Al Gore: founder of rap music - my top 10 rap albums
Jul 31 '01
The Bottom Line A history lesson, read on...
Al Gore didn’t invent rap, but this statement is no less silly than several things I’ve heard regarding the origin of rap (more on that in a minute). Whether you love, despise, fear or misunderstand rap, it’s more popular now than ever. What was once considered a fad is now everywhere - in commercials, television shows and in songs from artists in various other types of music.
A bit of history
There is no single date or event responsible for rap music, and no, Blondie’s “Rapture” (from their 1980 release “Autoamerican”) was not the first rap song.
DJ Kool Herc is one of the people recognized as a pioneer in the early phases of rap. He started his deejaying career in the early 70’s, when instead of spinning the disco favorites, he’d take funk songs and repeat the most dance inspiring parts, which became known as the “breaks”. This technique would be taken to another level by others like Grandmaster Flash soon thereafter.
Before too long rap crews emerged like the Cold Crush Brothers, the Fantastic Five, the Funky Four Plus One and solo rappers like Kurtis Blow. The first real audiences for rap music were at block parties (think of a block party as a big picnic where the entire neighborhood gathered on a blocked off street to eat and enjoy themselves). Entertainment for a block party was typically a stereo, DJ, or band (depending on the budget and taste of the people throwing it) – but a change came to that with rappers. Before too long, kids from the neighborhood would become local celebrities and other rappers would show up and the “battle” was born. A battle is when 2 or more rappers perform (against each other) to prove their level of skill, and the onlooking audience would respond by cheering whomever they felt was the winner. Rap crews would actually get harassed by the police when they came to battle (which keep in mind was only performing), because the officers couldn’t comprehend that groups of young men could gather in their own neighborhoods (the less economically blessed sections of town typically) for any purpose other than fighting.
The year was 1979, I was in 6th grade and one of my better friends brought a little radio to school every day and we listened to a local radio station during lunch. There were 3 of us eating together when we heard this song we found hysterically funny. This little, underpowered AM radio station (then known as WNAB in Bridgeport, Connecticut) just introduced us to something bigger than any of us would ever know. The DJ “Tuff Tony” announced the name of the song and group when it was over, and that weekend I broke into my piggy bank and I went downtown to purchase the first album on my list.
[[Album #1]] Rapper’s Delight by the Sugarhill Gang (1979)
Producer and record label owner Silvia Robinson witnessed the increasing crowds showing up at block parties in the New York area and hoped to cash in on what she thought was a fad. She found some local rappers and they started work on the recording. The album was just a 12” single which had (if I remember correctly) 3 versions of the song on it. The “long version” was on the first side and the shorter, radio version and instrumental were on the other. The full version of Rapper’s Delight was over 14 minutes long.
The song was a huge success and this little 12” record went multi-platinum because it was familiar, yet brand new and also a great dance/party song. The 3 New York rappers Wonder Mike, Big Bank Hank and Master Gee show their stuff over the “borrowed” break parts from the song “Good Times” by Chic. The lyrics cover things like the guys introducing themselves, bragging, superman, food, money and more – all in an often funny way. Several early rap songs sound really dated, and though it certainly doesn’t match the styles out now – I feel it holds up pretty well.
Here’s a sampling of the lyrics from Rapper’s Delight:
Have you ever went over a friend’s house to eat
and the food just ain’t no good?
I mean the macaroni’s soggy, the peas are mushed
and the chicken tastes like wood
So you try to play it off like you think you can,
by sayin’ that you’re full
and then your friend says “momma he’s just being polite,
he ain’t finished uh uh, that’s bull”
So your heart starts pumpin' and you think of a lie
and you say that you already ate,
and your friend says, “man there’s plenty of food”
so you pile some more on your plate
While the stinky food’s steamin’ your mind starts to dreamin’
of the moment it’s time to leave
and then you look at your plate and your chicken’s slowly rottin’
into something that looks like cheese
So you say that’s it I gotta leave this place
I don’t care what these people think
I’m just sittin’ here makin’ myself nauseous
with this ugly food that stinks
So you bust out the door while it’s still closed
still sick from the food you ate
and then you run to the store for quick relief
from a bottle of kaopectate
And then you call your friend two weeks later
to see how he has been
and he says, “I understand about the food
baby bubba, but we’re still friends”.
Even though rap was still in it’s infancy, you can see the skill and work that is involved with these lyrics. The timing for this record was perfect and the sales reflect that, making this one of the most important records for the rap industry in my opinion.
