Attentive Rock NYC readers will note that on occasion Iman “The Big Kahuna” Lababedi will drop a random A+ list, which means a grouping of material better than Neil Diamond’s “Forever in Blue Jeans.” I’ve decided to jump into the game (sometimes you get recruited, sometimes you cut into the dance) with my own somewhat random A+ list, the first being focused on ‘90s rap. Two things to remember. One, this is not an attempt at an all-inclusive list. Two, money talks, but it don’t sign and dance and it don’t walk.
1. “Ladies First,” Queen Latifah. Dana Owens and Monie Love dropped a rap feminist anthem in 1990; Queen L. has had a successful multi-media career in television, films, and music, while Monie Love has worked in commercial and satellite radio. Rumor has it, that title may have more than one meaning.
2. “Mama Said Knock You Out,” LL Cool J. LL didn’t debut or peak with his country duet with Brad Paisley. So, let’s not call “Accidental Racist” a comeback.
3. “Can’t Truss It,” Public Enemy. Public Enemy brought rock ‘n’ roll attitude to rap music, but never had much crossover chart success. “Can’t Truss It” clocked in at #1 rap, #11 soul, and number #50 on the pop charts, while undoubtedly making a few white people uncomfortable in the process.
4. “Tennessee,” Arrested Development. In 1992, Arrested Development was selling an alternative to gangsta rap in both music and style and critics predicted a long and artistically significant career for the band. Sorry, guys.
5. “Sabotage,” Beastie Boys. A rap song more by association that structure, “Sabotage” blasted through the airwaves in 1994. After losing to Aerosmith’s “Cryin’” for MTV’s 1994 “Video of the Year” award, I lost a little bit of faith in humanity.
6. “I Am I Be,” De La Soul. Imagine the rap/jazz fusion of your dreams. Then, wake up and realize that your dream is weak spaghetti compared to this track.
7. “Hypnotize,” The Notorious B.I.G. A posthumous #1 song, just like “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Time in a Bottle,” and “(Just Like) Starting Over.” Dying young sucks for the artist’s family, but it’s never a bad career move.
8. “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem),” Jay-Z. I’m not a huge fan of Jay-Z as a rapper, but he knows how to work a smart hook. The fact that he is married to Beyonce should serve as inspiration for average looking men everywhere.
9. “He Got Game,” Public Enemy. Chuck D. samples “For What It’s Worth” and Stephen Stills even joins in on the fun. Not every song that drops f-bombs in the chorus features a choir.
10. “My Name Is” Eminem. Dr. Dre changed the rap game in the late ‘80s with N.W.A. and found a white boy that would do some business at the end of the ‘90s.