Apache came out of the Flavor Unit-the New Jersey rap collective that introduced the world to Naughty by Nature and Queen Latifah. “Gangsta Bitch” was his sole hit (relative to what rap hits were at this time), and it’s a tribute to the type of chick Biggie would memorialize a year later with “Me &… Read More “Gangsta Bitch” by Apache (1993)
Young Americans was the first David Bowie album I fell in love with. It was the easiest point of entry, as soul music is the music I’m most familiar with. Even though I knew Bowie’s ‘80s pop hits, I’d never enjoyed or even perused any of his full albums prior to my 1994-ish discovery of… Read More “Fame” by David Bowie (1975)
Have you seen “Set It Off” yet? That’s a gangster-ass movie. Queen Latifah is excellent in it. That was my “holy shit, she can act” moment. I’m going to resist the urge to follow that up with a shady comment, but if you’ve seen the movie, you know where I’m going with this. The reason I… Read More “Don’t Let Go (Love)” by En Vogue (1996)
De La Soul’s “Buddy” arrived mere months before A Tribe Called Quest changed the hip-hop love song paradigm with “Bonita Applebum”. It’s not outside the realm of possibility that Q-Tip and co. were inspired to make “Bonita” because of “Buddy”. After all, Tip and Phife Dawg (marking his first appearance on record) are both featured… Read More “Buddy (Native Tongues Decision)” by De La Soul (feat. The Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, Monie Love, Queen Latifah & Prince Paul) (1989)
Five Star Jamz 