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by ndsipa_pomu 1043 days ago
Not knowing Rakim would be fighting talk round my way.

A friend asked me a while ago to give him a list of the top ten (or fifteen) hip hop tracks that are important to me or the development of hip hop. I wasn't sure whether to include Last Poets as one of the first "rap" groups or whether Gil Scott-Heron should be considered the jazz ancestor. However, I then got stuck around the Tribe Called Quest and Busta Rhymes era.

Obviously, "Follow The Leader" was my choice of Rakim track, but I'm having trouble with picking a single Tribe track - should really be the whole of Low End Theory along with a cheat sheet of the significant jazz samples that Q-Tip used.
2 comments
chiefalchemist 1043 days ago
Because it samples Grace Jones' "Slave to the Rhythm", I would have to go with "Bonita Applebum" (UK Remix). OK, maybe there are better ATCQ efforts but the vibe, sample and length (9+ minutes) make it a gem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXeJA5plkD8

p.s. While there are so many memorable Rakim tracks and lyrics, I always like to point out the overlooked "What's on Your Mind". It's fookin' poetic genius. The images so vivid.

The line about Liz Claiborne...you can smell it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWlm2E4fb7E

Edit: Video w/ lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ENkIho8m4

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harrylove 1043 days ago
If I had to pick one ATCQ track that satisfies the condition, I'd pick "Jazz (We've Got)" which has a couple of samples from "Green Dolphin Street" plus the drums from "Don't Change Your Love".
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ndsipa_pomu 1043 days ago
I was more thinking of choosing between Check The Rhime (Grover Washington Jr. and a sublime use of Minnie Ripperton) as it's got such a kicking beat or Scenario (Brother Jack McDuff and a bit of Hendrix) due to its influence and being such a stand-out introduction to Busta Rhymes.

Or Award Tour (Charles Earland, Weldon Irvine) or maybe just cheat and go for Excursions and Buggin Out (what a way to start an album).

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giantrobot 1043 days ago
Fuck. You guys made me want to grab my ATCQ albums out of the garage. My ears will be far happier than my lower back.

*shakes fist*

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chiefalchemist 1043 days ago
Mind if I drop by...and break into your garage? :)
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giantrobot 1043 days ago
You can dig through the top layer of junk. It'll save my back for going through the second layer.
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harrylove 1043 days ago
Agree on all fronts. Would also add Oh My God just for the Busta Rhymes inclusion.
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