November 9 in music history [Hip-Hop]

Once the November 9 came, it didn't even raise discussion of what event(s) should I cover according to their importance in the ever changing and evolving hip-hop culture. So, yeah, the year was 1993 and WHAT A DAY IT WAS!

Not so often you see 2 generation defining and 'a masterpiece' title deserving albums being released within 24 hours. So yeah, 2 LPs, one cemented the legacy of already proven ATCQ; whereas, another put Staten Island and it's finest - the Wu-Tang Clan, on the hip-hop map. 

- Bobby RZA had one single with Tommy Boy under Prince Rakeem moniker, GZA was down with Cold Chillin' as The Genius. Latter had more success with their debut effort but still, they were much under the conditions of their labels and their single and LP did not stand out much as something unique. When in 1992, RZA formed Wu-Tang and introduced ODB, Raekwon, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, GZA (under his new alter ego), U-God and Masta Killa to the world outside Staten Island, all the members were allowed to maintain their own unique styles and that's what made Wu outstanding. Therefore, it was no big surprise when the 36 Chambers dropped in November 1993, the hip-hop game had taken one BIG step forward and wouldn't be looking back. 

- Whereas karate flick lyrics and hardcore rhymes were just making it into the hip-hop fashion, the already proven heavyweights from another NYC borough to the East from Staten Island, had already proven as the force to be reckoned with by 1993. The  quartet of Q-Tip, Phife Dawg (R.I.P.), Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi had already released People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm (1990) and Low End Theory (1992). Both already were legendary and game-changing. Their 1st LP was the first album to receive 5 mics on The Source, it experimented with light-hearted lyrics and a dope mixture of jazz, funk, soul and rock samples. Their 2nd LP also received 5 mics with more lyrical effort from Phife, more mature topics, and even more jazz samples. 

So when the 1993 came, they were already established, critically acclaimed, had revolutionized hip-hop sound. For many music bands and artists, 3rd album after 1 or 2 masterpieces might result in a shape of regression. But as we found out in late 1993, we were not fed up with the ATCQ unique style yet. Midnight Marauders marked ATCQ's return to the more eclectic sampling which was evident in their debut. They used mostly samples of 1970s jazz, funk and soul. Lyricswise, this one is considered their best album with improvements in cadence, flow, diction and use of metaphors. 

- So both masterpieces delivered great lyricism and techniques that made them both masterpieces. Wu had brought up new hardcore sound and a mega band of multitalented personalities that changed the landscape of hip-hop forever. ATCQ did similar to their first two albums, but they managed to maintain their legendary status but added to the lyricism and maturity even more. That's what made them both and the NOVEMBER 9, 1993 so special. 

BOTH ALBUMS ARE AVAILABLE IN BELOW LINKS. I RIPPED THEM BOTH FROM MY CD A LONG TIME AGO. 

• T1 (MP3 320): LINK
• T2 (FLAC I):  LINK
• T3 (FLAC II): LINK

J (Olas un Bekons)