JumpinJack AJ

What is it that makes emcees who have become a staple in Hip-Hop hisory take extreem risks with their music. Hip-Hop has always been a genre based around no rules and no limits. Lyric formulas, subject matter, and the sound of the music have always varied, but a handful of artists has taken matters into their own hands leaving their fans very confused. In the next few paragraphs, lets reflect on the experimental albums that some of Hip-Hop's most respectable talents have put out. LL Cool J started the trend of multi-flavored albums in a small way with the 1997 album Phenomenon. The jiggy, flashy, commercial 1st single was soon followed up with the gutter posse cut featuring DMX, Method Man, Redman, and Canibus. The rest of the album mixed old school inspired party jams like "Starsky + Hutch" featuring Busta Rhymes, with soulful R-N-B songs "Don't Be Late, Don't Come To Soon" featuring Tamia, next to current jiggy-styled tracks like "Nobody Can Freak You" and "Hot Hot Hot." Good music, yes...strange overall mix, absolutly. LL returned years later with a street album re-establishing his gritty side, and in recent years, taking it back 2 the early days of respectable lyrics, party club bangers, and his staple love songs. 1998 brought to experimental albums from two of Hip-Hop's female alumni. Hip-Hop's reigning queen, Queen Latifah released her album "Order In The Court." Latifah was always known for singing hooks on her albums and even full songs from 1993's Black Reign. However, "Order In The Court" broght more soulful moments from the Queen. However, it was the 80's influenced "Didn't Mean To Turn You On" and lead single, 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' interpertating Pras-produced "Paper" which displayed out-of-character from the Queen. The overall quality of the music was still high, but the various experimantal sounds made the album feel like a hodge-podge of styles that didn't amount 2 a big picture. 'Order In The Court' however was just a warm-up for her 2004 head-turning 'The Dana Owens Album' which didn't contain one hot verse from her. The entire album was peiced together with soul, jazz, and pop cover songs. MC Lyte's 1998 album, like Latifah's peiced various styles together equaling up to a confusing album, tossed between abstract Hip-Hop, old school Hip-Hop, and R-N-B funk grooves. Still quality music, but she didn't need a 'Ruff Neck' or have any 'Ice Cream Dreams' on this album. Like LL, after an experimental album, Lyte returned in 2003 with 'Lytro', and street-heavy album. Hip-Hop and Rap music stayed on the straight and narrow for a few years, then rapper/actor Will Smith turned heads with 2002's Born To Reign. The album opened with a strong title track and into a club banging song called "Act Like You Know." From there, the album took off an various tangents like the latin flavored "I Can't Stop," the retro sample-heavy "1,000 Kisses," and the reggae sprinkled "I Gotta Go Home" all wrapped in between Fresh Prince styled songs like "How Da Beat Goes," "Block Party," "Give Me Tonite," and "Momma Knows." The domination of guitars came as a surpise to many. The album went gold, an accomplishment, but disappointing to the 10 million plus sales of his album Big Willie Style just years before. This album also introduced the idea of guest artists participating on the full album which featured the R-N-B trio Tra-Knox's, one of the groups signed to Smith's Overbrook Entertainment. 2002 also brought a left-feild album from The Roots. The Roots have always been known for their jazzy, live band sound. Their prevoius album from 1998 featuring the megahit "You Got Me" featuring Erykah Badu. The album 'Phrenology' introduced a new sound to the group featuring abstract sounds nothing like their past work. Less acoustic, most energy, and most electronic sounds popped up on this album, taking away a signature style many fans depending on. The misleading 1st single "Break You Off" featuring Musiq pleased many fans, however, the lack of soul on the album disappointed many. Insead of soulful grooves, scattered beats filled much of the album, some even with rock tendencies. The last confusing Hip-Hop installment of 2002 would be Common (aka Common Sense)'s album Electric Circus. This album followed his 2000 album which contained the smash "The Light." This albums first single "Come Close" featuring Mary J. Blige gave fans a taste of another soulful love song. However, the rest of the album contained mostly abstract music not totally unlike The Roots (much of Electric Circus waz produced by The Roots' ?uestlove). Gone was the true school Hip-Hop sound, which waz replaced with rock guitars, trance sounds, and unique beats. It's unexplainable why some of today's greatest producers like Jay Dee (aka J-Dilla) and James Poyser would create such a sound. The album didn't live on past the 1st single, as did The Roots.' 2003 brought a sound change from the west coast Hip-Hop crew Black Eyed Peas. Along with a new member (R-N-B singer Fergie, formally Stacy Ferguson of the R-N-B/Pop group Wild Orchid and kid-show Kids Incorporated) the Peas brought more live instruments and tons of funk into their music, shunning some of the laidback sounds and Hip-Hop heavy vibes from their previous albums. Unlike other experimental albums, Elephunk turned into a huge success, releasing four hit singles, millions in sales, and briging them to a whole new audience. Most recently, in 2004, Mos Def released his own complex album titled "The New Danger." On this album, just like with Queen Latifah and Will Smith, Mos Def takes a stab at singing. Not-unlike 'Born To Reign' and 'Electric Circus,' rock-inspired tracks can be found on this album. The album's opening intro, "The Boogie Man Song," is Mos Def akwardly singing which leads in2 the rock-heavy "Freaky Black Greetings." Followed by yet another rock track, "Ghetto Rock." What is it that inspires these legendary artists to take such musical risks? Maybe it's the pressure to hold the world of Hip-Hop on their shoulders since current radio main-players aren't. Maybe it's that their work in films distorts their judgement on the music they make. Whatever it is, this crazy bug has been traveling all through the world of Hip-Hop making artists want to step outside the box and dedicate full albums or the majority of the work on them to try new and crazy things.

