My Joints

Music…aww music, was it really better when I was younger, or does it just seem that way. Like parents telling kids stories about walking barefoot 10 miles to school uphill both ways?!? Is the degradation in quality of music over exaggerated……I think not, especially in Hip-Hop. Anyhow when it comes to music I am a Hip-Hop head, hands down. Yes I love and am passionate about many different genres, but when it comes down to what I love and buy, and rock in my car, it’s (insert Premier scratch here…) Hip-Hop!

Here I’ve broken down some of my favorite songs in each of the genres:



Hip-Hop

Pete Rock & CL Smooth

Pete Rock & CL Smooth They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)
This is Hip-Hop at its prime for me. The horns, the chorus like voices in the back, the drum arrangement, the break in the intro, it is without a doubt the best Hip-Hop track of all time!

Souls of Mischief

Souls of Mischief ’93 ‘Til Infinity

Takes me back to summers in high school. Just that classic have fun, love hip-hop and lounge track. Number two on my list.



A Tribe Called Quest

A Tribe Called Quest Scenario (Original & RMX), Buggin’ Out, Award Tour & Electric Relaxation

‘Scenario’ nuff said! ‘Buggin Out’ a killer album cut which made it on to the 2nd half of the Jazz video, Phife’s “yo”, when he kicks into the track is classic!


Notorious B.I.G.

One More Chance (All Versions), Juicy, Unbelievable, Dreams & Big Poppa

It’s Biggie, this list could probably be much longer.

Lords Of the Underground

Chief Rocka

Again from that golden era of Hip-Hop, just a classic Marley Marl production.

Special Ed

Special Ed I Got It Made, The Mission & Come On, Let’s Move It

Without a doubt one of my favorite MC’s of all time. I used to have posters of this dude in my high school locker! He kills it on the mic, one of the best storytellers, and yes he is my idol, numero uno!


Kanye West

Kanye West Get Em High

Put this track against any era, and it still kills. Talib, Common, and Kanye destroy it over one of Kanye’s best beats!




Nas

Nas Represent, N.Y. State Of Mind & Nas Is Like

Two of the three come from the best Hip-Hop album of all time, 'Illmatic'. What do they all have in common, Preemo on the boards, what more can I say?



Immortal Technique

Immortal Technique You Never Know

This song is like an emotional rollercoaster. Probably the deepest Hip-Hop song I have ever heard. Jean Grae on the hook smokes it! I love it, he just spits sick shit, and drops it on every topic from government/politics, poverty, conspiracy theories, racism, to wack MC’s,


Mobb Deep

Shook Ones Pt. II & Back At You

Shook can’t be left off this list, and ‘Back At You’ from the “Sunset Park” soundtrack is one of those underground classics. The sped up Isaac Hayes sample, all filtered down gives that bassline a memorable sound.

Main Source

Main Source Looking At The Front Door & Live At The BBQ

Two classics, Nas makes his MC debut on 'BBQ', and 'Looking At The Front Door' is just that have fun wearing your button up polka dot shirt, with Ewings, and that slanted afro Hip-Hop era!



Ahmad

Ahmad Back In The Day

A song that hits you inside no matter how hard you are, taking you back to your younger years. No matter how old you are, this beat, and lyrics takes you to the days of lil’ responsibility, growing up and havin’ fun!



Gang Starr

Gang Starr DWYCK

DWYCK is number three, in my top three Hip-Hop joints of all time. Primo’s cuts, with cameos from Nice N Smooth make this a classic party joint. “Aww wee-wee I say Muhammad Ali”.



Outkast

Outkast So Fresh So Clean

Does It get any smoother than the ATLiens on this one.




Talib Kweli

Talib Kweli Get By

Kanye destroys the beat, and Talib gives you real talk.


De La Soul

Roller Skating Jam

This Instant Funk Sample plays wickedly into De La’s hippie easy goin’ flow. Not to mention the catchy vocal hook. The lil’ breakdown at the beginning with the zigga zigga is also nice.

Tribe, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers (Native Tongues)

Buddy Buddy

I remember this song from when I was in Grade 8 or 9. This is when guest appearances on songs were done properly. Monie (yo where she at, no really where she at?! ), she comes in nicely, and the “hey child things are gonna get easier” lil’ singalong hook smoothes out a track that is already Butta! The Heartbeat break has been used and abused, but done to perfection on this one.

Naughty By Nature

Naughty By Nature Uptown Anthem

This was the main joint from the 'Juice' soundtrack, and when Treach drops the "hey" off the sick Piano intro it makes you wanna lace up your Timberland’s, put on your freshest 100 Mile Jeans, throw on your Carhartt jacket, and go swing a baseball bat at someone! Guard Your Grill knuckle up!

Common Sense

Common Sense I Used To Love H.E.R.

Lyrically is there anything more insightful?




Royce Da 5’9

Royce Da 5' 9 Boom

Royce gets nowhere near the credit he deserves. Primo and him have produced a few classics, but this is the cream of the crop!