-[and now, a word from our sponsor]-
A quick rant about rap, people, judging and standards:
I’ve heard people say for over 20 years now that “rap takes no talent at all” or “it’s just talking, that’s not hard”.
Wrong!
Fact #1: I have never met a human being who had no talent. Everyone has talent(s) of some kind. It takes talent to be a rapper and plenty of work. How many people actually possess the skill required to write enough lyrics (that tell complete stories and rhyme) to fill a song? An album? A career? Not everyone, that’s for sure – and certainly not most of the people pointing fingers and labeling others as “talentless”. Even if you’re handed flawless lyrics, can you deliver them rhythmically so they fit the music and move people to dance? Rappers can. How about taking one simple sound and making music with it? Can you produce an album? How about dance? Many rappers can do all of these things. I’m not trying to make rappers (or anyone for that matter) seem like an indestructible group of super beings, nor am I trying to sell rap to anyone - but it does take talent and often very hard work.
Fact #2: Just because you dislike or misunderstand something doesn’t make it “junk”. As with my first point, this applies to more than just rap, but it fits here perfectly and the more people that “get it” the better. Many people are way too quick to label, judge and dismiss music, things and other people without having the first clue what they’re talking about. You may not like rap and that’s fine, you may not understand why your kids like an artist and that’s fine too. But for crying out loud, don’t go around bashing music or people for those reasons! Eminem is an excellent example here. People frequently curse Eminem because of the words he uses. Let’s talk about Eminem for a moment, shall we? I know I used the “E” word, and people get emotional with the topic, but I actually do have a point to make. Please read the following carefully.
I don’t like Eminem as a person and I don’t like you as a person either. You know why? Because I don’t personally KNOW either of you. I don’t particularly like or dislike anyone unless I know them. How can you be judged in your personal life by what you write here? Do I know what kind of parent you are, or how loving and wonderful you might be by your write-up of a car? No. Just like people don’t know a thing about what Eminem is like as a person by his lyrics. If Eminem’s lyrics make him a “piece of crap”, does that make Stephen King a serial killer? Does it make local newsperson a child pornographer because they spoke about it? Of course not, let’s allow the same set of rules to apply to all things and people, shall we?
Eminem has: written lyrics, used foul language, made references to drugs and murder.
Eminem has never: literally killed anyone, put his own CD in your home, been standing behind your child forcing them into doing anything, or forced himself on you, or anyone.
Eminem writes, records and performs songs live, period. He’s not forcing you or your kids to watch or listen to him. If you don’t like his music, change the station. If your kids like his music and you don’t, get used to it – your parents probably didn’t like your music either. If your kids like his music and you have a problem with the words he uses, that doesn’t make him garbage – that simply means your job of parenting is going to be tested. If your child takes everything Eminem says literally, maybe you didn’t convey the concept of fantasy versus reality clearly enough – and if this is the case, never let them go to the movies or read a book. I constantly see people swear right in front of their kids, or say things like “I’ll kill that guy” while the kids are right there. You know what, I don’t like it – but I don’t write the newspaper or call radio stations and say this person should be banned from the planet.
If there’s a type of music you don’t like, just say you don’t like it. If your favorite artist releases something that differs from your expectations, it doesn’t mean it “shows no talent” or “they suck now” or “they sold out”. If you don’t like something about music just say, “I don’t like it because” it’s too loud, or too soft, or the lyrics offend me, or for whatever reason that’s true, don’t judge the entire genre or artist because one song or style doesn’t fit you. Imagine if we (the “regular” people) were judged by the same criteria we use on artists. You’d go to work one day, flub a sale or forget to fill in the box that says “sign here” and wham, half the office considers you an idiot from that day on. Wouldn’t be right, would it? Artists are people no different than us, who have differing opinions and have bad days. Aside from unspeakable crimes, one event, period of time or opinion doesn’t define you as a person - so why can’t our fellow human beings (musicians, writers, artists and the like) receive the same respect?
My apologies for the rant which isn’t fully related to my top 10 rap albums, it does fit in my mind (though I tend to get carried away) and I think one person calling something (or someone) “trash” simply because it doesn’t perfectly fit whatever mold created in said persons mind is a joke. I understand my words above won’t win me any friends here, and that’s fine – rate, block or distrust as you see fit. Back to the music.
[[Album #2]] Freedom by Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five (1980)
What a fun song! When people mention true old school rap, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five do get mentioned, but for the song “The Message” (1982). I’ve never heard the song “Freedom” mentioned by anyone other than my small circle of friends I had at the time this record came out. Freedom was also a 12” single which had the full version of the song on one side and the instrumental version on the other. Why have I only been writing about 12” singles so far? Because, at the time these were the entire release – full length albums with multiple songs on each side virtually didn’t exist in rap.
