The Smoking Section

Uproxx

Archive for the ‘ARTIST WEEKS’ Category

The Year That Was…

Mmhmmm. We had some TSSkeptics at the beginning of our official 1998 Week, so The Crew worked overtime to show just how much the year was smashing on smashing. We covered a lot this week… – The importance of the family; with posse cuts, Lyricist Lounge, Flipmode, Def and Terror Squads, and...
August 9th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, GENERAL, SMOKE BREAK, The Week That Was | Read More

100 To 3

What better way for The Source to ring in ‘98 with their 100th issue? With LL on the cover holding five golden Mics, the house that Mays & Benzino built was living the life as the industry standard when it came to magazines. Looking back on their 9-plus years covering the music we all enjoy,...
August 9th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, GENERAL, SMOKE BREAK | Read More

“There’s Only One Year Left…” - Busta Rhyme’s E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event)

It’s hard to believe today that there was ever a question of whether Busta Rhymes could achieve commercial success without selling out. But back in ‘98, that’s just the position he was in. As the underground and mainstream scenes began to move apart like tectonic plates, Busta slowly...
August 9th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, GENERAL, MUSIC, REVIEWS, VIDEO | Read More

“My First Name Must Be…” - Redman’s “I’ll Bee Dat” Video

Words By Trackstar The DJ I love well-done parodies. Especially well-done, hilarious parodies of my favorite movies. Redman’s “I’ll Bee Dat” video goes in on every scene, including great mockings of The Blues Brothers and Wayne’s World (two of the greatest comedic productions...
August 9th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, GENERAL, MUSIC, VIDEO | Read More

“Kings Of The Hill…” - The 1998 New York Yankees

Words By D. Chanda The Yanks weren’t always the Evil Empire—that was post-2000. A carefully-constructed team—not store-bought talent—was the reason for the four World Series titles in the late ‘90s, with 1998 seeing the Pinstripes at their pinnacle. One hundred twenty-five...
August 9th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, GENERAL, REVIEWS, SMOKE BREAK, VIDEO | Read More

‘98 Notable Quotable - Big Pun From “Terror Squadians”

“Your style is unoffic’ Niggaz like you stay on my wanted list Pun and Prince, we walkin’ on kings, like a son of a bitch Fuckin’ with this is hazardous to amateur battlers Average niggas get lost in the course of embarrassment Of course you don’t have a chance, I’m...
August 9th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, AUDIO, GENERAL, LOOSIES, MUSIC, NOTABLE QUOTABLES | Read More

“Themes, Schemes & Dreams…” - Show & A.G. - Full Scale EP

This original EP portion has been out of print for a while now. “Drop It Heavy” - One of the best Big Pun verses you’ve probably never heard. Show & A.G. - Full Scale EP
August 9th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, AUDIO, GENERAL, MUSIC, STRAY SHOTS | Read More

“It’s Just Like That ‘Yo…” - Jay-Z’s “Hard Knock Life”

But I did 5 mil, I ain’t been rhyming like Common since… In all fairness, Shawn Carter has never resembled Rashid Lynn on the mic. True, both MCs are very adept in the art of mic wizardry, but when the Chicagoan was comfortable kicking rhymes about orange pineapple juice, Jay-Z was detailing...
August 8th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, MUSIC | Read More

Dunn Different.

If you thought ‘98 Week was over, think again. ‘98 Shots Goodie Mob - Still Standing Def Squad - El Niño Gang_Starr_Ft._M.O.P.-1-2_And_1-2-VLS-1998 Sylk-E-Fyne - Raw Sylk (1998) D.I.T.C.-Put_it_in_Your_System-VLS-1998 D.I.T.C.-Day_One__Show_Remix_-VLS-1998 Noreaga-Superthug-_Full_VLS_-1998 Trick...
August 8th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, AUDIO, MUSIC, STRAY SHOTS | Read More

“The Moment Of Truth”

We have been here before…literally. If you check Sorce’s post, it was almost a year ago to the day. And every time we make a trip back around to this neck of the woods, discussions ensue. So instead of espousing our beliefs as to why this album should be an essential part of the Hip-Hop...
August 8th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, AUDIO, MUSIC, STRAY SHOTS | Read More

Aquarius + Gemini = Aquemini

Deviation. The path less traveled. The mastery of one’s own art, not of another’s. Aquemini. Though ATLiens pushed unruly boundaries and set the tempo for Big Boi and Andre, Aquemini created a moment where everyone was excited about potential; of Outkast, of Hip-Hop and of music in general....
August 8th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, AUDIO, GENERAL, MUSIC, REVIEWS | Read More

A Great Day Indeed…

On Sept. 29th 1998 thanks to the efforts of XXL, 200 old and new school Hip-Hop artists assembled on 17 E. 126th Street in Harlem to show solidaridarity as they recreated the photo of Jazz musicians taken by legendary photographer Art Kane back in 1958 at the same address. The East, West, Midwest,...
August 8th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, GENERAL, VIDEO | Read More

A Day In The Life Of A Soul Survivor…

Words By Landon A. There are only a few albums in anyone’s collection that can be played from start to finish — interludes, skits and instrumental tracks included. And few of these albums can be played any day of the year — from Christmas (or Kwanzaa or Hanukkah) to the fourth of July. Soul...
August 8th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, GENERAL, MUSIC | Read More

He Won The Battle…

…but lost the war. How does this type of shit happen? After ten years, the question still causes widespread puzzlement across the Hip-Hop community.  Dude had it.  The flow, the gruff, battle-tested vocals.  The skills to “eat a nigga’s ass…” (his words, not...
August 8th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, AUDIO, GENERAL, MUSIC | Read More

“What U Saw Is What U Got…”

Not only is this arguably the best video of 1998, it also holds rank of being one of the most stimulating clips that ever graced Hip-Hop. Yes kiddies. Before he was pimpin’ Honda Civics or being co-signed from the Aftermath crew, Mr. X to tha Z was still a force on the microphone. Peep as the...
August 8th, 2008 | ARTIST WEEKS, GENERAL, MUSIC, VIDEO | Read More