Tag: For The Culture

Long Live The Kane: The 30th Anniversary

June 20th, 2018. Ford Amphitheater. Coney Island. Brooklyn, NY. Mister Cee is on the stage and on the big screen spinning all of the classic hip hop and R&B joints of the 80’s and the 90’s. People are still walking in just in time before the show starts. Looking for their seats, buying food at the concession stands, buying shirts and other merchandise, it’s a hip hop celebration. At exactly 8:18pm, the man himself walks out dripped in all white with two beautiful women by his side and the crowd goes wild. Hit after hit, banger after banger, it’s an amazing show in dedication to the hip hop legend’s debut album that dropped 30 years ago. The Juice Crew, M.O.P., Doug E. Fresh, Ecstasy of Whodini, MC Lyte, the list goes on and on. They all come out to perform their hits as well. It’s another Yo! MTV Raps 30th anniversary show 2.0 and the crowd is still going wild. June 28th, 2018. The actual day that marks 30 years since Big Daddy Kane dropped his debut album, “Long Live The Kane.” The then twenty year old fresh from Brooklyn became friends with Biz Markie which started the infamous Juice Crew, a collective that was headed by Marley Marl. Kane signed with Cold Chillin’ Records in 1987 and released his debut single “Raw” which he showcased his pioneering fast rhyme style that then influenced a new lane of rappers like Jay-Z. The album displayed topics of love and Afrocentrism. With four singles, “Raw”, “Ain’t No Half Steppin’”, “Set It Off”, and “I’ll Take You There”, they were all commercially successful. “Long Live The Kane” is to be considered one of hip hop’s most influential albums of all time. Especially one from the Golden Era. Kane’s lyrical ability and flow, to his style and grace, and the references and samples used that came from this album are all an example of the impact of Kane. The perfect but timeless title for an album that fits. Even thirty years later. Long live the Kane.

Looks Like a Job For…: The 25th Anniversary

The man that we all once knew in the beginning was a smooth talking, ladies lover with a slight touch that could make a woman melt in her seat or sweep her off her feet but then as time goes on, there’s a new side of this man that shows a more aggressive, street side. He went from suits and gold jewelry to tied up bandanas, baggy hoodies and jeans and more hardcore raps and beats. On May 25th, 1993, that man we all know as Big Daddy Kane, released his fifth album “Looks Like a Job For…” A more streetwise, hardcore album that appeared to the homies on the block with a bottle of 40 oz. in their hands and a cigarette on top of their ear. This was a more rawer side of Kane that showed that he wasn’t just some sellout, Hollywood, Black man who had forgotten where he came from. Besides the singles, tracks like “Rest In Peace”, “Brother Man, Brother Man”, & “‘Nuff Respect” were all great examples of Kane’s much rawer raps and style. It was a completely big step away from the early Kane that hip hop fans are used to. Some might have thought he was only just trying to stay relevant by changing his style to fit in and not seem too dated but as a true Kane fan, it’s a sign of versatility and not just another “ladies man” album. The title alone represents his responsibility as an MC to flip the script and show a different side but many questioned if he has gone backwards instead of forwards. He came out flashy and then became more street and regular ‘round-the-way. It was definitely another job well done by the Kane. 

It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot: The 20th Anniversary

As the 90’s were slowly coming to an end, hip hop was in a place where it was shiny, glittery, and downright Hollywood. With it’s shiny suits and dresses, fancy cars and jewelry, big smiles and alcohol, all it took was for one guy from Yonkers to come along and redirect hip hop back to it’s roots in the streets. With his rough exterior and vulnerable lyrics and big attitude, Earl Simmons aka DMX not only brought hip hop back to the streets but he was the first artist in hip hop to release two number 1 albums in the same year. On May 12th, 1998, DMX released his debut album “It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot.” With four singles out, DMX was the new face and voice for the streets, the ghetto, the first to be the voice for vulnerable black men in hip hop since Treach from Naughty By Nature. Giving us stories of pain, abuse, struggle, drugs, violence, and sex, while staying true to his higher faith. Just like his hometown natives, Mary J. Blige and The LOX, he also gives that same gritty, street, raw emotion, pain and truth in his music. “Get At Me Dog”, “Stop Being Greedy”, “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem”, and “How’s It Goin’ Down” featuring Faith Evans were all big hits for Simmons. 20 years later, Simmons is known as one of hip hop’s most treasurable artists. One of those artists that stayed true to hisself an where he comes from, despite the troubles with the law, drugs, and alcohol. With an acting career and also party hits underneath his belt, DMX is a certified legend in this hip hop biz.

