1. Freks Uv Tha Industree – Theme (0:50)
2. Another Bad Creation – Playground (4:08)
3. Kris Kross – Jump (3:17)
4. Tone-Loc – Wild Thing (4:24)
5. 69 Boyz – Kitty Kitty (4:08)
6. Salt N Pepa – Push It (4:30)
7. JJ Fad – Supersonic (3:55)
8. Newcleus – Jam on it (8:00)
9. Del Tha Funky Homosapien – Mistadobalina (4:18)
10. Bubba Sparxxx – Ugly (4:25)
11. A Tribe Called Quest – Award Tour (3:46)
12. Black Sheep – The Choice Is Yours (3:23)
13. Camp Lo – Luchini AKA This Is It (3:59)
14. Dr. Dre – Nuthin’ but a “G” Thang (3:58)
15. Public Enemy – Bring The Noise (3:46)
16. Ice Cube – Wicked (3:55)
17. Eminem – The way i am (4:52)
18. The Notorious B.I.G. – Notorious Thugs (6:07)
19. Afro Rican – Give It All You Got (4:31)
20. Sir Mix A Lot – Baby Got Back (4:26)
21. Trina – Pull Over (3:13)
22. Foxy Brown – Ill Na Na Featuring Method Man (3:06)
23. Naughty By Nature – O.P.P. (4:31)
24. N.E.R.D. – Lap Dance (feat. Lee Harvey and Vita) (3:29)
25. Eric B. and Rakim – Juice (Know the Ledge) (4:00)
26. Kid Frost – La Raza (3:17)
27. Cypress Hill – How I Could Just Kill a Man (3:55)
28. N 2 Deep – Back To The Hotel (5:06)
29. Masta Ace – Born To Roll (4:13)
30. T.I. – Rubber Band Man (5:47)
31. Jay-Z – Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) (3:58)
32. Biz Markie – Just a Friend (4:06)
33. Sir Mix A Lot – Posse on Broadway (5:03)
34. EPMD – Please Listen to My Demo (3:01)
35. Raekwon – Incarcerated Scarfaces (4:42)
36. Method Man – Bring the Pain (3:09)
37. Nas – It Ain’t Hard To Tell (3:04)
38. LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out (4:52)
39. Bone Thugs N Harmony – Thuggish Ruggish Bone (4:41)
40. Dr. Dre – Deep Cover (4:04)
41. Nine – Lyin’ King (3:36)
42. Cypress hill – Insane in the Brain (3:32)
43. Nelly – Country Grammar (Hot…) (4:19)
44. Jay-Z – Money, Cash, Hoes (4:46)
45. The Notorious B.I.G. – Mo Money Mo Problems (4:17)
46. Master P – Make Em Say Unnh (4:35)
47. Silkk The Shocker – It Ain’t My Fault (3:26)
48. Three 6 Mafia – Swervin’ (3:35)
49. Young Jeezy – And Then What (4:05)
50. Big Tymers – Number 1 Stunna (4:41)
51. Eightball – Stop Playing Games feat. P. Diddy (4:25)
52. OutKast – Skew It on the Bar-B (3:15)
53. Drama – Left, Right, Left (3:37)
54. Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M. (4:12)
55. Youngbloodz – Presidential (4:01)
56. Master P – Ghetto D (4:36)
57. Lil Wayne – Stuntin’ Like My Daddy (Lazer Sword Rmx) (4:45)
58. Rich Boy – Throw Some Ds (Starkey Mix) (4:29)
59. M.I.A. – Paper Planes (3:24)

I was listening to “Iesha” by Another Bad Creation earlier today and heard the line “we are cereal,” so I figured I”d do a post on some of my favorite childhood (and adulthood) cereals.  Start it off with Cap’n Crunch’s Crunch Berries!  Shout out to Michael Bivins!

You just never know what you’re going to get on YAKWII….

Rice Krispies

Frosted Flakes

Raisin Bran

I know it’s a lame kid’s cereal, but I’m a lame dude!  I’m blogging about cereal on a Saturday night!

