Hip-Hop Box Giveaway

April 15, 2004

Hip-Hop Box Giveaway

I'll be announcing the winner of our "Ghostface vs. Spam Text" today or tomorrow, but in the meantime I've got another present for you. Well, for one of you.

Next week Hip-O Records releases "The Hip Hop Box," a 4-CD box covering twenty years of hip-hop history from "Rappers Delight" to Common's "The Light." Thanks to Cornerstone once again, I've got one complete set to giveaway to one of my beloved readers/posters. So here's what I need you to do:

1. Post here with your favorite line from one of the songs featured in the box set (track list below), and tell us what song is missing from the set that most deserved to be on there.

2. After you do that, email me at contest@hiphopmusic.com to put your name in the hat.

Here's more info from Hip-O, and the track listing:

---------------------

Twenty-five years after 1979's "Rapper's Delight" broke open the floodgates, hip hop's influence is everywhere--from music to movies, fashion to vocabulary. Now, honoring the past, celebrating the present and anticipating the future, the four-CD The Hip Hop Box (Hip-O Records/UMe), released April 20, 2004, brings together 51 of the genre's greatest turning points, highlights, landmarks and breakthroughs, each digitally remastered. Starring most of hip hop's greatest artists, from the Sugarhill Gang of 1979 to the 50 Cent of 2003, the tracks were culled from dozens of record labels.

For the first time, as journalist Tom Terrell writes in the liner notes, The Hip Hop Box allows fans to "follow the drumbeat from Genesis to Revelation, innocence to hedonism, playfulness to violence, happiness to bitterness, self-hate to self-love." Along with Terrell's historical essay, the box set features notes by Public Enemy's Chuck D and Michael A. Gonzales (co-author of the classic text on rap Bring The Noise), plus an essay by one of the set's compilers, paying tribute to hip hop's reggae heritage. The Hip Hop Box continues the Hip-O Records tradition of genre box sets, including The Funk Box (2000) and The Reggae Box(2001).

disc One
01 Sugarhill Gang Rapper's Delight short 12� version
02 Kurtis Blow The Breaks extended version
03 Treacherous Three The Body Rock
04 Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force Planet Rock
05 Grand Master Flash & The Furious Five featuring Melle Mel & Duke Bootee The Message
06 Run-D.M.C. Sucker M.C.'s (Krush-Groove 1)
07 UTFO Roxanne Roxanne
08 Roxanne Shante Roxanne's Revenge
09 Salt-n-Pepa Push It
10 Too $hort Freaky Tales
11 Kool Moe Dee Wild Wild West

disc Two
01 Eric B. & Rakim Follow The Leader
02 Boogie Down Productions My Philosophy 12� version
03 Ice-T I'm Your Pusher
04 M.C. Hammer Turn This Mutha Out
05 Public Enemy Fight The Power soundtrack version
06 The 2 Live Crew Me So Horny
07 Biz Markie Just A Friend
08 De La Soul (Featuring Jungle Brothers, Q-Tip, Phife, Queen Latifah & Monie Love)
Buddy native tongue decision version
09 3rd Bass The Gas Face
10 A Tribe Called Quest I Left My Wallet In El Segundo
11 Main Source Looking At The Front Door
12 Chubb Rock Treat 'Em Right

disc Three
01 Naughty By Nature O.P.P.
02 DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Summertime
03 DJ Quik Tonite
04 Black Sheep The Choice Is Yours (Revisited)
05 Arrested Development Tennessee
06 Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)
07 Digable Planets Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)
08 The Pharcyde Passin' Me By
09 Onyx Slam
10 Queen Latifah U.N.I.T.Y.
11 Wu-Tang Clan C.R.E.A.M.

disc Four
01 Redman/Method Man How High remix
02 Junior M.A.F.I.A. featuring Little Caesar, Little Kim And The Notorious B.I.G.
Gettin' Money (The Get Money Remix) dirty version
03 Bone Thugs-n-Harmony Tha Crossroads
04 Scarface featuring 2Pac & Johnny P Smile
05 Busta Rhymes Put Your Hands Where My
Eyes Could See
06 Timbaland & Magoo Luv 2 Luv U remix
07 Gang Starr You Know My Steez
08 DMX (featuring Sheek of The Lox)
Get At Me Dog street version
09 Noreaga Superthug (What, What)
10 The Roots featuring Jill Scott You Got Me live
11 Common The Light
12 2Pac Until The End Of Time rp remix
13 50 Cent featuring Nate Dogg 21 Questions
14 Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg The Next Episode
15 Warren G & Nate Dogg Regulate
16 Craig Mack Flava In Ya Ear
17 Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige
I'll Be There For You / You're All I Need To Get By puff daddy mix

Posted by jsmooth995 at April 15, 2004 02:08 PM

Comments

favorite line: biz markie (just a friend):

I started throwin' bass, she started throwin' back mid-range/But when I sprung the question, she acted kind of strange/Then when I asked, "Do ya have a man," she tried to pretend/She said, "No I don't, I only have a friend"/Come on, I'm not even goin' for it

...and getro boys' "mind playin tricks on me" shoulda been included

Posted by: beelove at April 15, 2004 02:30 PM

anyone else wondering how the hell timbaland and magoo made the cut?

