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)

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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)

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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)

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Thirstin Howl III gave me his number yesterday for an interview… Be on the look out.

Love, Peace & Deep Fried Turkey Grease.

Zito-