I used to listen to this song when I was a kid, without understanding half of it. Hearing this song again, 25 years later, makes me realize what a masterpiece it is. It has all the drama you can expect from an epic drama, rolled into a skillfully delivered and highly evocative rap of roughly six minutes. That kind of skill demands respect.
What really made their music was they didn't just go for a 'good beat' like a lot of rappers after, they actually used music to conjure a visual environment and action. You can see towering buildings and hear cries of despair in the strained electric guitar rifts of New York New York, and here in the speedy jazz is the zest for life and you almost see the action taking place like a film with judicious editing, close ups and rotating camerawork, the electric shock crescendo, and the sad fadeout.
I had this record, I liked the other track on it I can't remember the name of it though
AkhuRE999 1 month ago
Really like this version..mint!
ezelite 8 months ago
" the real hustlers steal billions from the unsuspecting millions, that's programmed to think they can win..." all too true. even in 2011.
beamwalker7 1 year ago
I mistakely though they'd passed away... but have been corrected numerous times now...
wapbamboowee 1 year ago
Grandmaster Flash & the furious five?
D1rtyDuck 1 year ago
I used to listen to this song when I was a kid, without understanding half of it. Hearing this song again, 25 years later, makes me realize what a masterpiece it is. It has all the drama you can expect from an epic drama, rolled into a skillfully delivered and highly evocative rap of roughly six minutes. That kind of skill demands respect.
PercivalFromWales 1 year ago 2
Comment removed
wapbamboowee 1 year ago
@wapbamboowee He's still alive
bballer64 1 year ago
@bballer64 Dedicated to Kool Herc, performed by Melle Mel...
BuzzoQueen 1 year ago
@wapbamboowee This is performed by Melle me dedicating it to Kool Herc..
BuzzoQueen 1 year ago
@wapbamboowee Why RIP?
renga1 1 year ago
What really made their music was they didn't just go for a 'good beat' like a lot of rappers after, they actually used music to conjure a visual environment and action. You can see towering buildings and hear cries of despair in the strained electric guitar rifts of New York New York, and here in the speedy jazz is the zest for life and you almost see the action taking place like a film with judicious editing, close ups and rotating camerawork, the electric shock crescendo, and the sad fadeout.
sadako24 2 years ago
@sadako24 you got it taped, ma man!
alibootboy 1 year ago
@sadako24 Brilliant
Kemster79 1 year ago
@sadako24 actually all of their songs were based on good beats....lyrically superior.
taylor4660 9 months ago
how good can music get?? an all time classic;)
alibootboy 2 years ago
This is without doubt the best version RRRRAAAHHHH!
Thanks for uploading, wicked quality.
vandalelectronic 2 years ago