OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Nas - "It Ain't Hard to Tell"

"This rhythmatic explosion, is what your frame of mind has chosen.
I'll leave your brain stimulated, niggas is frozen.
Speak with criminal slang, begin like a violin.
End like Leviathan, it's deep well let me try again." - Nas

This is without a doubt one of my favorite Nasir Jones songs of all-time. I remember when I first saw this video over D Mack's house and I couldn't get it out of my head for weeks. There was something so smooth, yet so hard about the song. I can easily hear Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" sample in the beat now, but I'm not sure I caught it when I was 13 or 14. That smooth, jazzy sample seems to blend perfectly with the realness and passion in Esco's voice. This song wasn't a huge commercial hit, as most singles from Illmatic weren't, but it will always be recognized as a solid rock in the discography of Mr. Jones. I believe "Halftime" was the first official single from Illmatic, but this was really the first time the world got a glimpse of Nas. Wikipedia also states that Nas shot portions of this video on the same stage as the movie "Wild Style" and I obviously didn't catch that tidbit when I first saw the video. Props to Large Professor for producing the track and props to Nasir Jones for making a classic song and album.

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - The Fugees - "Fu-Gee-La"

"Girl bled to death while she was tongue kissing a razor blade" - Wyclef

Okay so every now and then I go through my extensive compact disc collection and try to find something good to play on the way to work. And a lot of times I look to the mid-90's for inspiration. This past Wednesday I popped in The Score and said "Damn!" Lauryn was so ill on the mic and they were all such great producers, I really wonder what would have happened if they never broke up. The group's first effort, Blunted on Reality, was pretty good but it didn't have too many standout tracks outside of "Nappy Heads" and "Vocab." But, they upped the ante with The Score. It was different, it was fresh, it was extremely innovative, and it changed the game for the group. One of the most popular songs from the album was "Fu-Gee-La" and the subsequent video. Everyone will remember L Boogie's "Oooh Laa Laa La" hook and how all three emcees came through hard on the lyrics. Salaam Remi produced this track for the group and he did a marvelous job. I'm not sure where they shot this video, but it looks so authentic and the caper feel was awesome. I think the video did a great job giving fans a glimpse on what exactly The Fugees were all about. I don't think there will ever be another group quite like The Fugees.

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Terence Trent D'Arby - "Wishing Well"

Terence Trent D'Arby should have had more commercial success. He won a Grammy, a Soul Train award, and had his debut album, Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby, sell millions of records here and overseas. But, the commercial success didn't last too long as his next two albums, Neither Fish Nor Flesh (A Soundtrack of Love, Faith, Hope & Destruction) and Symphony or Damn, both failed to make a statement on the charts. The good news is that those albums were recieved well by critics unlike his most recent albums. "Wishing Well" was one of the songs I used to love hearing on the radio when I was younger. In a way I feel like Terence paved the way for artists like Darius Rucker and Anthony David to do what they do today. Maybe like the male counterpart to Tracy Chapman? Maybe. Either way, there is always room for songs like these on the radio because they are funky, catchy, and don't sound like everything else you hear. Big ups to TTD'A.

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Master P feat. Silkk the Shocker - "Mr. Ice Cream Man"

This is the song that put Master P on the map! It's hard to believe that the dude released FOUR albums before he hit big with the album Ice Cream Man and the single "Mr. Ice Cream Man." I still remember kids coming to high school with this album and acting like it was the best thing since sliced bread. Never known as a master with his words, what P lacked in rhyming ability he made up for in beats and charisma. This video is what you would expect from Master P in 1996. Themes include cars, rims, and drug dealing. Mia X and Mo B. Dick show up to deliver the hook and Silkk actually says "crooked alligator" in his verse. No Limit had a hell of a run from '96-'99 and even if you were never a huge fan of their music you had to give their hustle game an A+. Oh yeah, and I don't think this song is about custard, soft-serve, or anything of the sort.

