I have told you guys how obsessed I have become over the UK version of the TV show 'Skins' in the past few weeks. I can not get enough of the show (I am just starting Season 3!) Seasons 1 & 2 revolve around the lives of Tony, Michelle, Cassie, Sid, Anwar, Maxxie, Chris, & Jal... they are the sickest group of teens you have ever seen. At the end of Season 1, there was one of the most amazing climaxes I have ever seen. It was amazing... and during the final scene, all of the sudden Cat Steven's classic song 'Wild World' came on. I won't talk any more about the scene because it would involve spoilers (and everyone should watch this show on Netflix Instant!!!) but since I watched the 'Wild World' segment I can not get the song out of my head. I love the version that the 'Skins' cast did, it ruins the end of Season 1... but it is a great arrangement. I always loved the song.... and now I love it even more since it is tied to my new favorite show. So here you go... enjoy Mr. Steven's classic one time:
Extra Tidbit: I always had a love for the Lily Allen song 'The Littlest Things', which kind of samples the cord progression and vocal arrangement of 'Wild World'. Since I'm on a total UK/British kick and can't get enough of the other side of the pond, here it is... enjoy:
I am NYC till I die... yet there is a small part of me that loves some West Coast hip hop.I think its the connection that I developed through movies like Boyz In The Hood & Menace 2 Society when I was a young teen, but there is something to a bass line and bouncing titties that makes most West Coast rap videos part of my musical stable. Here are a few of my favorites from the Left Coast. Enjoy:
Dr Dre ft Knocturnal - Bad Intentions
You don't have a West Coast without Dr Dre and most people here in NYC know this beat as the one that Jay-Z used to slay Nas with on the "Super Ugly" freestyle, but this song is great! You also gotta love the video that is brimming with some amazing ASS. Wowsers. True West Coast shit right here.
Souls of Mischief - 93 til Infinity
Great song that introduced the world to the Mighty Hieroglyphics Crew. These guys sound East Coast, spit fire, yet rep the West Side hard. They have been a staple of great music from 93 till.... hehehe. Its true. If you are a real fan of Hip Hop, especially 90's Hip Hop, download some of these guys songs... er, um, I mean buy these guys songs on itunes. Yeah, that's the ticket...
Luniz ft Dru Down, Richie Rich, E-40, Spice 1 and Shock G - I Got 5 On It Remix
The original song popped off nationally, so what did the Luniz do? They called on the rich crop of talented artists from the San Francisco/Oakland area who had paved the way for them but not received as much acclaim to murder this remix. Honestly, this is one of the best remixes I have ever heard. EVER. These guys spit the verses of their lives, and that's the truth. A killer track.
AMG - Bitch Better Have My Money
Perfect gangster rap song. Funny lyrics, raunchy, and all together addicting. Tell me you aren't thinking about these lines afterward, and I'll call bullshit. "There ain't nothing like Black pussy on my dick... word to the moterfucking DJ Quik". He equates fucking black women with a rival rapper jocking his style. That's good stuff.
The D.O.C. - D.O.C & the Doctor
This goes back to the old days before Dre was the king of L.A and merely the producer/DJ that brought us ALL the music of NWA, Easy E, and other West Coast luminaries. D.O.C was a associate of NWA. Gotta love the way he calls Dre "DJ Dr Dre". Now you can call him king. Great track, great song. One of the first records I ever bought. I was 10... yeah, I had an older ear for music... and curses. Great video as well.
