golden age

LL Cool J’s “Mama Said Knock You Out” LP Turns 33

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The Golden age of Hip Hop was marked by some of the finest talents ever to grace the scene. Sitting right atop the pack was none other than LL Cool J. Today, the rap icon has become known to newer audiences as an actor and TV host. However, once upon a time, he was dropping back-to-back timeless albums. One of these projects is Mama Said Knock You Out. 

Don’t get it twisted; even though LL Cool J is a jack of all trades, he’s still a master of rap. Forever dedicated to his craft, even after four decades since his debut, he still plans on releasing new music. Even though his legacy was already firm before 1990, his fourth album was an exceptional success. Furthermore, it’s widely regarded as one of the best Hip Hop albums ever. Spitting some of his most iconic bars on the record, the album set him even further apart from his peers. Thirty-three years later, the foundation of Hip Hop’s Golden Age is still partially owed to this classic project. 

A Rising Legend Forges On

As aforementioned, before 1990, LL Cool J was already three albums in. Between his debut, Radio, and his third album, Walking with a Panther, he had become a rap juggernaut. However, some of his music between his second and third albums didn’t gain substantial love from Hip Hop enthusiasts. All that changed soon after when he released Mama Said  Knock You Out. Seen as a return to form, LL was as tough and as bold as ever, and it became evident that no one was holding a torch to him. 

LL Cool J Gets Back To Basics

As mentioned, LL Cool J lost some loyal fans after releasing his second and third albums. While still unmistakably Hip Hop, the rapper had begun to venture into other musical territory. His foray into love ballads was especially frowned upon by strict fans of the genre, but it all showcased his broad appeal. Also, looking back, Hip Hop was not as welcoming as it is today. Nonetheless, LL was bagging many new fans by his fourth time out. While his lyrical genius and tough-guy persona stayed intact, he also grew to become somewhat of a sex symbol. When he eventually performed the title track on MTV Unplugged, LL Cool J was ultimately certified as the hottest rapper around. 

Beyond the imagery of it all, the music was also top-notch. Singles like “The Boomin’ System” and “Around the Way Girl” enjoyed significant airplay on the radio. Additionally, they helped to diversify his ever-rising fanbase. The final single off the album, “6 Minutes of Pleasure,” also enjoyed moderate success. However, with the plethora of topics he covered, LL Cool J stood out because he sounded at ease. His playful side was easily on display, both in his lyricism and in the music videos he put out. This further boosted his relatability as an artist despite some of the hard bars in his music.

A Stylish Hip Hop Classic

Marley Marl and LL Cool J were the sole producers on Mama Said Knock You Out, save for Bobby Erving, who co-produced the title track. By keeping the production circle as minimal as possible, there’s a distinct cohesion felt throughout the project. The album was also a commercial success and has since been certified 2x Platinum. Nonetheless, whether or not Mama Said Knock You Out dominated the markets or not, the music would have still rendered it a classic. Why? Because the Def Jam wunderkind kicked off the ’90s in grand style. It’s no wonder he was already labeled a veteran by his early 20s—and now, he has the discography to back the claims. 

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How “Yo! MTV Raps” Defined A Generation Of Hip Hop

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As far as the union of television and Hip Hop goes, Yo MTV Raps was undefeated during its run. The groundbreaking two-hour music video program significantly contributed to the rise of Hip Hop between the late ‘80s and the early to mid-90s. It shone a much-deserved light on the genre and raised an entire generation of rap enthusiasts. This also happened during a time when Hip Hop did not have half as much publicity as it does right now.

Yo MTV Raps successfully stepped onto the scene to propagate the needed buzz and pushed the genre further into the mainstream. Premiering during the golden age of rap, there was no better time for the show to be on screens. Consequently, it helped introduce the dense pool of hip-hop talent to a wider audience. A reboot series currently airs on Paramount Plus, in an attempt to introduce the famed show to a new generation.

Read More: Remembering Tupac Shakur On The Anniversary Of His Death

Background Of Yo! MTV Raps

Yo! MTV Raps emerged at a crucial time in the history of Hip Hop and MTV. What resulted was a platform for a genre that would eventually go on to dominate the music industry. MTV launched in 1981 as a cable channel dedicated to music videos, and at its inception, primarily featured rock and pop music. However, throughout the ‘80s, Hip Hop continued to grow in popularity and was becoming increasingly impossible to ignore. 

Following Hip Hop’s ascent, there was a growing appreciation for the genre throughout the ‘80s. Similarly, rappers started being taken a lot more seriously for their artistic output. Recognizing the cultural significance and commercial potential of Hip Hop, MTV finally decided to create a dedicated Hip Hop show. Yo MTV Raps was eventually given the green light, and premiered on August 6, 1988, with none other than the iconic rap group, Run-DMC, hosting the pilot episode. Fab 5 Freddy was the original host, before popular MTV VJ, Doctor Dré took over from 1989 until 1995.

Read More: Run-DMC’s Greatest Hits

The Format  

The show was conceived as a way to showcase the burgeoning Hip Hop genre and its talents to a broader audience. It was primarily a music video program dedicated to rap music. However, Yo! MTV Raps also provided a more intimate look into the music with interviews with artists, behind-the-scenes segments, and live performances. This format enabled audiences to get an up-close and personal view of the show’s guests, and become more familiar with them. Some of the most lauded hip-hop acts of all time were given spotlights on the show including Nas, NWA, Tupac Shakur, and Public Enemy, among others. 

