Five Best 1st Songs on a Hip-Hop Album????
Big_Stacks
"I don't worry about hittin' power, cause I don't give 'em nuttin' to hit." 4,670 Posts
Hey,I've thought of this question, since I believe a dope 1st song on an LP really sets the tone for the rest of the album. There are some classic LPs out there, but some of these really started off strong. Limit the choices to the first full track on the LP, and not "intros". Here are my picks (in no particular order):1. "Still Diggin'"-Showbiz & AG (from "Runaway Slave").-The beat was really knockin' and the rhymin' was clever and witty (great cameo by Diamond).2. "Return of the Mecca"-Pete Rock and CL Smooth (from "Mecca & the Soul Brother").-I thought this was a hard, rugged beat which got me all hyped to hear the rest of the album.3. "Cold Gettin' Dumb"-Just-Ice (from "Back to the Old School").-This song was ill for the time period. Different than anything I had heard that point. Just-Ice was flave with the dope Mantronik beat as the foundation.4. "Bloody Money"-Capone & Noreaga (from "War Report").-Grimy, hardcore beginning to a classic. Ridiculous beat with ill Nore stylings (back when he was dope).5. "Poetry"-Boogie Down Productions (from "Criminal Minded").-This was a great start-off number. For the time, the rap style was incredible, with the dope beat backin' it. It blew my mind (big up to DJ Don c/o 1987).Man, there are too many more to think off. I'm sure you guys will list them, so please add on.Peace,Big Stacks from Kakalak
Comments
2. N.W.A-Straight Outta Compton
3. Geto Boys-Fuck 'Em
4. Eric B. & Rakim-Follow The Leader
5. LL Cool J-I'm Bad
Honorable mentions:
7A3-Coolin' In Cali
Cypress Hill-Pigs
Lateef & Lyrics Born-Latyrx
Beastie Boys-Jimmy James
Jungle Brothers-Beyond This World
The D.O.C.-It's Funky Enough
Above The Law-Murder Rap
Ice Cube-The Nigga You Love To Hate
Queen Latifah-Dance For Me
Son Of Bazerk featuring No Self Control And The Band-The Band Gets Swivey On The Wheels
Yo Johmba,
You took two I thought off in your honorable mentions ("Jimmy James" and "Pigs"). It was tough to leave those two off, but I didn't wanna spoil it for other folks responding.
Peace,
Big Stacks from Kakalak
There's quite a few, and what I was trying to do is pick albums without an intro, just to make it interesting. Just something that had an immediate impact. PE's second album is great, but I also think the intro is important for that album.
Alright then, holding to your rule of "no intro", I'l redo my list:
1. "Cold Gettin' Dumb"-Just-Ice (from "Back to the Old School").
2. "Poetry"-Boogie Down Productions (from "Criminal Minded").
3. "Court's in Session"-Kaos (from "Court's in Session").
4. "Jimmy James"-The Beastie Boys (from "Check Your Head").
5. "Long Live the Kane"-Big Daddy Kane (from "Long Live the Kane").
Honorable Mention:
-"Believe Me Dat's Bad"-Steady B (from "Believe Me Dat's Bad").
-"Housin' the Joint"-Schoolly D (from "Saturday Night-The Album").
-"Music Man"-Master Ace (from "Take a Look Around").
-"I'm Taxin'"-Special Ed (from "Youngest in Charge").
Note, I'm trying to name some that will probably be overlooked.
Peace,
Big Stacks from Kakalak
Asheru & Blue Black- Welcome
Eric B & Rakim- What's on your Mind
PE- Your Gonna Get Yours
LL COOL J- I can't Live Without my Radio
That's all I could think of at the momment...
Gangstarr- Step in the arena
PE- Bring the Noise
Diamond D- Best Kept Secret
Organized Konfusion- Stress
One record I thought about while digging these up was Bizzare Ride which certainly fell short with "oh shit" as the opening track. Its cool but The 2nd half of that record is killin dudes.
OH SHIT HOW COULD I HAVE NOT THOUGHT OF ......nevermind excursions was first..damn.
jay z - the rulers back.
b.i.g. - things done changed.
ehhh...those are 2 that immediately stick out as being banging openers to great albums. Mabye that first real song on supreme clientele, nutmeg or some shit, that also sets the whole vibe off something nice.
I also love the beggining of midnight marauders.
...
Hell yeah.
One of the best imo.
ODB - Shimmy Shimmy
Pharcyde - Oh Shit
Gangstarr - The Place Where We Dwell
OC - Creative Control
despite evidences truly terrible performance, the beat killlllls.
My philosophy -- Krs1
Let em know -- souls of mischief
PUTS -- Crazy live (go ahead and hate, that song is sick)
Bring the Ruckus -- tang
(6) Latyrx/latyrx
De La "Oodles of O's"
One of my favorite De La songs.
Slum Village "Conant Gardens"
Sets the record up perfectly. Goin to have to play this today on the ipod.
Busta "Everybody Rise" 1st Nottz beat I heard. Shit gets me hyphy.
Dre "The Watcher" Dope ass beat!! Good Eminem lyrics.
E-40 "The Bumble" My favorite 40 song. Beat is so Casio, but so good! He came smebbin on that one.
Ice Cube - Ni**A You Love To Hate
We Are The Horsemen - UltraMagnetic Mc's
Ill add later.
Follow The Leader
A Million And One Questions/Rhyme No More
You Know My Steez
Invocation
All For One
Can't Knock The Hustle
Strictly Business
on a related note, I love when people start off their albums with the title track
I Ain't No Joke
Yoke the Joker
Funkin' Lesson
One Time Gaffled em Up
"NY State of Mind"-Nas Illmatic
c-o-sign on "Conant Gardens" Slum Village Fanstastic vol.2
The 2 Live Crew - 2 Live is What We Are
Digital Underground - The Humpty Dance
LL Cool J - I Cant Live Without My Radio
Schoolly D - Smoke Some Kill
Ice T - Power
:game_over:
Crackpot
Shake Your Rump
Oodles Of O's
Strictly Buisness