Stumble it!
June 3, 2008
Give Me Your Rapping Delight
You all know by now that my sons are into rap, and by that I mean today’s rap, which to me sounds like nothing more than nasty talk. I could write a rap song myself, just by stringing together words like this:
“Shawty on the floor, look all sexy in that thang, wanna buy you a drank with all the green I got, while we drink champagne, and do dirty stuff that I won’t describe here but would in great detail if this were a real rap song, my boo, yeah, uh huh, I be lookin’ at you, and your booty too…”
I’ve written about the rap music before, including the awful lyrics to “Low” and “My Humps” and the fact that I let Finn teach me the Soulja Boy dance.
Maybe it’s my liberal tendencies and belief in non-censorship, or perhaps I’m a terrible mother, but I don’t think the way to handle this rap situation is to ban the music altogether. I thought I’d try a different tactic.
I figure that as long as the boys are listening to this stuff, they ought to learn about it as well, and that means going back to classic rap songs, those from back in the day when we sang “Hotel, motel, Holiday Inn,” and thought we were fly.
I want to make the boys a playlist of classic rap.
Sadly for me, the only old rap songs I can think of at all are “Rapper’s Delight” and MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This.” (You can tell I’ve been a parent for too long; I originally wrote that title as “Don’t Touch That” which isn’t half as catchy but I say it all the time in this house full of boys.)
I wasn’t concentrating on rap back in the day; I was moodily lining my eyes with kohl and following the Cure and Hoodoo Gurus and Wall of Voodoo.
So I ask you, readers, can you suggest some rap songs that are musts for this list?
And in return, I’ll take you back to the unforgettable “Mexican Radio” by Wall of Voodoo:
Posted by Anne Glamore @ 10:09 pm • Blast From the Past, Boys: Demented & Dangerous, Music: Give Me A Beat! Stumble it!
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June 3rd, 2008 at 10:49 pm, Steph. Says:
You simply MUST include the classic–Vanilla Ice’s “Ice, Ice, Baby1″
Is Rapper’s Delight the one with Blondie singing “The Man from Mars is Eating Cars…” (if you don’t remember this one, you think i’m insane about now…)
I’m also a fan of Busta Move and Baby Got Back, neither of which may be suitable but can’t be worse than today’s rap.
Steph.’s last blog post..MomCat Goes to Disney World - Part I
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:08 pm, Shannon Says:
Oh my, the list is endless. I think back to about 1985-86 when rap was catching on- there are tons of great Beastie Boys songs from that time- how about Brass Monkey?
Run DMC, Salt N Pepa, who sang Joy & Pain (about 1989??)…I know tons more will come to me as soon as I submit this…
Shannon’s last blog post..I Love the Word “Tool”
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:36 pm, Headless Mom Says:
My brother burned the entire album with Rappers Delight for me. It has many great rap songs- many of which my boys can sing with me. I’ll dig it up for the titles…
May we burn in hell together.
Headless Mom’s last blog post..The Kindergarten Question- Part 2
June 4th, 2008 at 12:20 am, rebecca Says:
The blondie song is “rapture” and should DEFINITLEY be included, and should “Walk This Way” by Run DMC…
rebecca’s last blog post..Jen
June 4th, 2008 at 12:51 am, andrea Says:
“Rapture”–that’s the song by Blondie who sings about Fab Five Freddie
Old Rap:
Public Enemy–can we say hiphop as a political vehicle? “It Takes a Nation of Millions” is their iconic album, but all their stuff is good. Make sure you pick up their song “Bring the Noise”.
Beastie Boys stuff–some of it is a bit risque, but we were buying License to Ill in 1986 when we were in 6th grade. License to Ill is all about being a teenage boy. Paul’s Boutique, Check Your Head, and Hello Nasty (a frickin’ awesome album, they collaborate with Cibo Mato, with some very cool Japanese trance/pop music. Sean Lennon is CM’s bassist).
LL Cool J (his late 80s, early 90s stuff, especially “Momma Said Knock You Out”)
Grand Master Flash and the Sugar Hill Gang (”Rapper’s Delight) are the originators of the genre.
Those are the most accessible to little boys, I think, though you may want to vet them just to make sure.