30 Years: The Legacy of Al B. Sure!

Once upon a time, he was a star football player. Denied a scholarship to pursue a music career. Today he is known for being one of R&B’s biggest stars during the late 80’s new jack swing era. He started when he won a talent showcase and was hand picked by Quincy Jones as the winner and then got offered a deal with Warner Bros. Records by Benny Medina. He worked with Quincy Jones on “The Secret Garden”, he sang background for Heavy D. & The Boyz and then finally started working on his debut album, which took only 6 months to do. With a little bit of direction and production from Teddy Riley, his debut album was finally completed. With the first single called “Nite And Day”, his popularity quickly rose and on May 3rd, 1988, Al B. Sure! released his debut album called “In Effect Mode.” Besides “Nite And Day”, “If I’m Not Your Lover” and “Off On Your Own (Girl)” were also the singles released from the album. The album sold more than 2 million copies and it was Top Billboard smash hit. Winning Grammy’s, American Music Awards, and a Best New Artist award, Al was the fresh new guy on the R&B scene that drove the ladies wild. With an album that only had 8 songs, Al had a soft, high pitch, smooth voice that drove the ladies insane. An 8 track album that was filled with love and party/dance songs and a Spanish version of “Nite And Day” included. Al B. Sure! is also responsible for writing and producing for others and even helped the careers of Faith Evans, Usher, Dave Hollister, Jodeci, Tevin Campbell, and Case. 30 years later, “In Effect Mode” is still appreciated and loved by true R&B/New Jack Swing fans around the world. Timeless music that still makes people feel so good about love and life.

Capital Punishment: The 20th Anniversary

If you’re a true Bronx native, you see this man all the time on the classic mural on the corner of 163rd Street and Intervale Avenue across the street from White Castle. On top of the mural is the sentence that sums up this man’s legacy in hip hop and in The Bronx. Known as the first Latin artist to go platinum is a definitive spot in the “GOAT” discussions with the homies in the barbershop but of course the lyrical ability and word play is also a conversation topic as well. Christopher Rios aka Big Pun released his debut album “Capital Punishment” on April 28th, 1998. Pun started off in a underground hip hop group called “Full-A-Clips” with the name Big Moon Dawg and then later on became Big Punisher. After meeting another fellow Bronx native, already known artist named Fat Joe, in 1995, he appeared on the track “Watch Out.” He also appeared on The Beatnut’s “Off The Books”, which was a success. Then comes the debut single “I’m Not a Player” with the O’Jay’s sample which was an underground success and then a remixed version came along, featuring the singer Joe, which became Pun’s debut successful single and took him to another level. On April 28th, 1998, Pun then released his debut album which went #5 on the Billboard charts and then eventually making Pun the first Latin artist to go Platinum. Pun then became a part of the infamous Terror Squad and then he tragically died due to a weight problem. Still one of the greatest to ever touch a mic, Big Pun’s legacy will always remain.

He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper: The 30th Anniversary

After the West Philadelphia hip hop duo released their debut album in April 1987, the duo returns with another hit album that took their career and status to another level. On March 29th, 1988, their second album “He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper” was released. It is known to be the very first double album in hip hop history. With Will Smith, aka The Fresh Prince’s witty, funny, and happy but lyrical style and Jeffrey Townes aka DJ Jazzy Jeff’s incredible mixing and scratching with samples over a beat, the duo goes down in hip hop history as one of the greatest duos of all time. With three singles released, “Brand New Funk”, “Parents Just Don’t Understand”, and “A Nightmare On My Street”, the songs are a reflection of The Fresh Prince’s life as a young guy with an understanding of the world around him and making it sort of a comedy without being a comedian, more so of an MC who is just sharing his experiences and his thoughts about regular everyday life as a young guy who just wants to be fresh, spit rhymes, meet fly girls, and keeping his pockets fat.

For Us By Us: An Urban Classic

The night of Valentine’s Day was just another day. A regular day. No plans, no love in my life, nothing. As usual, I was scrolling on Instagram and happened to see a sponsored post on my news feed, something about the new FUBU and Puma collaboration. Quickly, it caught my attention. Turns out to be launch event with the founder of FUBU himself, Mr. Daymond John. I know y’all remember FUBU. The same brand everybody was rocking in the early 2000’s. LL Cool J was one of the people I remember seeing on TV wearing it and it was so dope so I was really excited and decided to make a trip to the Queens Center Mall the next day for this moment. The next day came, I got ready, of course I had to get fresh, it’s a must. LOL! I even pulled out my vintage FUBU blue windbreaker jacket so that when I knew when my moment came to meet this guy, I wanted to show how much of a fan I am of his clothing brand. The event started at 4. I got to the mall around 2:30 and I was nice and early. I forgot to mention that the post on Instagram said that the first 25 people who show up gets a free $50 Puma gift card, I was the eighth person on line. 2 hours went by and it was finally time to go inside. When my time came, I got my card and went straight inside. When I finally went inside of the Puma store, they had the entire store set up just like a red carpet event. DJ Drewski From HOT 97 was inside spinning all of the dope hip hop joints and there were these dudes lined up and everyone including the employees were rocking their fresh FUBU/Puma joints. Head to toe. I waited patiently to meet Daymond and finally I did. Just like I thought, meeting the man himself was another dope moment for me. He even showed me love for the windbreaker jacket and signed a little flyer for me. I copped me a red medium exclusive Puma/FUBU shirt to rock with my Puma’s this summer. It’s a must. I paid for my shirt and even got a free copy of Daymond John’s book called “Rise And Grind.” He signed my book and I left. I left with such an euphoric feeling. Excited to be able to meet yet another legend in hip hop culture and even have something exclusive that not everybody will have. I will also be reading that book. Definitely has some gems in it I can learn and use for myself because fashion is my thing too.