Throwback Thursday: "Can I Get A..." -- Jay-Z ft. Amil and Ja Rule

As I rewatched this for the first time in years, a few things came to mind:

1. R.I.P. Chris Penn.
2. She holds down this verse, but how did Jigga ever think he could sell Amil as a sexpot female emcee?
3. Amil's girls from Major Coins (dancing behind her) ain't bad, though. But I don't think I ever heard either of them on a single song...like, ever.
4. This song was a party banger when it first came out. I can't tell you how many times it would come on at a party in college and you would immediately find a group of guys (sometimes including yours truly) on one couch rapping Jay's part of the chorus, and a group of girls on an opposite couch rapping Amil's part.
5. Ja's first appearance, ever. He drew comparisons to DMX because of his raspy voice (which was a stupid criticism), but somehow avoided catching heat for borrowing Tupac's thug style.
6. Maybe no one cared because Ja spit a sick verse, with a killer ending.
7. I really feel like watching "Rush Hour" now.
   

Throwback Thursday: "Down 4 U" -- Ja Rule ft. Vita, Charli Baltimore, & Ashanti

I know, I know, I know... Ja Rule and his series of R&B-esque hip-hop ballads are an easy target, one I've fired shots at in the past. But I'm going to give this one a pass...at least for now. This was a prime track for several reasons:

(1.) The laid back beat is a nice change-up pitch, and allows the track to waft over you like a cool ocean breeze.
(2.) A beach-themed video filled with video vixens and aspiring models in bikinis is always a #win.
(3.) Vita's entrance kills. And ever since her scene in Belly...well, there's been a special place in my heart for her.
(4.) Charli Baltimore's whole verse kills.
(5.) Ashanti is just ridiculous, from eyes to thighs.

Throwback Thursday: "Grand Finale" -- DMX, Nas, Method Man, & Ja Rule

"And god'll throw a beam of lightnin down 'cuz he feel us"

This is a sick posse cut from the Belly soundtrack (1998). Each emcee brings his trademark power to the track, and Irv Gotti mixes in some great clips from the movie itself.