Urban Thought Collective

Transitions can be difficult. The transition from college graduate to mature, responsible adult is still an ongoing process for moi. I’m pretty responsible, but I’ve damn near given up on maturity. Anyway, think about the transition from respectable rapper to respectable tv/movie star. That is a very tough row to hoe. Not everyone can pull it off seamlessly. Yes I’m looking at you DMX. So since we’re all about positive thoughts here at UTC, we’re going to look at few rappers that crossed over better than Tim Hardaway. On to the videos!

ICE CUBE | “CHECK YO SELF (REMIX)”
“I make dough, but don’t call me doughboy.” Umm Cube? Have you seen your waistline lately? Or better yet, have you seen your feet? Just kidding. I’d hate for you to scowl at me. Anyway, I’m never one to hate on a cat for getting his money, but I’d rather remember Cube like this as opposed to the Teddy Bear he’s become recently. White people used to be afraid of him. Now they think he’s an “all right kind of fellow.” For shame, Cube. For. Shame.

DJ JAZZY JEFF & THE FRESH PRINCE | “PARENTS JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND”
“Putting up Will Smith numbers.” What else is there to say about Willie? He pretty much owns the box office, and is able to get any movie made that he wants to. He’s definitely come along way since rapping about the relative injustices accosting teenagers in the 80’s. Nevertheless, you can’t front on this song. In 7th grade, I pretty much had this joint committed to memory in about three days. Can I also say that “He’s The DJ I’m The Rapper” is a classic album. Do not hate on this dude’s early skills. But do feel free to hate on “Getting’ Jiggy With It” all you want.

QUEEN LATIFAH | “JUST ANOTHER DAY”
Well look, our little Dana done all growed up. She’s a bankable actress, Oscar nominee, Oscar performer, and spokes model. But back in the 90’s, she was Queen Latifah, rapper extraordinaire. Honestly, I never thought she would cross over so successfully. After watching “U.N.I.T.Y.,” I didn’t say “Yeah she’s going to be nominated for an Oscar in ten years.” But that’s the great thing about this country. Everyone has the ability to rise above their current circumstance and reach loftier heights. Well, everyone except Flav.

LL COOL J | “AROUND THE WAY GIRL”
“You bring me stuck up tuna.” Hey, if that tuna has some nice gills then she can be as stuck up as she wants to be. But anyway, “Mama Said Knock You Out” will always be a memorable album for me. The day I purchased it, was the day my mom decided she was going to be the “cool mom.” She calmly came into my room and requested that I play the album, because she wanted to know about all this “knocking out mama business.” So I sat there…played the album…while my mother bopped her head to the beat. Oh yes, it was much worse than you can imagine. That night she reached into my chest, pulled out my soul, looked at it, smiled, and then stomped on it like Derek Vinyard on an HGH/horse steroid cocktail. It. Was. AWKWARD. Oh yeah, LL’s had a nice little run in the movie biz.

2PAC | “TO LIVE AND DIE IN LA”
While I maintain that “Juice” is a horrible, horrible…horrible movie that totally goes off the rails in the third act, Pac was very good as Bishop. Of course, his character is one of the reasons the movie goes off the rails, but he was still rather convincing. It would’ve been interesting to see him work with a top notch director. I wonder what kind of a performance Ridley Scott would have pulled out of him? Or maybe Soderbergh. Pac in Ocean’s 11? You wouldn’t have paid to see that? Will someone fly down to Bermuda, and tell Pac to stop playing around and get back in the game?

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.