. Bless you boys.
The Gaslight Anthem – Boomboxes and Dictionaries (mp3) | Official Site | Tour Dates
Citizen Cope – September 25th – Marquee Theater, Tempe | About as laid back of a stage presence as you’ll find, Citizen Cope brings the cool with a really unique mix of earthy soul & roots music. I really enjoyed my first Cope show in the same venue a year and a half ago. Part of what made it great was the presence of sexy soul songstress Alice Smith. I think she’s still tagging along with Cope – here’s hoping she’s part of it again.
Citizen Cope – Hurricane Waters (mp3) | Official Site | Tour Dates
The Friday Five: August 28, 2009
Friday Five : ˈfrī-(ˌ)dā,-dē ˈfīv : On the sixth day of every week I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
Björk – “Headphones (Ø remix)” (from Telegram, 1996)
I can only admit to being a pedestrian fan to Björk‘s career after this record, but Debut and Post rank high on my list of favorite records from the ’90s. Telegram was essentially the remixed version of Post with the exception of “The Modern Things” and “It’s Oh So Quiet”. Out of all the tracks on the record The Brodsky Quartet version of “Hyperballad” was my favorite and was featured on many of my mix tapes of the era.
Jay-Z – “Girls, Girls, Girls” (from The Blueprint, 2001)
I have a strange love/hate relationship with Jay-Z. If you were to peek at my library you’d see every single record he’s put out since 1996 but I’d be hard pressed to name even one album cut outside of the singles. I’ll buy The Blueprint 3 when it comes out and will listen to it twice and it will get cataloged with the rest. This track is irresistible though. Featuring Q-Tip, Slick Rick and Biz Markie on the hook and Hov flowing with more swagger than Al Pacino in Scarface it’s an instant classic.
Megadeth – “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due” (mp3) (from Rust in Peace, 1990)
In retrospect, Rust in Peace has aged considerably better than most metal records from that time period – I’m looking at you Metallica‘s Black Album – and this track in particular has resonated time and again. While the timing of it’s release made most assume it was commentary on the first Gulf War, Mustaine has gone on the record stating that the inspiration for the song was the ongoing conflict in Northern Ireland.
Primitive Radio Gods – “Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth With Money in My Hand” (mp3) (from Rocket, 1996)
The ’90s produced more ‘One-Hit Wonders’ then you can shake a stick at. Primitive Radio Gods fell in alongside acts like Sneaker Pimps and Ruby with a mix of downtempo beats juxtaposed against alternative leaning instrumentation and vocals. Built off a sample of B. B. King‘s “How Blue Can You Get?” the track managed to peak at #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart and #7 on the Hot 100 before the Primitive Radio Gods faded into obscurity.
Paramore – “Misery Business” (mp3) (from RIOT!, 2007)
The first time I heard Paramore‘s Hayley Williams‘ voice it instantly had my attention. How could this tiny (then) teenage girl have such a huge voice was my first thought. The second thought was that they were going to be huge. Williams‘ voice combined with the killer hooks the band is known for have brought them tons of fans and critical praise, not to mention an opening slot on the No Doubt reunion tour.
Five down, who’s got five more to share?
New Tunes: Rob Murat
Rob Murat is a singer/songwriter/producer who just dropped his first album, So Much To Say. I like the soul revival feel of this one. Sort of sounds like something Amy Winehouse would sing (only with “fuckery” and “Blake incarcerated” added to the lyrics). Blake, what on earth did you do to that girl? You look like you spent 5 years face down on a puke-stained floor of the South Kensington tube station – you must really hold sway in the sack, you dog.
You can check out Rob’s Official Site for every link you need…
Rob Murat – Ready To Love (mp3)
New Tunes: Scott Warren’s Quick Fix Bandage
Scott Warren is a L.A. based musician and front man for the Indie band Signal Hill Transmission. A few weeks ago (July 28th if you’re keeping track), Scott released his solo debut Quick Fix Bandage. The lead song, “Before You Say Goodbye”, has made several appearances on my iTunes – and in my head – over the last several weeks – most notably on a hike in Telluride in late July. “The reality sets and the reality…”. You’ll see what I mean.
It’s a solid album – mellow, leaning toward the rootsy side – and book-ended by the grand finale of America’s “Sister Golden Hair”, one of my mellow 70’s rock favorites.
Scott Warren – Before You Say Goodbye
Visit: Scott Warren’s Official Site
Video: We All Wanna Be Prince
I’ve seen this song all over the place the last few weeks, but I didn’t take the time to listen until tonight, when I noticed the video was out. And let me say, the video is cool and pretty chuckle-worthy at times. They capture the Dirty Mind thru 1999-era Prince – with the Prince dress-up, the ladies, the rampant horniness, and the song itself. Well done, Felix Da Housecat…
The Friday Five: August 21, 2009
Friday Five : ˈfrī-(ˌ)dā,-dē ˈfīv : On the sixth day of every week I hit the shuffle button on my iTunes and share my five and drop a little knowledge and insight for each track. Sometimes there is a playlist involved, sometimes there isn’t. Sometimes we have guest, but most of the time it’s just me. The rest is up to you, our friends and readers! Fire up your media player of choice and share the first five random track of your shuffle in the comments.
The Five:
Editor’s Note: I’m running short on time this Friday, but the tunes are cranking and getting me through the busy day before heading down to NYC for some Acoustic 80’s (featuring Jason Hare of Popdose). I swear it’s an odd coincidence that each tune this week has a title consisting of two words.
The Rolling Stones “Miss You” (from Forty Licks, 2002)
Green Day – “Brain Stew” (mp3) (from Insomniac, 1995)
Billie Holiday – “Blue Moon” (mp3) (from First Issue: The Great American Song Book, 1994)
Rufus & Chaka Khan – “Sweet Thing” (mp3) (from Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, 1975)
Alexisonfire – “Accept Crime” (from Old Crows / Young Cardinals, 2009)
What has got you moving today?
New Brian Setzer Orchestra: “Trouble Train” / “Lonely Avenue”
To remind us all that time marches on, Brian Setzer turned 50 this year. But he shows no signs of slowing down. Brian’s definitely one of those artists that a lot of people take for granted. He’s out there year after year, touring his ass off, playing his Christmas shows with his Orchestra, and keeping that rockabilly / Big Band style alive. Bless ‘im for it.
Brian, together with his Orchestra, are slated to release a brand new album, Songs From Lonely Avenue, on October 13th. But there’s already a sneak peek at a couple of the tracks, and a couple more to come soon. Go cat go!
Listen:
“Trouble Train” – The cover for the single above is totally fitting. The tune cooks like a locomotive steamin’ down the frickin’ frackin’ tracks.
“Lonely Avenue” – Brian channels his 50-60’s cool Vegas crooner. Nice.
Check out: Brian’s Official Web Site