Read More: N.W.A.’s “Straight Outta Compton” Turns 35

The End of Yo! MTV Raps

Yo! MTV Raps ran for seven years, between 1988 and 1995. During this time, it helped elevate Hip Hop to audiences worldwide. The show played a pivotal role in Hip Hop’s transition from a subculture to a rising mainstream genre. However, the show began to wane in popularity as it drew closer to the mid-90s and ultimately aired its finale in August 1995.

Read More: Rappers Like Biggie Smalls: Jay-Z, Jadakiss, Rick Ross, The Game And More

Cultural Impact and Revivals

Yo! MTV Raps played a recognizable role in breaking down racial and cultural barriers. By helping bridge gaps and reduce stereotypes, it was a symbol of unity through music. Although the original show ended in 1995, its legacy lived on with several iterations, although Hip-Hop fans hold a special place in their hearts for the original format. It also paved the way for future Hip Hop television programs and contributed to the genre’s enduring global appeal.

MTV celebrated the 20th and 30th anniversaries of Yo! MTV Raps with short-run revivals of the iconic show on the channel. A revival on Paramount Plus was announced in 2021, and it premiered on May 24, 2022, 27 years after the finale of the original show aired. It has now aired for two seasons on the TV network.

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EPMD’s “Strictly Business” Turns 35: A Groundbreaking Debut That Ushered In The Golden Age

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It’s long been established that the late ’80s marked the golden age of New York’s hip-hop scene. MCs such as Rakim, Gang Starr, Slick Rick, and LL Cool J were pioneering the genre’s initial meandering into the mainstream sound of music. However, you also had the funk-infused duo of EPMD behind Strictly Business. Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith, known as PMD, met in Long Island, New York, where they made an instant connection regarding their love for rapping. The duo’s first big break occurred in 1987 with “It’s My Thing.” The track expressed a refreshing blend of charisma and funky drum samples.

In many ways, EPMD was actually throwing it back to the early days of the genre. Since hip-hop’s inception in the 1970s, its prevailing sonic technique had gone from breakbeats to soul sampling. The two were mixing each of these techniques, paying homage to their block parties while pushing hip-hop’s sound forward. Their steadfast success caught the attention of Russell Simmons RUSH Management. A year after the hit success of the single “It’s My Thing,” EPMD released their debut studio album Strictly Business.

Read More: EPMD x Ewing 33 HI “Unfinished Business” Drops Soon: Photos

Strictly Business Delivered A New Sound To Hip-Hop

To put it simply, Strictly Business opened up doors surrounding hip-hop that had never been touched on before. The record contributed to the ushering in of the golden age of hip-hop, spearheaded by the intricate wordplay of Parrish Smith. However, their sound was very much distinctive from the increasingly popularized form of gangster rap that began proliferating across the West Coast. Instead, Strictly Business and its follow-up, Unfinished Business, injected the charts with a disco edge amidst poetic storytelling. The duo truly existed in their own world. They stressed the importance of independence in a time when record labels had as much creative control over their artists as ever.

The duo’s backs were against the wall, which is obvious in the hungry verses throughout Strictly Business. Parrish explained to Billboard, “On all our business titles, our first album was basically titled Strictly Business because we put everything on the line. We gave up a lot just to be a part of the hip-hop culture so [the name of the album] had to be Strictly Business. You couldn’t lose.” Hip-Hop certainly isn’t a world of second chances, especially during the earlier days of the genre. An utterly coherent affair, the ten-song project received applause across the board from hip-hop.

Read More: El-P Reveals “Run The Jewels 4” Is Inspired By EPMD

EPMD Had A Distinct Laid-Back Demeanor

Parrish and Erick’s deliveries are distinctly laid back from start to finish. While they were still defending themself against doubters and delivering violent lyricism, it was done in a manner so laid-back that it was downright intimidating to fellow MCs. Their nonchalant energy while curating certified Gold albums proved that yelling into the mic wasn’t a necessary precursor for a successful hip-hop album. Take “You Gots to Chill,” a funk anthem that would morph into one of their most recognizable tracks. Scratching the turntable amidst a laid-back melody, the duo sounds utterly languid. “You’re A Customer” samples Steve Miller Band and Kool & The Gang. Parrish hilariously compares the haters to something toilet paper might wipe off.

In essence, EPMD’s Strictly Business reinforced oddity into the hip-hop space. That left-field energy was always going to exist in the genre. Ever since its inception, hip-hop was rooted in fighting back against the prevailing corrupt establishment. Parrish and Erick weren’t screaming into the camera or puffing out their chest from track to track. Instead, the two were each repping a goofy ushanka while smoking weed, and they were certainly not remised to let you know about it. That distinct personality showed up in their sound, which sampled rock and funk rather than the prevailing sonic pallets of the late ’80s hip-hop scene. It’s certainly a sound that takes a few listens to become accustomed to. However, it’s one that influenced the landscape of hip-hop for good.

Read More: Rebirth Pt. 1: The Evolution Of A Rap Group

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