by Calvin R. Evans
Addicts to classic Hip-Hop should be ready to OD on a 12-pack of memories with Tommy Boy Hip-Hop Essentials Vol. II. The second installment of their 12-part series brings the listener plenty of party bangers, beef slingers, and social commentary.
The CD blasts off with a rush as Public Enemy brings the timeless “Rebel Without a Pause”. Before you can re-gather your senses, Kid-N-Play’s party knocker “Last Night” hits you again. As your heart continues to palpitate, you get hit with Biz Markie’s “Nobody Beats the Biz”. MC Lyte brings a big slice of beef with her bangin’ classic, “Paper Thin”. Tim Dog delivers more beef to the table with the stinging “F**k Compton.” Other part blazers on the CD are De La Soul’s “Plug Tunin’”, Main Source’s “Lookin at the Front Door”, and Young MC’s “Bust a Move.”
I was happy to hear the often forgotten “Just Buggin’” by Hip-Hop/R&B group Whistle, as well as the socially responsible “Be a Father to Your Child” by Ed OG & Da Bulldogs. LL Cool J’s “Goin’ Back to Cali” was never one of my favorite songs, but I honor its merit in history of Hip-Hop. It is the last LL-Rick Rubin collaboration, and the song was a smash hit for LL.
If I have any questions on this CD it would be the selection of Dana Dane’s “Cinderfella.” Although I liked the song, “Cinderfella” would never show up on my personal essentials list, and I doubt it would show up on anyone else’s either. The song was never a big hit by any stretch of the imagination. It did not sell extravagant numbers of copies, nor did it skyrocket to the top of the charts, nor did it have a major impact on Hip-Hop at any point in time.
All-in-all, I think that a Hip-Hop connoisseur would want to add Tommy Boy Hip-Hop Essentials Vol. II to their CD library