Honey Smacks

Fruity Pebbles

Happy Friday All!!!!!! Excuse me for being a little extra ecstatic with the exclamation points this Friday, but I’m going on a much needed vacation tomorrow, lol.  Today’s songs are coming from all male groups. At random, I’ve picked some classic songs from Another Bad Creation, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Ready For The World, Onyx and Troop. Even if no one else pays attention, lol, I have fun picking these videos and songs out and reminiscing on where I heard these songs the most and looking back on some of the old styles from back in the day. Like the jheri curl that the Troop and Ready For The World members used to rock or the bright, baggy a** clothes that ABC wore, lol. Have some fun with these songs, vote, comment, suggest and have a blessed weekend!

*Exits outta the firescape*

Another Bad Creation – Jealous Girl (1991)

Bone Thugs N Harmony – Crossroads(1996)

Ready For The World – Love You Down (1985)

Onyx – Slam(1993)

Troop –Spread My Wings(1988)

Short lived but forever funky, New Jack Swing seemed like a blur in history due to its quick creation and complete extinction within less than a decade. It was urban, but at the same time pop, while always staying very soulful and upbeat creating an all around dope sound. Songs that often used very similar kicks, snares, and drum rolls were matched with lyrics on subjects from courting a honey, looking for that someone special, love, and promiscuity. No matter what the songs’ subject matter was about, the music was funky, the singing was on point, the rhymes were hype, and the dances were fun.

The Come Up Crew homie, DJ Siik, also created a nice New Jack Swing mix that was recorded live at the last Come Up party which is included in this post as Guilty Pleasures Vol. 3.5. You may hear a repititon of tracks but don’t worry about it, you haven’t heard these songs in a long time and they are worth listening to twice.

I implore you to go back and give New Jack Swing a re-listen. Bring back memories from the good old days. Go watch House Party and it will all come together. You will be rocking Cross Colours and Karl Kani in no time.

Enjoy the mixes.

Guilty Pleasures Vol. 3 (Week of 08.03.09) – Click to Download

Tracklisting:

1. Strafe – Set It Off
2. Neneh Cherry – Buffalo Stance
3. Tony! Toni! Tone! – If I Had No Loot
4. Heavy D & The Boyz – Somebody For Me
5. Guy – I Like
6. Hi-Five – I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)
7. Al B. Sure! – If I’m Not Your Lover feat. Slick Rick (Remix)
8. Another Bad Creation – Iesha
9. Boyz II Men – Motown Philly
10. Bell Biv DeVoe – Do Me
11. TLC – What About Your Friends
12. Wreckx-N-Effect – Rump Shaker
13. Color Me Badd – I Wanna Sex You Up
14. Blackstreet – Booti Call
15. Al B. Sure! – Off On Your Own
16. Bobby Brown – Every Little Step
17. New Edition – A Little Bit Of Love (Is All It Takes)

Guilty Pleasures Vol. 3.5 featuring Siik (Week of 08.03.09) – Click to Download

Tracklisting:

1. Bobby Brown – Don’t Be Cruel
2. LL Cool J – Around The Way Girl
3. Hi-Five – I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)
4. Jade – Don’t Walk Away
5. SWV – Right Here
6. Toni Braxton – Give You My Heart feat. Babyface
7. Bobby Brown – Something In Common feat. Whitney Houston
8. G-Wiz – Teddy Bear
9. Teddy Riley – Is It Good To You feat. Tammy Lucas
10. Keith Sweat – I Want Her
11. Michael Jackson – Remember The Time
12. Guy – Groove Me
13. Portrait – Here We Go Again
14. Joe Public – Live And Learn
15. Full Force – Ain’t My Type of Hype
16. Janet Jackson – Because of Love
17. Big Daddy Kane – I Get The Job Done

Anyone who knows me know I fucks with Beantowns finest New Edition all day.  In the late 80’s while Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill pursued there solo careers, the remaining members of the group formed Bell Biv DeVoe. (Ronnie Ricky and Mike)  Word to the Mutha features all six of the New Edition members and first appeared on the follow up to 1990’s Poison album WBBD Bootcity!  in 1991.

Download/Stream–>http://www.zshare.net/audio/60872167034ab035/

Since my music is very important to me, my music should be very important to you as well.  Through playing my songs on shuffle, I’ll give you the run down on whatever the hell starts playing.  This will be on the final, so take notes.

