The Whole Delivery

Hands down one of the greatest songs ever, genre for genre. And this is honestly their best song and music video for me, even over “All My Life.” The brilliance that Joel Hailey, Cedric Halley did on their own words and beat, along with Rory Bennett, just was perfect. Only Christina Aguilera’s “Genie in a Bottle” prevented it from being #1 during this time 20 years ago. So with all that said, from their second album after the Jodeci days, it’s the still underrated, legendary duo that is K-Ci & JoJo with “Tell Me It’s Real.”

On Large Professor’s beat, it was his debut single of his career for the 92 movie Zebrahead. And fittingly enough, it was wisely placed in the middle of Illmatic. And it worked out perfectly with the flow in arguably the best crafted song of his first album in terms of harmony with Large Professor production. “These are the lyrics of a man, you can’t near it understand/Cause in the streets, I’m well known like the number man/“ It’s of course “Halftime”, Track 5 on Illmatic.

It’s the special silver anniversary of one of music all-time debuts, from a Queensbridge savant that didn’t just include him, but also put some of QB’s finest collection of talent together ever in AZ & L.E.S, along with the rest of the city in Pete Rock, Large Professor & AZ producing. And after “The Genesis” intro with AZ & Fab 5 Freedy, sir Nasir Jones set the tone for this timeless classic celebrated on this Good Friday with a “New York State of Mind.”

Personally speaking, my #1 track of the 14 from this classic album. No matter the definite drama on if she did write all the lines, from singing throughout and her spittin' on verse 2, this was Lauryn Hill at her PEAK all throughout. And while "Doo Wop" took all the glory and "Ex-Factor" is in current day stories, this fully showed the quality she brought in 98. Every line, both sung or rapped, was tremendous in this one co-produced by Johari Newton. So, it's "Everything in Everything", as the celebration of Lauryn's 20-year classic continues.

While everyone over the years gave most of the attention to "Doo Wop (That Thing)", Ex-Factor still was its own sensational track to the point that Cardi and Aubrey either sample it or used the bridge this year of course for "Be Careful" and "Nice For What." Anyway, here is the celebration of "Ex-Factor", the first Flashback Friday choice of this celebration of this timeless album.

It's the 20 yr anniversary of this smooth hit that still stands the test time. Well, tomorrow (June 9) will be that anniversary. So without further adieu, enjoy this classic track with Wonda and Wyclef producing for their Fugees teammate, with Mya and ODB providing the classic hit. It's of course "Ghetto Superstar", your Flashback Friday choice for this week. Enjoy. 

It's now time for the 20 year anniversary that is the iconic classic He Got Game, and of course, it's time for the main song/soundtrack that defines it completely. Of course it's Chuck D and Flava Flav, with the underrated Sterling Stills on the title song of the movie's soundtrack. Produced Keith Shocklee, Hank Shocklee and D.R. Period, it's really one of the memorable beats ever for a record. Not overcomplicated, but effectually poignant to combine with Chuck's usual blunt, in depth lines. So, it's the 20th anniversary of Spike Lee's memorable Coney Island basketball tale, and the anniversary for its title song. Enjoy: