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November 12 to 15 in music history [Hip-Hop]

Added 2020-11-15 22:09:19 +0000 UTC

Good day to everyone. As you might or might not have noticed I did not post write-ups on hip-hop history of the day for last several days. So I will catch up and do a brief wrap of what has happened related to hip-hop era on these dates. These mostly are releases of iconic rap albums, birthdays and unfortunate deaths of hip-hop icons we all love. I will keep it brief this time, since here's much to cover. Also you will find preview tracks attached and full HQ rips soon after the publishing of these posts.

November 12

[1991] Tim Dog releases his debut album Penicilin On Wax. Albums most recognized element was the ''Fuck Compton'' track which almost singlehandedly instigated the East coast-West coast feud which culminated half a decade later with the deaths of 2 young rap mega-stars - 2Pac (in 1996), and Notorious B.I.G. (in 1997).

[1991] Ironically, 2Pac Shakur released his debut album the same day as Tim Dog. It was called 2Pacalypse Now and addressed societal and individual struggles under socio-economic disadvantages. The album is often cited as an inspirational album by many rappers that came later.

[1996] When Lil' Kim released Hard Core (3rd debut already in this list), it was somewhat different from what female hip-hop had produced up to that point. There were 2 outstanding things that blended well together and made this album an instant classic - overly raunchy sexual tone and Kim's lyrical delivery. This one launched Kim's career and made her a force to be reckoned with.

[1973] The Universal Zulu Nation is formed. It is an international hip hop awareness group formed by and formerly led by hip hop artist Afrika Bambaataa. Their main goal has always been the promotion of notion that Hip-Hop was created to provide 'peace, love, unity and having fun' for those in the ghetto, and eventually onward to all those supportive of the culture. Some unfortunate events (I won't comment) have shaken the ship for the Zulu Nation for the past few years and Bambaataa was replaced as the head of organization in 2016 after he was accused of wrongdoings.

November 13

[1994] Big L released his first single from the upcoming debut album 'Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous'. The track was called 'Put It On' and featured Kid Capri. Big L was known for his lyricism and dark hardcore rhymes. As Lord Finesse later stated about the single: ''[Columbia Records] wanted something with a hook that would be kinda catchy, and something they could get radio play with. Like, everything [L] did was dark, and it was gangsta, and it was…what was the [popular style at the time]? Horror-core. So they needed something bright, something friendly. And “Put It On” just matched everything perfect . . . “Put it on,” the slang…was like… “do your thing.” “Put it on Big L, put it on…” [meaning] you gotta do your thing, you gotta represent." L's debut album was released next year. It did not receive Platinum album status, but rather came so hard it acquired instant platinum respect and I consider (if I may) it as the epitome of real hip-hop.

[2004] Sadly, but this day is also significant with one deeply sad event. Wu-Tang Clan member Ol' Dirty Bastard died of what has officially been ruled as an accidental drug overdose (an autopsy found a lethal mixture of cocaine and the prescription opioid tramadol). For the last few years up until his death, Ol' Dirty Bastard's legal troubles and eccentric behavior made him "something of a folk hero". He released 2 albums. Debut album in 1995 went platinum, 2nd LP in 1999 went gold. Both are considered classic. R.I.P.

November 14

[1995] West Coast alternative hip-hop artists The Pharcyde released their 2nd album called Labcabincalifornia. Album produced three singles. Overall, this album was a rather more mellow and introspective affair than their debut and features more somber themes such as dealing with fame and success, drug abuse, and broken down relationships. Album sales compared to Bizarre Ride did not fare as well; the group was not able to reach Gold status. Although it received mixed reviews upon release due to the group's sudden shift of direction from its previous album, it received critical acclaim in retrospective reviews, with many lauding its smooth production and touchy subject matter.

