Where Are They Now?
Everything about Where Are They Now is in memory of Hip-Hop, from the many old-school references to the very beat itself, a nod to Big Daddy Kane's Set It Off and a classic James Brown break. And if you want to see who Nas is referring to throughout, just click on the links provided.
Hip-Hop Is Dead . . . December 19th.
[NAS]
Redhead Kingpin, Tim Dog, have you seen him?
Kwame, King T, or King Sun
Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud
Antoinette, Rob Base, never showing up
You seen Black Sheep, Group Home, Busy Bee?
Ask Ill and Al Skratch, "Where My Homiez?"
Leave it to y'all, these niggas left for dead
Last week my man swore he saw Special Ed
Rap is like a ghost town, real mystic
Like these folks never existed
They the reason that rap became addictive
Play the CD or wax and get lifted
I recommend when your kid turn ten
Let him hear Spice 1, made plenty noise
Positive K, Father MC, the Skinny Boys
Where are they now?
See, I remember them forever
The original Spinderella
Lakim Shabazz, Nine Double M, Fu-Schnickens
Buckshot, Finesse and Synquis
Who was the Rappin' Duke?
Dah-hahh, Silk Tymes Leather was cute
Body & Soul was Dee from Pump It Up's group
Oaktown 357, J.J. Fad too
Had pop hits and gold ropes
Where my man Young MC and Tone Loc?
Kriss Kross, the Boss, Divine Styler
Def Jef of course, let's break it down to
Mic Geronimo, Pharcyde, and Coolio
I heard Craig Mack back in the studio
Have you seen these lost MC's?
Funky Four Plus One, Force M.D.'s
Miss Melodie, I hope she packing a bankroll
As well as Educated Rapper, Ice, and Kangol
Shante, she from around my way, yo
EPMD, K Solo, where are they now?
Nas: Where Are They Now?
BONUS: Big Daddy Kane: Set It Off
BONUS: James Brown: Get Involved
BONUS: Nas: Talks About Where Are They Now
posted by Fletch at 12:48 AM
7 Comments:
Okay, so I don't wanna say anything too concrete either way, since this is a DJ / radio rip and only half the song. But I only have problems with his delivery in a couple small instances. Otherwise, I don't know if I like it or not yet, just because it's too early to rush to that judgment.
However, I think the concept is cool. Everyone from 2Pac to Quasimoto has done something similar, so while no idea's original, it does stand up by itself. He's calling rap a ghost town; just picture that: parks where concerts used to be held now vacated, turntables dilapidated, your childhood dreams boarded up. It's like the world came and went in another direction, and Hip-Hop has been abandoned. Then all the references Nas is making, those are people that used to line its streets. He's trying to keep their name alive, because, really, when's the last time you thought about Miss Melodie?
What's more, Nas admitted part of the reason he did this song was so that the new generation would get on their google (or youtube) and try to put together what he's talking about. But it also seems very much so like a song for himself, especially given its conversational tone, i.e., imagine going back to your old neighborhood or school, and, all of a sudden, you get this rush of names that you used to know, experiences that made up your past, "the fat kid Darren, Nicole who always pulled her skirt up a litte, Mike, Chris . . ." Anyway, that's kinda what I see here, "My man swore he saw Special Ed" / "Silk Tymes Leather was cute . . . "
Also, let me say, when I first heard Nas picked the title "Hip-Hop Is Dead", I was fairly certain it was just for attention and that the title wouldn't so much as be referenced on the disc. However, with what we've heard thus far, in terms of Nas' raps and even the character of the beats, it seems like the name is more than just for show. I'm not gonna call this a concept album in the strictest sense, but there does appear to be a steady theme running throughout the songs we've heard thus far and the ones previewed ahead.
I just don't feel that Nas has enough charisma to recite a list of washed-up rappers and hold my interest. There are some rappers who could read names out of the phone book and be entertaining; Nas isn't one.
I'm definitely feelin' this joint. NAS recently said that he wanted 2 bring hip-hop back 2 that nineties "fly era" and with joints like this I'm feelin' dude is doin' that.
From the minute I heard the beat I immediatley thought back 2 Kane's "SET IT OFF".
Thus far I like the vibe of the album and I personally think we may have a hip-hop classic. Besides "BLACK REPUBLICANS" I think this may be my faovrite joint thus far if not my favorite. This has that old, ill, fonky feel from back when I used 2 listen 2 Marly Marl and Pete Rock's IN CONTROL Rap Show 4 real.
P.s ... my dude NAS mentioned "POSITIVE K" that's reason enough 4 me 2 give dude props on this joint lol. Peace 2 Mr. Jones 4 showin' love and givin' props 2 names from the past who helped make hip-hop what it is 2day.
the homie noz from cocaine blunts just stole your whole post. thats wack
This track should sound similar to some people because on Dirty Harry's Mixtape with Nas from a year ago ("Living Legends Chapter 1"), the remix of Suicide Bounce also featured the melody due it to it using the same sample. But I think this song is better because it isn't repetitive (that version featured the first section of the sample repeated over and over)
<< Home