I remember when Jeru first came off on COME CLEAN-- I heard it on a late night radio mix. It was the bomb. He'd earlier made a brief appearance on Gang Starr's Daily Operation, on the cut I'm The Man.
Very slept on one hit wonder cut that still gets play is TOP BILLIN by Audio 2.
Yes Wu coming up was a huge event on the timeline: I had the single to Protect Ya Neck with METHOD MAN on the B side.
I also vividly recall when Black Moon first hit with WHO GOT DA PROPS; that first album ENTA DA STAGE was sonically fresh.
Was a place called Bondi's on Park Row by J&R Music World in downtown manhattan where you could always cop a big anticipated release a week early.
In terms of combo of quality and output, KRS/BDP was a real standout with Gang Starr-- so many good whole albums. Who could forget LOVES GONNA GET YA from the former and DWYCK from the latter!
"I got more props and stunts than Bruce Willis..."
"Leaving the bodega I say, 'suave.'"
Tribe was of course awesome and Native Tongues was like its own little sub genre with De La and Black Sheep (anyone remember Chi Ali?).
After I did PAID IN FULL I was working on the sequel for Total Recall for Miramax, and my office was next to one Tip had in the TriBeCa film center. We became quite friendly when we'd see each other out and about, and he was always a really nice, chill guy. Many of those cats are incredibly warm people.
Beastie Boys were always special; also fantastic cats. A life highlight for me was hooping on two occasions with Yauch and Mike D and my buddy-- just running two on twos in the park.
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