In my mind, Freedom is a masterpiece in early rap. With light, party oriented lyrics and good music, this song moves well. The music has a great pace with plenty of drums, bass, horns (who said rap was only drum machines) and kazoos. That’s right - kazoos, what is more fun and silly than a kazoo?
As with many of the early rap songs, there’s plenty of bragging, the guys let you know their zodiac signs, and it doesn’t stay focused on one subject too long through the just over 8 minutes it lasts. Here are the lyrics that start it off:
We don’t care if your age is ten
or if you’re a senior citizen
because we got a beat that just won’t end
so you better get ready to rock my friends
You see we got some news that you can use
an offer, that you can’t refuse
we’re givin’ a party and you’ve got to come
because you’re the one.
Red, yellow, black, white or brown
in our own way, we can all get down
so just take your time and enjoy yourself
and you’ll rock as good as anyone else.
I’m listening to this right now and I absolutely can’t sit perfectly still, if that gives you any indication of the overall feeling of this song. It’s definitely one of my favorite rap songs.
[[Album #3]] Kurtis Blow by Kurtis Blow (1980)
This album is another milestone in rap, being the first to ever be released on a major record label (Mercury). I picked this album more for it’s value in the history of rap than it’s excellence overall, because in my opinion it can’t hold it’s own as a complete release as I feel the others on my list do.
The songs that stand out for me on this album are The Breaks and Hard Times. I feel the song Christmas Rappin’ is also worth a mention since it was the first single released and it gave rap fans something of their own to play around Christmas time. Here is the complete listing of songs on the album:
01) Rappin' Blow
02) The Breaks
03) Way Out West
04) Throughout Your Years
05) Hard Times
06) All I Want in This World
07) Takin' Care of Business
08) Christmas Rappin'
09) The Breaks
Many people credit Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five and their song “The Message” with being the first rap release that dealt with sociopolitical issues, but “Hard Times” by Kurtis Blow actually came 2 years earlier - though I find The Message has more of an edge lyrically and more enjoyable to listen to. Here’s how Hard Times begins:
Spoken:
Q: Yo Kurt man, you got some bank?
A: Yo my brother, I ain’t really got it like that… What we got here, is hard times
Q: I hear you brother, what’s up with that?
The rap begins:
Hard times spreadin' just like flu
you know I caught it just like you
prices goin' up, the dollar’s down
you got me fallin’ to the ground
If it wasn’t for the actual rapping it would be tough to label some of Kurtis Blow’s songs as rap, due to the accompanying music. A later release “Starlife” is very musically oriented with piano, guitar and more. When you hear about old school rap, you may hear the name Kurtis Blow thrown in and never really know why, or who he is, now you do. He’s a pioneer in the rap industry who deserves every mention he gets and then some.
[[Album #4]] Run DMC by Run-D.M.C. (1984)
Another historical album for rap, the self titled debut by Run DMC opened a lot of doors for other rappers, and really started the ball rolling for the popularity of the genre. The first song on this album “Hard Times” is a cover (of sorts) of the song by Kurtis Blow. Though many of the words are the same, Run DMC definitely add enough to make it their own. The full track list is:
01) Hard Times
02) Rock Box
03) Jam-Master Jay
04) Hollis Crew
05) Sucker M.C.'s
06) It's Like That
07) Wake Up
08) 30 Days
09) Jay's Game
Rock Box was the first real rap-rock crossover song and it got the attention of many who never heard rap before. It’s also the first place the classic line, “Calvin Kline’s no friend of mine, don’t want nobody’s name on my behind” was used. The album is musically quite simple and drum heavy, the lyrics and rapping style are brilliant and unique. Run DMC are legendary in rap and with good reason – these guys have style. I feel the outstanding tracks on the album are Rock Box and Sucker M.C.’s. I don’t think this record is their strongest (the 3rd album “Raising Hell” is), but if you want a piece of the foundation that today’s rap is built on, this release is a must.
[[Album #5]] Licensed to Ill by the Beastie Boys (1986)
Open the floodgates, rap reaches suburban kids and MTV in a big way with this release by the one time hardcore punk band. This was the first rap album to hit #1 on the charts, selling millions of copies. Many have heard the singles “Fight for Your Right” and “No Sleep till Brooklyn” but there’s plenty more to this album than those songs.
At first glance it almost seemed like these little, pale, obnoxious guys were mocking rap and the style then associated with it. Before very long however, the Beastie Boys had the respect of the rap community and more fans than they probably expected because it was undeniable, these boys had skills.