Ain't nothing new about that...that's how it waz in the old skool. Battle were more about wit, cleverness, skill, comedy. It's just that these days every ignorant fool has security issues and has 2 cuss out their oponent with cheap shots below the belt about sex and stuff. Pathetic stuff. Actually, FP talked in a 1997 source interview about how he's always stayed true 2 his own style cuz no matter how "hard" another rapper can come "you can't beat a guy who says funny stuff."

HEAVY D - Keep It Comin' This song did alright back in 1997...but i can't believe it wazn't huge!!

Yeah, i've always wanted him 2 do a song with a male R-N-B artist. A track with Ginuwine produced by Timbaland would be dope. I'd like 2 hear him do a song with Usher, Jon B, Babyface, Brian McKnight (not just a remix), Maxwell, Carl Thomas, Glenn Lewis, or R. Kelly.

I'm love the music. That's why i've been down with DJ Jazzy Jeff + Fresh Prince since the early years. I want music that will make my laff, think, nod my head, and so on. I want them 2 have success, but i never want the real reason they do what they do 2 suffer 4 something as petty as success. I don't think Petey Pablo has any talent, i think most of the time (not all of it) Ludacris just talks trash in his music. I don't see them making me think or truely enjoying the music. And i defintly don't care if they are used as bait 2 get some trendy fly-by-nite disposable fan 2 buy a Fresh Prince album. I'll give anything a chance, i just don't see people like that bringing anything good 2 his music...only taking away from it. If they make a good track, so be it...but if they ruin it, that'll just be annoying. Besides, if they are used as commercial bait, it's their own fault that they worship the ground that Jay-Z, G-Unit, Chingy, and Lil' Flip walk on. They could just as easily pick up the new De La Soul, Talib Kweli, or Brand Nubian album. Whenever a true skool emcee works with a strictly commercial artist, dose is ever really do any good? No. Gang Starr worked with Jadakiss on their last album...that album never blew up commercially. It happens all the time. If they add 2 the track, cool...if they don't and the crossover never happens, then it's a real shame and a perfectly good song has a few bars with a D-level talent rapper wastin' valuble space a true artist.

Anyone have that pic of the Sesame Street characters smoking, holding guns and knives with really mean faces? I love that pic, havn't seen it in years. I wonder how the companies that produce movies and TV shows feel when they find pix like this from their workers playing around.

Very cool...i like the FP/Code Red one the best.

They eventually over-did their annoying and confusing off-topic posts. They also started sending out hate-Private Messages. :hilarious: I didn't have anything 2 do with it so i don't know details...but a few other people can fill u in if u really wanna know. Nhawong never put anything good in2 this board...i think everyone waz glad 2 see "it" go.

COMMON SENSE - Soul Power

Hmmmm...i think it's often painful 2 watch Ben Affleck on screen. If this happens, i think it'll be just like watching TAXI (loving Queen Latifah, then having the untalented and unfunny Jimmy Fallon ruining the fun).

Ugh...i really don't like the word "hate"...much less songs that dwell on the topic. I can't really think of any songs that haven't been mentioned. Eminem hates females tho'...look 2 him 4 immature, empty, attention-grabbing hate.

