90’s hip-hop raised me…Part 2
Let’s go.….
“Can’t Truss It” – Public Enemy (1991) – One of the many old-school hip-hop tracks that’s still relevant today. You can’t trust shit anymore, nothing or no one. This was the song that brought this to my attention. To this day…I don’t trust a damn thing. Like they say in the song…”just watch your back…can’t truss it!”
“Insane in the brain” – Cypress Hill (1993) – I realized that I wasn’t the only one going crazy over pretty much everything. This song let me know there’s nothing wrong with it. Many people didn’t know this song wasn’t even supposed to be a single. It was a diss track towards Chubb Rock. However…I’m forever grateful for this song because just the title alone spoke to my heart.
“Runnin” – The Pharcyde (1995) – Another cut on the list from The Pharcyde. The message in this song is that you can’t run away from your problems. You have to fix them or else they will just follow you. I used to think about moving out of town because I hated my job as well as other issues that I had going on, many I didn’t realize until much later. Moving out of town would’ve done nothing except I would have the same problems, just in different surroundings.
“Poor Georgie” – MC Lyte (1991) – We’ve all had that partner or friend who you just can’t help. We’ve all had some Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde’s as well. Once they get comfortable those true colors come up. This opened my eyes to that at an early age. People aren’t always who they appear to be.
“Straighten It Out” – Pete Rock & CL Smooth (1992) – CL Smooth is undoubtedly one of the greatest lyricists to ever grab the mic. CL is another underrated MC. I chose this song because it’s telling us to stay on the straight and narrow path. Don’t get caught up in bullshit, especially other people’s bullshit.
“Warning” – Notorious B.I.G. (1995) – This song was a message to watch your back. It could be the very people you know doing you dirty, or trying to do you dirty.
“Get Money” – Junior Mafia & Notorious B.I.G. (1996) – Self-explanatory. Fuck everything else…GET MONEY!!! That’s all!
“If my homies call” – 2Pac (1991) – I’ve always been a faithful and dedicated friend to those who are to me. I am almost to a fault, but I will never apologize for it. My friends know they can always count on me.
“Survival of the fittest” – Mobb Deep (1995) – My favorite hip-hop duo. Like ATCQ…I can recite pretty much every Mobb Deep song and feature they’ve been on. I was devastated when Prodigy died and I’m still in shock. This song just screams mid 90’s east coast hip-hop DOWN! It’s real out here in these streets and this song lets us know that only the strong survive. Take note…in many situations…survival is neccessary.
