The "Higher Learning" Soundtrack (1995)

Reflecting the mixed musical tastes of the film's university population, the soundtrack to John Singleton's Higher Learning (1995) features a broad sampling of rap, modern folk, indie, and R&B music. The majority of these sides were cut especially for the soundtrack, with standouts including tracks by Ice Cube, Outkast, Me'Shell NdegéOcello, Liz Phair, and Rage Against the Machine. Some club soul comes courtesy of the Brand New Heavies and Raphael Saadiq of Tony! Toni! Toné! fame, while Eve's Plum adds some power-chord pop, and bassist Stanley Clarke updates his fusion funk sound on the collection's lone instrumental. There's also Tori Amos chipping in with her own "Butterfly" and a cover of R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" (While Amos fans are sure to be ecstatic, those a bit weary of the singer's particular brand of melodrama will find no relief). Minor squabbles aside, this is a fine soundtrack. - AllMusic. You can't argue with Raphael Saadiq's "Ask of You" and the overall quality of the film. From Omar Epps to Lawrence Fishburne to Tyra Banks; Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes and the performance of Michael Rapaport... all stellar in '95. When is the last time you revisited this film? Go back, and also check out the soundtrack which was released on this day in 1995. Unfortunately the OST isn't streaming on Spotify, but I trust you can dig it up easily enough...

Busta Rhymes "The Coming" (25th Ann. Mix by DJ Filthy Rich)

Toronto's DJ Filthy Rich returns with his latest anniversary mix... this time honoring the 25th Anniversary of Busta Rhymes' classic debut album, The Coming from 1996. Filthy Rich's mix features unique blends, remixes, loosies, original samples and more. Clocking in at just under an hour, you'll also hear vocals from Rampage the Last Boy Scout, A Tribe Called Quest, Zhane, Jamal, Redman, Keith Murray and others. When you think of longevity in hip-hop, classic verses, and an artist who has continued to reinvent himself with hits crossing multiple decades, Busta Rhymes is one of the very first MCs that should come to your mind. Give that man his flowers and peep the mix below...

Busta Rhymes "Extinction Level Event 2" (Album Stream)

As the first album from the legendary Busta Rhymes in eleven years, Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, Rhymes enlisted Chris Rock to tease the album announcement. Arguably Busta Rhymes' best album to date, he leaves no stone unturned perfecting his craft and finding the right production to fit his styles. Word is, Busta has been sitting on some of this production for a very long time (22 years in at least one case). The album features many heavyweights like Vybez Kartel, Kendrick Lamar, Ol' Dirty Bastard (R.I.P.), Rapsody, Mary J. Blige, Andreson .Paak, Rakim, Pete Rock, M.O.P., Rick Ross, Q-Tip, Mariah Carey and more! The whole (hip-hop) world is talking about this project right now, and while some of that is the industry's "machine," a lot of it is simply a testament to the great music put forth on the album by Busta. Rumors of a deluxe-like edition are already floating around, but for now, dig into the album below and let me know what you think! Sidenote: Salute to Busta because all artists have nothing but good things to say about his character and friendship. In this business, that's saying an awful lot, so props to him for that too.

A Tribe Called Quest "Scenario" (Live in 1992)

I mentioned the Scenario remix just the other day, got me thinking back to Tribe and Phife, of course, rest in peace. Then, I was on YouTube and because I mentioned it here, Google remembers everything (suspect!) and it suggested a live video of A Tribe Called & Quest and Leaders of the New School up at the Arsenio Hall Show in '92. Gotta appreciate all that Arsenio Hall did to broadcast Hip-Hop to a national crowd, and peep the CD longbox he's holding? Geez, I hated those things back in the day, but now I wish I had more of them, just for the unique versions of the artwork. In the interview after the live performance, Arsenio asks, "We've got problems in this country: riots here, economy problems everywhere, drugs, education, what would you like to say to the youth of America, 'cuz they need to hear positive things..." Ali Shaheed Muhammad says, "As far as those who have turned 18 years old, A Tribe Called Quest suggests that you go out there and register to vote, and that's real. That's your voice. As far as those under 18, stay in school, study, for real - it's a big game you have to learn to play. Definitely." I wish I could say times have changed. They also discuss the relationship between the title "The Low End Theory" and 808s, as well as changing stereotypes for how people look at the black youth in America. Check it all out below...

