Home | Assignments | Links | EL | Class Schedule | Syllabus | DTN
Droppin'
the Needle
(DTN) is our way of starting the class, just like a dee-jay does to start a
party. DTN is where we analyze lyrics and appreciate rap music for it's artistic
qualities: beat, lyrics, cadence, pronunciation, creativity, to name a few.
** Clicking the icon in the date column will link you to the lyrics.
Experience Past Greatness: DTN SPRING 03 -- DTN FALL 02
 |
|
|
|
|
08.25.03
(click above for lyrics) |
Jay-Z/ Notorious BIG |
"Give it To Me"/"The World is Filled" |
ROC La Familia/Life After
Death |
Jay-Z starts his verse by quoting BIG (When the Remy's in the system . . .'. We analyze each emcees' approach to rhyme pattern as they finsih their rhymes with their own style. |
09.08.03
(click above for lyrics) |
2Pac |
"Me Against the World" |
Me Against
the World |
Tupac often spoke to or about urban youth in his lyrics. Here Pac delivers the famous line: "Unless we're shootin no one notices the youth." "Me Against the World" speaks to the lonesome journey urban youth go through in their quest for survivial. |
09.15.03
(click above for lyrics) |
Ice Cube |
"A Bird in the Hand" |
Death Certificate |
Many consider Hip-hop as the reclamation of the Black male voice. Here Ice Cube unleashes ontakes center stage as he speaks of the hardships of being a high school graduate, with a child and no place to go. Do I gotta go sell me a whole lotta crack/
for decent shelter and clothes on my back?/ Or should I just wait for
help from Bush/ or Jesse Jackson, and operation Push/ If you ask me
the whole thing needs a douche |
09.22.03
(click above for lyrics) |
Artifacts |
"Wrong Side of the Tracks" |
Between a Rock and a Hard
Place |
While not fitting the description of 'classic material', we use Tame 1's verse to show that emcees do know and respect other aspects of the culture. Honestly, I spent several songs entranced by the infectious, Pharcyde-like beat -- I'd attempt to describe, but many have failed in describing their sound. Hence the reason their name can be used as an adjective. |
09.29.03
(click above for lyrics) |
Jean Grae |
"Block Party" |
Attack of the Attacking
Things . . . the Dirty Mixes |
Block Party is a smooth sounding war anthem. Grae implores those in the urban enclave to get out of their neighborhood and see more of the world. Grae, from Philly, by way of South Afrika, is a cross between Lauryn Hill and Rah Digga. She'll be coming out with a new album in tthis winter. |
10.06.03
(click above for lyrics) |
Fat Joe |
"Envy" |
Jealous One's Envy |
While Joe has been rhyming since the early 90's, it has onlybeen in the last few years that he has gained national prominence. His first two albums: Represent and Jealous One's Envy contain some of the best production one can find. Down with the legendery Digging in the Crates (DITC) crew, Jow blends solid beats with timely, smoothly delivered lyrics. On this track, Joe flows over Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing, reminsicing about his years growing up in the Bronx. This album is a must have for any serious collector. |
10.20.03
(click above for lyrics) |
E-40 feat. the Clipse |
"Quarterbackin" |
Breakin' News |
Whaddup Pimp Skillet? Well that's how E-40 would put it. E-40, well known on the West Coast has made a career off of inventing words and redefining others, all with a tremendous sense of style. In this track, E-40 discusses his former life as a drug dealer and allegorizes it to playing quarterback. While many emcees keep a straight ahead rhyme style, E-40 still embeds hidden messages in his work. According to legend, 40 started out selling tapes out of the trunk of his car . . . gotta respect this man, give him a listen. |
10.27.03
(click above for lyrics) |
Kool Moe Dee |
"Let's Go" |
--- |
One of the illest battle rhymes of that era. Moe Dee goes at LL Cool J, attacking his nmae: LL stands for/ Lower Level, Lack Lustre/
Last Least, Limp Lover/ Lousy Lame, Latent Lethargic/Lazy Lemon, Little
Logic Moe Dee did bring out the best in LL as he
came back with Jack the Ripper, but this rap was chosen in context as
we studied the Busy Bee vs. Kool Moe Dee battle. |
11.03.03
(click above for lyrics) |
Rakwon f. Nas, Ghostface |
"Verbal Intercourse" |
Built for Cuabn Lynx Only |
Nas is a classis emcee. Meaning his rhyme style is intricate and calculated. On this rare Wu collaboration, Nas paints a vivid picture as he relates life in the urban enclave: I'm grungy, but things I do is real it never
haunts me While Nas' many shifts in character often
confuse afficianodos, this classic verse satisfies all. |
11.10.03
(click above for lyrics) |
Nas |
"It AIn't Hard to Tell" |
Illmatic |
Doubling up on an emcee is a first, but
Nas deserves the honor as he effortless relates stories of crime, drugs,
mixed with neral inner-ctyoccurrences all over Michael Jackson's Human
Naure beat. Still my favorite track on Illmatic. |
11.17.03
(click above for lyrics) |
Jay-Z |
"Moment of Clarity" |
The Black Album |
It would not be right if Jay did not take
this honor for his last album. On this Eminem produced track, Jay takes
time to respond to the critics, including those who say he just did
it fot he money. |
11.24.03
(click above for lyrics) |
The Roots f/ Common |
"Act Too . . .The Love
of My Life" |
Things Fall Apart |
Common touches on many issues here, from
the negative affect Puffy and Hype Williams have had on Hip-hop to his
struggle to find his identity -- Hip-hop soul searnching at its best. |
12.1.03
(click above for lyrics) |
Geto Boys |
"Talkin’ Loud Ain’t
Sayin Nothing" |
Geto Boys |
Out of Houston, the Geto Boys comment on
the attention rap music has gotten in the press and ponders why movies
can depict killing but rap music can't. |
