Hip Hop Anonymous

Track: Gucci Gucci

Artist: Kreayshawn

Album: Somethin’ Bout Kreay

Favorite Lines:

Oakland City represent/address me as your majesty

Yeah, you can kiss the ring/but you can never touch the crown

B*tch you ain’t no Barbie/I see you work at Arby’s/number 2, supersize/hurry up I’m starving

Gnarly, radical/on the block I’m magical

I’m cooler than the fridge and the freezer/I’m snatching all your b*tches at my leisure

Young, rich, and flash/I be where the cash be

I got the swag and it’s pumpin’ out my ovaries 

Comments: Although Kreayshawn is probably somewhat serious about her career, my love for this song is purely based on comedy.  That being said, the track is well produced, has a corky but awesome sample and her rhymes are super witty.  What’s more she’s a white, female rapper—quite the rarity, in case you haven’t noticed.  Although she certainly isn’t the poster child for the NorCal rap scene, I can’t post this without noting that this is an example of ‘Hyphy’ rap, or the unique brand of rap originating in the bay area.  More on that later.

Track: Mo Money Mo Problems

Artist: Notorious B.I.G

Album: Ready To Die

Favorite Lines:

Comments: The only thing more classic than this track is the ABSURD music video which features a very young Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs and B.I.G himself sporting futuristic, inflatable, neon yellow jump suits and oversized goggles.  Oh 90s hip hop fashion.  A staple in the VPH, I may or may not have choreographed a dance number to this for the talent show at all girls sleep away camp c. 1996.

Track: Welcome Back

Artist: Ma$e

Album: Welcome Back

Favorite Lines:

Tryin’ to find a soulmate/you end up gettin’ so tired

I make my money man without the coca/livin’ la vida without the loca

Comments: Ma$e was somewhat of a rapping big shot in the early 90s.  Then, he left the game to become a man of God.  Most hip hop fans would judge me for liking him period.  What does it say about me that my two favorite Ma$e songs are tracks he released after becoming a minister?  Also, this sample is sweet—bonus points if you know what it’s originally from!

Track: Hypnotize

Artist: Notorious B.I.G

Album: Life After Death

Favorite Lines:

At my arraignment/note for the plaintiff/your daughters tied up in the Brooklyn basement

Face it not guilty/that’s how i stay filthy

Escargot/my car go/swiftly, one-sixty

Wreck it buy a new one/your crew run run run your crew run run

Comments: Another classic from Biggie Smalls.  The hook is bomb and he’s just. so. smooth.

Track: All Things Go

Artist: Chiddy Bang

Album: The Preview

Favorite Lines:

Say hello to the game/the people know my name/and do they really love us or is this just a a fling?

This that band new spontaneous/dope flow intraveneous

Miscellaneous grinding/better late than never/I’m calling it perfect timing

But we gonna have a little bit of fun/and when it’s all done/you throw your sneaks up and call it a good run

I admit that I would never rather them burn me/I don’t know where I’m headed but I know it’s a journey

Comments: Chiddy Bang isn’t quite underground, but certainly isn’t mainstream.  Maybe the only good thing to come out of my time in Philly.  Also, very witty, intelligent lyrics and awesome samples.

Track: Swagga Like Us

Artist: Jay-Z, T.I. , Lil Wayne, Kanye West

Album: Paper Trail

Favorite Lines:

I can’t teach you my swag/You can pay for school but you can’t buy class

The single best verse of all time:

Verses autobiographical/absolutely classical/the last thing I’m worried about is what another rapper do

Ain’t nobody hot as me even if they rap they ass off/blast off and have outstanding qualities 

Sell alotta records/I respect and salute that/But spitting real life on hot beats I’m the truth at

You kick it like me no exaggeration necessary/living revolutionary, nothing less than legendary

Gangsta shit hereditary, got it from my Dad/flow colder than February with extraordinary swag

Comments: In addition to having the best single best verse of all time, this track is an insane collaboration.  Add to that a sweet M.I.A sample and you have a pretty awesome track.

Track: Young Forever

Artist: Jay-Z & Mr. Hudson

Album: The Blue Print III

Favorite Lines:

Just a picture perfect day that lasts a whole lifetime/And it never ends all we have to do is hit rewind

Do you get the picture yet?/I’m painting you a portrait of young

Comments: The Joan Baez song “Forever Young” is a family favorite.  The Youth Group version was my high school graduation song and this song came out the spring I graduated from college. It’s also a great sample, and Jay at his best.

Track: Otis

Artist: Jay-Z & Kanye West

Album: Watch The Thrown

Favorite Lines:

I invented swag

Photo shoot fresh/lookin’ like wealth/I’m ‘bout to call the paparazzi on myself

Everything’s for sale/I’ve got 5 passports/I’m never goin’ to jail

Comments: Arguably the best rap song since Juicy.  Unreal sampling.  When Otis was first leaked, Hot 107 in New York played it on repeat for over three hours.  Also, they destroy a Maybach in the music video just because they can—definition of swag.