So, last week I told you what my favorite Christmas Classics were... and now we are back so that some of CCD's close friends and associates can tell you just which Christmas songs they love the most. Here we go:
Jeff Bond - Josh Groban - Believe
Tara Carberry - Frank Sinatra - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Mikey Devito Jr. - Bobby Pickett & The Crypt Keepers - Monsters Holiday
Kate Jones - Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas
James West - Hark the Herald Angels Sing - The Peanuts Crew
Michael Lombardozzi - Johnny Mathis - It's Christmas Time Again
Sam James - Christina Aguilera - O' Holy Night
Kristen Grillo - Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas
Joe Esq - Blues Traveler - Christmas
Tommy Lombardozzi - John Lennon & Yoko Ono - Happy Xmas (War is Over)
Briana Melendez - Vincent Guaraldi - Christmas Time Is Here
In honor of Jigga Man's behind the lyrics book 'Decoded', I decided to base todays Throwback Thursday on the songs that I am most lookng forward to reading about in the pages of "Decoded". I can not wait to hear how he made these gems... the battles, the disses, the drama... where he was in his mind at the time of recording all of these timeless tracks. With no further ado, I present my Jay-Z picks:
Jay-Z - Song Cry
*****Please click Read more below for the rest of my Jay-Z picks*****
Canibus, or Can-I-Bus as he liked to break his name down to, was one of the greatest MC's to ever have picked up a microphone. I don't care what you want to say. The dude was nice... hell, he was nicer then nice. He was a protege to Wyclef Jean of the Fugees, and that may have ultimatetly hurt him in his career since he was such a hardcore rapper. He did not really fit with Clef. He was a sharp tongued monster of a rapper, and his best work was done when he entered into a "Rap Beef " with LL Cool J.
LL was a major star at the time, and asked up and comer Canibus to be on his new single "4,3,2,1". After Canibus completely blew away Mr J on his own song, LL grew mad. He re-recorded his verse, and attacked Canibus in his second take. He attacked a dude that was on the same song, a song he asked Canibus to be on!!! Naturally, Canibus was angry, and he enlisted Iron Mike Tyson for some ad libs on "2nd Round KO". At the end of the day, LL was the bigger star and despite getting laced by the young upstart he used his clout to squash Canibus's career.
'Bus never really recovered, and he left music to join the US Army. He has released numerous independant projects over the years since his military service, but never has gotten over the hump. That's a shame, because he is really nice with his. He also spit the greatest tribute line in history when he said "The greatest rapper of all time died on March 9th" in memory of Biggie!!! I thought he was a fitting subject for Throwback Thursday, especially since it is Veteran's Day and he is a former soldier who served his country proudly. So with no further ado, here are my five favorite Canibus songs:
*****Please click Read more below to see the Canibus music videos after the jump*****
I spent quite a few years living down in the South Florida area, and although I was always trying to get home to NYC... well, lets just say looking back I got some really fond memories of the time I spent there. Whether it was learning the ropes from James Grier and the boys over at Dillard High (School of Hard Knocks!!!), chilling with Tony, Rich & Vic at South Broward lunch times, or living with my man Nunz during my sophmore year of college... damn, there were some good memories. What about all the nights on South Beach and Tootsies wth Ray Ray, Sam, and my man Nicky Sea??? Not to mention all the years I got to spend with my lovely sister Oona (R.I.P. Odie!!!) or the birth of my son Mikey (Daddy loves you monkey!!!)... good times, thats for sure! So in honor of those great times, I figured I would give all the rest of you guys who didn't live down bottom a peek at the best South Florida rap has to offer. I hope you enjoy!!!!
Trick Daddy ft Tre +, Trina & Deuce Poppi - Take It To The House
Trick Daddy ft. Trina - Nann Nigga
Society - Yes n Deed (Unreal fucking song!!!)
Iconz ft. Lil Kim - Get Fucked Up (Remix)
JT Money ft Sole - Who Dat???
Sole ft. JT Money & Kandi - 4,5,6
Trick Daddy - I'm A Thug (This ones for you sis... god I miss you everytime I hear this!!!)
Puff Daddy and Bad Boy may have invented the remix, but we here at CCD certainly know some great ones you may love to hear again. Lets have ourselves a little Throwback Thursday: Hip Hop Remix Edition. Let the fire commence... now!
Craig Mack ft Biggie, Rampage, LL Cool J, & Busta Rhymes - Flava In Your Ear Remix
Game ft EVERYBODY (24 rappers... all fire) - One Blood Remix
Since we have been focusing on Comic Con related stories for a few days, i figured I would use this Thursday to post links to a few comic book related songs that I love. Hope you guys enjoy:
Last Emperor - Secret Wars Part 1
Last Emperor - Secret Wars Part 2
Madvillian & MF Doom - ALL CAPS
Screen Team- Comic Con Girls
Honestly, that kid in the Scooby costume is hilarious.
