Think back to the days where you actually go into your closet, pick your freshest pair of jeans, a crisp Polo, and white on white sneakers
Then you would go out to the car with the smell good all through the inside, Armor All on the tires, and something beating in the trunk. Turn the ignition, reach over and grab a CD, (or tape depending on how old you are) and put it in the Alpine or Kenwood and just ride.Think about how mad you would be if that mixtape you spent hours putting together was gone. Then think about how mad you got when you realized that the fool you let ride with you the day before took it.
What makes music so powerful is that a specific song can help you calm your nerves, get you hype for the night and do some stupid crazy mess that you normally wouldn’t do, or simply get you through a 6 hour trip to Panama City when you’re 16 (Holla at me J-Alexander).
<=== Of course Fresh Prince’s Summertime joint is the official summer jam of all-time…. But it didn’t make this list.
So for this Hip-Hop 101, we are going to take it back to the 90’s. Back when the Tank was in full-swing, when Wu-Tang was nothing to F’ with, and when the west coast made us all want push a drop 64.
Since I have so many to choose from, I’m gonna start with 10 of my fav East Coast joints that experienced heavy summer rotations in my old Nissan Maxima. I know that a lot of you are gonna feel me on these and I am sure more of you will e-mail me at lifeismyhigh@gmail.com to tell me that I must be bananas for leaving something out…
With that being said…..
10) Smif N Wessun – Wrekonize
I remember when Bucktown dropped and I was immediately hooked, eventhough none of my friends were feeling me on it. It wasn’t until I hooked up with some up north heads in college that I found some people who appreciated Smif N Wessun like I did.
I remember when Bucktown dropped and I was immediately hooked, eventhough none of my friends were feeling me on it. It wasn’t until I hooked up with some up north heads in college that I found some people who appreciated Smif N Wessun like I did.
9) Tribe Called Quest – Electric Relaxation
I can name at least 15 Tribe songs that I could have put on this list. This used to be the song I played to get me ready for a Saturday night, until the Wayans Brothers used it as the intro music for their tv show. Now all I can think about is Marlon, Shawn, and crazy Pops....
I can name at least 15 Tribe songs that I could have put on this list. This used to be the song I played to get me ready for a Saturday night, until the Wayans Brothers used it as the intro music for their tv show. Now all I can think about is Marlon, Shawn, and crazy Pops....
8) Big L – MVP
MVP was an immediate entry simply because everyone who got in my car always asked who this was. After hearing his mixtapes and unreleased flows, I have to admit this dude was destined for stardom. R.I.P.
MVP was an immediate entry simply because everyone who got in my car always asked who this was. After hearing his mixtapes and unreleased flows, I have to admit this dude was destined for stardom. R.I.P.
7) Camp Lo – Luchini
Everything from the artwork, to the music video and ridiculous flow made this an instant classic
Everything from the artwork, to the music video and ridiculous flow made this an instant classic
6) Blahzay Blahzay – Danger
“When the East is in the house… Oh My God. Danger!” I remember the Syracuse Orangemen would chant this before each game during their run to the NCAA Final Four in 1995-1996. The hook alone was enough to get airtime.
“When the East is in the house… Oh My God. Danger!” I remember the Syracuse Orangemen would chant this before each game during their run to the NCAA Final Four in 1995-1996. The hook alone was enough to get airtime.
5) Wu Tang – C.R.E.A.M.
Cash Rules Everything Around Me… This dropped well before I was 16 and able to drive, but please believe it was the first tape I popped in my first car. Summer wouldn’t be the same without the CREAM.
Cash Rules Everything Around Me… This dropped well before I was 16 and able to drive, but please believe it was the first tape I popped in my first car. Summer wouldn’t be the same without the CREAM.
4) Jay Z – Dead Presidents
Before he was with Beyonce, running with NBA VPs, and dropping his own clothing line, Jay was simply trying to explain to us that in 96, he was still spending money from 88. (That line should be etched in stone somewhere)
Before he was with Beyonce, running with NBA VPs, and dropping his own clothing line, Jay was simply trying to explain to us that in 96, he was still spending money from 88. (That line should be etched in stone somewhere)
3) Nas – The World Is Yours
Nothing elaborate, just a direct flow with a simple video is what Nas was about on his first album. Tony Montana told us the world is yours. Nas just made it seem a little more realistic.
Nothing elaborate, just a direct flow with a simple video is what Nas was about on his first album. Tony Montana told us the world is yours. Nas just made it seem a little more realistic.
2) Notorious Big – Big Poppa (So So Def Remix)
Definite club banger. The fellas felt it and the ladies loved it. The original was classic, but you gotta give up to the remix on this one.
Definite club banger. The fellas felt it and the ladies loved it. The original was classic, but you gotta give up to the remix on this one.
1) Mobb Deep – Shook Ones Pt. II
Ask any of my peoples in high school that used to ride with me, and they will tell you that they used to get tired of me running this one on steady repeat. The entire album was sick, but Shook Ones has to be arguably one of the best joints ever made.
Ask any of my peoples in high school that used to ride with me, and they will tell you that they used to get tired of me running this one on steady repeat. The entire album was sick, but Shook Ones has to be arguably one of the best joints ever made.
That was the 10 of my fav East Coast productions that are a constant reminder of summertime in the 90’s. There was no deliberation, if I forgot about a song while making this list, then it must not have deserved to be on my list. I will bring it back later with 10 from the Dirty Dirty and the West Coast.
- Slim
