1990 (Part 1 - Hip Hop)
The year was 1990. Multicolor rayon button-ups and jeans rolled up at the bottom. Unsnapped apple caps turned backwards. Cassette tapes! I had started 'going around' with my first girlfriend (or wait, was that '92?). The original 1580 KDAY was still around, and every chance I could get I'd record the "DJ Curtis Harmon Quickmix" or the "Mixmaster Show", taking mental notes on everything from mixing techiques (I wanted to be a DJ) to who they were playing. Coincidentally, one of the Mixmasters, DJ Ralph M (who also ended up forming Funkdoobiest), happened to be a classmate of mine. And me? Well, I was just a quiet little kid in the corner ear-hustling as he told tall tales of his hip hop escapades. He also spun at our Pep Rallies, which turned lunchtime into our version of a park jam. These were the days.
As far as music went, this was truly a special year. Looking back, I'm not even sure if there was any other year that quite matched the kinds of classic songs that came out in 1990. An for me personally, the types of songs that came out not only shaped my consciousness, but also kept me grounded in the reality that existed right in my own backyard, and provided my confused ass with plenty of joy, pain, enlightenment, and comedy.
Kiwi's 1990 Hip Hop Album Playlist (in no particular order):
Brand Nubian - One for All
Ah yes. "Step to the rear, Grand Pu is on arrival / Raised in the ghetto singin' songs called survival / Runnin' round town givin' all the girls Puba snacks / I wouldn't try to scale my style, you just might catch a cardiac..." This album weaved between the worlds of 'scoopin up the honeys,' spitkickin, and black/african consciousness, and introduced many to five percenter lingo ("Peace to the Gods..."). Some of it made no sense to me at the time, but for some reason I was able to relate to it. And the beats were filthy!
Paris - The Devil Made Me Do It
I got this record on wax, and I remember the inside sleeve, instead of the usual liner notes, had a list and description of historic black revolutionaries, and introduced me to the likes of Huey P. Newton, Malcolm X, Bobby Seale, Marcus Garvey, Assata Shakur, and so on. Paris himself sounded like a Black Panther reincarnation of Rakim: fierce, unapologetic, and powerful. And the production was probably years ahead of its time. I remember spinning at house parties and insisting on throwing on at least one Paris song during the night, just to throw people off a little. Content-wise, this album was huge in sparking my political awareness.
Ice Cube - Amerikkka's Most Wanted
Though O'Shea definitely did his thang on those early NWA and Easy E albums, as Kat Willams would say... "This sh*t right heeerre, ni**a...!" From the album cover to the very first skit to the last song, "Amerikkka's Most" was just straight up dangerous. And the fact that he had The Bomb Squad (Public Enemy) on production made it even that much more crucial of an album. Post-NWA Cube made a statement by not even mentioning his old crew's name, but you definitely knew who he was talking about when he started of with, "I heard payback's a muthaf*ckin' ni**a / that's why I'm sick of gettin treated like a goddamn stepchild / Fuck a punk cause I ain't him / You get treated to the nine-double-mm..." The album definitely went in the tape player when we got ready to roll up on someone (or more like, after got rolled up on!). And Cube didn't stop there...
Ice Cube - Kill At Will
If I remember correctly, this one came out around the same time "Boyz in the Hood" came out (which he starred in). Though this was more of an EP and felt a little incomplete, I would argue to say that "Jackin for Beats" was the first version of the mixtapes that artists put out now. And he also gave the first song to roll to the funeral with, "Dead Homiez." Now mind you, though he wasn't your prototypical 'mainstream' artist at the time, as far as entertainment, I think Cube probably set a precedent for rappers to follow for years to come.
Eric B. and Rakim - Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
Now I know alot of heads reference "Eric B for President" as the more memorable of Eric B & Rakim's classics, but "Let the Rhythm Hit Em" was actually the first of their projects I was introduced to. And frankly, the GOD Rakim goes off. "I'm the arsenal, I got artillery, lyrics of ammo / Rounds of rhythm / Then I'm 'a give 'em / piano..." Back then, I didn't even understand Rakim's relevance, all I knew was that this man could SPIT.
Low Profile - We're in This Thing Together
Awww yeah. Man I miss this duo, W.C and DJ Alladin. He actually rhymed different then how he did with Westide Connection, not so much of the multi-syllabic stuff twangy stuff. Payin' Dues was my cut too, and is actually a value (in relation to hip hop) that I live by today. Oh yeah, and DJ Alladin was a BEAST on the turntables (I think he was a DMC champ back in the day).
Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet
I think I jumped on the "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" bandwagon a little too late, so my more vivid Public Enemy memories were from this album right here. Imagine all the dance crews at my school doing routines to "Welcome to the Terrordome" and "Can't Do Nothing for you Man." It was off the hook. This album, this group, was incredibly influential in the development of my social consciousness as well. PE was to me back then what Native Guns or Immortal Technique is to kids today. The craziest thing was when Public Enemy, S1W's and all, were on this late-night show hosted by Rick Dees. I thought the revolution was gonna happen the next day! Er, not quite.
Above the Law - Livin' Like Hustlers
I don't know if I listened to ATL as much as others, BUT along with Ice Cube, Low Profile, and King Tee (didn't put out his best work, but had a couple cool songs), this was part of our L.A soundtrack. This sound just exemplified the atmosphere of the city back then. Sun up, top down, locs, lowriders...
LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out
Man, I think with everything that came out, folks were kind of over LL. After a couple flops, he was literally forgotten. With the rise of black consciousness, people were hating. But then.... "Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years!" Uncle L literally exploded back on the scene. From trunk rattlers ("Boomin' System") to battle raps ("Mama Said Knock You Out") to songs about girls ("Around the Way Girl") to songs about the police ("Illegal Search") to what is still one of my favorite joints ever: "Milky Cereal." Who remembers "Milky Cereal????" This song was filthy. A well-executed concept song utilizing the names of our favorite morning treats. The timing and metaphors were priceless. Overall, I think this album saved LL's career. And made me a fan, despite what people think.
X-Clan - To the East, Blackwards
Again, another incredibly influential album as far as my social consciousness. AND, the beats were BANGIN. Old P-funk samples, but more uptempo. And the imagery, the african garb, the walking sticks, the pink caddy, and of course, the "Red, the black, and the green! You sissseeeeeeeees!" (Rest in Peace Professor X!!!) I remember seeing the impact it had on all the Black kids at my school. I remember feeling a deep connection but not yet having that knowledge of my own people to be able to draw the parallels. I felt free, but not completely. But this album definitely helped me begin to get there.
A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
Okay, this is why I LOVED this year. You had the gangsta shit, you had the conscious shit, then you had Tribe. I remember trying to transcribe the lyrics to "Can I Kick It," and having trouble cause there were some parts that didn't make sense. "Rock and Roll to the beat of the funk fuzz?" Did I get that right? "A light filled with (trumpet sound), that's what I love?" Umm, okay. I love it! It wasn't serious, but it was. It was fun and happy. This was hip hop's golden age.
Well, there it is. AND, that wasn't all that came out. Stay tuned for tomorrow's list:
"1990 (Part 2 - R&B)"
You won't wanna miss that!!!!
As far as music went, this was truly a special year. Looking back, I'm not even sure if there was any other year that quite matched the kinds of classic songs that came out in 1990. An for me personally, the types of songs that came out not only shaped my consciousness, but also kept me grounded in the reality that existed right in my own backyard, and provided my confused ass with plenty of joy, pain, enlightenment, and comedy.
Kiwi's 1990 Hip Hop Album Playlist (in no particular order):
Brand Nubian - One for All
Ah yes. "Step to the rear, Grand Pu is on arrival / Raised in the ghetto singin' songs called survival / Runnin' round town givin' all the girls Puba snacks / I wouldn't try to scale my style, you just might catch a cardiac..." This album weaved between the worlds of 'scoopin up the honeys,' spitkickin, and black/african consciousness, and introduced many to five percenter lingo ("Peace to the Gods..."). Some of it made no sense to me at the time, but for some reason I was able to relate to it. And the beats were filthy!
Paris - The Devil Made Me Do It
I got this record on wax, and I remember the inside sleeve, instead of the usual liner notes, had a list and description of historic black revolutionaries, and introduced me to the likes of Huey P. Newton, Malcolm X, Bobby Seale, Marcus Garvey, Assata Shakur, and so on. Paris himself sounded like a Black Panther reincarnation of Rakim: fierce, unapologetic, and powerful. And the production was probably years ahead of its time. I remember spinning at house parties and insisting on throwing on at least one Paris song during the night, just to throw people off a little. Content-wise, this album was huge in sparking my political awareness.
