Business…here’s my welcoming letter for college hoops season in the ACC. It’s pretty fun.
Moving on, been a while since I’ve been able to do a list. Having a real job has really cut into the blogging time. Either way, I’m back.
Now let’s go…
Shut ‘Em Down, Public Enemy. Possibly the gold standard.
Player’s Anthem, Junior M.A.F.I.A. Of course because for Biggie’s verse. “That’s OK, she was old anyway…”
All About the Benjamins, Puff Daddy and the Family. I’m hesitant to add this because the remix is the version that’s most commonly known. However, it’s too dope not to put on any list when given the opportunity.
One More Chance, Notorious B.I.G.  I think I’m done adding Biggie stuff, I promise. But it’s amazing how something as raw and, quite honestly, vulgar as the album version of “One More Chance” could be turned into something as smooth as the remix.
Freek’n You, Jodeci.  When Ghost and Rae seemed like they had the best chemistry outside of Run DMC.
Re-Akshon, Killer Mike. Really, Mike’s criminally underrated. As is this cut, which has the best non-“Murder” verse from Bun-B.
Hell Yeah, dead prez. I’ll be honest–this song is pretty friggin’ ignorant at points. The idea that robbing the pizza man is an act of revolution is preposterous. However, the song’s doep, the track’s incredible, and Jigga is Jigga.
PSA II, Jay-Z.  Is this one better than the original? I believe so.
Feelin On Yo’ Booty, R. Kelly. Yeah, I said it. And I’ll swear by it.
Anything, SWV. O-o-o-oooo-ol’…
Scenario, A Tribe Called Quest.  I still haven’t gotten tired of this one.
Dead Wrong, Notorious B.I.G.  Okay, one more with Biggie, but just because the Eminem verse is absolutely incredible.
Take You Out, Luther Vandross. This isn’t next-level dope, but putting that song over Snoop’s “Lay Low” was a great move.
Get By, Talib Kweli. I point specifically to the one with Mos, Jigga, Kanye and Busta. For this was the moment I realized that Kanye was going to pull of a serious solo career. Even with his awkward flow and, at that time, dreadful breath control, he outshines that all-star cast.
I Got 5 On It, Luniz. I think everybody in Oakland but Bobby Seale and Short were on this cut.
Love No Limit, Mary J. Blige. Mary’s one of the few people to put out a remix album that I actually liked. And from that record, this is my favorite one.
Pick a Song, God’s Stepson. I’m not as big a Little Brother fan as I was before, but 9th shows his ass on every track here.
All I Need, Method Man. I’m referring to the Razor Sharp remix, not the Puff Daddy joint. The Razor Sharp version might be the most improbably Top 5 Pop single ever, even more surprising than “When Doves Cry.”
Ladies Night, Lil Kim and every female rapper working at the time. I’m not wild about the cheesy Kool and the Gang sample, but the ladies handle bidness on this one.
How High, Redman and Method Man. Help me out here–was the version on The Show the remix? That’s the one I’m going with here. But to be honest, the other version’s pretty dope, too.
Simon Says, Pharoah Monch. Redman, baby. “Respect me like the Fonz, you see the collar up.” Reggie’s so incredible to me.
I’m Serious, T.I. This was the height of Lil Jon’s powers, 2001. This was the best of that era of his beats, which were designed to completely fill the club with sounds. Filled more of all registers than the stuff he does now.
Nappy Headz, Fugees. The only reason they were even allowed to make the second record that made them stars…and enemies.
So Fresh, So Clean, OutKast. This was one of those cuts that reminds you why Snoop is dope. Just because he’s Snoop. He’s nowhere near the lyricist either Big Boi or Andre is, but he hangs with no problems because he’s just the coolest cat on the track. And that’s sayin somethin when you’re on a track with Big Boi.
Crossroads, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Because radio beat this song to death, it’s taken me ten years to remember how incredible this song was the first time I heard it. Bonus points for a boss video.
Have a good weekend.  Gonna be outta touch a few days, for I’m going to give a talk early next week at the University of Vermont.