Words By Darius Sinclair â„¢

Good Bad

We all have songs we just love but others despise. I’ve been prone to that attitude considering I like some rock’n'roll and classical. But what about the Hip-Hop songs? The ones you think are the shit, but only after they took years to grown on you (like Michelle from Destiny’s Child). But when you have a packed car you want to turn that up, and everyone else wants you to turn that off. I compiled a few tracks that get a four or five star rating on my playlist, but others may delete and consider an abomination to Rap music all together.

The Notorious B.I.G. – Player Hater

Sadly, the greatest album of all time has to have the stupidest song the artist has ever made. When I first heard “Player Hater,” I skipped it before the first verse began. “What is this awful crap?” I thought. The song was so bad it made me feel uncomfortable to listen to it, à la number 8 on Ready To Die.

However, 10-plus years since its release, I now see that Biggie was ahead of his time: rappers singing on tracks. The production on this song is amazing, of course, thanks to Stevie J. The vocals provided by both Big and Puff were both… entertaining. And if you really listen to what Big is spitting/singing, he’s actually keeping it gangsta, unlike most rappers that try singing. This song is now a classic and gets played all the way through whenever shuffled upon.

B.G. Feat. Big Tymers – Hennessey & XTC

Everybody liked a little bit of B.G. Whether it was his bling appraising tracks or his lessons of gangsterism, B.G. had a song for everyone. Checkmate was one of his better albums, but this ode to liquor and pills used to irritate me to the point of taking the CD out. Mannie Fresh’s annoying adlibs, the retarded hook, and the funny but boring verses were the reasons I hated this song. I mean, come on, he’s burping on the track.

Years go by though, and I’ve had my share of crazy club scenes. I grew a liking to the realism of the song. I’m not saying I can completely relate now, but I’m more “open-minded.” The beat is infectious, too. Mannie Fresh uses xylophone sounds on it to keep your mind buzzing. And the lyrics seem even more entertaining as you know “_(insert drug)_ is a hell of a drug.” Like when the track says, “Hey man, what are you on/ you’re acting kinda strange/you’re a real party animal like that cat Rick James.” This song speaks many truths.

E-40 – Do Ya Head Like This

Ghetto Report Card shocked the world with its success. Regardless, the CD was a mess. Perhaps the world wasn’t really ready for the hyphy movement. But with that said, the album did have some hits, mainly those two or three radio hits, and “White Girl.” One song that got skipped continuously was “Do Ya Head Like This”. This was something terrible. The beat sounded like industrial music, not Hip-Hop. It gave you a headache if you listened to it all the way. It had dudes screaming on the track for like 30 seconds, and not to mention E-40′s words ran together, like he was either drunk or rapping too fast.

After hearing this song at an “herbal medicine exchange meeting”, I realized when you’re supposed to listen to this track. Also, seeing Keyshia Cole shake her hair, tail-feather, and bosom to this song on her show, I had to give it another go. A few dozen spins on the ticker and the song actually has become a favorite. I let it be that 40-Water just won’t let the beat defeat him, so he raps over it. The song is basically crunk and must be played at loud volumes while partying or speeding on the highway. That makes it alright with me.

Cam’Ron Feat. Dipset – Stop Callin’

“Doggie, Doggie. You don’t know me, Doggie.” I hated this effing song. It was useless, classless, and talent-less. And unrealistic. Perhaps it was because I was in high school when it dropped, and I didn’t understand the “adult situations.” Whatever it was, I never listened to this track back then.

A few of us fellas have received terroristic threats in calls from dudes in conjunction from messing with their lady. Getting a few of these calls and not having to make one myself left this song to be amusing. The beat knocks and kicks very well. But the highlight ultimately is the bruising words. I find it funny now when Cam’ and company instigate sexual advances they received. “I ain’t cherish ya cutie/ inherit the booty/ Have her wantin to kill you like American Beauty/ Killa.” Piercing, but funny. Can’t ignore the dude’s pleading words either, “Yo, I got Timbs, dog.” More or less, when I need a good laugh or want to reminisce on some college events, this song works perfectly.

What are some of your favorite tracks that used to be your most hated?

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