Hey, my name’s Chris Terry. My friends call me “C.T.” Here are a few hip-hop and soul songs I’ve been hyped on this summer. I made a YouTube playlist so you can rock it while you read.
1. Am I A Good Man? – Them Two
From the incredibly solid rare soul comp, Numero Group’s Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label. Wonderful warm, up-front sound and cascading rhythm that reminds me of another favorite, “Fool for You” by The Impressions. While searching for this video, I saw that Band of Horses do a cover, which I assume sounds like a shoebox full of queefs.
2. Thugs Prayer – Roc Marciano
Underground headnod hit of the summer from another major label never-was. Dude makes his own RZA-ish beats and rhymes like Raekwon meets Ultramagnetic-era Kool Keith (but not as good). What a gloomy bassline. The second verse is truly touching. Pause.
3. New Heights – O.J. Simpson (Guilty Simpson & Madlib)
When I first heard this song, I got hyped on the “purple bag Crown Royal” line because I’d just bought a bottle of Crown Royal. So I played this song and put the purple bag on my cat’s head and pretended he was in the electric chair. Also check out “Robbery” off Guilty’s album “Ode to the Ghetto.”
4. Deadly Medley – Black Milk w/Royce Da 5’9” & Elzhi
Black Milk: Best underground hip-hop producer at the moment, and now showing some polish on the mic. Royce Da 5’9”: Annihilating guest spots since the first Eminem album. Elzhi: Released one of the best albums of ’08, The Preface. Detroit: Best hip-hop scene in the country. PS – You guys meant “deadly melody,” right?
5. Let ‘Em Know – Bun-B w/DJ Premier
Bun breaks from the “aging scold who thinks kids don’t do it right these days, but keeps trying to pander to their wallets” mold that he’s been in since Pimp C got locked up. DJ Premier continues to bring the best out in MCs and provide album highlights (See also: “Unbelievable” by Biggie, and whatever the song is he did on Common’s Like Water for Chocolate).
6. Return of the Mack – Mark Morrison
British guy with a head shaped like a figure eight crafts remarkably knocking song in mid-‘90s, wears leather gloves in video. Film at 11.
7. Turns Me On – Big Boi w/Sleepy Brown & Joi
Everyone got hyped on “Hey Ya” in 2003, but if you listen now, it’s clear that Speakerboxxx > The Love Below. Sir Lucious Malfoy, The Son of Inigo Montoya is a solid album too. The secret weapon on this song is the Dungeon Family’s Sleepy Brown.
8. Rainbow in the Dark – Das Racist
Grumble hipster bitch skinny jeans moan irony fart…shut up dude, shut up. Every line in this song is funny and if you listen to it more than three times you’ll begin texting the lyrics to your friends. Das Racist is to the internet what the Beastie Boys were to ‘70s pop culture.
9. Elevator Music – Curren$y
Good-natured (read: not scary for collegiate white folks) stoner rap with smooth beats. Aside from weed, this guy raps about video games and cars, two things I have no use for. But I still like listening to him. Why is that?
10. Ride – Nappy Roots
Wistful. Makes me wish I had a porch. This album’s the bittersweet soundtrack to getting dropped by your label, moving back to your hometown, and realizing that you missed being there. And to think that I dismissed these guys as a second-rate Goodie Mob when they came out ten years ago.
Next time: College Town Nostalgia