So yeah, the entire Eastern Seaboard has been buried under feet of snow (55 inches in D.C.? Gotdamn!!!!!!) over the last few days, and I understand the Midwest hasn't fared much better either. It reminds me of exactly what I don't miss about either region. I'll take overcast and the occasional thunder-storm that the Bay Area has thrown at me so far this winter and keep it moving, thankyoumuch.
Still, visions of snow on the evening news and throughout the web bring back memories of Philly, where I spent four years during the mid-1990s at the University of Pennsylvania. That's four winters, each with it's own unique and miserable snow-storm to go along with it. From what I recall, the massive blizzards during freshman year and senior year were particularly heinous. And although the snow was occasionally bad enough to cancel school (for an unprecedented three days during freshman year), I did spend many a day tromping through massive snow-drifts in my goretex boots, extra-heavy parka, a hat I got from Hed Rush co-host JB, and one of those face-masks that Das EFX and Wu-Tang Clan used to wear in their videos, in effort to get from my dorm to class on time.
But what helped my much it through the cold misery to reach Spanish 130 was my Walkman, equipped with the latest tape in my rotation. It was usually a rapper/group from Brooklyn or Long Island or New Jersey, and he/they usually rocked Timberlands and kept a razor-blade under his/their tongue(s). I loved that type of hip-hop shit. I wish they still made that type of hip-hop shit.
So, to commemorate those days, I came up with this little compilation/"mix" (quotations marks because there was no "mixing" involved in making this), which I call "Timz 'N Hood Check." It goes out to all you East Coast/mid-West shut-ins, people who used to live in either region and are now enjoying better climates, and those of you who just love gritty mid-'90s East Coast hip-hop.
DownloadHere's the track-listing:
1. Real Live - Real Live Shit
2. Akinyele - Dear Diary
3. The Artifacts - Notty Headed N@#$!z
4. CMC (The Cash Money Click) - 4 My Click
5. O.C. - O-Zone
6. Smif 'N Wessun f/ OGC - Sound Bwoy Buriel (rmx)
7. Now Born Click - Now Born Soldiers
8. Lace Da Booms f/ Royal Flush - Cut That Weak Shit
9. Pop Mega - Ghetto News
10. Cellas Dwellas - Recognize and Realize
11. Channel Live f/ KRS-One - Mad Izm
12. Broadway - Must Stay Paid
13. The Fab 5 (Heltah Skeltah & OGC) - Blah
14. Show & AG - All Out
15. Young Zee - Milk
16. Blahzay Blahzay - Jackpot
17. Shabazz the Disciple - Crime Saga
18. Smooth Da Hustler f/ Trigga Da Gambler - My Brother, My Ace
19. The Troubleneck Brothers - Back to the Hip-Hop
Enjoy the music, and tell your friends.
