These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things…
AUDIO By TSSCrew on January 26, 2008 at 6:52 pmMatthew Mundy
I can’t enjoy music for the sake of it. I can’t just chill, throw on a nice album, and go about my day - my enjoyment is always at the mercy of my unyielding critical diktat. I have to sit on the edge of my seat and rigorously dissect the music, mentally sliding it into whatever lists I can think of at the moment, of which there are always at least two – best of the year, and best of all time. The best of the year lists are, thankfully, usually pretty organized. Last year serves as a case in point - when I first heard “International Players Anthem,” I lost my proverbial shit. It was gorgeous. I couldn’t dress it up in enough superlatives and, as soon as it was done, I knew that it was my song to beat for the year. None did.
Of course, that isn’t the case for my best of all-time list, which is far more mercurial – it’s tough to pin down your favorite songs, or albums, or artists, ever. Mostly it winds up being a haphazard list, an assortment of my favorite music shoehorned into an overflowing mental filing cabinet, to be reorganized another day.
Thus, this attempt here – to lay out, unordered, my favorite hip-hop songs ever – represents an impossible to overstate amount of digital blood, sweat and tears. I’m talking about pure, unadulterated misery, ladies and gentlemen. It was originally supposed to be my top five. However, I couldn’t make the final cut, so you’re seeing a lot of cowardice here as well. In sum, you’re getting a lot of digital blood, sweat and tears…plus a mix of misery, cowardice, and six of the best songs hip-hop has ever offered…in my opinion. Enjoy.
My heart still skips a beat every time that bass drops, swirling and battering into itself like a hurricane, eviscerating everything in its path. One of the most incendiary singles in hip-hop history (for my money, it ranks up there with ‘Fuck Tha Police’), its searing critique of materialism, gangster-cliché and soullessness in hip-hop connects without being overtly didactic or patronizing. I clearly remember the first time I heard this song and it still packs a wallop.
Picking a favorite ‘Pac song is like being forced to pick your favorite child, if all of your children were the best shit ever. Do you go with the gritted-teeth, hoarse-voiced, angry as hell ‘Pac? Or do you go with the introspective, smartest dude to ever pick up a mic ‘Pac? Or do you go with the ‘Pac that fucked groupies, partied until the bar shut down and lived every single minute like it was going to be his last? It’s an impossible decision, so I went with the one ‘Pac song that I couldn’t do without; the one that most encapsulates him to me. And it’s this one – the quietly solemn beat lays out the perfect backdrop for one of the most melancholy songs in his catalogue. Even when he’s laughing or talking about girls, it’s cloaked in mourning. It’s brilliant, indignant, angry, mournful, and desolate all at once – it feels like it’s shuffling off to an early grave, both happy and regretful. It’s at once indomitable and heartbreakingly vulnerable. Perhaps, a lot like ‘Pac himself.
Notorious B.I.G. – Ten Crack Commandments
Damn. The polar opposite of the other two songs thus far, this one is just a cold-blooded, white-knuckled, sinister-as-fuck how-to guide for crack sales. The beat is an absolute monster, with Premo’s trademark valleys and peaks dragging you kicking and screaming into the dark corners of Biggie’s mind, where he paints a haunting portrait of a vicious, amoral game that inevitably leaves the weak – and sometimes the strong - in shambles. Biggie is at the top of his game here, delivering a virtuoso performance full of the intricate rhyme-schemes and neck-snapping flow he is remembered for. The authority he radiates belies his age - 24. Damn.
It is also nearly impossible to pick a favorite Jay-Z song – similar to ‘Pac, do you go with the invulnerable Jay, the player Jay, the mogul Jay? I think you’ve got to go with the trailblazing Jay. The guy who sat down at rap’s head table with a chip on his shoulder, a gun on his waist and a glint of regret in his eyes. He never glorified the hustler’s lifestyle, he ruthlessly examined it - boasted of the pros and lamented the cons, held it up to the light so everybody could get a good look at its dark, seamy underbelly. This song best captures that side of Jay, as the heavy-hearted horns lend the entire proceeding a palpable sense of desperation and repentance. He strips the drug game of its veneer of celebration, and it’s chilling: ‘So I keep one eye open like CBS/You seem me stressed, right?’
