Alright. Okay. Alright. Okay.

[raybear]

Last night I went to Funky Buddha with foxycoxy for Itchie Fingers's birthday. I don't really go to FB because I feel uncomfortable with 1) the intense orientalism of the decor and 2) their drinks being hella expensive. But sometimes you make exceptions, because I knew it would be good to chat with Coxy, because Itch is a friend-of-friends and I wouldn't mind if he became my friend, and because I knew the music would be amazing. And sure enough, he and Aquil did not let us down. Getting in without paying a cover didn't hurt either.

I haven't been in a space playing all hip-hop in such a long time, I was like, oh yeah, why don't I do this more? But my favorite part of parties and clubs and events is that moment when a classic (or underplayed) gem comes on and it unites the room, everyone perks up and nods their head or dances and sings along. You know what I'm talking about. When I was standing at the bar, singing along to Pharcyde's Passing Me By with a stranger, I thought "I want to make a 2-disc mix of all these songs!" I told Coxy I would make it for her as part of her indoctrination to hip-hop.

So this morning, I'm up early, and I'm culling songs. But I want help. Normally I'm controlling about my mixes, but I think this would be served better as a collective effort. I know I will forget songs, and because the nature of this mix is such that I might choose stuff that would get me (and thebrownhornet) super-excited, but won't quite elicit the phenomenon in the club that I'm talking about. So help me, livejournalers who listen to hip-hop! Here's what I have so far. Songs with asteriks are "maybe" votes, so if you think they might be too obscure, let me know. And tell me what songs I'm forgetting! They don't have to be 'old', my choices are heavy in the late 80s to late 90s, and I don't want this to be a mix about 'who can name the oldest, most influential joint in hip hop" game -- I want songs that create collective love, but also don't want it to be too pop-y.

Ok, so far I have:

Passing Me By - The Pharcyde
Ready Or Not - The Fugees
Quiet Storm (remix) - Mobb Deep feat. Lil'
If I Ruled the World - Nas with Lauryn Hill
Juicy - Notorious B.I.G.
Flava In Ya Ear (remix) - Craig Mack
A Roller Skating Jam Named ''Saturdays'' - De La Soul
SpottieOttieDopaliscious - Outkast
Daytona 500 - Ghostface Killah *
Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik - Outkast
Take It Personal - Gang Starr *
I Used To Love Her - Common Sense
All That I Got Is You - Ghostface Killah
You Can Do It - Ice Cube [I should probably do "It Was a Good Day" instead?] *
Sock It 2 Me (Featuring Da Brat) - Missy Elliott [Or should I do "The Rain"] *
Straight Outta Compton - N.W.A.
Stress - Organized Konfusion *
Verbal Intercouse - Raekwon
I Ain't No Joke - Rakim
Elevators (Me And You) - Outkast
The Next Movement - The Roots
Can I Kick It? - A Tribe Called Quest
Gin And Juice - Snoop Doggy Dogg
Roughneck - MC Lyte [or should I do "Lyte as a Rock" or "Paper Thin"?]
Crush on You - Lil Kim [though I'm considering "Drugs" instead, if only because that Sylvester sample is hot and gets used later on by Dr. Dre and Erykah Badu]
My Philosophy - BDP
My Mind Playin' Tricks on Me - Geto Boys

(This isn't an intentional order, btw. I'm just in the gathering songs phase. Also, this might be a 3-disc set.)

Damn, I just realized I have no songs from The Chronic as mp3s. I might need to go peruse my vinyl collection for more inspiration.

Tell me your thoughts.

Comments

[blasfemmey.livejournal.com]

there needs to be some quest in there....

i would recommend:
bonita applebaum- tribe called quest
vivrant thing- tribe called quest
rebirth of slick- digable planets
93 til infinity- souls of mischief
this or that- black sheep

this is not really hip hop, unless you get the remix with Dr. Dre, but I would love to see "no more lies" by michele' on a mix.

i know i could come up with more. whatchoo think?

remember 3rd bass? i know they had a bad ass song, but i cannot remember the name of it right now.

oh leaders of the new school! they are good, too!

how are you by the way?

[raybear.livejournal.com]

i have "Can I kick it?" on the list already -- i was debating between that and Scenario, but Bonita Applebaum is a good one too. maybe I'll put both Bonita and Kick It. I'll probably have 2 outkast songs too.

black sheep!!! yes. all your suggestions are good, thank you. if you have more, feel free to come back! even if i they don't make the cut, i will enjoy revisiting. maybe i'll make a "lost tracks" version of the mix and put No More Lies on it for you!

oh, and btw, my writer's residency is now going to be the first half of august, which means i'll be free when you're in town for the femme conference and we can DEFINITELY hang out.

[riverafire.livejournal.com]

I love "Can I Kick It"! Yes please. "Scenario" is my ringback, so 'nuff said. I might crib your final list since I have been promising my friend from abroad an intro to hip-hop for forever and a day now. This post is so much fun!

[raybear.livejournal.com]

i think my goal will be to have this mix put together in time to play for my birthday party on july 13th. maybe you should come to chicago for it.

[riverafire.livejournal.com]

don't I wish! Surely nothing would be finer. There is no way I could afford that and anyway I am going to be in Oregon. You will have to sendspace this joint or something because I got a feeling it is going to be bomb.

[raybear.livejournal.com]

also, was that 3rd Bass song "Gas Face"? i mean, i know that's a song of theirs, but i'm not sure if that was the single.

[raybear.livejournal.com]

wait no, it was "Pop Goes the Weasel"!!!!

[blasfemmey.livejournal.com]

pop goes the weasel! ooooooh you are good, raybear!

[live-laugh-love.livejournal.com]

Is the 3rd Bass song "Gas Face"? I love that song.

[blasfemmey.livejournal.com]

you got it! you rawk for that!

[dommeyourass.livejournal.com]

yes! digable planets

[blasfemmey.livejournal.com]

great minds think alike!