After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.
In addition to the occasional series of CDs I had burned in order to keep abreast of new music, I had created a bunch of genre-specific mixes that could be used both in the car and at the gym. This week we will take a look at the second disc covering the world of rap and hip hop music, with a very strong focus on the late 80s and early 90s. So, without further ado, I present Rap, volume 2.
Positive K – I Got A Man
The one hit wonder peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1993.
iTunes stats: 8 plays, most recently on 8/22/2012
Nelly – Ride Wit Me
This hit from 2001 has not aged particularly well.
iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 1/10/2009
Eminem – Lose Yourself
Spent 12 weeks at #1, won 2 Grammy awards, and won an Oscar.
iTunes stats: 20 plays, most recently on 2/25/2013
Naughty By Nature – O.P.P.
According to Allmusic, “there was not a bigger, more contagious crossover radio smash in the autumn of 1991.”
iTunes stats: 6 plays, most recently on 3/29/2013
Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back
The video was briefly banned by MTV before it became a huge sensation.
iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 2/6/2013
Onyx – Slam
Released on May 11, 1993 it was Onyx’s breakthrough single, making it to #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was the group’s second straight single to make it to #1 on the Rap charts.
iTunes stats: 12 plays, most recently on 2/18/2013
The Fat Boys and Chubby Checker – The Twist
The rap version of Chubby Checker’s hit song reached #2 in the UK, #16 in the US, and #1 in Germany and Switzerland.
iTunes stats: 4 plays, most recently on 1/7/2011
Run-DMC – Walk This Way
The Aerosmith cover is often credited as helping break rap into mainstream pop music, as it was the first rap song to hit the Top 5 in The Billboard Hot 100,
iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 2/21/2013
Coolio featuring LV – Gangsta’s Paradise
The biggest-selling single of 1995 was featured on the Dangerous Minds soundtrack.
iTunes stats: 14 plays, most recently on 1/28/2013