ALSO, if you’re truly interested in this little project, you MUST RENT David Chappelle’s concert film, “Block Party”. I watched it in the theaters when it came out in theaters a few years ago, and I thought, “Holy crap, I’ve been listening to the wrong genre of music for 10 years. Rock is dead. Long live hiphop!” It was so VIBRANT and ALIVE. There’s one series of off-color jokes that Chappelle tells, but the rest is all really, really awesome rap and hiphop music. Man I wanted to run out of the theater and buy everything I could from the musicians in that documentary.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:27 am, Jesse Says:
If you really want some rap that doesn’t have a lot of bad lyrics or that doesn’t go into TOO much of the detail on shorty’s…um…nether regions…you might try some DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (aka Will Smith).
And as it is, my MOM actually digs Eminem with Dr. Dre (which is funny, because she raps similar to you, but adding a lot of “and I’m so untalented, I can’t even sing, but I got a ring” *grin*)
I also found this list, and I agree with MOST (haven’t heard all the songs): http://www.the-top-tens.com/lists/top-ten-rap-songs-of-all-time.asp
June 4th, 2008 at 5:52 am, Laura S. Says:
What about RunDMC and Aerosmith and “Walk this Way”?
June 4th, 2008 at 6:34 am, Charlie on the PA Turnpike Says:
Following Laura S, let us remember that Aerosmith - long before the world knew of RunDMC - brought rap to the mainstream market.
Charlie on the PA Turnpike’s last blog post..Philadelphia News Makes News
June 4th, 2008 at 7:47 am, Joy East of theKingdom Says:
HELLO!!!
Hit ‘em with a rapper they know! I’m talking the original FRESH PRINCE and Jazzy Jeff albumn!
You can start with “Parents Just Don’t Understand”
Yeah…I know you the Fresh Prince theme will be in your head the rest of the day. Mine too.
Hard to believe he went from there to saving the world.
Joy East of theKingdom’s last blog post..Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye…
June 4th, 2008 at 7:51 am, Kenda Rusevlyan Says:
Fantastic Voyage is a good one that came out a little after Rapper’s Delight.
June 4th, 2008 at 8:23 am, Busy Mom Says:
If yo girl is actin’ up, then you take her friend…
The “Shawty” stuff gets on my last nerve.
When I found myself telling Busy Girl that it’s all the same damn song, I sealed my fate as an old geezer.
Early Bird Special at the Buffet, anyone?
Let’s not forget the musical stylings of Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina and Wild Thing.
Busy Mom’s last blog post..He’s fun when the car breaks down, too!
June 4th, 2008 at 8:46 am, Elizabeth Says:
My Adidas was my favorite - classic!!
June 4th, 2008 at 8:49 am, Traci Says:
Definitely Rob Base’s Joy and Pain and It Takes Two. LOVE those songs.
And Bust a Move.
I’d throw Biz Markie’s Just a Friend on there for a laugh.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:07 am, Jess Says:
Run DMC, LL Cool J, Tone Loc, Beastie Boys, Grand Master Flash, Ice-T, oh I could go on and on. Can you tell what music I listened to back in the day?
Jess’s last blog post..Pleading for help!!!
June 4th, 2008 at 10:09 am, Multi-Talented & Menially Employed, J.D. Says:
Das Efx, “They Want Efx” is a MUST, as it teaches the skeletal system. Skee-Lo’s “I Wish” is a fun one. Lost Boys, “Renee” while it does condone some illicit behavior I remember it teaching me the pain of “ghetto love.” And what could be more appropriate for your boys than Slick Rick’s “Childrens Story?” Of course no good old school rap playlist would be complete without Wreckx-N-Effect’s “Rump Shaker”… “All I wanna do is a zoom zoom zoom and a boom boom!”
Multi-Talented & Menially Employed, J.D.’s last blog post..Bad Boys, Bad Boys… What You Gonna Do….
June 4th, 2008 at 10:20 am, Sam Says:
Well, it looks like it’s been well covered here, but my sis, the Headless Mom, asked me for the song titles, and my response went like this…
“Headless: Which one says’it’s a jungle sometimes..’
me: Yeah, that’s “The Message”
Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five
me: Those were some of the most popular
I mean, 2 Live Crew was popular in like, 87, I think
Grandmaster Flash had another early hit, um….”It’s Nasty” is what it was called. The beat was from another song called “Genius of Love”, which was by Tom Tom Club (themselves Tina Weymouth and Chris Franz from Talking Heads).
me: Also “White Lines”
But yeah, a CD for kids wouldn’t need White Lines on it.