Licensed to Ill is a strong album with good beats, well crafted (yet often silly) lyrics and more than a couple songs that really stand out. A few that still really do it for me are The New Style, She’s Crafty and Paul Revere. I don’t dislike any song on this album, but the 3 listed, I feel, are the strongest both rhythm and rhyme wise. Here’s the full list of songs:
01) Rhymin & Stealin
02) The New Style
03) She's Crafty
04) Posse in Effect
05) Slow Ride
06) Girls
07) Fight for Your Right
08) No Sleep Till Brooklyn
09) Paul Revere
10) Hold It Now, Hit It
11) Brass Monkey
12) Slow and Low
13) Time to Get Ill
Some other Beastie Boys songs I’m rather fond of are Shake Your Rump, Hey Ladies, So What’cha Want, Sure Shot, Root Down, Sabotage, Body Movin’, Intergalactic and Three MC’s and One DJ.
[[Album #6]] B.A.D. by LL Cool J (1987)
Bigger and Deffer was LL’s second album and started to show rap fans that the success of his first release “Radio” was no fluke. At the time of its release this record was amazing, the songs worked really well and LL Cool J, in my opinion, is one of the most talented rappers and lyricists in the business. What makes the rhymes on this release even more powerful is the fact that he was still a teenager when it was released. Unfortunately, time has taken its toll on this album as it sounds very dated – the lyrics now sound cliché, the beats and rhythms feel uninspired.
All things considered, this remains one of my favorite rap albums. Lyrically I think “My Rhyme Ain’t Done” is the strongest on this record – it’s a series of fictitious stories involving LL and various characters in history and fiction that flows very well. Other great songs are I’m Bad, Go Cut Creator Go and The Do Wop. Another good song that some of you might even remember is a rap ballad / love song called “I Need Love”. Many said this was the first rap love song, but it wasn’t. What’s funny about that is many people knew the first one because it was a very popular song called “One Love” by Whodini, which was released a year earlier. But, the LL song was written so well and was such a huge success that people completely forgot Whodini. Here’s the full listing for this record:
01) I'm Bad
02) Kanday
03) Get Down
04) The Bristol Hotel
05) My Rhyme Ain't Done
06) .357-Break It on Down
07) Go Cut Creator Go
08) The Breakthrough
09) I Need Love
10) Ahh, Let's Get Ill
11) The Do Wop
12) On the Ill Tip
[[Album #7]] By All Means Necessary by Boogie Down Productions (1988)
1988 was a huge year for rap, and one of the major contributors was B.D.P.. Not only is this an amazing record but it’s also one that might not have ever existed because B.D.P. DJ Scott LaRock was murdered the year before this release. But KRS-One is a brilliant and strong man who went on despite his loss, and continues to raise the bar for other rappers.
KRS-One is incredibly underrated as a rapper and lyricist by the general public, because learning and pride of self isn’t “cool”, and he has no gimmick. Those in the know will tell you just how serious this man is. This record is a fine example of his skill and the truth is I would have paid full album price for the song “My Philosophy” all by itself – it’s that good.
Other great tracks on the record are those remaining in the first 4, Ya Slippin’, Stop The Violence and Illegal Business. The entire listing is:
01) My Philosophy
02) Ya Slippin'
03) Stop The Violence
04) Illegal Business
05) Nervous
06) I'm Still #1
07) Part Time Suckers
08) Jimmy
09) T'Cha - T'Cha
10) Necessary
If you like rap and you don’t own at least this album with KRS-One on it, you’re depriving yourself of hearing a true master.
Another great album to check out is 1995’s “KRS-One”.
[[Album #8]] It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy (1988)
I probably wouldn’t recommend this as someone’s first exposure to rap. Someone who hasn’t digested a fair amount of rap might become annoyed by the noises looped in with some of Public Enemy’s songs. With that out of the way, Public Enemy is very high on my favorites list because of their great beats, rhymes, use of non-musical things to give the music depth, and the attitude and presence of Chuck D.
Almost every Public Enemy album is great, but I feel this one has the most to offer overall and is also a must for any serious rap fan. Public Enemy is an entity that demands attention - if the music doesn’t get to you, the strong voice and messages from Chuck D probably will. If the songs somehow miss your senses, there’s still the antics of the human cartoon character Flavor Flav, dancing around like he’s having a seizure and dressed in colors that make a box of crayons envious, with a clock hanging around his neck so large you’ll know the time even if you can’t read.
