Big L was an American rapper born and raised in Harlem, New York, where he started his rapping career with Three the Hard Way. His first professional appearance came on Lord Finesse‘s “Yes You May (Remix)”. He released his debut album, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous in 1995, and significantly contributed to the underground hip hop scene. He created his own independent label, Flamboyant […]
Learn Canadian Slang with Kardinal Offishall
Kardinal Offishall is a Canadian rapper and record producer. Often credited as Canada’s “hip hop ambassador”, he is considered one of the country’s best hip hop producers, and is best known for his distinctive reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip hop. In “BaKardin Slang”, Kardinal breaks down the city’s slang in each verse, similar to Big L‘s song “Ebonics”. The song popularized Toronto’s nickname “T-dot“, and […]
Fridays with Biggie: Big Poppa
“Big Poppa” is the Grammy nominated and Billboard Award€“winning second single from The Notorious B.I.G.‘s Ready to Die. The song was his first Top 10 pop hit, and peaked at #1 on Billboard’s rap chart. It features a sample of the song “Between the Sheets” written by The Isley Brothers. “Big Poppa” was one of many songs of the era to continue […]
Learn English Vocabulary with Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature is a Grammy Award-winning hip hop trio from East Orange, New Jersey that at the time of its formation in 1989 consisted of Treach, Vin Rock and the DJ Kay Gee. They are known for being one of the few hip hop acts who were able to balance success on the pop charts with hardcore credibility. The group’s first hit was a […]
2Pac Fridays: Vocabulary in “Dear Mama”
“Dear Mama” was written by 2Pac as a dedication to his mother, Afeni Shakur. The song is considered by critics, fans, and purists as one of the greatest hip hop songs of all-time, and one of 2Pac’s best songs in particular, being ranked number four on About.com’s “Top 100 Rap Songs” list. “Dear Mama” is one of 25 songs that […]
2Pac Fridays: Vocabulary in “I Get Around”
“I Get Around” is a single from 2Pac‘s second album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. and features Shock G and Money-B of Digital Underground, which is a hip-hop group from the San Francisco Bay Area. 2Pac is known for rapping about the challenges and struggles of inner-city life, and his songs are thought-provoking and poignant. This light-hearted track is quite different than his usual […]
2Pac Fridays: Brenda’s Got a Baby
“Brenda’s Got A Baby” is the solo debut single by Tupac Shakur, and the tenth track from his debut album 2Pacalypse Now. The song, which features R&B singer Dave Hollister, is about a twelve year-old girl named Brenda who lives in a ghetto, has a baby, and is incapable of supporting it. The song explores the issue of teen pregnancy and its effect on […]
Summer Vocabulary with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince was an American hip hop duo from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rapper Will Smith (The Fresh Prince) met DJ Jazzy Jeff while trying to make a name for himself in West Philadelphia’s local hip hop scene. After joining forces with Clarence Holmes (Ready Rock C) the team members became local celebrities. Holmes left the group in 1990, and later sued […]
2Pac Fridays: English Pronunciation
“I Ain’t Mad at Cha” is a song by rapper 2Pac released as the sixth single from his album All Eyez on Me. Although the album was released exactly 7 months before his death, the single was released shortly after his death. The song is a heartfelt tribute, possibly to his friend Napoleon. The song features contemporary soul singer Danny […]
Learn English Vocabulary with Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip-hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York. The group, consisting of Salt, Pepa and DJ Spinderella, was one of the first all-female rap groups. “Push It” was released as the B-side of the “Tramp” single in 1987, and as its own single in 1988. It peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot […]