Soundtrack Bangers

Back in the day, movie soundtracks were as popular if not more popular than the movies they were created for.  In the 90s, some soundtracks such as Menace II Society and Above the Rim were considered hip-hop classics while others such as Who’s the Man? and Deep Cover introduced us to emcees whom would later become legendary.  These days, soundtracks aren’t as popular, but if you came up in the 90s, soundtrack releases were anticipating as much as any albums.  In honor of these soundtracks, I’ve decided to give you 26 bangers that appeared on soundtracks.  There’s no particular order and I’m sure I missed some so let me know.

1.     MC Eiht – Streiht Up Menace (Menace II Society)

2.     Nas – One On One (Street Fighter)

The Street Fighter soundtrack had 3 or 4 gems on it and this one from Nas was probably the best one.

3.     Outkast – Phobia (Higher Learning)

4.     2Pac – Pain (Above the Rim)

My favorite Pac song of all-time.  This song was only available on the cassette version.

5.     Method Man & Redman – How High (The Show)

6.     Ice Cube – How To Survive In South Central (Boyz N the Hood)

7.     Tha Dogg Pound – Big Pimpin’ (Above the Rim)

My boy Brian put me on the clean version of Above the Rim soundtrack and the clean version of this song was just as dope as the dirty version.

8.     Outkast – Benz Or Beamer (New Jersey Drive)

9.     Tha Dogg Pound – Just Doggin (Sunset Park)

This song was playing in the background from a scene in Above the Rim which came out before Sunset Park, but for some reason it wasn’t on the Above the Rim soundtrack.

10. A Tribe Called Quest – Hot Sex (Boomerang)

11. Common – High Expectations (Soul in the Hole)

Soul in the Hole seems to be a forgotten soundtrack.  It had a lot of dope tracks on it.

12. Naughty By Nature – Uptown Anthem (Juice)

13. Digital Underground – Same Song (Nothing But Trouble)

Introduced us to Pac

14.  The Notorious B.I.G. – Party & Bullshit (Who’s the Man?)

15. Eminem – Lose Yourself (8 Mile)

16. DJ Quik – Dollaz + Sense (Murder Was the Case)

17. Master P, Young Bleed & C-Loc – How Ya Do Dat (I’m Bout It)

18. Jay-Z – This Life Forever (Black Gangster)

19. Dr. Dre & Snoop Doggy Dogg – Deep Cover (Deep Cover)

20. Eric B. & Rakim – Juice (Know the Ledge) (Juice)

21. Warren G – Regulate (Above the Rim)

22. 2Pac – Definition of a Thug N**** (Poetic Justice)

I forgot about this track until a couple of years ago when I came across the Poetic Justice soundtrack for some reason.

23. Mobb Deep – Back At You (Sunset Park)

24. Mic Geronimo, DMX, Cormega, Ja Rule & Fatal – Usual Suspects (How to Be a Player)

A young DMX and Ja Rule.  Mic Geronimo before he messed up and got with Puff.  For some reason I really like this track.

25. Public Enemy – Fight the Power (Do the Right Thing)

26. Main Source – Fakin the Funk (White Men Can’t Jump)

The Greatest Rapper of All-Time Died on March 9th...

From http://keepittrill.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/notorious-big.jpg

This past Sunday marked the 17^th year anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.’s death.  If you’re reading this blog, I imagine you’re familiar with B.I.G. and already know his story, so I won’t waste time going over those details again.  In honor of his passing (you might not call it an honor after reading), I’d like to tell you about the time I saw Biggie in concert.

The year was 1995 and it was my senior year of high school.  I believe the concert was in April and it was supposed to be B.I.G., Craig Mack and Mobb Deep.  B.I.G. and Craig Mack had just released their debut albums in September of 1994 and Mobb Deep was getting ready to drop their second album, the soon to be classic The Infamous.  When I bought the tickets for the concert, my mindset was that as long as B.I.G. and Craig Mack showed up, I would be alright and because they were label mates, I figured they would both show up.  I had only heard Shook Ones from Mobb Deep, so while I wanted to see them, I wasn’t too pressed about it.  The concert was in Grand Rapids and I can’t remember the venue, but I believe it was a smaller venue.  Anyway, the concert came and we come inside and the sign says Craig Mack and Mobb Deep won’t be appearing, but it was still cool because Biggie would be there and he was the main attraction.

From that point, there was just a slew of opening acts.  Bad opening acts.  None were memorable.  I have no idea how long we were waiting for Biggie to come out, but at some point, the emcee that night had to try to settle the crowd down because the crowd had started to become anxious and was chanting Biggie’s name.  After what seemed like forever (it was probably two or three hours), B.I.G. finally hit the stage…for what seemed like five minutes.  I swear it seemed like he only did 3 or 4 songs.  Of course there was Juicy and Big Poppa.  I think he might have performed Warning.  I do remember that at one point he threw a bunch of dollar bills in the crowd and my boy Mike actually caught one of them and said he would never spend it.  At the time, this was only the second concert I had been to and it failed to live up to the hype of the first concert I had been to (Method Man, Gravediggaz, Keith Murray, etc.).  I’m not sure why B.I.G. mailed it in that night.  Maybe it was because the other acts hadn’t shown up or maybe it was because it was in a small venue and in a city he had never heard of.  Regardless, I have to say I was pretty disappointed after that concert and it’s probably the worst concert I’ve ever been to.  Despite this, I still love B.I.G. and he’s one of my favorite rappers of all-time and Ready To Die is one of my favorite albums, so I’m not telling this story to bash B.I.G.  I just wanted to share a story that I know most of you haven’t heard before.  In closing, I leave you with a video of Biggie performing at the Apollo in ’96. 

R.I.P. B.I.G.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!

A lot of people that know me would accuse me of not having a romantic bone in my body or being incapable of love.  I’m actually ok with that description and I do my best to embrace it.  However, just because my heart is an icebox, it doesn’t mean that I can’t still give out some music advice as we approach Valentine’s Day.  So, for all you guys out there looking to bring the hip-hop purist out of your lady, put the following playlist together and she’ll be putty in your hands. 

Method Man – All I Need (Original Version)

You’re tempted to replace it with the remix featuring Mary J., but don’t, you’re trying to bring the hip-hop purist out of your girl.  You need the grimy version.

Pharcyde – Passing Me By

MC Lyte – Poor Georgie

It’s not only a love song, but a PSA for drunk driving…Poor Georgie indeed.

Mos Def – Ms. Fat Booty

Ghostface – Camay

For that grown woman in your life that makes baked macaroni and turkey wings.

Lost Boyz – Renee

J. Cole – Dreams

If she has a man, this will persuade her to leave him for you.

UGK & Outkast – International Player’s Anthem

Notorious B.I.G. – One More Chance (Original)

Refer to the comments on Meth’s All I Need.  You need the grimy version.

Goodie Mob – Beautiful Skin

The sentimental moment of the mixtape.

Dogg Pound – Let’s Play House

Outkast – We Luv Deez Hoez

Don’t focus on the misogynistic word.  Focus on that they luv you despite the weave and fake nails.

2Pac – How Do U Want It

Naughty By Nature – O.P.P.

This is for the couples like Will and Jada.

Little Brother – Slow It Down

Mobb Deep – Shook Ones Pt. II

This joint is to mixtapes what ranch dressing is to food, it goes with anything!

Andre 3000 – Happy Valentine’s Day