REMEMBER ’99?
“Party over? Oops. Out of time.”
The summer of 1999 was perhaps the best 3-4 month stretch of my entire life. I had an absolute blast. I was making tons of money, traveling all over the country, hanging out with my friends, eating VERY well, drinking even better, and listening to some really good music. I can’t believe it’s been ten years. To be 22 again. Anyone got a spare flux capacitor?
Missy feat Big Boi – “All In My Grill”
“I told you I was a street talker.” I have to admit that I wasn’t the biggest Missy fan when she first burst onto the scene. I think it was the finger waves. No one should ever have finger waves. Ever. Sorry, my prejudices aren’t always logical. Anyway, this is the track that turned me around. Those strings are so hypnotic. Missy rides the beat like only she can. And Luscious Leftfoot comes on and straight slaughters the track. The only excuse for not bobbing your head to this song, is that you’re a quadriplegic. Or, you’re deaf. But those are the only two.
Dr. Dre – “Still D.R.E.”
“They wanna know how I feel about it.” The song is perfect. The video is perfect. I want to go back to L.A. Although, I don’t remember it being green at night, the last time I was there. Of course, the last time I was there I was drunker than a drunk at a Drunk’s Convention. But that’s neither here nor there.
The Roots – “The Next Movement”
“The Dalai Lama of the mic.” Let’s see here. In the pantheon of underrated, slept on MC’s, where does Black Thought sit? He has to be in the Top 5 for sure, right? Unfortunately, The Roots have never had that huge crossover hit that would allow them to blow up in the mainstream. Maybe they’ll get their shine as Jimmy Fallon’s house band. Of course, hitching your wagon to Jimmy Fallon is probably not the soundest of business decisions. Because, well…it’s Jimmy Fallon. At any rate, this was always one of my favorite songs. The musicianship is on point, and Thought rips the track. Great jam.
Jay-Z feat Beanie Sigel & Amil – “Do It Again”
“With that new blue Yankee on. Who but me?” Initially, I wasn’t a big fan of this song. When it premiered, I was like “Ehhhh.” But the second time I listened to it, I was like “Hmmm.” The third time was like “Okaaaaaay.” The fourth time was like “Doooooope.” I have issues. I know. Work with me, people. That’s all I ask.
p.s. WTF ever happened to Amil? And WTF was she ever on the Roc roster in the first place?
BG feat Hot Boys – “Bling Bling”
“You know how slow that new Rolls Royce be.” As a matter of fact Weezy, I haven’t the foggiest how slow the new Rolls Royce is. I need to get my oil changed and tires rotated on my 5 year old Cherokee. Anyway, Cash Money pretty much owned 1999. Between “Back That Thang Up” and this song, they had the game on serious lockdown. We all knew it wouldn’t last, but it was a damn fun ride. Wouldn’t have minded riding in that slow Rolls Royce, but beggars can’t be choosers.
Diallo Tyson is a filmmaker, writer, beat miner, [self-proclaimed] comedian, and old school music junkie. In his spare time, he contributes to the music blog, Finessed & Blessed and is a collaborator for the sports/pop culture blog The Commission. He can be reached at ddog_tap@hotmail.com. Step into a groovin’ time machine every other Monday on UTC.
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