HipHop Memories: MSKYO
It's hard to believe it was almost 2 decades ago that Mama Said Knock you Out debuted. I remember my 6th grade class was brought to life by that album. It seemed like everybody had it and the lyrics flowed throughout the class whenever the teacher stepped away.
Every girl in my class claimed to be an "Around The Way Girl." And every boy talked about the non-existent "Boomin System" in their non-existent cars. One day a kid named Marlon came in singing a song about cereal. I remember thinking it was the coolest idea in the world to make a rap song all about cereal. I was excited, but I also felt left out They were now reciting songs that weren't played on the radio. So I finally splurged and bought the full album on tape. I think it was the first full album I ever owned. Branching my tape collection out of the world of cassingles.
I played the hell out of that tape. I'm surprised it didn't pop. One of my favorites at the time was "Eat Em Up L (Chill)". I won't lie. Part of the reason is because I changed the words in my mind to "Eat 'Em Up, Eb." (Chiiiiiiillllll) And yes, another favorite was "Milky Cereal." =)
One day my oldest brother called me and we talked about the album. Both of us loved it. The fact that there was/is 15 years between us and we both had appreciation for the same (recent, at the time) album is something that would be missed by me until a few days ago when I decided to make this entry. Then, all I did was try to express to my brother how great that song about cereal was. And try to impress him with my knowledge of the lyrics of the album.
He was fixated mainly on "Cheesy Rat Blues." Up until then I'd always fast forwarded past that song anxious to get to Side B so I could listen to "Jinglin Baby." For the longest time I thought "Jinglin Baby" was sexually suggestive. Despite the fact that it was clearly about earrings. My mind was in the gutter.
I remember Stormy's excitement as he talked about this song about a man who once had fame and riches. Who watched his life change and his friends disappear. I had no idea the song was about that until then. I hadn't even given it a chance. And Stormy's enthusiasm became contagious because as soon as we hung up I went back and re-listened to that track. To this day it's one of my favorite LL Cool J songs on my favorite LL Cool J album.
And that moment on the phone with my brother talking about MSKYO is one of my favorite HipHop memories.
Cheesy Rat Blues - LL Cool J
Every girl in my class claimed to be an "Around The Way Girl." And every boy talked about the non-existent "Boomin System" in their non-existent cars. One day a kid named Marlon came in singing a song about cereal. I remember thinking it was the coolest idea in the world to make a rap song all about cereal. I was excited, but I also felt left out They were now reciting songs that weren't played on the radio. So I finally splurged and bought the full album on tape. I think it was the first full album I ever owned. Branching my tape collection out of the world of cassingles.
I played the hell out of that tape. I'm surprised it didn't pop. One of my favorites at the time was "Eat Em Up L (Chill)". I won't lie. Part of the reason is because I changed the words in my mind to "Eat 'Em Up, Eb." (Chiiiiiiillllll) And yes, another favorite was "Milky Cereal." =)
One day my oldest brother called me and we talked about the album. Both of us loved it. The fact that there was/is 15 years between us and we both had appreciation for the same (recent, at the time) album is something that would be missed by me until a few days ago when I decided to make this entry. Then, all I did was try to express to my brother how great that song about cereal was. And try to impress him with my knowledge of the lyrics of the album.
He was fixated mainly on "Cheesy Rat Blues." Up until then I'd always fast forwarded past that song anxious to get to Side B so I could listen to "Jinglin Baby." For the longest time I thought "Jinglin Baby" was sexually suggestive. Despite the fact that it was clearly about earrings. My mind was in the gutter.
I remember Stormy's excitement as he talked about this song about a man who once had fame and riches. Who watched his life change and his friends disappear. I had no idea the song was about that until then. I hadn't even given it a chance. And Stormy's enthusiasm became contagious because as soon as we hung up I went back and re-listened to that track. To this day it's one of my favorite LL Cool J songs on my favorite LL Cool J album.
And that moment on the phone with my brother talking about MSKYO is one of my favorite HipHop memories.
Cheesy Rat Blues - LL Cool J