10
This edition of the Sunday Classic is brought to you by Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli who are Reflection Eternal. ‘Memories Live’ is from their debut album ‘Train of Thought’ which was released in 2000. Hi-Tek’s production and Kweli’s lyrics and his super smooth delivery make this track phenomenal to me. It’s one of the ones that make me wanna close my eyes and truly listen… I suggest you do the same! Peace!
10
This edition of the Sunday Classic is from one of Hip-Hop’s greatest “one album wonders” so to speak. ‘Danger’ is from Blahzay Blahzay’s one and only studio album ‘Blah, Blah, Blah’. It was released as a single in ’95 and then dropped on the album in ’96. It’s got some epic samples from Jeru the Damaja’s ‘Come Clean’, Q-Tip from the Beastie Boys’ ‘Get it Together’ and ODB from Big Daddy Kane’s ‘Show and Prove’. Although this is mainly what they are known for, they did mad production for other artists throughout the ’90s. I’ve got so many good memories that go along with this track, it will never get old to me. Have a listen… Peace!
10
This edition of the Sunday Classic happens to be one of my 7 year old daughter’s favorite joints, haha. The Fugees’ ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ was released in ’97 on the soundtrack for the documentary ‘When We Were Kings’. The documentary is about the “Rumble in the Jungle” championship match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, hence the references to the fight and the title of the song. The track features A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes and John Forte… that’s a hell of a line up right there. I fell in love with this the first time I heard it and have been hooked ever since. It’s way too slept on but super dope. Sooooooo, check it! Peace!
10
This edition of the Sunday Classic really needs no introduction. ‘One Love’ was released back in ’94 on Nas’ debut album, ‘Illmatic’. It is produced by Q-Tip who also does the vocals for the chorus line. This whole album is beyond epic to me. This track stands out to me among the rest though. Nas took inspiration from the legendary Bob Marley for this one. Its a combination of letters he wrote to his peoples that were locked up at the time and it’s pretty heartfelt. Without even paying attention to detail in this one the overall message is clear… “One Love”. I found a video of Nas himself talking about his thoughts on this track, make sure to peep that! Peace!
Nas breaks down the track.
20
This edition of the Sunday Classic is a message I’ve been talking about a lot lately. From their second album ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’, Public Enemy’s epic track ‘Don’t Believe The Hype’ is that message. It dropped April 14, 1988 and 25 years later it is still incredibly relevant and will continue to be forever if you ask me. Those that don’t get it probably never will but I’ll continue to say it… “Don’t believe… Don’t… Don’t believe the hype”… Check it. Peace!
10
This classic right here is an all time favorite. ‘Hip Hop Junkies’ is from Nice & Smooth’s 2nd album, ‘Ain’t A Damn Thing Changed’, which dropped way back in ’91. It’s straight up 90′s hip-hop flavor and a funky beat they produced themselves. Being a total hip-hop head and hip-hop junkie myself I can totally relate with this track. There are countless remixes of this out there but ya can’t funk with the original. Peep the video… it’s even got some epic background dancers, haha. Check it! Peace!
10
This edition of the Sunday Classic is not only a message for the ladies but for the fellas too. ‘U.N.I.T.Y’ is from Queen Latifah’s 3rd studio album, ‘Black Reign’ which dropped back in ’93. Over a super smooth saxophone beat she comes in hard with “Who you callin’ a bitch?!”… She had me from the jump like yeah I gotta listen to this! Great message, great lyrics, great beat, great delivery. It’s got it all. Have a listen. Peace!
10
This edition of the Sunday Classic is from the boys that put the ATL on the hip-hop map, Outkast. ‘SpottieOttieDopaliscious’ is from their epic third studio album, ‘Aquemini’, which dropped back in ’98. This ish went double platinum the very next year. They outdid themselves with production on this beat, the horns are killer! It’s smooth as a baby’s ass and 7 minutes of pure chill goodness. “Damn… Damn… Damn… James”… this is dope. Have a listen y’all. Peace!
10
This edition of the Sunday Classic is from Aesop Rock’s third album ‘Labor Days’ which was released in 2001. ‘Daylight’ is one of my favorite tracks from him. It’s full of great quotables and delivered how only Aesop can bring it. The man definitely has a style all his own and I love it because you really have to think to get the message. Some people think he makes no sense, I think he’s genius. “All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day, put the pieces back together my way”… I’m sure we all can relate to that. Have a listen y’all. Peace.
10
Straight from Raekwon’s debut solo album ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx’, released back in ’95′, we have the Sunday Classic… ‘Guillotine (Swordz)’. This album and this track are epic. Every member of the Wu-Tang clan is featured on this album which is produced entirely by the legendary RZA. This track in particular features Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah and GZA. Hard core Wu storytelling at its finest. The production is epic, the bars are epic, the intro is epic. I mean… what more can you ask for?!? So have a listen hip-hoppers. Peace!
10
This classic right here is about as smooth as they get. ‘You Got Me’ is from The Roots 4th album, ‘Things Fall Apart’, which was released back in ’99. It features Erykah Badu and Eve. For Eve this was her recording debut. Erykah Badu’s part was originally written and recorded by Jill Scott and although I like her, I think Erykah helped make this track epic to me. The beat is serious, produced by Scott Storch, and of course The Roots do their thing as usual. All in all super smooth, seriously dope, seriously classic track. Have a listen. Peace!
20
This classic right here brings back mad memories for this Hip Hop Head. ‘Off The Books’ is from The Beatnuts sophomore album, ‘Stone Crazy’ which was released back in ’97. They bring in legendary Big Pun and Cuban Link for some added flavor on this gem. Its produced by The Beatnuts themselves and the beat is beyond catchy. “Youuuuuu betta watch yo’ step”… Have a listen y’all. Peace!