Masta Ace

Masta Ace Good Ol Love, Beautiful & Nostalgia

All three tracks are more recent from Ace’s collection, and he has done mad classics like 'Music Man', 'Jeep Ass', and 'I.N.C. Ride', but these three are still my fav’s! 'A Long Hot Summer' I still think is a crazy slept on CD. 'Nostalgia' is much newer, and just pure DRRRTY!


DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Summertime

Timeless and classic, and no I don’t care if he did ‘Get Jiggy With It’ and ‘Switch’ and ‘Miami’, I won’t hold it against him.



Dilated Peoples

Dilated Peoples Worst Comes To Worst

Alchemist drops the best beat he’s ever done!






Eric B. & Rakim

Eric B. & Rakim Paid In Full

"Thinkin' of A Masterplan..." Obviously so many classics from this MC. But the drums, with RA's vocals just tear into the track, makin' this one of the all time best.



R&B

    Hi-Five – I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)
    112 – Only You (All Mixes)
    Tammy Lucas – Is It Good To You
    Bobby Brown – Don’t Be Cruel & Every Little Step
    Bubba - I Like Your Style
    Zhane – Hey Mr. DJ
    BBD – Poison
    New Edition – Candy Girl
    Ralph Sensitivity – Sensitivity
    Jade – Don’t Walk Away & I Wanna Love You
    Mary J. Blige – Real Love, Reminisce, I Love You (RMX) & Family Affair
    SWV – Anything (Wu Remix), I’m So Into You, Right Here (Lord Finesse RMX)
    Brand New Heavies feat N’dea Davenport – Never Stop
    Mint Condition – Pretty Brown Eyes
    Guy – Let’s Chill
    Wrecks N Effect – Rump Shaker
    Blackstreet – U Blow My Mind (Craig Mack RMX)
    Tony Toni Tone – Feels Good, Boys & Girls & Let’s Get Down
    Janet Jackson – Escapade, Pleasure Principle & Let’s Wait A While
    Aaliyah – Back & Forth & One In A Million
    Gina Thompson – The Things That You Do (Bad Boy RMX)
    Mona Lisa – Can’t Be Wasting My Time
    Alicia Keys & Maxwell – too many songs to mention!

Old Skool & House

Inner City

Inner City Big Fun

I remember when I first heard of IC. It was probably Grade 8, and a friend had gone to the UK and came back with their cassette. Funny enough they are actually from Detroit, but first blew big overseas. It's that really big open fun vocal house era, where strong vocalist really drove the track, similar to Ten City.

Soul Searcher

Soul Searcher Can't Get Enough

The vocals are bananas on this one! The soulful/almost disco inspired track leaves you drooling from the strong vocal lead. Truly the way house music should be enjoyed! It doesn't matter where I am, when I hear this one you can't help but just feel good!

    Madonna – Into The Groove
    MJ – Rock With You, Wanna Be Startin Something, Baby Be Mine, Billie Jean
    Debbie Gibson – Out Of The Blue
    Lisa Lisa & The Cult Jam – I Wonder If I take You Home
    Whispers - Rock Steady
    The Jets – Crush On You
    Nightcrawlers – Push The Feeling On
    Robin S. – Show Me Love
    Ce Ce Peniston – Finally
    Lil’ Louis – Hot For You
    Black Box – Everybody
    Nu Shooz – I Can’t Wait
Bhangra

Premi

Premi Oh Tina Oh Tina & Gidha Pa Nikiye

Both of these just massive classics. Whether it's the tumbi in 'Tina', which makes the dance floor erupt, or the crazy melody line in 'Gidha Pa Nikiye', both are certified party bangers! "Ni Gidha" <clap clap>, "Ni Gidha" <clap clap>.



Lehmber Hussainpuri

Lehmber Hussainpuri Das Ja

This fully blew up Lehmber from being one of a million 'desi' artists, to being da man in Bhangra. You can't deny this track, I know 'Mundian To Bach Ke', and 'Seeti' are all great songs, but I would take this song any day over the others.



Panjabi MC

Dhol Jageero Da

No one has done more on a production level, and consistently making hot tracks than this dude. But without a doubt 'Dhol Jageero Da' is his ultimate creation. The long vocal intro, then the riff hits, just sick, sick, sick!"

Heera

Heera Melna De Naal Ayee Mitro

This is Bhangra in its most stripped down raw version. You hear a bass line? Is there even a kick drum in it? There is not even a dhol line in the track, yet it is one of the best songs of all time. Heera's writing was impeccable, they hooked you with nice percussion and catchy melodies.

Malkit

Malkit Kurri Garam Jayee

Wow, almost 30 years later this still kills. That's what you call longevity. When the beat drops and you hear him drop his vocals, it's over!




Dhol Blaster & Music Blasters

Mega Mixes

Both of these albums did absolutely the best mega mix tracks of all time. All of them about 10 mins in length just cover the best vocals from all the classics.