Biz Markie "Toilet Stool Rap" (Promo Toilet, 1991)

T.S.R. certainly isn't my favorite cut from Biz Markie, but who could resist making a post about Biz's Cold Chillin' promotional toilet bowl? Not me. In the song Biz shares a lil' secret, "To all the little kids I'm makin a good impression / Cause a lot of my hits are written on the john / I hope my legendary style of rap lives on / This's a hidden secret where classics come from / Everybody has done it, even my man Run...." T.S.R. was released on Biz Markie's I Need A Haircut in 1991 and features the Bobby Bland sample of "Sad Feeling." It was released on 12" and there's a video with Biz's (un)usual off-the-wall style and charisma, but Canada's MuchMusic voted the video "Worst Video of the Year," so it's possible you've never seen this bathroom serenade in all its glory. Biz was sued over a separate sample on the album, which changed the hip hop music industry, requiring that any future music sampling be pre-approved by the original copyright owners to avoid a lawsuit. Biz would poke fun at his misfortunes, titling his next album All Samples Cleared! Watch the video below...

De La Soul "Live At Tramps, NYC" (March 16, 1996)

In the annals of hip-hop history, few performances capture the essence of an era like De La Soul's 1996 set at New York City's Tramps nightclub. Recorded on May 16, 1996, this electrifying show was immortalized in the live album Live at Tramps, NYC, 1996, released in 2004. The performance at Tramps showcased De La Soul's dynamic stage presence and their ability to connect with the audience. The trio—Posdnuos, Trugoy, and Maseo—delivered a setlist that spanned their influential career, blending thought-provoking lyrics with infectious energy. The night was further elevated by guest appearances from some of hip-hop's finest! Before achieving solo fame, Mos Def joined De La Soul for a rendition of "Big Brother Beat," offering a glimpse into his burgeoning talent. Common lent his lyrical prowess to tracks like "The Bitch in Yoo" and "The Bizness," adding depth to the performance. Fellow Native Tongues members, the Jungle Brothers, also reunited with De La Soul for a spirited performance of their classic collaboration, "Buddy." For those eager to witness this iconic concert, the full performance is now available below thanks to a recent video link update...

Canibal Ox "The Cold Vein" (CMJ, August 2001)

"The members of Harlem's Cannibal Ox not only relish the ol' school, but a time before ol' school. During "Ridiculoid," from the duo's debut Cold Vein, Vordul Mega offers a stream of consciousness recollection: "I still remember the age of Coleco, a daily struggle, but I hold onto the vision - hip-hop at its best when it lacked television." If you take away rap's broadcasted glamour and everything it bore - the gold chains and the stretch 4x4s - you return to the era of politically empowered street griots such as Harlem's Last Poets. The urgent cries and idealistic ponderings of Mega and his partner Vast Aire often recall their conscious rap forefathers, mixing references to Jackie Gleason, Sigmund Freud and the Kennedy Curse into anecdotes about welfare mothers and that "anorexic space between love and hate." (Updated) ... Check out video of the Cold Vein record release party: the performance features Cannibal Ox, El-P, and Mr. Lif in front of a sold out crowd. This amazing show took place on June 24, 2001 at The Middle East in Cambridge, MA. Cont'd below...

"Producer El-P (formerly of Company Flow) spill-paints the tracks with rocket engine swooshes, moody bass notes and fax-machine feedback. It's not always the most head-bopping combination, but it allows room for the rappers' philosophical squiggles, which simultaneously decry the era of soundbites while utilizing its most effective weapon. You may be able to find funkier hip-hop tracks, yet you'll be hard-pressed to find a more brilliant report on the mindstate of Harlem youth - one that remains reverent to that neighborhood's poetic past." - CMJ, August 2001. (Updated).

2Pac "Tupac Finds The Afterlife In Last Video" (Vibe, 1997)

For those that weren't of age or if time has faded the memories, you might not remember how soon after 2Pac's tragic death we were given the somber visuals to his song "I Ain't Mad at 'Cha." This post in Vibe will take you back... "By now you've probably seen the video for Tupac's "I Ain't Mad at 'Cha": the one in which 'Pac is shot to death, goes to heaven, and becomes a guardian angel; the one that MTV premiered (and played hourly) three days after Tupac's real-life demise; the one that invited sensational headlines like: Eerie final video predicts death. Eerie? Sure, especially when you listen to Tupac rapping over the images, "Picture us inside a ghetto heaven / In my chest I feel pain." But hardly a surprise. From "Bury Me A G" to "If I Die Tonight," Tupac has always grappled with mortality (his own and others') in his music." Peep the visuals to "I Ain't Mad at 'Cha," cont'd...

