90’s hip-hop raised me…Part 3

“Gotta Get Mine” – MC Breed featuring 2Pac (1993) – If I’m out here hustling to survive and make ends meet…you gotta do the same. R.I.P. to both of these legends. This song let me know that’s it’s okay to be selfish when you’re out getting yours. Yours can be ANYTHING you feel that you need. Still to this day…one of my favorite sayings is, “I keep my mind on my money, and my money on my mind!”

“Rise n’ Shine” – Kool Moe D, KRS-One & Chuck D (1991) – Exactly what the title of the song says. Be proud of who you are and embrace who you are.

“All About The Benjamins” – Puffy, Lil’ Kim & The Lox (1997) – Now…I told y’all I was about my coin. Not only is the beat EVERYTHING, but I still tell people…”It’s all about the Benjamin’s baby!” Letting you know that up front what I’m about.

“24 Hours to Live” – Mase, Puffy, The Lox, Black Rob & DMX (1998) – This song came out my senior year of high school. Still very young, but old enough to make you think. If you knew that you had only 24 hours to live…what would you do? To this day…it still makes me think and I really have no clue what I would do. Hopefully, I’ll never have to think about it for real.

“Strobelite Honey” – Black Sheep (1991) – Almost put you in the mindset of a “Poor Georgie” but this song lets us know that who your checking out will look totally different out of the strobelite. I’m glad I understood the meaning of this song before I started going to the clubs. It saved me from a lot of “Strobelite Honeys.” Just sayin!

“Somebody for me” – Heavy D & The Boyz featuring Al B. Sure (1989-90) – Most of us want that perfect person to just come into our lives and be just about ME! No one else, no games, no drama…NOTHING! If this song doesn’t teach you not to settle and get someone you deserve…I don’t know what else will.

“Mind Playing Tricks On Me” – Geto Boys (1991) – Pre my knowledge of being diagnosed with anxiety and depression…I always made fun of my attachment to this song. It was real. Aside from that…I’m sure everyone has had a moment or moments that had their mind playing tricks. Some of these delusions can seem like a dream; usually they aren’t.  It’s not fun, but hopefully, we’ve learned from it.

“Love Me or Leave Me Alone” – Brand Nubian (1993) – Do I really need to explain? Love me or get the F outta here. Well……

“Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down” – Brand Nubian (1993) – MY FOREVER ANTHEM! This song allowed me the fortitude to defend myself by any means necessary. No questions! No discussions! Let’s just go!