Ice Cube - Amerikkka's Most Wanted
Though O'Shea definitely did his thang on those early NWA and Easy E albums, as Kat Willams would say... "This sh*t right heeerre, ni**a...!" From the album cover to the very first skit to the last song, "Amerikkka's Most" was just straight up dangerous. And the fact that he had The Bomb Squad (Public Enemy) on production made it even that much more crucial of an album. Post-NWA Cube made a statement by not even mentioning his old crew's name, but you definitely knew who he was talking about when he started of with, "I heard payback's a muthaf*ckin' ni**a / that's why I'm sick of gettin treated like a goddamn stepchild / Fuck a punk cause I ain't him / You get treated to the nine-double-mm..." The album definitely went in the tape player when we got ready to roll up on someone (or more like, after got rolled up on!). And Cube didn't stop there...
Ice Cube - Kill At Will
If I remember correctly, this one came out around the same time "Boyz in the Hood" came out (which he starred in). Though this was more of an EP and felt a little incomplete, I would argue to say that "Jackin for Beats" was the first version of the mixtapes that artists put out now. And he also gave the first song to roll to the funeral with, "Dead Homiez." Now mind you, though he wasn't your prototypical 'mainstream' artist at the time, as far as entertainment, I think Cube probably set a precedent for rappers to follow for years to come.
Eric B. and Rakim - Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
Now I know alot of heads reference "Eric B for President" as the more memorable of Eric B & Rakim's classics, but "Let the Rhythm Hit Em" was actually the first of their projects I was introduced to. And frankly, the GOD Rakim goes off. "I'm the arsenal, I got artillery, lyrics of ammo / Rounds of rhythm / Then I'm 'a give 'em / piano..." Back then, I didn't even understand Rakim's relevance, all I knew was that this man could SPIT.
Low Profile - We're in This Thing Together
Awww yeah. Man I miss this duo, W.C and DJ Alladin. He actually rhymed different then how he did with Westide Connection, not so much of the multi-syllabic stuff twangy stuff. Payin' Dues was my cut too, and is actually a value (in relation to hip hop) that I live by today. Oh yeah, and DJ Alladin was a BEAST on the turntables (I think he was a DMC champ back in the day).
Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet
I think I jumped on the "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" bandwagon a little too late, so my more vivid Public Enemy memories were from this album right here. Imagine all the dance crews at my school doing routines to "Welcome to the Terrordome" and "Can't Do Nothing for you Man." It was off the hook. This album, this group, was incredibly influential in the development of my social consciousness as well. PE was to me back then what Native Guns or Immortal Technique is to kids today. The craziest thing was when Public Enemy, S1W's and all, were on this late-night show hosted by Rick Dees. I thought the revolution was gonna happen the next day! Er, not quite.
Above the Law - Livin' Like Hustlers
I don't know if I listened to ATL as much as others, BUT along with Ice Cube, Low Profile, and King Tee (didn't put out his best work, but had a couple cool songs), this was part of our L.A soundtrack. This sound just exemplified the atmosphere of the city back then. Sun up, top down, locs, lowriders...
LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out
Man, I think with everything that came out, folks were kind of over LL. After a couple flops, he was literally forgotten. With the rise of black consciousness, people were hating. But then.... "Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years!" Uncle L literally exploded back on the scene. From trunk rattlers ("Boomin' System") to battle raps ("Mama Said Knock You Out") to songs about girls ("Around the Way Girl") to songs about the police ("Illegal Search") to what is still one of my favorite joints ever: "Milky Cereal." Who remembers "Milky Cereal????" This song was filthy. A well-executed concept song utilizing the names of our favorite morning treats. The timing and metaphors were priceless. Overall, I think this album saved LL's career. And made me a fan, despite what people think.
X-Clan - To the East, Blackwards
Again, another incredibly influential album as far as my social consciousness. AND, the beats were BANGIN. Old P-funk samples, but more uptempo. And the imagery, the african garb, the walking sticks, the pink caddy, and of course, the "Red, the black, and the green! You sissseeeeeeeees!" (Rest in Peace Professor X!!!) I remember seeing the impact it had on all the Black kids at my school. I remember feeling a deep connection but not yet having that knowledge of my own people to be able to draw the parallels. I felt free, but not completely. But this album definitely helped me begin to get there.
A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
Okay, this is why I LOVED this year. You had the gangsta shit, you had the conscious shit, then you had Tribe. I remember trying to transcribe the lyrics to "Can I Kick It," and having trouble cause there were some parts that didn't make sense. "Rock and Roll to the beat of the funk fuzz?" Did I get that right? "A light filled with (trumpet sound), that's what I love?" Umm, okay. I love it! It wasn't serious, but it was. It was fun and happy. This was hip hop's golden age.
Well, there it is. AND, that wasn't all that came out. Stay tuned for tomorrow's list:
"1990 (Part 2 - R&B)"
You won't wanna miss that!!!!