... Biggie, Jay-Z or Nas??? Ever since Jigga said that line in the song "Where I'm From" people from every hood have debated this. Here is my answer: ALL THREE. They are all phenomenal in their own way, so I will give you my favorite songs from Big Poppa, Hova, and Nasty Nas. Hope you enjoy... please tell us who you think the best MC is and what your favorite song from these 3 megastars are in the comment section below.
Biggie: Road To Riches (Real Niggaz Do Real Things)
Looking back on my childhood, I have lots of musical memories. One of my favorite groups of all time is Squeeze, the English 70's/80's rock band that was anchored by the singing and songwriting of Glen Tilbrook and Chris Dilford. They were considered to be the best songwriting team of their time, the next Lennon and McCartney. Unfortunately, this would never fully happen since they began to resent each other and parted ways. I was introduced to them by my stepmother Ninfa, who used to constantly play the 1982 album, 45's and Under, constantly. I thought the group was wonderful and all the songs were fantastic, but I did not realize it was a Greatest Hits album!!! No wonder why all the songs were so good. Although they had never recieved all on celeb status here in the states, they are huge in England. Everybody here knows them from their smash hit, "Tempted", but I am including the 5 songs that I love from them the most. Check these guys out... 45's and Under is a definite download for any true 70's/80's rock lovers.
Tempted (My Stepmom Ninfa's favorite... I think!!!)
Here is the part 2 to last weeks Rawkus Records Retrospective... say that 3 times fast!!! For real, these guys had such a great roster of artists and made some really good music. These are a few of the ones I enjoyed the most... What songs from Rawkus did you guys like the best??? Let us know in the comment section below.
Kool G rap ft Capone -N- Noreaga - My Life (Remix)
Rawkus Records was a independent hip hop label that was formed in 1996. They released some of the best underground/ experimental/ independent music over the next decade, taking up the role of the label to go to for great hip hop music. Artists like Mos Def, Company Flow, RA the Rugged Man, The Last Emperor, and many more tore down the industry for this NYC giant. Todays edition of Throwback Thursday is a look back at my favorite Rawkus songs... I hope you enjoy!
Mos Def - Ms Fat Booty - 1999
Blackstarr - Defintion - 1998
DJ Hi-Tek ft Jonell, Method Man, Kool G Rap, and Pharoahe Monch - Round and Round Remix
The Last Emperor - Secret Wars Pt 1
Check back in for Rawkus Records Vol 2, coming soon!!!
Its the middle of August, and all I can think about is my younger days of going on day trips to the beach with my Dad, Stepmom, and sister Oona. All though the day was always great, the ride there and back made it for me. More often then not, we got at least 30 minutes worth of Billy Joel. So here are a few that take me back.... way back!!! R.I.P. Oona, I miss you.
Hey everybody... I'm backkkkkkkk!!!! Here are a few of may favorite jamz from back in the day to help you get through the work day and bring the weekend one step closer to ya.... pump up the volumne, push back your chair from your cubicle desk, and get your office dance party on son!!!
Hip Hop - Apache - Gangsta Bitch
RnB - Destiny's Child - Jumpin Jumpin
80's Rock - Suicidal Tendencies - Suicidal Failure
Hey kids, welcome to the first official edition of “Throwback Thursday”; the column where I take you on a musical trip down memory lane. I’m Joey, your guide on this auditory expedition, or as I’m known in some circles “The King of The Old School” (those circles being contained entirely within my own head). The topic of today’s column is Rap Attack. For those that don’t know (since I’m pretty sure they were a regional thing), Rap Attack was a series of cassette mix tapes that were sold at local “mom & pop” music stores – pour a little out for Music Station on Crossbay Boulevard – as well as at car washes, and by roving street peddlers and Asians on subways. The cassettes had a bootleg red paper liner that listed the songs, and also featured these great little “hip-hop related” clip art. Things like marijuana leaves, guns, cars and my favorite, a miniature scene of guy behind a counter with a cash register getting robbed at gun point. The figures were restroom-style stick figures and the image was hilarious. I wish I could still find mine, because I would have loved to scan it for you.
Rap Attack was mixed by someone named Double T, about whom I could find no additional information… despite doing a solid seven minutes of internet research. Oh well, whoever he was, us kids who were teenagers in the 90’s owe him a debt of gratitude because Rap Attack was a great way to get all the hot songs of the time in one spot, and many a rap attack tape found its way into the tape decks of newly licensed drivers during that time. The best thing about them was because they were mixed, there were way more songs crammed on these things than would fit on a normal album or even if you just recorded Hot 97 and edited the commercials. They were like 94 minutes long!
