HIP-HOP PLAYLIST: The Jams Of Terry (Sept. 2010 edition)

by | Aug 31, 2010 | MUSIC

Hey, my name’s Chris Terry. My friends call me “C.T.” Here are a few hip-hop and soul songs I’ve been hyped on this summer. I made a YouTube playlist so you can rock it while you read.

1. Am I A Good Man? – Them Two
From the incredibly solid rare soul comp, Numero Group’s Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label. Wonderful warm, up-front sound and cascading rhythm that reminds me of another favorite, “Fool for You” by The Impressions. While searching for this video, I saw that Band of Horses do a cover, which I assume sounds like a shoebox full of queefs.


Hey, my name’s Chris Terry. My friends call me “C.T.” Here are a few hip-hop and soul songs I’ve been hyped on this summer. I made a YouTube playlist so you can rock it while you read.

1. Am I A Good Man? – Them Two
From the incredibly solid rare soul comp, Numero Group’s Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label. Wonderful warm, up-front sound and cascading rhythm that reminds me of another favorite, “Fool for You” by The Impressions. While searching for this video, I saw that Band of Horses do a cover, which I assume sounds like a shoebox full of queefs.

2. Thugs Prayer – Roc Marciano
Underground headnod hit of the summer from another major label never-was. Dude makes his own RZA-ish beats and rhymes like Raekwon meets Ultramagnetic-era Kool Keith (but not as good). What a gloomy bassline. The second verse is truly touching. Pause.

3. New Heights – O.J. Simpson (Guilty Simpson & Madlib)
When I first heard this song, I got hyped on the “purple bag Crown Royal” line because I’d just bought a bottle of Crown Royal. So I played this song and put the purple bag on my cat’s head and pretended he was in the electric chair. Also check out “Robbery” off Guilty’s album “Ode to the Ghetto.”

4. Deadly Medley – Black Milk w/Royce Da 5’9” & Elzhi
Black Milk: Best underground hip-hop producer at the moment, and now showing some polish on the mic. Royce Da 5’9”: Annihilating guest spots since the first Eminem album. Elzhi: Released one of the best albums of ’08, The Preface. Detroit: Best hip-hop scene in the country. PS – You guys meant “deadly melody,” right?

5. Let ‘Em Know – Bun-B w/DJ Premier
Bun breaks from the “aging scold who thinks kids don’t do it right these days, but keeps trying to pander to their wallets” mold that he’s been in since Pimp C got locked up. DJ Premier continues to bring the best out in MCs and provide album highlights (See also: “Unbelievable” by Biggie, and whatever the song is he did on Common’s Like Water for Chocolate).

6. Return of the Mack – Mark Morrison
British guy with a head shaped like a figure eight crafts remarkably knocking song in mid-‘90s, wears leather gloves in video. Film at 11.

7. Turns Me On – Big Boi w/Sleepy Brown & Joi
Everyone got hyped on “Hey Ya” in 2003, but if you listen now, it’s clear that Speakerboxxx > The Love Below. Sir Lucious Malfoy, The Son of Inigo Montoya is a solid album too. The secret weapon on this song is the Dungeon Family’s Sleepy Brown.

8. Rainbow in the Dark – Das Racist
Grumble hipster bitch skinny jeans moan irony fart…shut up dude, shut up. Every line in this song is funny and if you listen to it more than three times you’ll begin texting the lyrics to your friends. Das Racist is to the internet what the Beastie Boys were to ‘70s pop culture.

9. Elevator Music – Curren$y
Good-natured (read: not scary for collegiate white folks) stoner rap with smooth beats. Aside from weed, this guy raps about video games and cars, two things I have no use for. But I still like listening to him. Why is that?

10. Ride – Nappy Roots
Wistful. Makes me wish I had a porch. This album’s the bittersweet soundtrack to getting dropped by your label, moving back to your hometown, and realizing that you missed being there. And to think that I dismissed these guys as a second-rate Goodie Mob when they came out ten years ago.

Next time: College Town Nostalgia

Marilyn Drew Necci

Marilyn Drew Necci

Former GayRVA editor-in-chief, RVA Magazine editor for print and web. Anxiety expert, proud trans woman, happily married.




more in music

On The Streets Of Downtown RVA: Hip Hop Henry

We dispatched our hometown photographer, CJ Payne, to the heart of the city to capture a snapshot and engage in some casual conversation. Consider it our local twist on the acclaimed Humans of New York series that we hold in high regard. Our aim is to foster a sense...

Richmond’s Underground EDM Scene Gains New Ground

For those already hip to electronic dance music, and all it's extreme sub-genres, we know that there aren't that many venues around town hopping on to host your shows. With the addition of Ember Music Hall to the lineup of performance spots in town who have been...

Teddy Swims, Benét & Kidz At Play: This Week’s Sound Check

I'm really feeling all the r&b and hip hop out in the city these days, and there's enough of it across the spectrum to satisfy anybody with the hint of a craving to check some out. On this week's SOUND CHECK we take a look at Tuesday at The National, where rising...

RIFF Founder Heather Waters on Her Journey To Get Here

We kick off our RIFF coverage this year with an interview with Heather Waters, founder of the Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF). She transitioned from performing to producing, sharing her journey in our recent interview. RIFF, now in its 12th year, is a...

Topics:

Pin It on Pinterest