[1964] Joseph Simmons aka Rev Run was born. He is known as one third of the iconic Run-DMC. They helped to elevate both hip-hops commercial appeal and overall trajectory of hip-hop style as one of 'new school' pioneers. Trio released 7 albums from 1984 to 2001, three of whom went Platinum, and two went Gold. After the death of Jam Master Jay, Rev Run and D.M.C. each released one solo album. Run released his album 'Distortion' in 2005. He has remained active since then as a TV personality and is often sharing his religious views.

[2000] Mobb Deep member Prodigy released his debut album H.N.I.C. "H.N.I.C." is an initialism for "Head Nigga In Charge". The album received universal widespread critical acclaim and is considered one of the best rap albums of 2000. A month later album received Gold status. Prodigy's delivery does not much deviate from Mobb Deep's content and that is a good thing. 20 years gone by and this one is certified classic!

[1989] Brooklyn's rap group 3rd Bass released their debut album The Cactus Album. Half a year after the release it was certified Gold. This LP is usually included in weirdly sounding tops called ''"The Best Albums Made By White Rappers". Album produced 4 singles, the most notable being 'Gas Face' who was on frequent airplay in 1989/90 on MTV.

November 15

[1967] Earl T. Stevens aka E-40 was born. He is a founding member of the rap group the Click, and the founder of Sick Wid It Records. He has released twenty-eight studio albums to date, appeared on numerous movie soundtracks, and has also done guest appearances or a host of other rap albums. His legacy has made him synonymous with Bay Area rap. He one of the genre's most prolific and inventive artists. E-40 along with Suga Free are considered the inventors and pioneers of offbeat rapping style.

[1994] Just a year after Wu Tang dropped their iconic debut album, Method Man was ready to release his debut solo. Two singles of Enter the 36 Chambers ("Method Man" and "C.R.E.A.M.) on whom he performed, reached #69 and #60 respectively on the Billboard Hot 100. These two songs had higher chart positions than any other tracks on the album, and thus caused much anticipation for Method Man's solo career. At the time of Wu-Tang Clan's debut album, Method Man's rhymes, charisma, and smooth, deep voice made him the group's most visible, popular member. Tical was well received by most music critics, but many consider it slightly worse than other Wu member solo albums of the era (e.g. GZA's Liquid Swords in 1995, Raekwon's Only Bout 4 Cuban Linx in 1995). To overall hip-hop standards, it's a classic!

[1968] Staying on a Wu tip, legendary group member Ol' Dirty Bastard would have been 52 years old today. As mentioned before, he released 2 iconic albums. 2 more were released posthumously. R.I.P. Legend.

[1986] Beastie Boys‘ released their debut album Licensed to Ill. It was released by Def Jam and Columbia Records, and was the first rap album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The album had seven singles and the title was a pun on the James Bond film, License To Kill. Licensed to Ill has sold over 10 million copies and was certified Diamond by the RIAA on March 4, 2015. The album’s cover art was done by collage artist World B Omes, the plane’s serial number, 3MTA3, reads like “EATME” backwards. An eternal classic!

[1988] West Coast rapper King Tee released his debut studio album Act A Fool on Capitol Records. The album peaked at number 125 on the US Billboard 200 chart and number 35 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Though the Compton rapper enjoyed little commercial success throughout his career, he's often cited as an influence upon the gangsta rappers of the early to mid-'90s, and his debut is considered a classic among West Coast rap fans.

[2009] British rapper Derek B died at the age of 44. He was one of the UK's first hip-hop stars and the first British rapper to appear on Top of the Pops. The London-born rapper scored Top 20 hits with Good Groove and Bad Young Brother in 1988. The US rap mogul Russell Simmons signed Derek to Rush Artist Management, alongside Run DMC, LL Cool J and Public Enemy, but only one Derek B album was released (Bullet from a Gun (1988)). After his own chart success faded, Derek B took on a number of production and remix jobs, including work for Curiosity Killed the Cat, Was Not Was, Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, Big Daddy Kane and the Cookie Crew. R.I.P.

As always, find the preview tracks added to this post and if you interested in full HQ's, go to the links below. Most of those are my CD rips, apart from King Tee and Pharcyde album (which I have on CD but cannot find... need to sort my shelves some day).