The World’s Greatest Entertainer: The Legacy of Doug E. Fresh

Doug E. Fresh is one of hip hop’s greatest entertainers to ever lived. With such an amazingly and dope ability to beatbox, he still kills at every show he attends. He definitely lives up to his name the “Human Beatbox.” I was fortunate to see him live twice. The first time was at a Krush Groove reunion show at B.B. Kings on 42nd Street back in 2012 I think it was and the second time was recently back in May during Bronx Week uptown, here in the Bronx. Of course, when Doug E. shows up, Slick Rick is not too far behind. Literally, it was the one of the greatest hip hop shows I’ve ever been too. Performing hit after hit, beatboxing non stop, straight for like 5 minutes as he keeps his energy to continue killing it on the mic, Doug E. definitely holds it down and puts on a great show. Never a dull moment. The history of Doug E. Fresh starts back in 1984 when he began as a solo artist on Enjoy Records. Shortly after that, he teamed up with two DJ’s Barry Bee and Chill Will and a newcomer MC who goes by MC Ricky D, later becoming Slick Rick, and together they are the Get Fresh Crew. A year later, “The Show” and “La Di Da Di” was released. Both joints are to be considered hip hop’s earliest classics. Later on, Slick Rick eventually left the crew to pursue a solo career with Def Jam and released “The Great Adventures of Slick Rick”, which is a top 10 hip hop album for me personally and Doug E. and the rest of the crew released two albums back to back. 1986’s “Oh, My God!” and 1988’s “The World’s Greatest Entertainer.” Both albums are written to be hip hop classics and they’re both are out of print and are rare to find nowadays. It would be great to actually find it. Not giving up hope. Another main single from Doug E. is “Keep Risin’ To The Top.” One of my all time favorites and samples from Keni Burke’s song with a similar title. Another personal favorite of mine. Doug E. then returns in 1992 after a hiatus to release “Doin’ What I Gotta Do.” It didn’t have the same success as his first two albums but it did release a single called “Bustin’ Out (On Funk).” A year later, Doug E. comes back with “I-ight (Alright)” and “Freaks” with Lil’ Vicious. In 1995, Doug E. reunites with Slick Rick for a joint album called “Play” with the single “Where’s Da Party At?”, which is also a favorite. With only a list of maybe 10 big hits since the 80’s, Doug E. Fresh still continues and manages to kill shows like he did back then. Never a dull moment at a Doug E. show, it’s impossible. I’m just glad to able to witness greatness not once, but twice and they were both moments I’ll never forget.