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - The Roots - "What They Do"

Don't you just love "Big Willie-ism's." Back in the mid-late 90's rap videos had a tendency to all look alike. Actually, most of them still look alike, but I believe that is when it started. Since they came out with Organix in 1993 the Roots have been hip-hop's resident "band" and the Lex Luthor to commercial rap's Superman. "What They Do" was released in 1996 from the group's Illadelph Halflife album. This was the group's biggest hit until 1999's "You Got Me" feat. Erykah Badu and Eve. This video is, in essence, a parody of what rap videos tend to be. All of the elements are here such as half-naked women, champagne, and mansions. But, my favorite is the "Smoove R&B Club Scene" with the fake band members and the Token White Model. This is still a very funny video and a classic song as well. You can currently catch The Roots weeknights on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on NBC.

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Another Bad Creation - "Jealous Girl"

"I just wanna let you know that it's hurting me so, girl I just had to let you go."

Let's keep it real. Another Bad Creation (ABC) made wearing overalls, Starter jackets, and your hat to the side the thing to do. I remember thinking they were the coolest kids when I first saw the video for "Iesha." And when I was about 10-11 years old me and DMack ran into them at a hotel in Atlanta. We ran around acting like idiots with Red, RoRo, and Mark. The good ol' days. In the 90's they had some success with the album Coolin' at the Playground, Ya Know which charted 5 singles, including "Jealous Girl." This song was originally done by New Edition and was also covered by Mase and Puff Daddy. The version that ABC did is just so funny now. They definitely had people telling them how to act in front of the camera. But, the shower scenes are kind of disturbing and I'm not really sure how those weren't cut before the final version was completed. One of those kids mama's shoulda said something! With that said the song is still pretty good and it prolly won't be the only ABC video we post on The Chop Up.

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Sista - "Brand New"

Missy has been doing her thing for a while, yo!!! Before she was Supa Dupa Fly Ms. Elliott was once part of the girl-group Sista in the early 90's. Their most popular song, "Brand New", got some video play on BET and MTV back in the day and was a pretty hot song. Devante Swing from Jodeci produced this record and I think he wanted this group to be the female version of Jodeci. I mean the dance steps are really lame, but the vocals are on point. The beat is classic New Jack Swing and makes you bob your head for real. I remember when chicks in high school used to wear one pant leg up like dudes, too! Hilarious! And I ain't seen bangs like that on a female in a looooooooong time. Big ups to Sista and Missy.

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Sagat - "Funk Dat"

Question. Why is it that I remember damn near all the lyrics to this song? This was a catchy tune back in '94 with a funky beat. I don't know what to call Sagat since he doesn't sing or rap. He just talks. I guess we'll call him The Artist Formerly Known as Sagat, or TAFKAS. He was definetly a one-hit wonder. The sad part about this whole song is that a lot of it is true. This joint dropped in 1994 and I still think to myself......"Why is it that every time I turn the radio, I hear the same 5 songs, 15 times a day for 3 months?" MAN, FUNK DAT!!!! Get a new DJ! I know I hear "Beep Beep Beep","Stanky Legg", "Swag Surfin", "Turn My Swag On", and "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" whenever I hop in my car and the radio is on. Lord help us all. I wanna shout out Sagat for making a funny video and for giving me a reason to rant!

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Musical Youth - "Pass the Dutchie"

Musical Youth will forever have a place in music history for this cut. "Pass the Dutchie" was nominated for a Grammy and has since been sampled by artists such as Busta Rhymes, Rah Digga, and Missy Elliott. For some reason I was thinking that this came out in the 70's but it actually dropped in 1982 accompanied with this video. The video makes absolutely no sense and looks really cheesy. Especially the courtroom scenes. But, the lame video does not take away from the appeal of the song. It is a great bridge between reggae and pop and these kids really had a lot of talent. It's my understanding that "dutchie" means a type of pot or cookware in the context of this song. The "other" meaning kinda spawned after this was released. Either way, these kids telling someone to pass the dutchie just sounds like they're doing something they shouldn't be doing!

