Wednesday 23 April 2014

Here is a *WRONG* opinion from Complex's 90s best rap albums of the '90s list



Not only is Love U So a top 3 deep cut on Harlem World, it was also a favourite of DJ Screw and originally intended to be one of the singles from Ma$e's album until Luv Me, Luv Me by Shaggy & Janet Jackson dropped with the same interpolation of Rose Royce's Ohh Boy for a hook, causing Puffy and Bad Boy A&R Harve Pierre to scrap that idea and release Lookin' At Me instead.

True, as a single Love U So probably wouldn't have done anything Feel So Good hadn't done previously, but it does what it does and it does it like it was doing it for TV and probably would have done bigger numbers than Lookin' At Me, which is arguably Ma$e's finest hour as a solo artist but was far too weird to be a single in 1998.

Plus, everybody knows that if there is a track on Harlem World which deserved to be cut from the tracklist then it was I Need To Be.

13 comments:

David said...

The opinion that "I Need To Be" should be cut is certifiably insane. Easy album highlight. One of the most quotable songs on the album.

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

^^^^ Complex nepotism right here, folks.

Jamie said...

"Jealous Guy" is the real weak link.

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

DMX's verse from 24 Hours To Live also should have been cut.

My main problem with the Complex list is now the absence of Operation Doomsday and Street Gospel.

Anonymous said...

'now, would you be mad if i gave back your girl'

jealous guy is fantastic.

David said...

"Jealous Guys" is essential.

Nothing should be cut from Harlem World.

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

Top 10 albums which should have made the Complex list:

1. MF DOOM - Operation Doomsday
2. Suga Free - Street Gospel
3. Ice Cube - The Predator
4. Juvenile - Solja Rags
5. Onyx - All We Got Iz Us
6. DJ Quik - rhythm-al-ism
7. Akinyele - Vagina Diner
8. Young Bleed - My Balls & My Word
9. Ice-T - O.G
10. Camp Lo - Uptown Saturday Night

hotbox said...

"Amerikkka's Most Wanted" coming in at a mere #26 is ridiculous. Even more absurd is the writer saying it is a 23-track album, which is only true of the re-issue with the Kill At Will EP tacked on the end. Safe to assume most of the writers are 33 and from New York.

There are plenty of non-NY albums that got robbed like The Convicts, KAM, Threat, Da Lench Mob etc (and yes definitely Ice-T's OG LP. Nice to see 187 he wrote get a mention though.

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

And "Chopper City In The Ghetto"!

Unknown said...

That top 10 you posted is pretty on point I haven't heard street gospel in its entirety but I liked what I've heard and I'd switch out The Predator with Death Certificate.

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

Death Certificate was included fairly high in the Complex list, and you need to hear Street Gospel asap.

Would probably switch Vagina Diner for Don't Sweat The Technique. Best '90s album by a golden-era NY rapper, imo.

d said...

Chronic 2001 isnt on the list either lads.

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

2001 is in the Complex list somewhere.