Urban Thought Collective

10th grade. 10th EFFIN’ grade. From the fall of 1991 to the Summer of 1992, some of the best music of my lifetime was created. Kriss Kross, Das Efx, Jodeci, Cypress Hill, Arrested Development, Fu-Schnickens, Pac, R. Kelly, Black Sheep, and TLC released debut albums that school year. Plus you can’t forget classic albums from established artists like ”Low End Theory”, ”Death Certificate”, ”Efil4Zaggin”, Daily Operation, and ”We Can’t Be Stopped”. Seriously. Are you kidding me? I hate to get all “30+ year old guy” on ya’ll, but they just don’t do it like that anymore. Holla.

BLACK SHEEP | “THE CHOICE IS YOURS”
“Engine engine number nine. On the New York transit line.” If you can’t fully comprehend the power of those words, then there really is nothing I can do for you. If you’re not jumping out of your chair by the “Pick it. Pick it up. Pick it up,” then there is really nothing I can do for you. You’re either with me, or you’re my enemy.

DAS EFX | “THEY WANT EFX”
“Bumstiggedy! Bumstiggedy!” In retrospect Das Efx may have been a little silly with the nonsensical lyrics and pop cultural references, but this track was still bumping. “My knee bone’s connected to my hardy har har har.” That really makes no sense, but does it matter? Nah, didn’t think so.

ICE CUBE | “STEADY MOBBIN”
“But Ice Cube had more amps. Get in G.” Man oh man, did I bump this album a lot. A LOT. My mom drove me over 30 miles for the express purpose of purchasing this “Death Certificate.” Good God, was it worth it. Cube came out swinging and let EVERYBODY have it. I miss that Cube.

NAUGHTY BY NATURE | “EVERYTHING’S GONNA BE ALRIGHT”
“Hell no! I say there’s gotta be a better way.” True dat, Treach. True dat. On another note. I have two machetes that are about as big as Treach’s. But I live in the country. I never know what varmints I may need to dispatch on any given day. But why would you need that kind of weaponry in the projects? That’s just gully for the sake of being gully.

MICHAEL JACKSON | “REMEMBER THE TIME”
“Do you remember, girl?!?” That’s right, Mike. Scream on ‘em. But seriously, this song was THE jam and the video was so on point. Unfortunately, you’ll have to fast forward through three minutes of bad acting to get to the good stuff, but it’s worth it. Mike delivered like Dr. Huxtable on this track. No matter what his faults are, and they are many and well documented, MJ is still the ish. Believe that.

p.s. Check out the cameo by my label mate. Come on Lez, what was Mike like? lol

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.