The particular tape I’m gonna bring back to you today was Rap Attack #13, which judging by the songs on it, came out in late 94 or early 95. My own personal memories of this are from a little bit later, because this one was in my regular walkman rotation when I was taking the A Train to NYU in like 97-98. It’s kinda funny, because the songs were nostalgic for me even back then, and now they’re downright sublime. I listened to this tape so many times that I’m doing this article entirely from memory (I told you, I can’t find my tapes). This album definitely influenced my appreciation for hip-hop, because truth be told I was late to that party. It’s not that I hated hip-hop as a young teen, but I definitely pretended to… I was a douche and just HAD to be different. But that’s a story for another blog. Anyway, here’s some songs off of Rap Attack #13… the sound track to my daily A-Train trips, and maybe to some part of your youth as well…
Funkmaster Flex & The Ghetto Celebs (Charlie Brown, ODB & Biz Markee) -
This song is just pure hip-hop fun and was off a Funkmaster Flex single that made the mixtape rounds that year. This is what hip-hop should be, three great MC’s spitting over a Funk Flex beat. Made me respect Biz Markee as a something more than a novelty act.
Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Part 1:
Pure fire from Mobb Deep. This is rare in that was only available on mixtapes and didn’t make it to the Infamous album. Not as famous as Part 2, but still sick and just as guaranteed to get the club to jump off.
Tha Alkoholiks - Daaam!!!:
Off their second album, Coast II Coast, this is just more fun hip-hop. Great beat and crazy lyrics. I miss music like this.
Raekwon the Chef, featuring Ghostface Killa - Heaven or Hell:
Pure Wu-Tang right here. This one threw me, and almost made me doubt my memory because it’s off Raekwon’s classic Only Built for Cuban Linx album, which came out in August of 1995… which would mean either my timeline was off or this song wasn’t on Rap Attack #13. Thanks to the magic of the internet though, I found out that Heaven or Hell was released as a 12” single in October of ’94.
House of Pain - Legend:
Off an EP released in late 94 of the same name, the one thing I have to say about this song is that it proves that House of Pain is better than Jump Around and it foreshadows some of Everlast’s solo stuff later on.
Scarface – I Seen A Man Die:
The first single off the Diary which came out in December 1994, this song is deep, soulful and shows Scarface’s ability as a storyteller.
Jeru Da Damaja – Can’t Stop The Prophet (Pete Rock remix):
Ok, so back when I was a hip-hop hater, I used to make fun of the way Jeru spelled his name. so of course, a few years later, he would make me feel like a dick because this song blew my mind. Jeru’s storytelling is downright evocative. He’s definitely one of the most slept on MC’s out there and if there was any justice he’d be way more popular than he is.
That’s gonna do it for now, I’m tired and I’ve given you more than enough of a taste of Rap Attack #13. If you want more Playa’s Anthem by Notorious B.I.G. and Get Down by Craig Mack were also on the tape. I’m not leaving their videos out for any particular reason – unless you count pure laziness. Anyway, check back next week even if hip-hop’s not your thing I’ll be covering all genres of music as Throwback Thursdays continue…
These are just a few jams that I used to love to listen to back in the day. With all the dreary and boring music flooding the airwaves nowadays, it's nice to flashback every once in a while. Enjoy the songs!!!
Rap - Jeru da Damaja - Come Clean
RnB- Jahiem - Put That Woman First
80's - Eddie Murphy ft Rick James - Party All The Time
Summer, summer, summertime... summertime!!! It's the 1st of July, and I just wanted to hit you with some old school jams to help you guys get through your day. Whether you are at work, at the crib, or on vacation, these songs are sure to bring back some memories!!! Enjoy.
Say what you will about Michael Jackson but, if you are alive and living in America than chances are his music, his videos, his innovation in dance has probably left a mark on your life in some way. Tomorrow, June 25th, marks a year to the day on which Michael Jackson, the self proclaimed 'King of Pop' lost his life and took a small part of us with him. This week's 'Throwback Thursday' is completely devoted to the music videos of Michael Jackson. May he rest in peace. Use them to get your party on this weekend!