“You Can’t Get with This” Kris Kross

What you need to know about it: Kris Kross is that adorable rap duo from the early 90’s who had the hit single “Jump” and were highly recognizable for wearing their clothes backwards.

Why I have the song: I got the CD from my Dad and Stepmom for my 10^th or 11^th birthday.  I remember being a little embarrassed opening it in front of my friends, as the theme of the party was WWF so I was obviously too bad ass for little kids rapping.

What you may not know: Kris Kross were part of a heated controversy also involving Another Bad Creation (ABC for those in the know) over which group started the awesome style of wearing your clothes backwards which later went on to be copied by such fashion Icons as Bugs Bunny and the Tazmanian Devil.  You may remember ABC as the young rappers responsible for the hit “Playground” (“at the playground, ya know?  PlaaaayGrooooouuuuuunnnnnd”

In Retrospect: Listening today, I’m pretty surprised to hear such heavy production, headed up by Jermaine Dupri.  Without the vocals, the music could be confused with beats from the Death Row label of the same period.  Also, Kris Kross suck.

“Banned In D.C.” Bad Brains

What you need to know about it: Bad Brains are arguably one of the best punk bands to have ever existed.  I will not argue with this assessment, but I also do not believe it either.  They are however one of the most influential punk bands which contains some surprise since they are 4 black guys in an overwhelmingly white genre, and have recorded as many slow tempo reggae songs as punk tunes.

Didn’t you live in DC for awhile? Do you know them? While I have never personally met any members of Bad Brains or Minor Threat for that matter, I do know that mentioning either band in the right bar in DC will bring about a barrage of stories of people having played with a member, dated a member, done drugs with a member (Minor Threat is excluded from these specific stories), or caught the first shows of the bands, while also noting that anyone who was not born in the city limits wishes they had been and are all poseurs.

One Love. Except for queers.  I have a big problem with Bad Brains as they are notoriously homophobic.  When asked why I don’t have a problem with other bands that are heavily rumored to be racist (such as Pantera, one of my absolute favorites), I say first “Bad Brains never wrote ‘I’m Broken.’ And second, most bands keep their politics to themselves when it comes to racism or homophobia, but Bad Brains are very often lumped into the same category of Minor Threat and Fugazi and other bands who promote equality.  Maybe it’s cause they’re black, maybe it’s cause they’re from DC, maybe it’s cause the word “love” makes its way into a lot of their lyrics, but I would assume most of their fans are politically liberal.  It always seemed hypocritical.

“Bad Obsession” Guns N’ Roses

What you need to know about it: GN’R are one of the best hard rock groups of all time.  Axl and Slash are nothing less than iconic.

Sweet Cowbell! I know, right?

“2-Tone Army” The Toasters

What you need to know about it: The Toasters are a great ska band from NYC who recorded mostly in the 80’s and 90’s.  Even though they came out after Madness and the Specials, I still regard them as the baseline of what “ska” is, where Goldfinger = The Toasters + Punk and Sublime = The Toasters + Punk + Reggae – Horns.

Do I Like Ska? Buy Skaboom! and find out.  In fact, if you have any ska CD and don’t own Skaboom!, go buy it today.

How’d you hear about them? Some summer Saturday, MTV turned into “SKAturday” hosted by none other than Carson Daly in one of his first MTV appearances and I caught the video when I was delaying mowing my dad’s lawn.  After a quick Google search, I’m not sure if SKAturday was a one time thing or every Saturday that summer (I assume one time thing), but if I hadn’t caught it then, I wouldn’t have known how to skank up an down the auditorium aisle when my friend’s little brother’s band played Blink 182’s “Damnit” at the school talent show, and therefore would have not gotten the attention of the band and perhaps not been asked to replace the drummer in that, my first, band.

“Monkeys”  Echo & the Bunnymen

What you need to know about it: I have no idea.  I got a comp of their stuff cause the band is mentioned all the time and I think Jack Black’s character said something nice about them in High Fidelity, but I can’t stand it.  It basically sounds like Velvet Underground but 80’s and boring.  Whatever.

