(This blog wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Riz'...)
Have a great day homie!
Aight, let's start the show...
On this day in 1917, jazz-master Thelonious Monk (the smoothest mofo in history IMO) was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. A superstar in his own right, Monk worked with legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and several others. He's influenced Hip-Hop artists (Common's 'Thelonius' produced by J Dilla and featuring Slum Village is one example) and was even sampled. His work has been looped by producers like Premo (for GangStarr's classic 'Jazz Thing') as well as RZA (for the Wu-banger 'Shame on a N***a'). Rest In Peace. [Catch Monk in action here]
On this day in 1926, Chi-Town legend, jazz artist, poet and political activist Oscar Brown Jr. was born. Brown passed away on May 29th, 2005. Rest In Peace. [Watch one of his Def Poetry Jam peformances here] He also blessed the intro to Black Market Militia's debut album.
On this day in 1978, R&B songstress Mya was born. Two decades later, men across the planet rejoiced. [This one's a classic...Tarheel jerseys never looked so good ;-D]
On this day in 1985, the third episode of The Cosby Show's second season was aired on television. What's so special about that? The episode, titled 'Happy Anniversary', featured one of the warmest and equally hilarious moments in TV history. [Watch the classic scene here]
On this day in 1987, the classic/perfect/landmark/quintessential/epic (what more can I say?) album Paid In Full by Eric B. & Rakim was released. A defining masterpiece of Hip-Hop's Golden Era, 'Paid In Full' further led the emergence of Jazz-based Hip-Hop. Furthermore, Rakim's laid-back style coupled with his multi-syllabic rhyme schemes have been the foundation for many emcees since then. The album was not only a landmark release for the Hip-Hop scene, but music in general, earning a spot in Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. (Side note: In 2003, Eric B. filed a lawsuit against Island Def Jam claiming that, in fact, he had NOT been paid in full. The irony...) [Check out this breakdancing video featuring 'I Know You Got Soul', my favorite EB&R song, here]
Also on this day in 1987, Michael Jackson's hit song 'Bad' (you know, the one with all those zippers...lol) struck the #1 spot on the Number-One Hits World Chart. The song was sampled by the legendary Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five on the track 'The Boy is Dope.
Also on this day in 1987, the Reverend Jesse Jackson launched his second campaign for the United States presidency.
On this day in 1990, Boogie Down Productions' album 'Edutainment' (we need more of that nowadays) was certified Gold by the RIAA, 3 months after it was releaed.
Also on this day in 1990, Lalah Hathaway released her third single, 'Baby Don't Cry.' Word to 'Pac! [Watch the music video here]
On this day in 1994, OutKast released 'Git Up, Git Out' (one of my favorite OK songs), their third single from their debut album 'Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.' The track featured Mr. Green himself, Cee-Lo as well as Big Gipp. Interestingly enough, this was the first song to actually feature a Goodie Mob member on wax. Wow! [Watch the music video to 'Git Up, Git Out' here]
On this day in 1995, AZ dropped his classic debut 'Doe or Die.' The album features several prime, vintage-style cuts including personal favorites 'Rather Unique' and 'Sugar Hill.' [Peep the video to 'Sugar Hill' right here]
Also on this day in 1995, Blastmasta KRS-One from the mighty BDP released his eponymous sophomore album which featured the Premo-produced cuts 'Rappaz R. N. Dainja' and 'MC's Act Like They Don't Know', as well as a personal favorite of mine, 'Free Mumia.'
On this day in 1996, everyone's favorite Irish rap group, House of Pain, released their third and last album, Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again.
On this day in 2000, Ja Rule released Rule 3:36, his first album to go 3x platinum. [Remember this song?]
Also on this day in 2000, Afu-Ra released the underground classic debut album 'Body of the Life Force.' Features included GZA, Smif-N-Wessun, Masta Killa, Ky-Mani Marley & M.O.P. Producers included Muggs, Premo & Da Beatminerz. Can't f*ck wit' that! [Listen to the gritty 'Mortal Kombat' featuring Masta Killa here]
On this day in 2006, the Bryon Hurt-directed documentary 'Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes' was released. Among other great moments in the film, Chuck D stated: "BET is the cancer of black manhood in the world, because they have one-dimensionalized and commodified us into being a one-trick image." Fight the Power! [Watch a trailer to 'HH: BB&R' here]
On this day in 2007, Brit-band Radiohead makes history! [Site]
Also on this day in 2007, Chamillionaire releases 'Industry Groupie' as 'Ultimate Victory's second official single. [Listen to the song here]
And finally, on this day in 2007, we've got a snippet to DEAD PRESIDENTS III!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jay-Z - Dead Presidents III (Snippet)
^ Proof of G-d's existence ^
Lol
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