Urban Thought Collective

So, this past weekend I’m chilling at The Green Papaya, a Thai restaurant in Jacksonville, FL. For my appetizer, I ordered the fried wonton with sweet sour sauce. For my entrée, I went with Singapore Noodles, which consists of rice noodles, chicken, shrimp, and pork with onions, peppers, bean sprouts, and enough spice to choke a donkey. So as I’m chowing down, I happen to look up at the front door and guess who I see walking in? Vinnie from Naughty By Nature. I was like WTF? What are the odds of me seeing Vin Rock, in a Thai Restaurant, in Jacksonville? For me, it was the most random moment of the year. The preceding story was just a long winded way of me saying that this week you guys are getting random videos. Oh and by the way, Vinnie had a NICE looking young lady on his arm. Apparently, once you hit it big, your clientele will never dip below a certain level. Holla.

MICHAEL JACKSON – KEEP IT IN THE CLOSET
“There’s something about you baby that makes me want to give it to you.” Only Mike can get away with saying that to a chick. If I run upon a lovely lady and spit that, I’d get pepper sprayed, mace’d, tasered, and kicked in the bean bag…if I’m lucky. With Mike, she’d be all “Go ‘head with that, Mike. I know you don’t mean that sh*t.” Anyway, I digress. MJ is the man. Bell pepper nose or no nose.

DJ QUIK - JUS LYKE COMPTON
Why is Quik so underappreciated? His name rarely comes up when talking about best producers in the game, but look at his track record. It’s practically flawless. OK, he fell in love with sleigh bells for a while, but look beyond that. He’s never released a bad album. His musicianship has always been on point, and he’s an underrated lyricist. I guess he’s never had that major mainstream hit, but damn, does he need it? Dude is a first ballot HOF’er.

MC HAMMER - PUMP IT UP
“The bells will ring! Ring ‘em!” This song is dope. Before Stanley Burrell became “Hammer” he was MC Hammer, and dropped jewels like this. In my opinion, this is his best work. Best song. Best video. Best groove. You can hate if you want, but I bet you’ll be dancing at your desk in about 30 seconds…or bobbing your head like it’s on a yo-yo:)

CHUBB ROCK - JUST THE TWO OF US
“I’m gonna kick a little, not a Dr. Seuss Riddle…” This was my joint back in 9th grade. Back then, it really was all so simple Rae. I just love the energy of the video. Letting the Que’s and Nupes represent was an inspired choice. Also, check out Elise Neal’s cameo as a dancer. I think she classes up just about anything.

DR. DRE FEAT SNOOP & NATE DOGG – NEXT EPISODE
“You know I’m mobbing with the D-O-Double G.” This is a situation where the song and the video are so simpatico, you’d have thought the song was written as a score to the visuals. Paul Hunter put his foot in this one. Perfect video? Damn, tell me how it’s not and maybe I’ll listen. Also, I love the musical tag at the end of the video. Even Dre’s throwaway beats are crucial.

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.