“Speaking From The Heart” “Macho Man” Randy Savage

Oh, I heard about that album. No, I’m sorry, this song isn’t from Macho Man’s rap debut Be A Man.  That album is hilarious and was given to me by my dad’s current wife for Christmas.  No, I bought Wrestlemania – The Album in 1993, and listened to it for a few weeks on heavy rotation, quite un-ironically.  I remember being really pumped up over “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan’s “USA” lyrics “I got the American Flag.  I got my 2×4.  HOOOOOOOOOOO!”

What you need to know about it: Nothing, forget I said anything.

“(Hidden Track)” Tom Waits (album Real Gone)

What you need to know about it: While not a huge fan of the beatbox thing he does a lot on this album, I’m a huge fan of Tom Waits.  Alice is the most inspirational albums I’ve ever heard.  He also seems to be one of Jon Stewart’s favorites since he was jarred enough to call Tom Waits’ performance on the Daily Show the show’s first, where I definitely remember Tenacious D playing at least a few years earlier.

Cool. Yeah.  Honestly, I’m embarrassed to say I don’t know all that much of Tom Waits’ stuff, but I do know he’s definitely worth your time.  My step-brother told me the name of his best album, and I forgot it, but you wouldn’t be wrong starting with Alice.

“Liar” Megadeth

What you need to know about it: Dave Mustaine, singer, guitarist and leader of Megadeth will never get over being kicked out of Metallica before they recorded their first full length album and has gone through the rest of his career bitterly alienating almost everyone he’s ever played with or talked to.  However, he’s also made some of the best thrash metal and while not be as influential as his past band, surpassed them in the “not playing hard rock and calling it heavy metal” category.

“Big Tears” Elvis Costello

What you need to know about it: Elvis Costello is my absolute favorite songwriter.  I will listen to anything that guy wrote.  His ability to not fall into pop music song structure clichés is so refreshing, even on his popular hits from 30 years ago.

Have you ever seen him live? A couple of times.  My willingness to listen to anything he wrote came in handy as I only recognized 2 songs from the set list the first time I saw him, and it was still a great show. However, certain artists have horrible flaws in their live performances.  Marilyn Manson used to crescendo into a “big rock ending” on almost every single song he played.  Metallica used to play a medley of songs from their first 3 albums rather than playing the songs in their entirety.  Elvis meanwhile has the obnoxious habit of playing 6 or 7 encores for each show.  I love that he gives you your money’s worth, but just stay on the friggin stage.  Its like you have to keep reassuring him that you like the songs.

“Sucking My Love” Diamond Head

What you need to know about it: Maybe the biggest influence on Metallica was this band.  That’s why I got the album and was pleasantly surprised they didn’t sound too much like Metallica.  The singer is in the vain of Paul Rogers from Bad Company or the guy from Foreigner, but the guitar riffs are much more like Kiss.  Great tunes, very approachable for those who don’t listen to metal.

Bad Company? Foreigner? One of the things I really like about some 70’s rock band singers were their ability to actually sing (not scream) but still sound tough.  Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy, for example, has one of the best melodic voices in rock, but he always exuded the same energy as a bar fight.  Rock singers have definitely lost that sensibility in the past 20 years.

OK, more to come.

“Old School Video of the Moment”,  Another Bad Creation with “Iesha”. Get familiar.

The poster is being wack..so click thru to see the video.

–RJ–

Boyz II Men – MoTown Philly… ENJOY!!

And now, here’s a collection of mid-90s r&b videos that I enjoyed thoroughly.  I used to watch videos like this and actually write down what the girls were wearing so I could look for it at JC Penneys next time I was there.  Yikes.

Shanice- I Love Your Smile

1. long necklace
2. bright colored vest to wear with light colored jeans and white t-shirt

Wait, there’s more!!

LL Cool J- Round the Way Girl

1. overalls
2. black sequined bra top
3. kicky hat

Another Bad Creation- Iesha

1. Bike shorts
2. Baggy shorter jean shorts
3. Raiders jersey (I actually bought a Raiders jersey and wore it.  Nothing could have been less flattering)

Boyz II Men- Motown Philly

Nothing to covet here really, but how awesome is this song?

Requested by Int. Sherry all the from London…

by vivrant thang on old school fridays

Thank the Lawd it’s Friday! Last couple of Fridays, I actually stayed in if you can believe it. Not that staying in is always a bad thing – if ya know what I mean! But I am ready to get out and jump start another musically delicious weekend.

Tonight, I’ll be going to hear some live music at a spot popular with the locals for it’s strong dranks and good, greasy food to soak it up with. Saturday, can you believe I will actually miss Bilal to be out at an outdoor ampitheatre enjoying the sounds of Rahsaan Patterson and Kindred. I know, I can’t believe it either. Sunday is up in the air. I have a ticket to see Raheem, Chrisette and Dwele. But I may end up in Baltimore for the African American Heritage Festival, even though I said I wasn’t fooling with them anymore after the way they treated Bilal. I’ll hold a grudge for my baby now!

Anyhow, the theme this week is “kid groups” and it is right on time as I really re-discovered some real feel-good music. These videos made me reminisce and smile. You should have seen me up there trying to do the moves. I was quickly reminded that I am no longer the spry teenybopper I was when these groups were in their prime.

ABC (Another Bad Creation or as I like to call them “All Bebe’s Chillun” ) You know they look like they were really bad!

Another Bad Creation (sometimes called ABC for short) is a R&B and rap musical group from Atlanta, Georgia. They were discovered by Michael Bivins. Bivins served as manager and producer of the group, who became a part of the short-lived East Coast Family alongside such acts as Bell Biv DeVoe and Boyz II Men. BC’s debut album Coolin’ at the Playground Ya Know! was released in 1991. The album’s two biggest singles were the first and second singles: “Iesha” and “Playground”. A cover of New Edition’s song “Jealous Girl” followed. (Wiki)

Normally, I would have posted all three, but we’ve been slapped on the hand for posting too many. So I’m going with “Jealous Girl” because for one, it’s all about that grind at 1:40. Secondly, tell me you don’t fall out when one of them little birdchested crumbsnatchers tells ole girl “Don’t even try it. Well I guess you win some and you lose some. Point blank girl you lost this one.”

The Boys

The Boys was an R&B quartet comprised of the four Abdulsamad brothers, Khiry (born in 1973), Hakim (born in 1975), Tajh (born in 1976), and Bilal (born in 1979). The group started out singing in Carson, California. As an act, the group was very self-sufficient, writing and producing their own music. The group befriended Babyface in 1985. Together with L.A. Reid, the two men crafted the tracks “Lucky Charm,” “A Little Romance,” and “Dial My Heart.” The public loved the songs as well as “Dial My Heart” reached #1 on the R&B charts in 1988. The Boys released their debut album, Messages From The Boys during the same year and it performed very well. The Boys second album was their self-titled The Boys, which was released in 1990. The album featured a hit single with “Crazy” which reached #1 in the same year. (Wiki)

I still love this video and how it spoofs hits like “Thriller,” “Rhythm Nation,” and “Every Little Step” – to name a few. Not to mention I had a MAJOR crush on Hakeem. I am thrilled to see he has aged quite nicely. Himand his brothers are still making music today under the name Suns of Light. Who knew? Their Daddy even has a You Tube channel set up featuring their old and new music. This is a “Where Are They Now” with a happy ending.

This last one is dedicated to someone special. I like the way!

Enjoy the weekend and don’t forget to check out other OSF Participants!

Electronic Village |  Mrs Grapevine | Quick | Cassandra | Danielle | Lisa C | Chocl8t | DP | Kreative Talk | MarvalusOne | Regina | LaShonda | AJ | Sharon | Invisible Woman | Believer 1964 | Dee |SJP | sHaE-sHae | Thembi

CHRIS, MARK, RED, LIL DAVE & RO RO (and honorary member G.A.) were collectively known as kid rap group ANOTHER BAD CREATION (ABC). The boys hailing from the ATL, stepped onto the scene under the wings of MICHAEL BIVINS. BIVINS served as manager and producer of ABC, and boys became part of the EAST COAST FAMILY alongside BELL BIV DEVOE (BBD), & BOYZ II MEN.