Early LL Cool J, like “Radio”
or Run DMC - “my Adidas” or “King of Rock”, stuff like that
me: the iTunes Music Store (iTMS) has really good groupings in its “iTunes Essentials” section, just as a reference.”
So…there’s my spiel. I probably could go on, but I gotta get workin’. I’m pretty sure that’s what they’re paying me for here.
BTW - went to see the Cure at Red Rocks here in Denver a couple of weeks ago and it was an *awesome* show!
June 4th, 2008 at 10:31 am, Sam Says:
Oh yeah…”Children’s Story” by Slick Rick and “Cinderella Dana Dane” by Dana Dane - dude, that’s a classic right there.
The Fat Boys were pretty watered down, but were in there as well. Public Enemy is my personal favorite (like “She Watch Channel Zero”, “Fight The Power”, “Bring The Noise”, “Party for your Right to Fight”), and there’s even deeper stuff like Mantronix….
Good ol’ 80’s rap. Nothin’ like it.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:08 am, Sam Says:
Oh yeah…for more history, check out the Wikipedia entry on the “Amen Break”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amen_break
And this youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SaFTm2bcac
Not much to watch, but lots of information.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:29 am, MetroDad Says:
At that age, your kids should be fed a diet composed solely of The Sugarhill Gang and Run-DMC.
Later, we’ll move onto the harder stuff.
MetroDad’s last blog post..Quick Poll
June 4th, 2008 at 11:30 am, Melissa Says:
Back in the late 80s, early 90s, I listened to the following:
Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina and Wild Thing
Naughty by Nature - Down with O.P.P.
Cypress Hill - Insane in the Brain
DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince - Summertime, Girls Ain’t Nothin’ but Trouble, and Boom! Shake the Room
Kriss Kross - Jump and I Missed the Bus
Wreckx-N-Effect - Rump Shaker and Rock Steady (not just a Turtle Hater)
Bell Biv DeVoe - Poison
Heavy D and the Boyz - More Bounce and A Better Land
Sir Mix-A-Lot - Baby Got Back
Tag Team - Whoomp! There It Is
Not only did my parents let me listen to all of that between the ages of 8 - 13, but they listened to it too. Fret not! I’m now a productive adult and I still think my parents are the coolest people alive.
June 4th, 2008 at 12:44 pm, Erin Says:
I don’t know the first thing about rap so I’m no help there. I wanted to tell you I got the Manual today and read your essay right out of the box. As always, your writing and storytelling is superb. You should have your own book out there in no time. Please, tell me there’s a book!
June 4th, 2008 at 1:30 pm, Cassie Says:
Run DMC
NWA- Straight Outta Compton
Ice T
Salt N Peppa- Push It?
Good grief, this was my music, I am drawing a blank, must be my age. Of course I didn’t hang onto rap much, unless it was on the dance floor. Now we decided to go to a club Friday night, after S&TC movie, all they played was rap. I stood there, like the old fud dud I am just shaking my head.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:43 pm, CourtneyRyan369 Says:
Wow, there are a lot of good suggestions in the comments! I love Vanilla Ice (I still have the tape somewhere, I’m sure of it.) and Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff back in the day. I’m recently into DMX and Eminem, but they get a little harsh for a young age group…
My aunt wasn’t thrilled when her kids started listening to rap, so she asked them what they were rapping about (they had often taken apart lyrics to other music so why not this too?) After a bit of research and time, they could analyze the rap songs too!
CourtneyRyan369’s last blog post..wordless wednesday
June 4th, 2008 at 2:01 pm, Andi Says:
LOL! My daughter’s the same age as your youngest boys and I have her listening to Wall of Voodoo!
Back in the day I liked Young MC and Fresh Prince.
Andi’s last blog post..Oh … FUDGE!!
June 4th, 2008 at 3:00 pm, lilacspecs Says:
Biggy Smalls’ “I Love it When You Call me Big Poppa”
Tupac “California Love”
lilacspecs’s last blog post..Dona Nobis Pacem
June 4th, 2008 at 4:41 pm, cmhl Says:
Back in the day… (ahem..) I enjoyed the musical stylings found on the “Colors” soundtrack. I’m just sayin’…
Seemed like it was fairly clean? I loved the “mama said knock you out” on there,
don’t call it a comeback, I’ve been here for years..