Busta Rhymes "Extinction Level Event" (Press Kit, 1998)

"Busta Rhymes is more than aware that there are plenty of vipers out there who want his game. For example, a recent article put forth the notion that his tremendous underground appeal might wane under the weight of his ever-expanding hold on mainstream audiences. But Busta never flinches. For the man who had the courage to condemn rap's whole 'keepin' it real' mantra as "Propaganda," this new challenge is but a blip on his radar screen. Rap's most incandescent visionary has always been more interested in shedding light than heat. Which is why, throughout the '90's, Busta Rhymes has managed to fuse his everyday experiences as a black man, as a son, and as a father, with much more eternal concerns. Leading him - as he says - "To contemplate the shit between the lines." Selling millions of albums by remaining true to himself." Cont'd below...

"So it's with his boldest strokes yet that he's approached his third solo album, Extinction Level Event (The Final World Front.) The 19 song disc is an apocalyptic tour de force, with Busta - who now commands the listener's attention with a rock star's ferocity - unleashing thought provoking verses one minute, and spitting out euphoric hailstones of hectic, teeth clenching rhymes the next. E.L.E. is Busta's crowning epoch. A maelstrom of enlightened, turbulent wordplay about the impending millennium. But where other rappers have only recently immersed themselves in the year 2K, Busta has long wielded a futuristic sword about him. The day of reckoning has served as subtext of his two smash platinum plus solo albums, 1996's The Coming, and 1997's When Disaster Strikes. But it was during Busta's tenure with the legendary Leaders of the New School, launched in 1990, that he first explored such explosive subject matter. Many point to the Leaders second LP, 1993's T.I.M.E. as the beginning of Busta's fascination with the extinction theme." - Press Kit, 1998. Happy 20th!

A Tribe Called Quest 'Dis Generation' (Video)

I've been patiently waiting on a video for this track since the album dropped last November. A Tribe Called Quest's 'We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service' is pure art; a gift from Rap legends, and the perfect tribute to one of our fallen greats, Phife Dawg. "Dis Generation finds the remaining members of Tribe (Q-Tip, Jarobi, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and longtime collaborator Busta Rhymes) dancing in the shadows — literally and figuratively — as they school listeners with lyrical wordplay. For a group whose visual presentation has always been on-point, it's right up there with the best Tribe videos of all time — word to Phife, whose presence is felt verbally if not visually." (NPR) Take a moment to celebrate and enjoy the video below, it's directed by Hiro Murai. R.I.P., Phife Dawg.

A Tribe Called Quest "We Got It From Here ... Thank You 4 Your Service"

It's hard to package into words what a new project from A Tribe Called Quest means to a kid like me, who grew up on their music. My emotions split off in so many different directions. As bittersweet as it can feel at times, this is a beautiful moment - we haven't had an album since 1998, and now having Jarobi back in the fold definitely makes it extra special to me - that's family! I suppose I need to sit with it, unpack it and then come back to talk more about it. For now, I'll leave it to the description they've sent, "A Tribe Called Quest - Q-Tip, Phife Dawg (who passed away on March 22nd, 2016), Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Jarobi White - the groundbreaking 90's group that forever transformed the urban music landscape reunited on their first and last studio album together in eighteen years. Guests on ''We got it from Here...Thank You 4 Your Service'' include; Kendrick Lamar, Elton John, Jack White, Andre 3000, Busta Rhymes, Consequence, Anderson.Paak, and Talib Kweli." It's hard to click play, but once you do, that old feeling comes rushing back. I feel like a kid all over again... where's my walkman? Give thanks and listen below! Rest In Peace, Phife.

