Urban Thought Collective

1997. Senior year in college. I can’t believe it’s been 11 years. 12 YEARS!! Senior year was simultaneously great, and horrible. I went to Mardi Gras, New Zealand, and Australia. My car got broken into. I had a gang of money. 1st semester, I averaged about four hours of sleep a night because I was taking two of the hardest classes of my life. But, the highlight was definitely me and my boy Smooth’s 21st birthday party. It was beyond ridiculous. It was crunk inside AND outside. The liquor was flowing and so were the chicks. I have pictures, but NOBODY can ever see them.

Jay-Z – Streets Is Watching | Where I’m From
“Who’s the best MC? Biggie, Jay-Z, or Nas?”I have to admit, I wasn’t the biggest Jay-Z fan in school. I thought he was OK. When Volume One came out, I was like “Meh.” But roomie, who happened to be a DJ, would always bump Streets Is Watching during some down time. At that point, I’d say “Eh, he’s not half bad I suppose.” Neither is Where I’m From. That beat should be in quarantine for the next decade. It’s just some old foul foulness.

Erykah Badu | Tyrone
“But you can’t use my phone.” I really do like this song, but chicks did their best to make it unbearable. I must’ve heard a “Call Tyrone” reference twice a day for 2-3 months straight. OK, I get it. Guys can be jerks. You’ve pounded into my head. I. Got. It. Grrrr. Lol But I do like the song. The first line is freaking hilarious. You definitely know from the jump that this won’t be your average love song.

Janet Jackson | I Get So Lonely
This song gives me such mixed emotions. It’s got an unbelievable groove, but every time I hear it I’m reminded of how miserable I was during the 1st semester. While everyone was out having fun, I was stuck inside cussing myself out for signing up for such classes. But damn, that shot of her walking down the hallway. My God, if that don’t put a little pepper in your pot I don’t know what will. Two points for Ms. Jackson.

Busta Rhymes | Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See
“Look at shorty, she a little cutie yo. The way she shake it make me wanna get all in the booty yo.” Greatest. Lyric. Ever. OK, no it’s not but it is damn funny and makes me giggle. What can I say? I’ve the maturity of a twelve year old. But you guys already knew that. Nevertheless, I am mature enough to never walk beside an elephant. I don’t need that kind of excitement in my life.

Rakim | Guess Who’s Back
Rakim Allah. The God MC. If I have to hype this one up for you, then you have a fundamental lack of hip hop knowledge.

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 The Commission. He can be reached at ddog_tap@hotmail.com. Step into a groovin’ time machine every other Monday on UTC.