".....The kid was nervous and flinching. And little shorty with the 3-8, yo, he was inchin. Closer and closer, put the gun to his head. Shorty was down to catch a body instead. Money was scared so he panicked. Took off his link and his rings and ran frantic. But shorty said, "Now" pulled the trigger and stepped. It was nothing -- He did it just to get a rep." A lot of Guru's lyrics were typical 'My Kung Fu is stronger' type stuff, but "Just to Get A Rep" alone is enough to put Guru in the class of great lyricists. Re: 3rd Bass Their first record is quite bumpin, but Pete Nice always sounded like a first class poser, IMHO. MC Serch was pretty cool, though, and seemed to take himself much less seriously -- while still being a better and more serious rapper. (Plus, Serch was part of the great tradition of overweight hip hoppers who had some funky moves.) But in the grand scheme of things, they just don't stack up against history (again, IMHO). I could have a whole second top ten ( and then some ) before I'd put them on: Jungle Brothers, LL, Cypress Hill, the Jurassic 5, Stetsasonic, Kool Moe Dee, the Pharcyde, Del, Snoop, EPMD, etc.
I forgot to mention Ghetto Boys They were doing it in the South way before Outkast, Master P and the Cash Money crew. "Mind Playing Tricks On Me" has stood the test of time and I loved the use of "Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta" in Office Space. Also forgot Slick Rick. And cj, good call on Jurassic 5.
As for my top 10, it's tough. This is just off the top of my head...I'm sure if I looked at my CD's I'd come up with something different. 1) Digable Planets 2) The Roots 3) A Tribe Called Quest 4) De La Soul 5) Common 6) Mos Def 7) Talib Kweli 8) Del 9) Gangstarr 10) Pharcyde Honorable Mention (underrated crew that you guys haven't mentioned yet): Boot Camp Click
well, they may not have the longevity of some of the others mentioned...i'd have to throw Cyprus Hill up there.
I got into the BCC when I was in high school...I'm glad to see they're getting some love. I think I'm going to break out some Smif n Wessun
I'm glad they changed their name back from <shudder> Coco Brovas. Another top 20 mention: Jeru the Damaja - brought out a completely different side of Premier, if my revisionist history is correct.
im a bit late, but heres my list 1.Bone Thugs N Harmony 2.Eazy E (r.i.p) 3.Rest of N.W.A 4.Snoop Dogg 5.Biggie 6.Tupac 7.Twista 8.The Game 9.B.G Knocc out/dresta 10.Ice T thats my list, many would disagree but idc, i like all them
I've always thought of "The Mall" as a satire song, not meant to be taken seriously. The fact that many other Gang Starr songs criticise materialism, may confirm this...