June 4th, 2008 at 4:42 pm, cmhl Says:
and “going back to Cali..”
not exactly rap?
June 4th, 2008 at 11:19 pm, Sam Says:
Oh….the Colors soundtrack…great call, cmhl!!
“Six Gun” is a classic, and so is the title track by Ice T.
June 5th, 2008 at 1:20 am, baseballmom Says:
Summertime by Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince, Superfreak by Rick James, definitely some Sir Mix-A-Lot…big butts? Or how about his song Buttermilk Biscuits…i love that one. Also, The Bird by Morris Day and the Time, and Brickhouse too…I’ll shut up now. I was really a rocker chick who loved hair bands, but the rap infiltrated my little world pretty quickly.
baseballmom’s last blog post..That close!
June 5th, 2008 at 9:36 am, Pegnandy Says:
How about the best of both worlds, alternative and rap, with The Nails, 88 Lines About 44 Women. Also, The Waitresses with Christmas Rapping (sort of seasonal, but still great!)
June 5th, 2008 at 12:07 pm, Jadee Says:
anything with Master P
June 5th, 2008 at 1:08 pm, Genevieve Says:
I think immediately of the Beastie Boys! I remember being young & singing Paul Revere.
“…had a little horsey name Paul Revere, Just me & my horsey and quart of beer…” LOL. ‘Course, I also agree with Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Sir Mix Alot & Tone Loc!
June 5th, 2008 at 3:00 pm, Lesli Says:
Would Rock Me Amadeus by Falco by considered rap? And how about The Devil Went Down to Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band? Kind of reaching here, maybe….but I always loved those songs. Forefathers of rap, perhaps.
Lesli’s last blog post..One Local Summer; Week 1
June 5th, 2008 at 3:45 pm, Tracie Says:
Ms. Glamore - I love to TORTURE my kids with the old school rap all the time…
I go with the Public Enemy, Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, The Fugees - these are mostly family friendly tunes….
But I do love me some Tupac, being a California Girl and all…the kids kinda get up on that, but they are southern born and bred, so they don’t get my affection for him, but their dad (also a southerner, does get it thankfully)- racy music though….along with old NWA, and Too Short, you may not want to have them listen to that, it’s alot for some kids
I also make them listen to what’s being billed as consious Hip Hop - Mos Def, Common, Talib Kweli…
But when I want to torture them I put on the Immaculate Collection by Madonna and sing at the top of my lungs, I love to do that when we’re in the car!!!
June 5th, 2008 at 7:44 pm, C. Says:
I second the alternative rap recommends — I really like Mos Def myself — but want to put in a good word for the Roots, too. Also slick rick. And De la Soul and a Tribe Called Quest. Plus does anyone else remember that old Busta Rhymes song where in the video he parodied Coming to America? That was cool….”Gimmme some more.” That’s probably the title, come to think of it.
Oh, and Wu Tang Clan!
June 6th, 2008 at 9:53 am, justin Says:
not a complete list, but i’m surprised several of these haven’t been mentioned yet:
Eric B. & Rakim. very influential. that Rakim referred to himself as “The R” should tell you all you need to know.
Kool Moe Dee. great lyrics. like Eminem, he’s simply good at talking, which makes listening to him very compelling. he also warred with LL Cool J for a time, very entertaining.
KRS-One / Boogie Down Productions. another influential rapper who, along with his DJ Scott La Rock, seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle.
Big Daddy Kane. he can be hit or miss, but his hits are spectacular. his compound syllable rhyme style was an influence on Eminem.
i’ll join in with all the people who mentioned Young MC, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Run DMC, Public Enemy, and the Beastie Boys.
June 6th, 2008 at 11:08 pm, AP Says:
You can’t forget “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio (think Michelle Pfeiffer in Dangerous Minds). Definitely one of the most well known raps of the 90’s, and was #1 on almost every music chart you can name. Might be too recent (’95) to be considered “back in the day” rap, but it’s a definite must.
June 7th, 2008 at 9:29 am, Mags Says:
Tennessee by Arrested Development
June 7th, 2008 at 9:32 am, Mags Says:
Most people don’t think of the Clash as Rap artists but they did it all…The Magnificent 7 & Radio Clash