My Bass Rocks

First, I want to apologize for slacking lately on the post tip…Things have been a little hectic outside of the site, but everything is good and I’m back in action.  For this week’s (I should say last week’s) entry of Bass Radio I wanted to take it back to the beginning of the Native Tongue era.  ”Straight Out The Jungle” is the main single off The JB’s debut album (with the same title), and started a string of underground gems that still knock to this day.  They made a name for themselves with Straight, which laid the ground for their classic follow-up By the Forces of Nature.

In celebration of Mac Dre’s recent birthday, it’s only right the Bass Radio entry this week would pay homage.  This track comes from his 1993 effort Young Black Brotha, which is a certified Bay Area classic.  Rest in peace Thizzelle Washington!

PREVIOUSLY: Happy Belated Mac Dre

For this week, I had to go with a classic from Juice Crew representative Masta Ace off his 1990 debut “Take A Look Around.”  Came up on this gem last weekend and have kept it on repeat ever since.  Using the notable loop from Cymande’s “The Message,” “Me & The Biz” includes Masta Ace doing a spot-on impression of Biz Markie from back in the day.

The news is still sucking just as bad this morning.  The internet is going crazy, shutting down search engines, and listening to MJ on repeat.  I thought I’d throw my hat (ala Moonwalker) into the mix as well, with “Billie Jean” getting shine on this week’s Bass Radio.  Classic material from the best to ever do it.

It’s all about the drums on this one…Heard this golden era gem yesterday and had to pay some homage on Bass Radio for this week (hella late, I know).  From the same group that brought you “Toss It Up,” “Rakin in the Dough” is their less-than-notorious (but still mad hyphy) follow-up.  If you’re a fan of 90′s rap, this should be up your alley.  Peep game!

The recent Black Star 10th anniversary concert had me reminiscing when they payed tribute to Run DMC over “Beats to the Rhyme.”  This track was the B-Side to their “Run’s House” 12″ (also available on Tougher Than Leather), but played like it deserved it’s own A-Side.  Utilizing Bob James’ “Nautilus” from his classic LP One, “Beats to the Rhyme” is one of the few sleepers from the famous trio’s thick catalog…Plus, this is the pre-NWA era (1988), but the beat itself plays like vintage Dr. Dre, with the dirty sampling and heavy drums aplenty.

R.I.P. Jam Master Jay

In celebration of 10 years of Blackstar, I thought Bass Radio should take it back to where it all began.  Well before the infamous Talib & Mos duo landed on Rawkus, he worked with a crew called U.T.D. (Urban Thermo Dynamics) in 1995.  The above track “Maifest Destiny” was produced by Diamond D and would be Mos Def’s first associated single and video…Oh, and if the beat sounds familiar that’s because it plays on the intro to Diamond’s Stunts, Blunts, and Hip-Hop.

Still hilarious to me how the underground scene in the 90′s had names like Urban Thermo Dynamics.  Did they really think the name would stick?

Bass Radio had to eventually give a shout out to one of the illest cities in the world, and a place I will  always consider home.  “Home” is Jake One’s ode to Seattle (aka The Emerald City aka The 206), and he does it very proper here, complete with Nate Burleson (Seahawks #81) and Sir Mix-a-lot cameos.

If you’re not up to speed with the Jake One’s (near) classic, peep the review HERE.

How come it’s taken so long for Bass Radio to pay homage to King T’s classic?  This HAS to be the Bass Rocks official theme music from here on out…Too obvious to ignore.  I can’t seem to find the OG version for streaming, which is only available on 12″.  It’s a little more rugged and stripped down (less horns).  Don’t sleep if you come across a copy at your local record shop.

Can’t get enough of everlasting……..BASS!

It was only a matter of time before Three Times Dope made the Bass Radio playlist.  This song steady stays in my rotation, and the 12″ hangs proudly in front of my Technics to this day.  If you don’t know about this hilarious picture cover, peep game after the jump.  CLASSIC.

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