A Tribe Called Quest "Scenario Remix" (The Source, 5/92)

"Freestyle fanatics will be bumrushing record stores when they hear the latest offering from Quest's gold album. Rocking over an entirely new beat stacked with crushing drums and a pimped-out bass line, the already incredible duet between The Tribe and Leaders Of The New School is fattened with all new lyrics and a few new voices on the mic. Q-Tip, Phife, Charlie, Dinco, and Busta come off lovely as usual, but it is Cut Montior Milo (L.O.N.S. DJ) and Hood who almost steal the mic. Hood has since passed away but his contribution as lead off MC will not be forgotten. Also included is the original "Scenario" and the hype instrumental of the remix. The B-side, "Butter," is one of the best cuts on the album and is a solo showcase for the skills of Phife Dawg." - The Source, 5/92

"The release of A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario," the third single from their gold album, The Low End Theory, has been marred by the tragic death of an artist who is featured on the remix. An MC named Hood, who goes first on the song, died only two days after recording his debut on wax. Hood (Troy Anthony Hall), was reportedly beaten and shot in the head outside of a group home in Harlem where he often resided ... Q-Tip, who was introduced by (Kenny) Lee (close friend and manager), had become a close friend of Hood's. It was Tip's initiative that gave Hood the opportunity to appear on the remix ... "Every time I saw him he was rhymin', he was dope. He really seemed like he was sold on coming out and working hard. The day we taped (the "Scenario" remix), he went in the studio, took his shirt off, and went in the booth. He did it in one take," says Q-Tip. At the very least, we can be thankful that Hood had the opportunity to be immortalized on wax before he died. His memory will live on in hip-hop forever." - The Source, 5/92 ("Ear To The Street"). R.I.P., Hood. (Updated)

The Fugees "Rumble In The Jungle" (1997)

"Rumble In The Jungle" was released in 1997 on the soundtrack to the Oscar-winning documentary, "When We Were Kings;" an unforgettable account of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman's infamous fight in Zaire in 1974. Leon Gast's "When We Were Kings" is touted as the "untold story of the Rumble In The Jungle," and as the celebratory first single, The Fugees were joined by A Tribe Called Quest, John Forte, and Busta Rhymes. Peep Lauryn Hill's bars and the video for the song below...

"...The man's got a God complex

But take the text, change the picture

Watch Muhammad play the messenger like Holy Muslim scriptures

Take orders from only God

Only war when it's Jihad

See Ali appears in Zaire to reconnect 400 years

So we the people, dark but equal, give love to such things

To the man who made the fam' remember when we were kings..."

Craig Mack "Project Funk Da World" (Review, The Source 1994)

The debut album from Craig Mack, "Project Funk Da World" was also the first album distributed through Puff's Bad Boy Entertainment. Puff and Craig Mack were both 23 at the time of its release, which is kinda crazy when I think back on it. "Flava In Ya Ear" was the smash hit single to promote the album, as well as the remix with an all-star line-up including The Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, Rampage, and LL Cool J. Easy Mo Bee produced that as well as the second single "Get Down," until they dropped the remix featuring Q-Tip, another solid banger. The Source gave the album 4 mics, which may have been generous at the time, despite some strong singles. Ben Smith wrote, "This summer, as if from nowhere, Craig Mack jumped into the over-saturated rap market and blew all fake, no skillz rappers out of the picture. His street anthem, the irresistible, hypnotic "Flava In Ya Ear" single had wack MC's on their knees, "burning, begging please," under Craig's devastating, off-beat attack. On Funk Da World, he resumes where the single left off, providing eleven tracks of East Coast's most rugged, raw, truly hardcore urban-contemporary-jeep-music." Cont'd below...

"While being touted as the next big thing, older heads who heard MC E-Z & Troop's 1987 classic "Get Retarded" will know that this Brentwood, Lond Island native is no new jack ... The Mack has seen hip-hop culture descend from the sublime days of '87 to the current state of ridiculousness, and now "Judgment Day" is here for all wack MC's who aren't "Real Raw." Throughout the album, he displays well-perfected mic skills, delivering them with a precision and discipline that's hard to beat ... Funk Da World's production - simple, hard beats and samples in the Hit Squad mold (principally by Easy Mo Bee and Craig) - complement Mack's serpentine flows ... we're given a refreshing, back-to-basics, solid collection that's more than enough for Craig Mack to funk da world." (1994)