A Tribe Called Quest is one of hip-hop’s most legendary, beloved and revered groups of all time and for good reason. Easily recognized for their unique approach to rap music by employing jazz infused soundscapes to Afro-centric rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest was largely responsible for the popularity of a new genre that dominated the East […]
Old School for New Beginners: ‘Have Got To’ and Vocabulary with EPMD
EPMD is an American hip hop group from Brentwood, New York. The group’s name is an acronym for “Erick and Parrish Making Dollars”, referencing its members, emcees Erick Sermon (“E” aka E Double) and Parrish J Smith (“PMD” aka Parrish Mic Doc). Strictly Business is their debut album, and it was released on August 30, 1988. “You Gots to Chill” is an adamant declaration of EPMD€™s total dominance. Erick and Parrish are […]
Beginning Hip-Hop with Biz Markie: Vocabulary and How to Use ‘Ever’
Biz Markie is a rapper, beatboxer, DJ,comedian, singer, reality television personality, and commercial spokesperson. He is best known for his single “Just a Friend“, an American Top 10 hit in 1989. In 2008, “Just a Friend” made #100 on VH1‘s list of the 100 greatest hip hop songs of all time (taken Verbatim from Wikipedia). You, you got what I need, but you say he’s […]
Learn English Grammar & Vocabulary with Eminem’s Berzerk!
“Bezerk” is Eminem€™s first single off his upcoming album, €œThe Marshall Mathers LP 2€. The song gives off a golden-age vibe, as it is laced with Beastie Boys-esque production, courtesy of Rick Rubin, and allusions to 1990€™s pop culture. There are a few subtle jabs at new school rappers in the song, but it is done […]
Learn English Grammar: Look, See & Watch with Geto Boys
Geto Boys is a rap group from Houston, Texas, consisting of Scarface, Willie D, and Bushwick Bill. The Geto Boys have earned notoriety for their lyrics which cover controversial topics such as misogyny, gore, psychotic experiences, and necrophilia. They have broken new ground with their soulful southern sound, which was a precursor to the Dirty South style. About.com ranked them #10 on its list of the […]
Learn English Grammar: Past Perfect with Ice Cube
Ice Cube is an American rapper from South Central Los Angeles, and he is considered one of the founding members of gangsta rap. His lyrics are unflinchingly honest, and his songs usually revolve around the danger and violence of the inner city of Los Angeles. In “It Was a Good Day”, Ice Cube describes a day where […]
Learn English Grammar: Second Conditional with Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar is a hip hop recording artist from Compton, California. Initially signed to independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment, in 2012 Lamar and the label signed a joint venture deal with Aftermath and Interscope Records. Lamar is also a member of the West Coast group, Black Hippy, along with fellow California-based rappers and label-mates Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul (taken verbatim from Wikipedia). In “Poetic Justice” Lamar discusses the ups and […]
English Grammar: ‘Be About To’ with The Roots
The Roots are an American Grammy Award-winning hip-hop band, formed in 1987 by Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, from Philadelphia. They are known for their jazzy, eclectic approach to hip-hop which includes live instruments. Malik B., Leonard “Hub“, and Josh Abrams were later added to the band. In 1999, The Roots released “The Next Movement”, which was the third track on the […]
Learn English: The Verb ‘Stop’ with Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli is an American rapper who gained recognition through Black Star, a collaboration with fellow MC Mos Def. Quality is Talib Kweli’s fist solo album, which was released in 2002 and considered a classic by many hip-hop fans. The album received critical acclaim as well as some commercial appeal for the track “Get By”, which was produced by Kanye West (adapted […]
‘Have Got To’ with Public Enemy
Public Enemy is a hip-hop group from Long Island, New York, and they currently consist of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, DJ Lord and The SW1 Group. They are known for their political songs and criticism of the American media. They were recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which makes them the […]