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 […]
Hip-Hop for Beginners: “You got to fight for your right to party!”
“Fight for Your Right” is a song by the Beastie Boys, released as the fourth single from their debut album Licensed to Ill. One of their best-known songs, it reached #7 on the Billboard 100 in the week of March 7, and was later named one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll (taken […]
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 […]
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 […]
Learn English Vocabulary with Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an influential hip-hop duo that consisted of MC Guru and DJ Premier. Although they are not as popular as mainstream artists, they are regarded as one of the best groups by underground and alternative hip-hop fans. DJ Premier is still a successful DJ/Producer, but Guru passed away on April 19, 2010. In […]
Learn English Grammar: Infinitives with Kid Cudi
Kid Cudi is a hip-hop artist and actor from Cleveland, Ohio. Cudi is signed under his own record label, Wicked Awesome Records and Republic Records. He first gained notoriety after the release of his first official full-length project in 2008, a mixtape titled A Kid Named Cudi. The mixtape caught the attention of Kanye West, who subsequently signed Cudi to his GOOD Music label in late […]
Speak Better English: Idioms and Pronunciation with Mia-X
Mia X is an American rapper who first encountered success when she became the first female artist to sign with Master P‘s successful No Limit Records. Although born in New Orleans, Mia began her rapping career in Queens, New York as part of the hip-hop group New York Incorporated, which disbanded after only four years. After her […]