GANG STARR - Moment of Truth

Yeah, but at the same time, FP gives props 2 everybody. He dose that "team player" thing and always stays postive. He dosen't try 2 start drama and always finds the right thing 2 say about the other entertainers. He's giving props 2 Ja-Rule, Nelly, 50 Cent, etc. But when u listen 2 his lyrics, they often fit the discription of what he's dissing. The only people he's ever really shunned in music or interviews are Vanilla Ice (who he'd diss on the show and in "Dance or Die"), and Eminem, who, as in most of his career, only started mess 2 gain attention 2 overshadow his disappearing skillz. When FP wants 2 give someone props, he dose in detail like with what he has said about 2Pac, where he went on about his intellegence in rhyme-writing. But when he talked 2 Nelly in that interview, he said something like "you are doing your thing" and i remember him saying something about 50 Cent being "hot." There's a big difference between saying someone his "hot" and going on about their skillz and admeration 4 their music. I've only remember him ever talking about listening to Public Enemy, 2Pac, Dr. Dre, Notorious B.I.G. when it comes 2 Hip-Hop and Rap.

DJ JAZZY JEFF - The Scion BBE Mixtape

The "Hey Sexy Lady" waz originally recorded with all 3 of them (maybe not 2gether...but done as a trio track). Then they desided 2 put out the version without FP's verse, probably cuz B2R just wazn't blazin' up the charts the way it should have. That's why some people are familiar with the Shaggy + Sean Paul only version. I think the chemistry between all of them is insane. I didn't expect much from it, but when i heard it, i waz really surprised, i love that song. I let some of my friend hear it and they love the track.

People who are gonna buy the album for a Petey Pablo or Ludacris colabo aren't the kinda fans FP needs. It's those same idiots who bought millions of copies of Big Willie Style and did NOT by Willennium and Born To Reign. Most of them would download that stuff b4 buying the album anyway. I don't like the idea of him working with them, but i'll keep my fingers crossed that i won't hate the trax cuz of 'em.

I waz just bumpin' this up cuz i'm gonna make this mix CD 2nite and wanted 2 refer 2 this list 4 any songs i might be 4getting.

TALIB KWELI - Never Been In Love Before

It's cool they are mentioned. But i never take this "Greatest..." type lists 2 serious. I don't think any Hip-Hop/Rap fan has an overall appreciation of all styles. Usually people cling on 2 only a few types of Hip-Hop/Rap (old skool, new skool, true skool, hardcore, gangsta, dirty south, commercial, radio-friendly/mainstream, underground, etc). Hip-Hop has grown so much...it's kinda hard 2 hold the same standards 2 an old song that u would hold 2 a new one.

I'm afraid there may be nothing 2 be lost in the translation. Someone's been hanging out with nhawong 2 much.

MIC GERONIMO - Nothin' Move But The Money I liked this song back in 1997 when it dropped but i haven't really heard it since. Well, i found a used copy of the album for only 49 cents 2day!! Ha ha...i had 2 get it. This song is so dope...great production (surprisingly from Bad Boy, tho' i knew that back then). The rest of the album isn't bad either...it actually surprised me. Pete Rock produces a track on it also.

That's cool. My work has those kinda CDs as well...which sux cuz i used 2 make CDs that i could play at work...containing various radio friendly FP trax...but now we don't have control over what we play (except 4 when i bring in my stereo and hook it up 2 the speakers...ha ha).

U 4got MC Lyte, Grover T. Washington, and Zhane. Also, on the production tip, he's worked with Teddy Riley, Trackmasters, Dallas Austin, Pete Rock, Jermaine Dupri, DJ Scratch, Kay-Gee, Somethin' 4 The People, Darkchild, and Kwame. Common Sense co-wrote some songs with FP on Willennium. Nas co-wrote some stuff on Big Willie Style. Warren G produced at least 2 trax for Big Willie Style but none made the album. Big Pun, Camron, R.O.C., and Peter Gunz + Lord Tariq all did work on "Gettin' Jiggy With It" remixes but they didn't come out (except 4 the underground So So Def Remix). FP and Usher planned on doing a song 2gether in 1999...not sure if it ever happened. FP did 1 or 2 songs with Michael Jackson around 1999 as well (most likely produced by Rodney Jerkins) but they never got released.

NEW EDITION - Newness

That waz me ?uestion 2!