This is probably the song the least people have listened to, and at first glance it may seem like I just wanted to throw it in to be original, or to establish some type of backpacker credentials. Nope. Listen to this song – the beat is beautiful, a cascade of strings that weaves an introspective backdrop while J-Live waxes philosophical about hip-hop and his place in it. Lyrically, musically, this song is gorgeous. When I hear him rail against the industry – an industry that will inevitably churn him out like it does most of its great talents - I can’t help but conjure an image of a man futilely tilting at windmills and that makes it all the more heartrending.
Mobb Deep – Shook Ones Pt. II
If this isn’t the most sinister, blood-chilling rap song ever recorded, I don’t know what is. The steady, thumping beat, the rhythmic, haunting pianos, those otherworldly sounds that float throughout – all of them would be for naught if it weren’t for Prodigy and Havoc, who just dominate the beat, spitting some of the coldest, most menacing lines hip-hop has ever heard. This song is the Marlo Stanfield of rap – uncompromising, Machiavellian, unpredictable, terrifying. It makes your blood run cold.
Download All Of The Files In One Link -Click Here
Posted in AUDIO, GENERAL, LOOSIES, MUSIC
Tweet This
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
RSS Feed
57 Comments
hmmmm.. nice list but……….
Good read.
“Ten Crack Commandments” over Warning”? Hmmm…not too sure about that one.
http://www.myspace.com/adamtensta
Word
5/6 are on my “classic playlist” (out of 173 songs).
Conceptually speaking, “Ten Crack Commandents” may be the best song ever recorded….
i like that list of songs.
true about the J-Live though….I couldn’t tell you how it goes, even though it may be in my iPod right now, waiting for me to get familiar…
*************
News Flash for the Dilla heads, though…
the current version of the “Thank You Jay Dee, Act 2″ podcast that’s available is 55:30 long…
when it was initially released, THAT FIRST VERSION is 1 hour AND 16 minutes long….
can somebody find the original longer version and post it? that would be very much appreciated
***************
@ cruzanmonk
you cant please everyone
can i post a top 5 please?!! no order…..
01. I Used To Love H.E.R. - Common Sense
02. U.N.I.T.Y. - Queen Latifah
03. T.R.O.Y. - Pete Rock & CL Smooth
04. Fat Cats, Bigger Fish - The Coupe
05. Scenario (Remix) - Tribe Called Quest feat. L.O.N.S.
YakBallz “Scifentology 2 ” (2008) http://rs144.rapidshare.com/files/86861762/Yak_Ballz_-_Scifentology_II__2008_.rar
no order
styles p. feat. pharoah monch-the life
jay-z-d’evils
nas-one love
ghostface-fish
notorious b.i.g.-suicidal thoughts
question for ya’ll…..
Lets say a guy wanted to create a mix of his own on the ‘puter.
What mixing software would said guy want to look at?
Preferebly one thats easy to manipulate and doesn’t require this “guy” to enroll in a community college course!
re: analyzing/dissecting music….
the best music doesn’t give you a chance to analyze or dissect it, nor is it meant to be…
when the music is good to you, you get caught up in the moment from jump..all the elements of the music combine perfectly to make it an experience, a soundtrack for the lifestyle it represents or compliments…the good shit is picturesque, or like a mini-movie…like Shook Ones Pt. II or Can I Live…
the good shit is unadulterated, unfiltered…the shorter the distance is from the musician’s heart-to-brain-to-mouth to the listener’s ears, if you know what I mean…the less steps, the better…good music always conveys emotions that the listener can relate to & identify with (or persuade you, for those that listen to drug/thug rap but take no part in that lifestyle)
Boogie - say word lol. Cats find a way to take apart another dude’s favorite songs lol.
You can put Budden’s “10 Minutes” & “Whatever It Takes” on my list. Maybe Jay’s “Regrets”. It’s generally determined by mood.
good read-helping get me through a long azz night at work. I think I’ve burned holes in my conciousness w/ the amount of times I’ve played the Jay, Biggie, & Dead Prez joints listed… I gotta peep that J-Live and quickly throw out 2 replacements/add-on
1. Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos - Public Enemy
incendiary/provocative - Tigallo
2. The World Is Yours - Nas
ghetto inspiration for little nappy headed boys like myself growing up
Good write up Matt.
