It happens all over the map and landscape of music, but it has always seemed extremely more prevalent in Hip-Hop…maybe because that’s what I listen to. The dreaded “Sophomore Slump”. I find myself scratching my head thinking… What in the hell just happened? I find myself scratching my chin thinking… Holy crap! What are they doing? Are they serious?!? I remember a big one for me back in the day… Special Ed. I mean come on 1989, “Youngest In Charge” is for real! So solid!! Classic. 1990 Ed releases “Legal”. He was kinda behind the 8 ball trying to live up to the previous, but dressing like you shop at Maurices and getting videos directed by Theodore Huxtable… ain’t cool. But this track is hot.
Pink: Special Ed – Come On, Let’s Move It (download)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Busta Rhymes is big time, really super big time and deservedly so. His old group The Leaders of the New School with Dinco D and Charlie Brown was BAM! in YO Face in 1991, hot rising stars about to take hip-hop over, their name matched their potential. 1993 The Leaders added Busta’s cousin Milo to the group and came out with T.I.M.E. Which I personally dug, but was largely shunned by critics, fans and media… I don’t know… I dig it. The group splits up due to egos, Busta moves on and the group left this sophomore effort behind.
Pink: The Leaders of the New School – Bass Is Loaded (download)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
The next song I wanted to play… lets just say I couldn’t find it, but I did find this example. Sir Mix-A-Lot, wait, hold up, it has nothing to do with “Baby Got Back” but I do have a nice remix of that one for ya one of these days. I first knew about Mix-A-Lot from “Posse on Broadway”, “Swass” and “Iron Man” back in 1988, then a year later he dropped “Seminar” Slept on a little… then blown away by the fact in 1993 a song about giant asses would make Mix-A-Lot a millionaire and drunk middle aged white people everywhere think they can rap. You’ll recognize a sample from this sophomore release.
Stink: Sir Mix-A-Lot – I Got Game (download)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Thirstin Howl III gave me his number yesterday for an interview… Be on the look out.
Love, Peace & Deep Fried Turkey Grease.
Zito-