(From Freddie Foxxx Is Here album; 1989)
(From Independent Leaders album; 1989)
Here we have the sole highlight of Freddie Foxxx's debut LP and the King Of The Beats-flipping bangeur ne plus by Naughty By Nature before they became Naughty By Nature. Two 1989 deep cut singles which rap hardcore and are hard to the core. They also share something else in common: both songs woulda been perfect inclusions on Ego Trip's The Big Playback compilation.
Thinking about it, 1989 was an excellent year for potential Ego Trip's The Big Playback-core: Atom by Main Source, What's More? by De La Soul, Your Arm's Too Short To Box With God by Lakim Shabazz, The Mack Of Rap by Markey Fresh, Dope On Plastic by Uptown, Axe Maniac by Unique, A Good Combination by Positive K, Let The Homocides Begin by Percee P & D-Nique, Freak The Funk (single mix) by Stezo, I'm The Peacemaker by Sir Ibu etc. If they were feelin' adventurous, they could even include Mac Dre's The Name by Mac Dre.
I know I'm not the only person who copped Ego Trip's The Big Playback on CD only to find out that K-Rob & Rammellzee's Beat Bop wasn't included because it was exclusive to the vinyl version. F**king fuming, m8.
Was finally able to pick up a physical copy of Ego Trip's book of rap lists last year. Only had it on the e-reader for ages because as far as I could tell, the book was out of print for a while. Truly one of the best rap books I own.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little bit sad for having missed the Ego Trip era of rap journalism, looked like the perfect combination of stupid harmless fun and rap music geekdom.
Best book about Rap, competition is none.
ReplyDeleteNaughty by Nature was a great group that time has kinda forgotten
ReplyDeleteTrue. Also kinda true of Cypress Hill and The Pharcyde.
ReplyDeleteAlways felt Ego Trip kind of did Ice-T dirty by omitting O.G. off the ‘91 albums list. Still one of the greatest books ever, though.
ReplyDeleteYer typical New York bias innit? They REALLY did Ice dirty because their single lists were missing High Rollers, Colors, Lethal Weapon and New Jack Hustler too. Never forgive action!
ReplyDeleteYour post was a joy to read. Thanks for making the topic so accessible!
ReplyDelete^^^ Good spam comment IMHO.
ReplyDelete^ ha agreed, very accessible.
ReplyDeleteI'm still geeked by the whole Big Playback, RAER DJ IVORY RANDOM RAP L@@K era and not sorry.
Unique of Axe Maniac (un)fame produced the best track on the New Style album 'Smooth Mood'. Very good beat maker as well as a decent rapper.
Smooth Mood better than Scuffin' Those Knees?????? Bob with the CONTROVERSIAL OPINION!!!
ReplyDelete