"Even this final video is actually a variation on another video that Tupac himself directed for Oakland rapper Mac Mall's '94 debut, "Ghetto Theme." In that clip Tupac kills Mac Mall, whose spirit then haunts 'Pac and makes him repent his murderous sins. The difference in this version is that Tupac no longer plays the loser but the lost; leaving behind his homie, played by real-life friend Bokeem Woodbine, as well as us to mourn. "I Ain't Mad at 'Cha" is just the last chapter in the life of a man who never seemed fully comfortable with his place on earth. He often cited a troubled childhood, the lack of a father, an inability to fit in. Like many in our generation who've felt the same, he feared anonymity more than death, wondering if people would appreciate him more after he was gone. Seeing images of Tupac walking in the clouds while his friends grieve below, you can't help but hear another of his self-conscious lines, "How long will they mourn me?" How long, indeed." - Vibe 

Cypress Hill "Insane In The Brain" (The Source, 6/93)

"The much-anticipated return of the boys from the Hill finds B-Real, Sen Dog and DJ Muggs kicking flavor similar to the material on their debut smash LP - and that's a good thing. The A-Side begins with an insane Latino voice saying, "Don't you know I'm loco?" and leads into a hardcore track that sounds like Pete Rock's "The Creator" coupled with deep bass and trademark screechy noise. B-Real shows and proves that his nasal flow never gets played, and after two billion other records have talked about smoking weed, it's almost reassuring to hear the standard Cypress tales of shooting down suckers and puffing mad herb. The hook utilizes Sen's baritone response voice - when B-Real says "Insane in the membrane," Sen calls back with "insane in the brain!" Check out the video...

"The b-side kinda reminds you of the Wild West, with its bouncy bass, long organ sound, and B-Real saying, "I'm comin' out blastin like Yosemite Sam!" Guaranteed: the nearly one million fans of the first Cypress LP will be grooving to these tracks, proving the old saying correct: if it ain't broke, don't fix it." - Sure Shot Single in The Source, June 1993. A full copy of the review is available below.

Tony Touch "Hip Hop 42" (Mixtape, 1994)

Word up, another fine mix tape from the legendary Tony Touch... this is Hip Hop 42 in 1994. I love running back through these classic mix tapes... such a dope reflection of what was movin' in the streets from tape to tape. This mix includes tracks from O.C. & D-Stroy (Arsonists), Nas, Funkdoobiest, The Pharcyde, Craig Mack, Channel Live & KRS-One, Method Man, King Sun, Ice Cube, Beastie Boys, The Roots, Smif-N-Wessun, Black Sheep, Nine, LL Cool J, Lords of the Underground, Redman, Tha Alkaholiks & Q-Tip, Milk Dee, Shazam X, Ruggedness Madddrama, Ready Ta Roll, Justice System, Brooklyn Slumlordz, Slick Rick and more! Dig into Tony Touch's Hip Hop #42 below... (Updated).

Large Professor "The Mad Scientist" (The Source, 5/96)

"Except for his work on Tribe's Midnight Marauders LP, the Large Professor has been very much on the DL for the last few years. After his split from Main Source, heads were set for him to embark upon a solo career and blow up like many of his homies have. But the mastermind behind the 1991 classic Breaking Atoms decided to take his time. Not one to cash in or jump on the next trend, the Extra P made sure his shit was correct. And at long last, in the 9-6, he has returned. On "Mad Scientist," Large restates his lengthy resume and plots his return to prominence in the rap game" I'm called the mad scientist Extra P / About to set up shop and drop this next degree / On the masses / Yeah it's the live guy with glasses / From Flushing / Known for programming percussion." It's obvious that Large came up in an era when tight skills were a must. His crisp delivery makes it easy to understand every rhyme and his classic flow is an automatic head-nodder. The track itself works off a simple bass-and-snare kick and features a healthy amount of scratching." - The Source

You can see the full 12" review from The Source below...

Felt (Murs & Slug) "Woman Tonight" (2005)

"Woman Tonight" is my favorite track off the Felt album, Felt 2: A Tribute to Lisa Bonet in 2005. The sample flip of Carlton Williams' "Prison Song" works beautifully, and the whole vibe of the song is just a perfect match for Slug and Murs. These are two of the most successful touring artists to represent from the underground and their stories are great on the track. Having done a fair share of tours and traveling for shows, I can relate and they capture the vibe effortlessly. Their collaborative efforts are some of the best in their discographies, I recommend checking it out at your convenience. "But you're talking to these pieces of a man whose trying to make it / Through the puzzles, travels, struggles, battles / The body pillow pimp trying to snuggle with my shadow / We could stay proper keep the clothes on, no pressure / Just hold me and pretend like you've known me forever / Won't ya.." Listen to "Woman Tonight" below and thank "shuffle" for this post...