The songs on this album are:
01) Countdown to Armageddon
02) Bring the Noise
03) Don't Believe the Hype
04) Cold Lampin' With Flavor
05) Terminator X to the Edge of Panic
06) Mind Terrorist
07) Louder Than a Bomb
08) Caught, Can We Get a Witness
09) Show 'Em Whatcha Got
10) She Watch Channel Zero?!
11) Night of the Living Baseheads
12) Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos
13) Security of the First World
14) Rebel Without a Pause
15) Prophets of Rage
16) Party for Your Right to Fight
My favorites are Bring the Noise, Don’t Believe the Hype, Louder Than a Bomb, Night of the Living Baseheads, Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos, and Rebel Without a Pause.
[[Album #9]] Straight out of Compton by NWA (1988)
The second release by NWA, “Straight Out of Compton” was the third massive release from 1988 on my list, and spread the exact opposite message of the other two. This album delivered plenty of heart, attitude and style without having ultra slick production – and though I don’t think the entire album has the same ferocity that the first three songs do, there is no denying the impact this record had on rap while supercharging the careers of rap icons Eazy-E, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube.
If you’re looking for a ‘safe’ rap album for the kids, keep looking - this release is packed with profanity, images of shootouts, raising hell, drinking and “the N word”. But if you’re a rap fan who’s old enough to make your own decisions and don’t own this, it’s one of the rap essentials so pick it up. Unless of course you’re highly impressionable because simply listening to this doesn’t make you a “gangsta”. I know there are a bunch of suburban kids who would disagree - but trust me, be comfortable with who you are and don’t even start to pretend, because there are plenty of real thugs out there that have no problem with making fertilizer out of you in a heartbeat. Rap is music and should be treated as such, so pop in the CD, loosen up and enjoy.
My picks for this album are, F*ck tha Police, Straight Outta Compton, Gangsta Gangsta and Express Yourself, which saw it’s share of rotation on MTV and radio, helping catapult this record into platinum sales. The full track listing is:
01) Straight Outta Compton
02) F*ck Tha Police
03) Gangsta Gangsta
04) If It Ain't Ruff
05) Parental Discretion Iz Advised
06) 8 Ball
07) Something Like That
08) Express Yourself
09) Compton's N the House
10) I Ain't Tha 1
11) Dopeman
12) Quiet on Tha Set
13) Something 2 Dance 2
[[Album #10]] The Chronic by Dr. Dre (1992)
Before actually listening to this album I felt it might be to records what the spin-off is to television, just a fragment of the successful original (NWA) with no legs of it’s own to stand on. Well, I was wrong and then some. Dr. Dre is a fine rapper, but really shines as a producer - The Chronic has a great sound with huge hooks, soulful backing vocals and nice use of instruments which basically transformed the sound of “west coast” rap. The music and laid back rapping style on this record make it simply ooze with just that, style.
Lyrically, well, it’s ‘gangsta’ rap, so there’s plenty of violence, drinking, drugs and sex. Snoop Dog, with his unique voice and style, sees plenty of time on this record which only adds to the style points. My favorite tracks are numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5 which are below in the full track listing:
01) The Chronic (Intro)
02) F*ck Wit Dre Day
03) Let Me Ride
04) The Day the N*ggaz Took Over
05) Nuthin' But a "G" Thang
06) Deeez Nuuuts
07) Lil' Ghetto Boy
08) A N*gga Witta Gun
09) Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat
10) The $20 Sack Pyramid
11) Lyrical Gangb*ng
12) High Powered
13) The Doctor's Office
14) Stranded on Death Row
15) The Roach
16) B*tches Ain't Sh*t
Overall I think this is an excellent record but it’s not without what I consider filler. Similar to a Chris Rock comedy album, this has skits (like #10, “$20 Sack Pyramid”), which I feel only take away from the potency of the release. Granted, they may be humorous for the first few listens, but ultimately get skipped in my player.
This list is not in order of anything but year. When I feel so strongly about numerous things I have difficulty picking a favorite. These releases have all made varying impacts on the industry but have certainly done the trick for me, vibrating my speakers more times than I can calculate. Some of my picks have enjoyed tremendous popularity, others virtually none – but I feel the one thing they all share is being more than deserving of at least this mention and the attention of any rap fan they’ve yet to touch.
Quick note: I for the first time heard a song called “Influence” by a group called “Jurassic 5” not too long ago. Nice! Check them out if you’ve never heard of them (I feel so old being so late to hear them). Alright, enough – that’s my rap picks.
My humble thanks for reading this, I hope it’s useful information for someone, somewhere.
-Dennis
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
dee67
|
|
Member: Dennis
Location: CT
Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 36 members
About Me:
Wow, this place has gone down hill :)
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.