ABC released their first album COOLIN AT THE PLAYGROUND, YA KNOW on Feb 11th, 1991. The group’s biggest hits were “Iesha”, and “Playground”.

ABC- IESHA

ABC- PLAYGROUND

They also released another single titled “Jealous Girl”, which was a cover of a NEW EDITION song,

ABC- JEALOUS GIRL

Their album eventually went platinum.

Im 1993, the boys released another album titled, IT’S NOT WHAT YOU WEAR, BUT HOW YOU PLAY IT. The album nor any of the singles ever earned a spot on the Billboard charts.

Since then, the boys have been MIA until…

This picture made it’s way to CRUNK & DISORDERLY early 2007.

A video surfaced on YouTube giving people info on how the group came to be. This is supposed to be part of a “WHERE ARE THEY NOW-esque” DVD documentary about the boys.

You can go to this Youtube channel to see their other videos.

Jump in the time machine with me and lets go back to 1990 when Hammer pants were all the rage.  And apparently still are for this cat:

U can’t touch these hammer pants. U just can’t! DeKalb subway stop, Brooklyn, 2008

Oh yea, this blogger had more than a few pairs of Hammer pants back in the day. I’d rock them while walking around the house listening to my Walkman (Most likely Another Bad Creation). Who didn’t have these? Them were mad comfy AND let a man maintain his swagger while walking through the halls of Bear Valley Elementary School.

Speaking of ABC, when was the last time you heard this:

funnily enough, esmeralda never caught on as a baby name. ‘emma’ by hot chocolate was released in 1973…there are a LOT of 25-35 year olds called emma. at least two in every class during my school days.

download here

another bad creation – iesha

blacknuss – dinah

charme – georgy porgy

de la soul – jenifa taught me

hot chocolate – emma 

lloyd – hazel

prince – the ballad of dorothy parker

ryan leslie – irina

william bell – eloise

le gamby – esmeralda

sade – frankie’s first affair

sister sledge – frankie

Awwww, look at the little New Edition. This video is absolutely adorable. Go Ro-Ro! Go Ro-Ro!

Enjoy

I’m not embarrassed to say that this song got some serious play time in my dad’s Oldsmobile Delta 98. Before I totalled it.
Sorry dad.

So sit back and enjoy this trip to 1991 with Another Bad Creation.

OK, so a couple of old friends stopped by the club the other day, and I’m talkin’ “old friends”, I’ve known these two since Jr. High or longer. We got on the subject of music and what we used to listen to “back in the day”, and… well, lets see if these don’t take you back to a “Jr. High Dance” or two (if they don’t, then your too fuckin’ young to be reading my blog anyway, LOL).

Candyman

I remember when I first realized how old I was: I was on Napster (when it used to be free) looking for a song by Slick Rick, and I couldn’t remember the name of it. So I figured that I would just pop into the rap chat room and ask. Everybody in there claimed to “know” old school, so I tried to explain how the song went, and was met with “Slick Rick? Who’s that?” “I wasn’t even alive in the 80s” “I thought you meant old school like Dr. Dre – G Thang!”

Fuckin’ twerps! I was still listening to that album at that time.

Anyway the song I was lookin’ for was Slick Rick – I Shouldn’t Have Done It and apparently they won’t let me post it in my blog, so you have to click the link to see it, or just enjoy this other video

Slick Rick

Boyz II Men, ABC, BBD: “The East Coast Family”…

Bell Biv DeVoe

At the playground, ya knooooow…

Another Bad Creation

Boyz II Men

Bum stickity bum stickity bum bum…

Das Efx

Yes, that’s really Nas…

MC Serch

Look closely, see if you can find 2Pac dancin’ in the background. Oh yea, I never forgot where ya came from Pac…

Digital Underground

Oh yea, and before he was a porno star, check out Son Doobie…

Funk Doobiest

And of coarse, who could forget the first Rock/Rap colabo…

Run DMC

Super Cat

Heavy D

Man do these videos bring back alot of memories… to be young again.

P.S.

Oh yea, and who could forget the biggest rap rivalry of its time: Dr. Dre & Eazy-E

Dr. Dre

And the reply…

Eazy-E