Oldies to old school: Which hip hop classics should be canonized?
Step aside, adult contemporary. As the hip hop generation of the '80s and '90s ages, radio programmers and advertisers are increasingly turning their focus to programming hip hop classics.
As a short list of Old School hits are effectively canonized, Shad checks in with two guests: journalist Alex French and Paul Parhar, a.k.a. DJ Mastermind. They weigh on which songs are rapidly becoming the next generation of classics, and why catchy college dorm anthems tend to drown out edgier, political tracks.
WEB EXTRA | The Classics, according to Shad: 5 must-hear Hip Hop and R&B Radio Classics
By q host Shadrach Kabango
Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears, Don't Dream It's Over by Crowded House, In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins...
Ever since I started listening to radio, I've heard these songs at least once a week.
I have never had to purchase, download, or stream these songs. I've never thought much about whether or not I like them. They are simply like the sky; sometimes beautiful, sometimes irritating, but mainly they are just a fact of my existence on planet earth.
Over the years, several songs have been added to this list — but slowly. Judiciously. Mysteriously. Somewhere, I imagine, there is a secret cabal of Adult Contemporary radio programmers gathering once a year in an undisclosed location to review possible entries to the canon. Very few songs make it. But if they do, they will be on the airwaves for a decade at minimum and possibly for all of eternity.
Here are five tracks I think deserve the honour ...
1) Around the Way Girl by LL Cool J: The originator of the love rap's finest work in the form. Guaranteed entry into the hall.
2) Fantastic Voyage by Coolio: Some listeners will unreflectively enjoy this song. Others will be compelled to consider its merits and by extension the musical and life choices of their childhood and teenage years. This is an important social function of Adult Contemporary radio. But most importantly, this song just has a surprisingly enduring appeal. Like Come On Eileen by Dexy's MidnightRunners, it might have seemed a little silly in it's day but time has revealed its genius and its high easy-listenability.
3) What About Your Friends by TLC: Was Waterfalls a bigger hit? Of course. Was Creep a better song overall? Sure. Was No Scrubs more ubiquitous? Yes. But what TLC song did you not know you wanted to listen to until right now? What About Your Friends. That's the most important consideration.
4) Human Nature by SWV: This early Pharrell Williams production (Yes, he's that old) can be followed in the rotation by It Ain't Hard to Tell by Nas, as they both sample Human Nature by Michael Jackson. Naturally this blend should resolve with MJ's original cut and/or the original demo of the song by Toto. This is a mix many of us have heard but no matter; I would be very happy to hear this 8 minute mix performed on the radio every day for the rest of my life.
5) Keep Ya Head Up by Tupac Shakur: This is how we wish to remember Tupac — in some fly Karl Kani, telling us what's really good. While it threatens to shave the edge off of his legacy, who doesn't want Pac telling them to keep their head up at a random time once a week? We would all be better for it.