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Black Moon - "Who Got Da Props"

One of the most overlooked East Coast hip-hop groups of all time has to be Black Moon. I mean I would never have them at the top of the list of my favorite groups, but it just seems like they don't get the recognition they deserve. In 1993 they released "Who Got Da Props" from their debut album Enta Da Stage. I used to love this song back in the day and it embodies everything that East Coast hip hop was in the early 90's. This joint had ill lyrics, a fresh head-bobbing beat, scratches, and a hook that is undeniably sick! Buckshot, 5ft, and Evil Dee showed on this song that they were going to be a force to be reckoned with in the game. This song actually reached #86 on the Billboard Hot 100 which surprised me. Times have changed in the music industry because a song like this wouldn't see the light of day now! The album Enta Da Stage also featured the jams "I Got Cha Opin", "Buck 'Em Down", and "How Many MC's" which all have a place in hip-hop history. After watching this video again I wonder if Buckshot would be considered a "backpacker" by today's audiences? I mean he is wearing a backpack. If Rick Ross threw on a backpack in his new video would that make him a "backpacker" too??? This is food for thought y'all do the dishes.

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Sheena Easton - "Sugar Walls"

Before she made "U Got The Look" with Prince in 1987, Sheena Easton was already an established artist. She had already made the hit songs "Morning Train", "Strut," and "Telefone". And on the same album as "Strut" was the somewhat controversial Prince-produced song "Sugar Walls." In less talented hands, this song could have been way over the top. But, Prince and Sheena craft a very sexy, danceable joint that still holds up today. If you don't know what sugar walls are either you've been living under a rock or can't read between lines. But, with lyrics like "Come spend the night inside my sugar walls" and "Blood races to your private spots" it isn't hard to figure out. This video is kinda creepy to me though! It's like her eyes are trying to tell me something or she's trying to put a voodoo curse on me!! I can listen to this song all day, but I think I'm done with the video. Shit's creepy, yo!

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - De La Soul feat. The Jungle Brothers, ATCQ, Monie Love, and Queen Latifah - "Buddy (Native Tongue Decision)"

This is the best remix ever. EVER!!! De La had a lot of great songs, but this is my favorite by far. Everybody from the Native Tongue crew showed up to make this a special video. There is a lot of finger-snapping and laughing, but that adds to the charm. They are just clowning around as if they were shooting a home movie. It's like one big inside joke. I like the big dude running in the street says "This video makes no sense!" I agree! We also get a lot of earth tones, funky haircuts, and African patches! I used to have like three of those patches back in the day. This was off the group's classic debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising. That album offset a lot of the Gangsta Rap that was coming out in the late 80's/early 90's. De La Soul was innovative, inspiring, and made great music. Gotta love it.

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Harlem World - "I Really Like It"

"Got Harlem lookin' like we a pack a Skittles" - Cam'Ron from "What My Niggas Want"


I think this is the brightest, most colorful video ever created. Not only was it bright, there was so much extra-curricular activity going on it's not even funny! There were choreographed dance steps, people being shot out of cannons, and some BMX riding. This probably isn't how you want to introduce your crew to the world. And to add insult to injury they just jacked a great song by DeBarge and made it sugary pop (not to be confused with Sugar J who blows a kiss to the camera in this video). The video also had random cameos from Traci Bingham, Tia & Tamera, and Paula Jai Parker. With side projects like this it's hard to remember that Ma$e did drop a great album with his first album Harlem World. But, to be fair, I don't know how Cam'Ron can diss this video when he tried to make Harlem look like a pack of Cotton Candy Bubblicious!

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - A Tribe Called Quest - "Electric Relaxation"

The simplicity of this video is amazing. Black and white. 3 guys catch a cab to go to a diner. That's it. That's it, and by the way they craft one of the smoothest, coolest rap songs ever on that ride! This is an ode to a beautiful woman and the ways you would please her. Phife Dawg comes up big on this one and delivers one of his most memorable lines with "I like 'em Brown, Yellow, Puerto Rican, or Haitian...." You also get a pretty good tour of New York City as well. "Electric Relaxation" was a jazz inspired song that sampled Ronnie Foster's "Mystic Brew." It appeared on the Midnight Marauders album, my favorite by ATCQ, and was joined by other such smashes such as "Hot Sex", "Award Tour", and "Oh My God" featuring Busta Rhymes. Many props to one of the best groups that Hip-Hop has ever seen!

