Urban Thought Collective

As I mentioned last week, it’s summer time. And you know what happens in the summer? Weekend trips to the movies, that’s what. Only thing is, often times the soundtrack is WAY better than the movie. At any rate, here are some joints from soundtracks past. By the way, both “Indiana Jones” and “Iron Man” were better than expected. I have “man parts,” so no “Sex and the City” for me. “The Dark Knight” has the most potential to be great. Finally, Adam Sandler should be deported for inflicting Zohan upon us. Holla. GO LAKERS!!!!

SPECIAL ED, MASTA ACE & BUCKSHOT | “CROOKLYN DODGERS”
“I’m feeling another part of reality…” OK, first off. Mike in that White Sox uniform is HILARIOUS! I supported Mike at the time, but in retrospect, that ish was totally uncalled for. Second, we have a Special Ed sighting! For a minute it looked like Ed was on “a mission” to become totally irrelevant. I was encouraged when this joint came out, then he put on his cloak of obscurity again. Oh well…we’ll always have Crooklyn.

ERIC B. & RAKIM | “KNOW THE LEDGE”
“Black Gambino. Die like a hero.” It’s been 16 years, so we can be honest. “Juice” was a HORRIBLE movie. Just horrrrrrrible. It’s up there with “Belly” and the “Shaft” remake for worst of all time. Not even Pac, going completely off the rails in the third act, could save it. BUT, the soundtrack was pretty tight. Thankfully, God MC hit us off with this little ditty, which was definitely the crown jewel.

OUTKAST | “BENZ OR A BEAMER”
A classic video that introduced the masses to the “Bankhead Bounce,” and showcased Kast’s supreme lyrical skills. It’s startling to see Dre look like a regular dude before Badu, ski boots, and argyle. Nevertheless, you have to appreciate the best rap group to ever put it down. That’s right, I said it! Plus, check out dude from “Yin Yang Twins” at the 4:30 mark. He ain’t never had no weight on him, has he? Oh yeah, “New Jersey Drive” sucked.

DR. DRE FEATURING SNOOP DOGG | “DEEP COVER”
“Creep with me as I crawl through the hood.” With that line, a legend was born. When this track came out, we were all “Who’s the skinny dude in the White Sox gear?” Little did we know we were playing witness to the genesis of the Death Row “conglomerad,” as Pac might say. Eight months later “G-Thang” dropped, and the game hasn’t been the same since.

And now…for something slightly divisive, yet ultimately uplifting?

SCHOOL DAZE | “GOOD & BAD HAIR”
When I was in high school, white kids would ask me questions like “How do you get your hair like that?” I always wanted to answer “Well your great-great-great grandfather raped my great-great-great grandmother, 200 years passed, and here I am.” Unfortunately I never ginned up the requisite minerals to respond accordingly. As for the scene, it goes on about two minutes too long, as restraint is not one of Spike’s virtues. Nevertheless, it’s definitely classic material because we’ve finally learned to respect each other’s skin tones and hair textures. Right, class? Right?

Diallo Tyson is a filmmaker, comedian and old school music junkie. When he’s not busy, he is a rapper with the group “Two Pimps and a Dream.” Step into a groovin’ time machine every week on UTC.