Who else remembers the first time they heard this song?
I sure as hell do. I caught the video one day. I was vaguely up on Common Sense. He was getting a lot of play on this college radio station I used to listen to (shout out to 88.5 WRAS Atlanta, the Rhythym and Vibes show, circa 1994). Being that I was originally from Chicago, I was glad to see somebody from the Chi making some noise. Anywayz, I chilled and listened thinking, "Yeah, this is a cool song...real smooth, jazzy..." until he got to THE LINE.
"...'cuz who I'm talkin' 'bout y'all is Hip-Hop."
BAM!
I challenge ANYBODY to find another line in the history of hip-hop that hit harder than this the first time you heard it. It was instant "Did he just say that?!!?" and "I gotta listen to that again!" all in a split second. On the low, that song changed the game. That line made rappers really get back to lyricism. I could be wrong, but I don't think anyone had ever used extended metaphor in hip-hop before this. Definitely paved the way for tracks like "Me and My Girlfriend" (by 2Pac).
My Trusted MOGs
personally, i know it's cliche, but all of Tupac's "Changes" hit me harder. not just for an individual verse, but for the power of the song as a whole.
My Trusted MOGs
Heh, I was just listening to this earlier this morning. "I Used to Love H.E.R." is one of my absolute favorites.
It's not really an extended metaphor, but I think it's similar enough to invite a comparison. Check out Cunnin Lynguists song "Seasons", if you haven't already. Goes together brilliantly.
My Trusted MOGs
I'll look for that one. Never heard of 'em.
My Trusted MOGs
you can never go wrong with Common, not only is that one of Hip-Hops greatest songs of all time, it is one of my personal favs. Unbeleiveable album as well...
My Trusted MOGs
I fell out when I heard that line too!!! I am so glad to see Common doing his thing in the spotlight, his place is cemented in music history for that song.
Check out "Better Than You" fom Crusader For Justice by the Grouch... The hook is:
Nobody's better than you And no ones better than me Not even you When I am telling the truth
That line aways makes me stop in a way like that common song because that is so true!
HIP HOP/DON'T STOP > kiaran