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - L'Trimm - "Cars That Go Boom"

This video is wrong on so many levels. It's like the director said "Okay you two dance around and look pretty. I'll go around Miami and film some cars with speakers. And to switch things up, I'll let you ladies wear different hats." But, I guess you really can't have an artistic video when you are directing a song about girls liking speakers. Not much to go on. The song itself was kinda catchy back then, but it sounds really lame now. L'Trimm was a product of the Miami bass sound that 2 Live Crew made popular. Believe it or not, these chicks made three albums in the late 80's and early 90's. "Cars That Go Boom" (or "Cars With the Boom" depending on your source) was the biggest hit from those recordings. I guess we can give L'Trimm a pass since they really didn't seem to take themselves too seriously. I mean somebody actually paid them for this. I can't knock that hustle.

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Da Bush Babees - "Remember We"

"Starin' out the window, broke like Mr. Wendel, and nobody knows the troubles that I went through!"


Wise words spoken from one of rap music's most forgotten groups. Da Bush Babees came on the scene in '94 and had some moderate success. They had the reggae element that was big back then with other acts like Mad Lion, Mad Cobra, and all them other "Mad" cats! This is the only video that I can think of that was shot almost entirely on a subway train! I mean they really threw a party on the train!!! I didn't have this album, but it was said that this version of the song, Salaam Remi's Remix, wasn't on the album. I remember running around the house trying to sing this chorus, but having absolutely no idea what the hell I was saying! Da Bush Babees also released an album in 1996 with The Love Song featuring none other than The Mighty Mos Def! Much respect to Da Bush Babees.

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Cash Money Click - "Get Tha Fortune"

Say what you want to about Ja Rule, but he used to be pretty damn good. The pre-Murder Inc. version of Ja was 1/3 of the hip-hop group Cash Money Click. They were signed to TVT Records back in '94 and "Get Tha Fortune" was their first video effort. The beat was kinda ill and Ja's aggressive, hype verses show why Irv Gotti made him the centerpiece of his new label. Nothing groundbreaking with the lyrics or video, but it's a solid effort.

Cash Money Click - "Get Tha Fortune"

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Jasmine Guy - "Just Want to Hold You"

OH BOY I USED TO LOVE ME SOME WHITLEY!!! This song actually did pretty well and charted on the Billboard Singles chart back in '91. I guess she was able to take some time off from annoying everyone at Hillman and seducing Eddie Murphy in Boomerang to record an album. I don't think anyone actually bought it, but she gets an A for effort! The video is pretty low-budget, but it's 10x better than that shit Tisha Campbell called a video for her, um, hit song Push. In 1991, Jasmine also realesd Try Me and Another Like My Lover from her self-titled album. I'm glad she stuck with acting because Whitley Gilbert>>>>>>>>Jasmine Guy.

Jasmine Guy - "Just Want to Hold You"

OLD SKOOL VIDEO SPOTLITE - Special Generation - "Love Me Just For Me"

Nothing like an obscure early 90's R&B cut to get you over Hump Day!!! Special Generation was here........and then Special Generation was gone. They blessed us with two moderate hits in "Spark of Love" and "Love Me Just For Me" before they decided to fall the fuck off the earth. But, "Love Me Just For Me" was my jam back in the day and I can still do my two-step to this joint! Gumby fades and suits that HAD to be purchased at Merry-Go-Round make this a prime example of what an early 90's R&B video should be!! But who's idea was it to make the two little white kids the main characters of this shit? Was that an attempt to get these Negroes on MTV?? Idk. Billy and Becky just stick out like a sore thumb. Poor kids. Long live the Gumby!!!!

Special Generation - "Love Me Just For Me"