In Retrospect: The Streets - Original Pirate Material

Today, while running some errands here in Brooklyn, I saw some of the first dead leaves on the ground, indicating Fall. Maybe this is the first time I noticed them. Summer is coming to an end and you start to think about what has happened during the season that brings the most life, and prepare for the Winter of solitude, holidays and Family. Soon enough the days of BBQs, water slides and Bikinis will be over. This all got me thinking of the past. Much as Fall does.

So I have decided to look back on some albums that have effected my musical tastes and seeing if they still hold up. The first one I chose to look at is the first album by the 45th generation Roman, Mike Skinner; also known as the Streets.

The title alone is great for something that came out in 1992. Just two years after Metallica went after Napster and demanded money for the music that was exchanged over the web, a British artist is pretty much telling us to pirate his music. I actually don't recall buying this album. But, this article is not about the pros and cons of music's easy accessibility on the web. (but on a positive note on music's future, with the the web dying and consumers turning more and more to aps, we may see earnings start to go up in the music industry. Or at least stop falling)

Original Pirate Material starts with a great mellow, down tempo track that sets the tone for an album that would change the way many would look at electronic music. Mike wrote the whole album alone in his bedroom at the young age of 21, though he out performs his age in both production and in lyrics. The album is still incredible and feels fresh.

The best song on the album is Weak Becomes Heroes. Maybe because I am a Raver at heart, this one definitely touches me in a happy place.

Other legendary tracks include The Irony Of It All which is a debate of weather a pot head or an alcoholic is worse on society, and Turn The Page which lets the world know that british-produced beats will influence Hip Hop from this day forward. Don't believe me? Have you seen actually listened to Usher lately? Though in the end we can thank Detroit Techno and Chicago House for all this magic that we are hearing now.

If this is not an album you are familiar with, I would definitely pick it up and give it a listen. I think you will be surprised that it is 8 years.

Top 5 New Orleans Rappers

I am doing this because I haven't posted anything in a while and everyone loves a top 5. This isn't easy. There has been an amazing rap culture in New Orleans that is a derivative of the same roots that Jazz and Rock and Blues came out of making it some of the most unique rap in the country. That is why it should be no surprise one of the hottest rappers in the game over the last several years came out the 504. Here is my top 5 as I see it.

LIL WAYNE

This was the only easy spot. He wasn't the first, he isn't exactly an innovator, but at the age of 28 and 16 years in the game he has reached hights that only Louis Armstrong, Dr. john and Fats has as a New Orleans musician, but Weezy has made a lot more money in the process by being a smart business man and by being true to himself. Too bad he makes some dumb mistakes that puts him in jail. Looking forward to seeing what he does when he gets out of Rikers Island because out of everyone on this list he still has the best potential of actually doing more with his career.

BEST SONG: A Millie

MY FAVORITE: Walk It Off

MASTER P

This is where the list gets dicey. I feel like 2 through 4 are all a close tie on many levels. P was the first artist to understand how to make money outside of New Orleans and probably made more then any previous New Orleans musician prior to him. I mean seriously think about how much money he probably made over previous New Orleans Jazz, rock and R&B singers. Sure he probably took advantage of a lot of artists and promoted his brothers probably more then they were worth, but he showed a lot of younger rappers and businessman exactly how to make it. So good for him, especially on the Disney show he pulled off.

BEST SONG: Make Em Say Uhhhh

MY FAVORITE: Ice Cream Man

MYSTIKAL

My man out the 12th ward. Little known fact about Mystikal, he was a cheerleader. Shocked? You shouldn't be. He made some of the biggest tracks of the late 90s and worked with some of the best rappers at the time. Too bad he Fd up and went to prison. Does he have a comeback in him now that he is out of prison? Time will tell.

BEST SONG: Danger

MY FAVORITE: Y'All Ain't Ready

JUVENILE

He had one of the greatest songs ever to come out of New Orleans in HA. He was so hot for a minute and brought up his posse better then any person before him. 400 degrees is a classic album in New Orleans music history. His rhyming trick got old after Mama Got Ass. But he has definitely put out some quality work over the years especially his album Reality Check.

BEST SONG: HA

MY FAVORITE: Slow Motion

JUBILEE

I feel like T. Tucker and DJ Irv maybe deserve this spot better, but Jubilee definitely had a better career. This is just a point where I can just talk about bounce in general. Since T. Tucker and DJ Irv released their first single, Where Dey At, in 1992, this uniquely New Orleans genre hasn't really progressed. That is my biggest problem with bounce. It is has been an influence on a bunch of other artists. But, despite all the hype the Sissy Bounce has gotten as of late, it will just be a nitch thing that will never really make any of those artists money. But hey I am the guy who is still into House and Drum and Bass.

BEST SONG: Back That Ass Up

MY FAVORITE: Do the Jubilee All

Other consideration: T.Tucker, BG, Baby, Manny Fresh, Partners N Crime and Soulja Slim

And in case you were wondering what my favorite New Orleans rap song ever was, it is BG's UPT Thang