^^^ i’ll cosign that
MF Grimm - American Hunger (Triple CD)
Disc 1
1.American Hunger (Breakfast)
2.When faith is Lost
3.Page Six
4.The Life I Lead
5.Wonderland
6.Code Noir (Revenge of the Masked Avengers)
7.Right There
8.I Rather Be Wrong
9.Watch Out!
10.Yes or No
11.The Trees (feat. Baron)
12.The Path
13.Still My Love
14.Steal It
15.My Mentality
16.A Mother’s Heart
17.Street General
18.MIC
19.The Gingerbread Man
20.I Don’t Know
Disc 2
1.American Hunger (Lunch)
2.Playground
3.Boing (feat. PMD / MF Mez)
4.It’s No Secret
5.I Remember
6.United (feat. Large Professor)
7.I Love You
8.Traveling (feat. Kurious / Lord Smog / Bashton the Invizabul Mang)
9.Delilah
10.Vultures
11.Everyone
12.Agony (No Jugamos)
13.Master Builders
14.Things I’ve Said (feat. Baron)
15.Broken Glasses
16.Dark Skies (No Jugamos) (feat. Nate Denver / Bashton the Invizabul Mang)
17.Teacher
18.Crazy (feat. MF Mez)
19.Who Rock (feat. Deuce Gangsta)
20.F**k You
Disc 3
1.American Hunger (The Last Supper)
2.Children of Abel
3.Give
4.Adam & Eve
5.Lift Me Up (Snakes & Ladders)
6.Heaven Can Wait
7.Children of Cain
8.Revolution
9.Manhattan Murder (feat. MF Mez)
10.Karma
11.Government of Deception
12.Brand New
13.No One
14.Elevate (feat. Majesty / Infinite Evolution)
15.Everything (feat. Majesty / Mr Met / Baron)
16.The Whole World (feat. Infinite Evol)
17.Ten Stories
18.Twin Peaks (feat. MF Mez / Hasan Salaam)
19.Simple Rhyme
20.The Book of Daniel (feat. MF Mez / Bashton the Invizabul Mang
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DKP2ZM0A
MF Grimm - American Hunger (3 CD):
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DKP2ZM0A
Conceptually speaking, “Ten Crack Commandents” may be the best song ever recorded…
————–
Funny, I was arguing with a friend about this the other day…
As usual Matt, Amazing read.
I agree with Nonchalant completely, I also feel dissecting and critiquing music is kind of corny. I think people need to stop analyzing music so much and just try to connect with the music and enjoy it.
Think Differently: Originals
http://rapidshare.com/files/86702683/VA-Think_Differently-Originals-_Bootleg_-2007-3AM.rar
Shut up, listen and enjoy. Peace.
^ I agree but at the same time, if you didn’t break down what you’re hearing sometimes…we’d be them. Those mindless followers.
When I listen to jazz, I’m listening for certain elements & instruments. Same shit w/rap. Once I’m there, then I start listening closer to see how the words took me there or lured me in.
true my buddy Flea, but sometimes ain’t nothing like talking about the classic songs, to stir up, and reawken the specific thoughts, which make it possible to take you back to special times and places you may have tucked away.
* reawaken
Ohh, that Fat Cats, Bigger Fish song is in my top 5!!
@Turk,
Download Audacity. It’s free and easy to use.
when music is less than great, I go into critic mode and pick shit apart…
great music doesn’t allow you to get into critic mode. it just captures you from the moment it begins and takes you on a ride.
Mindless followers aren’t necessarily in a position to criticize, nor are their tastes refined, so they buy into anything. But for music heads who have a passion for what they listen to, game recognize game. It takes that special strain of kush to get us where we wanna go. With good music, we should break down why it’s good after we enjoy it…
love that j-live got some love. mad underappreciated.
o.c. time’s up also makes it in my top hip hop songs
@ Gotty: True indeed
@ One Eye: Even more true
@Nonchalant: True again!
p.s.
A few posts back I asked about the two Jay-z albums, well I bought them both along with Rhymefests’ “Blue Collar”. That album was maaaaaaad slept on!!!
Mundy’s list is pretty much on point. I’d only swap out two songs…
My Block = 2Pac/Pain
&
Epilogue = EPMD/Crossover
Great music needs more critique than lackluster music, because it’s hard to actually pinpoint what makes it great. it’s never the same for every listener.
Art critique is hard because your trying to make what is subjective quantitative. What a job it is…
Time for another Corona.
^ Real Talk.
@ M.Z. - good point!
***********
some good ol’ Detroit shit:
The ORIGINAL “Thank You Jay Dee/J Dilla, Act 2″ podcast in its entirety (1 hour & 16 minutes):
http://www.zshare.net/audio/6903556f805fef/
NameTag - “The Rhyme Royal Mixtape” (feat. production by Black Milk, Magnif, & Black Bethoven):
http://www.zshare.net/download/6904970838ccd8
THE RHYME ROYAL MIXTAPE
1.Change Stations**
2.Rhyme Royal**
3.No Chance^^
4.Red Alert**
5.Witness The Grind++
6.I Applaud You ft.ONPoint**
7.Let It Ride^^
8.Walkin Away ft.Ahk++
9.MC Means…**
10.So Raw pt.2++
11.Concrete++
12.Momentum Music**
13.Ups N Downs^^
14.Right About Now^^
**Produced by Black Milk
^^Produced by Magnif
++Produced by Black Bethoven
This article and the comments are just a re-affirmation that I’m right in checking this site every few hours every day. True shit, TSS.
great post. i would honestly like to see more of thiis here, not the “greatest list” idea, but disections of the TSS crews, fav’s of moment. i honestly wanted to put mine up too:
(no particular order)
1. T.R.O.Y.
2. New York State of Mind
3. Paid In Full
4. I Used to Love H.E.R.
5. Dead Presidents
6. Scenario (honestlly, cause where i was hit, and i wanted to put tribe on this list).
honestly though, “Passin Me Bye”, “Ten Crack Commandments”, “Shook Ones Part II”, “Put Your Hands”, “No More (T.I.)”, “Proceed (the roots)”, “Concrete Schoolyard (J5)”, etc. so many i’ missing!!!!! Shit “Lodi Dodi” or “The Bridge Is Over”…. I will never try to do this again.
“My Block” is without a doubt my favorite Pac song, too. Dude just comes with some REAL stuff that you can relate to without being a gangsta, balla or a ridah. This shit just makes me think back to the good ol’ days back home. Not to mention it dropped when I was in high school, a.k.a. the height of Pac’s career.
[Verse One]
They got a nigga
Shedding tears, reminiscing on my past fears
Cause shit was hectic for me last year
It appears that I’ve been marked for death, my heartless breath
The underlying cause of my arrest, my life is stressed
And no rest forever weary, my eyes stay teary
for all the brothers that are buried in the cemetery
Shit is scary, how black on black crime legendary
But at times unnecessary, I’m getting worried
Teardrops and closed caskets, the three strikes law is drastic
And certain death for us ghetto bastards
What can we do when we’re arrested, but open fire
Life in the pen ain’t for me, cause I’d rather die
But don’t cry through your despair
I wonder if the Lord still cares, for us niggas on welfare
And who cares if we survive
The only time they notice a nigga is when he’s clutching on a four-five
My neighborhood ain’t the same
Cause all these little babies going crazy and they suffering in the game
And I swear it’s like a trap
But I ain’t given up on the hood, it’s all good when I go back
Hoes show me love, niggas give me props
Forever hop cause it don’t stop… on my block
[Verse Two]
Now shit’s constantly hot, on my block, it never fails to be gunshots
Can’t explain a mother’s pain, when her son drops
Black male slipping in hail when will we prevail
Fearing jail but crack sales got me living well
And the system’s suicidal with this Thug’s Life
Staying strapped forever trapped in this drug life
God help me, cause I’m starving, can’t get a job
So I resort to violent robberies, my life is hard
Can’t sleep cause all the dirt make my heart hurt
Put in work and shed tears for my dead peers
Mislead from childhood where I went astray
Till this day I still pray for a better way
Can’t help but feel hopeless and heartbroke
From the start I felt the racism cause I’m dark
Couldn’t quit the bullshit make me represent
Hit the bar and played the star, everywhere I went
In my heart, I felt alone out here on my own
I close my eyes and picture home… on my block
[Verse Three]
And I can’t help but wonder why, so many young kids had to die
Caught strays from AK’s and the driveby
Swollen pride and homicide, don’t coincide
Brothers cry for broken lives, mama come inside
Cause our block is filled with danger
Used to be a close knit community but now we’re all cold strangers
Time changes us to stone them crack pipes
All up and down the block exterminating black life
But I can’t blame the dealers
My mama’s welfare check has brought the next man chrome wheels
Shit’s real, I know ya feel, my tragedy
A single mother with a problem child, daddy free
Hanging out picking up game, sipping cheap liquor
Gamin the hoochies hoping I can get to sleep with her
It’s a man’s world, staying strapped
Fantasies of a nigga living phat, but held back
Pipe dreams can make the night seem hopeless
Wide eyed and losing focus… on my block
[Verse Four]
And block parties in the projects lasting way past daylight
A young nigga learned to break night
Used to play fight with my homies but they stuck in the pen
I send them ends, but it’s tough on a friend, in my mind
I see the same motherfuckers balling
Alcohol will make a lazy nigga slip and fall, miss his call
I know the young niggas understand this
Growing up in this world where everything is scandalous
I reminisce on the fast times, past crimes
Trying to cop a slice of pizza with my last dime
Can’t explain, just what attracts me to this dirty game
Gold chains, some extra change, and the street fame
And what’s strange is everybody knows my name, swear they all know me
And lots of cash make a nigga change
I hit the green just to maintain, feeling pain
For all the niggas that I lost to the game… from my block
C-L-A-S-S-I-C.
There’s way too many Pac joint’s to choose just one as a fave, but “Pain”, “Friend Like Me”, “White Man’s World”, “Starin Through My Rearview” & “Me Against The World” are My top 5.
Forgot “So Many Tears”. And “Hit Em Up”. And “I Get Around”. And “Representin 93″. And “Made Niggaz”. And “Brenda’s Got A Baby”. And the list goes on & on. Too twisted to come up with a definitive top 5 lol. I’ll try again when I sober up.
i know the classics are classics, but…..
I grew up in Toronto and live in Toronto.
regionally what best represents T.
1.Saukrates-”HATE RUNS DEEP”
2.Point blank-”YOU DON’T WANT IT WITH US”
Done.
î î î î
That’s what’s up. Could you post em’ for us?
That J-Live song skips horrible toward the end. Could someone re-up that? It sounds great.
Loved this post - superbly written as usual, Matt.
I could do a Pac list by himself.
“Lord Knows” “Against All Odds” (all of 7 Day Theory really) “My Block” “Friend Like Me”…so many more.
@ Gobodyourself: Don’t forget “Easy on the Motion” by Ghetto Concept, “Who’s Talkin’ Weight” by RedLife, and “21 Years” by Choclair. I’m from Rexdale, what part you from?
My top 10 type ish:
- Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Part II (when P spits one of the greatest verses ever over one of the greatest beats ever, this shit has to be up there)
- Jay-Z - Dead Presidents II (cos that beat is so ill and then Jay comes so effortlessly over it)
- Common - I used to Love Her (when Com raps “i’ma take her back, hoping this shit stops” it’s like i’m thinking “woah, true hip-hop will never die)
- Pete Rock +CL Smooth - T.R.O.Y. (again, awesome positive lyrics over a most soulful beat)
- Nas - One Love (the letters are a typically creative outlet nas uses for sharing with listeners his life and his people’s culture. all delivered with an eloquence no one can match)
- Blackstar feat. Common - Respiration (each verse is a classic and Hi-Tek’s beat is unforgettable)
- Wu-tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M. (oh shit Rae and Deck kill that shit and get deep “though i dunno why i chose to smoke cess / i guess thats the time when i’m not depressed”)
- O.C. - Time’s Up (fuckin insane definition of a hip-hop track)
- Tupac - My Block (already covered here…pac has some real shit to get across here)
- Biggie - 10 Crak Commandments (another ill premo beat that seems to be one of his most head-nod-worthy. and biggie lays it down i’m pretty sure perfectly. i don’t think you could improve on that.)
Just missed: Pharcyde - Passin me by, Eric B & Rakim - Paid in full, Public Enemy - Bring the noise, NWA - fuck tha police, Dr Dre - Nuthin but a G Thang, Ice Cube - Good Day, UGK - Diamonds and Wood and i could keep going but i better stop now, am tired.
word em up for that J-Live track. I also love “the best part” by J-Live and reckon that itself is a classic track.
lol seeen for dat Big Rome
i could only put nas world is yours as a def inclusion in mine. it would take some serious thought to sort the rest.
i’m not sure i could ever get it down to 5 or 6 though.
40 or 50 at best
In my opinion one of the most underrated albums of all times in Witchdoctor, “A S.W.A.T. Healing Ritual. For all of you Outkast/Dungeon Family heads this is a must listen
good post but…. a list w’out nas, is no list maaan!
a few of my favs
nas: ny state of mind
slum villiage: climax (girl shit)
wu tang: protect ya neck (a nightmare on wax)
public enemy: public enemy no 1
diamond d: I went for mine
in order in sync wit my life
5.biggie everyday struggle
4 wu protect ya neck
3 pac ballin
2 common i used to love h.e.r
1 grand master flash the message (the 1st ever REAL hip hop song )
Man your list is cool. I could never do that. To many songs for me. But to be real most of these hip hop artists aren’t on the level of Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis,Billie Holidays etc the hip hop we are hearing today is so commercial and watered down I can’t get hyped about the genre that changed and defined my life
http://nextthing.wordpress.com/
Anyone who puts ‘Can I live’ as one of their favourite Jay tracks instantly has an opinion I will listen to with regards to music. I’ve listened to that song over and over and I still get lil tidbits out if it i had’nt understood previously.
‘true this.. the street schooled us to spend our money foolish, bond with jewellers and .. watch for intruders’
lists are fun!
When it comes to personal favourites I find that it’s not always the greatest or best beats or lyrics but what hits the heart at that moment in time. So my list ain’t trying to show what I think is the best example of a lyricist at work or a producer on the boards. BUT more of a BOOM to my consciousness….
Jaylib - Red
Ok lyrically this ain’t the greatest by any means BUT the beat n’ energy/vibe of this track just floored me. One of the greatest beats ever made by anyone.
GZA - Liquid Swords.
Wu is all time, but this track just took me to another world. Hell the whole album is dope but this track was like an epic kurosawa film distilled to 4minutes.
DJ Shadow - What Does Your Soul Look Like.
Again another track that takes you to another place. When it dropped in the mid90s I was getting tired of hip hop and this was the track that opened my eyes to a new world of music. Many have tried to replicate but none have come close.
DJ Krush - Kemuri.
Without a doubt the greatest drums to ever be put on wax.
Nas - NY State of Mind.
The track captured a time of NYC that in many ways others have come close to (ShookOnesII) but this one is just perfect to me.
Company Flow - 8 Steps to Perfection
Opened a new way for hip hop for me. One of the biggest smacks in my face I ever felt musically. A track that stripped all the fluff that was around hip hop to a raw exposed and fierce energy that paved the way for a new level of complexity.
Cannibal Ox - Real Earth.
And that new level arrived with this track (well album really). Just when I thought hip hop had missed the boat and was once again becoming predictable and that emcee’s were running out of originality Vast n’ Elp drop this number.
interesting to see no one has mentioned any Outkast or Eminem?
props on trying to get a top 5(ish) of favourite songs ever though, what a nightmare task.
I’ll give it some thought and attempt it later.
Point Blank - Want It Wit Us
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDesq-5ccaQ
“My Block” has always been my favorite 2 Pac song… but people always tell me that maybe I haven’t listened to enough Pac material. As many songs as that nigga has, and is still releasing, I don’t think I’ll ever listen to enough Pac!
The guys who say the best music can’t be dissected or analyzed are right.
For most people, myself definitely included, that perfect track renders you speechless. Your brain stops working and you become overwhelmed, just feeling it.
Thank God for people like Matt, always there to articulate that thing I only feel in my bones. Keep writing, my brother.