They Reminisce, They Reminisce…

Hip-Hop music, from its very beginnings, is founded on the traditions of the past. Beats, lyrics, vocal stylings, and even the fashions of hip-hop today are indebted to yesterday. Many acts have made records in dealing with not only the history of hip-hop, but their own pasts as well. Without further ado, here are the ten best hip-hop songs of reminiscence.

10. Ahmad- “Back In The Day”
In 1994, when gangsta rap ruled the hip-hop roost, this laid back track from West Coast one hit wonder Ahmad reminded fans that rap music could still be fun.

Best Lines: “I’m glad/ ‘Cause when JJ Fad/ Hit Supersonic, It was kinda like a sport/ To wear biker shorts/ Or to wear jeans, and it seemed like the masses/ Of hoochies had ‘Poison’ airbrushed on they asses.”

9. Ludacris featuring Disturbing Tha Peace- “Growing Pains”
Luda and DTP break it down about growing up in the Dirty South over a delicious bass line.

Best Line: “My shoes got muddy/ And my clique got cruddy/ Where I go they went, they my buddies.”

8. Slick Rick- “Memories”
Another song that proves Ricky is the master of the art of storytelling.

Best Line: “Remember the robot? / That was my shit on Soul Train!”

7. Tupac- “Old School”
Anyone who still denies Tupac was from the East Coast needs to give this great song a listen, which he opens with a dedication to “…the Bronx, and Brooklyn, and Staten Island.”

Best Lines: “I’m on the train headin’ uptown/ Freestylin’ with some wild kids from Bucktown.” “Remember poppin’ and lockin’ to Kurtis Blow?”

6. Redman- “Dah Dah DaHHH”
Funk Doctor Spock’s take on coming up in the hood. As the song fades, Red shouts the hilariously off the wall command, “I got hair on my chest…look at it!”

Best Line: “ I’m only thirteen puttin’ in work/ Rockin’ Chinese shoes with high top Converse.”

5. RA the Rugged Man- “On the Block (Golden Era)”
The raunchy underground RA surprised everyone with this excellent track from the Soundbombing III compilation. It’s a virtual history of early hip-hop, and references everything from Rowdy Roddy Piper to the famous rumor that Big Daddy Kane had AIDS.

Best Line: “Run DMC, true Hip-hop/ Before Biggie and Tupac got shot/ There was Scott La Rock.”

4. Wu-Tang Clan- “Can It Be All So Simple?”
Wu Swordsmen Raekwon and Ghostface take a much darker view of the past on this bleak song. This is RZA production at its very finest.

Best Line: “Started off on the island/ AK Shaolin/ Niggas wilin’/ Gunshots thrown/ The phone dialin’.”

3. Common Sense- “I Used to Love H.E.R.”
Before he dropped the Sense from his name, Common spun this brilliant cautionary tale detailing the history and future of the woman (hip-hop) he loved.

Best Lines: “I met this girl when I was ten years old/ And what I loved most, she had so much soul”. “Stressing how hardcore and real she is/ She was really the realest, before she got into showbiz.” “…I’m a take her back hopin’ that the shit stop/ ‘Cause who I’m talkin’ bout y’all is hip-hop.”

2. Notorious B.I.G.- “Things Done Changed”
The Brooklyn Don superbly conveyed his wish to return to childhood and the utter desperation of his pre-rap life in the crack game on the opening track of his classic album Ready to Die.

Best Lines: “Remember back in the days/ When niggas had waves/ Gazelles, shades and corn braids?” “If I wasn’t in the rap game/ I’d probably have a key knee deep in the crack game/ Because the streets is a short stop/ Either you’re slinging crack rock or you got a wicked jump shot.” “Shit, my momma got cancer in her breast/ Don’t ask me why I’m motherfuckin’ stressed/ Things done changed.”

1. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth- “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”
Without question the best hip-hop reminiscence song ever. C.L. Smooth simultaneously raps his way through his family tree and eulogizes Trouble T-Roy, one of Heavy D’s “Boyz” who died young in 1990. Pete Rock’s backing track is astonishingly good.

Best Lines: “I reminisce so you never forget this/ The days of way back, so many bear witness the fitness/
Take the first letter out of each word in this joint/ Listen close as I prove my point/ T to the R-uh-O-Y, how did you and I meet? / In front of Big Lou`s, fighting in the street/ But only you saw what took many time to see/ I dedicate this to you for believing in me/ Rain or shine, yes in any weather/ My Grandma Pam holds the family together/ My Uncle Doc`s the greatest/ Better yet the latest/ If we’re talking about a car, Uncle Sterling got the latest/ I strive to be live `cause I got no choice/ And run my own business like my Aunt Joyce/ So Pete Rock hit me, nuff respect due/ When they reminisce over you… Listen.”

Just listen.

2003 1-42 Online