Throwback Tuesday - RZA - Tragedy

Do I really need to say more?

Throwback Thursday: "Back Like That" — Ghostface Killah ft. Ne-Yo

This track has one of those random lines that just instantly resonated with me: "My girl cousins, they gon' rock you"

Word. Mess with me ladies, I'm puttin' Maya & Ebony on the business. #fam

Throwback Thursday: "All That I Got Is You" -- Ghostface Killah ft. Mary J. Blige

Mark this down as the saddest song that will ever appear in a "Throwback Thursday" post. These are easily the most concise Ghostface lyrics ever; ironically, they're also the most heartbreaking. It's almost as though he put aside his whole style for one verse, just to make sure every last emotion behind his words was felt by as many listeners as possible. And given that one moment to speak from the heart, Ghost just absolutely dominates your state of mind for 45 seconds, then lets Mary J.* tie a slightly-more-rosy bow around it all.


*Yes, I'm aware the video credits Tekitha with the vocals. But Mary J. sang the album version, and that's clearly what they use for the video. I'm not sure of the whole back story as to why they didn't give Mary her due, but I'm damn sure going to give it to her. She did her best to match Ghost's intensity (impossible to achieve, sure; but she came closer than anyone else could have); and, as wrenching as his lyrics are while bringing you to your knees, hers are nearly as inspiring as they breathe life in your lungs and lift your head toward the sky.

Dedicated to my beautiful mother on her birthday. Love you, lady.

Throwback Thursday: "Incarcerated Scarfaces" -- Raekwon

Back in '95, every kid living outside of NYC wished he grew up in NYC. Videos like this one were a big part of it. Seeing the raw, rough-around-the-edges swagger that videos like this depicted made you just a little jealous that you weren't a native of the streets of Shaolin.

"N***a I seen it,
like a 27 in. Zenith, believe it"

Throwback Thursday: "Where Was Heaven" -- Wu-Syndicate

Wu had a whole family of acts at one point. Although Wu-Syndicate started off with much promise on the strength of this, its debut track, they never really went anywhere.

Throwback Thursday: "Word on the Street" -- Inspectah Deck

There was once a time when any new solo release by a member of the Wu was seen as a potential classic. That faded not long after Deck's "Uncontrolled Substance" made everyone realize that not every album by the Shaolin emcees was going to be a "Purple Tape". But, despite the rest of the disc being lackluster, this track still bumped better than most, and Deck keeps things moving along briskly.

Politickin'

Quick and off-the-wall video from the folks at Funny Or Die. Good for some LOLs on a day marked with sad news.

ONLY BUILT 4 CUBAN LINX NIGGAZ - watch more funny videos

My boy Garrett with the find.

Throwback Thursday: "Triumph" -- Wu Tang Clan

This song is a rap masterpiece, as each emcee contributes pure heat. And they managed to pair it with a video that's still entertaining today, 13 years after it was released.

Throwback Thursday: "Can It Be All So Simple" -- Wu-tang Clan

One of my all-time favorite Wu tracks, off their debut album "Enter the Wu-tang (36 Chambers)".

Video of the Day: Wu Tang Clan "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'"

This is a certified classic. If you can't appreciate the Wu Tang and their movement, then you have no soul. No soul!