Posted by: Robert at April 15, 2004 03:17 PM

they probly tried to license a more expensive timbaland track and wound up settling for a cheaper, wacker cut.

Posted by: beelove at April 15, 2004 03:40 PM

wait, how come there's no nice n smooth or big daddy kane tracks?

Posted by: beelove at April 15, 2004 03:41 PM

"Aiyyo we light a candle/run laps around the English Channel/Neptunes they got a cockerspaniel..." Gotta love N.O.R.E.

I think Nas' "It Aint Hard to Tell" is a glaring ommission.

Posted by: sup at April 15, 2004 04:19 PM

Ummm...just off the top, any NWA, Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, LL Cool J, Eminem, Nas (Illmatic???), Jay-Z, Big Daddy Kane, MC Shan....something from Cuban Linx, Any early Heiro, Rebel Without a Pause woulda been more definitive for PE...umm, Kool G Rap, Mobb Deep (Shook Ones) Ice Cube solo, EPMD and lots more....I don't think I saw any of them on the tracklisting. These are just some no-brainers.

Fav line:
"I can take a phrase that's rarely heard, flip it...now it's a daily word"

-Follow the Leader

Posted by: mic at April 15, 2004 04:20 PM

favorite line, from She Keeps on Passing Me By: "Time for me to voice my opinion of not even pretendin she didn't have me sprung like a chicken"

missing song: i might have replaced passing me by with another pharcyde track, ya mama. that way, i could have posted as my favorite lyric "ya mama got a glass eye with a fish in it."

Posted by: Larry at April 15, 2004 04:28 PM

I would say people should just stop putting Rapper's Delite on these damn things, but I guess we can't just rewrite history 'cause we don't like part of it . . . on that note, where's Rammellzee vs. K-Rob "Beat Bop," or Schoolly D "P.S.K. - What does it Mean?"

Okay, those are longshots, but a guy can dream. As for favorite lines:

"Though I don't know why I chose to smoke sess
I guess that's the time when I'm not depressed/
But I'm still depressed . . ."

Posted by: David at April 15, 2004 04:31 PM

Two for the Furious Five

A song that's missing is The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel... you may say that Flash is all ready represented by 'The Message' but infact, he had nothing to do with that song. It was all Melle Mel and Duke Bootee. Though not the first song to feature scratching, 'Adventures' really showed the world what a DJ did, making it the precursor to every scratch song ever. In addition it is the first time a lot of DJ tricks are recorded. It's a really important historical document and should definitely be on this compilation

And my favorite line from a song on the album
"I tried to get away but I couldn't get far
'cuz a man with a tow truck repossessed my car"

Melle Mel is so ahead of his time here. The verses on this song are structured like rap verses are today with a punchline at the end and everything. This line is really the punchline (i don't mean in a comedic sense) to the first verse. The wordplay (on the idea of getting far) really helps to convey the frustration of living in the inner city, which is the purpose of a lot of later rap records.

Peace,
Ryan

Posted by: Ryan at April 15, 2004 04:51 PM

'when i was twelve, i went to hell for snuffin' jesus' -nas on Main Source's Live @ the bbq

hell that cut is so dope, i named my radio show 'live @ the BBQ'

c'mon a newbie spits a line that hard against someone known as the saviour to mankind? nas line wins hands down.

however i must say that the exclusion of the one called LL Cool J "rock the bells" makes this boxset a bit suspect. I still want to win it but no LL in a hip hop boxset? c'mon thats like LL w/o the hat. never that son!

on a different note, kenyon martin vs. method man. see the similarities? i got more of these nba/rapper lookalikes.

peace,
rich

Posted by: rich at April 15, 2004 04:58 PM

WOW. P.S.K. That's my song. I played that tape till that tape dropped (to paraphrase Biggie) The orginal gangta rapper. Parkside Killas.

Anyway, NWA should definetly be there.

Posted by: METALFACE at April 15, 2004 05:08 PM

You're just a rent-a-rapper, your rhymes are minute-made...

--Follow the Leader

as for what's missing...um..where is nas?

Posted by: sally at April 15, 2004 05:20 PM

"Self esteem make me super superb and supreme.
Before a microphone, still, I fiend."

Eric B & Rakim, Follow the Leader

Missing: Jay-Z

Posted by: seth at April 15, 2004 06:00 PM

Great listing, but no N.W.A? Pity =(

Posted by: ahmed at April 15, 2004 06:25 PM

"I got a color TV/So I can see/the knicks play basketball"

Big Bank Hank's entire verse on Rapper's Delight is quaint compared to the opulent lifestyles we hear nowadays. Dude said "I got a lincoln continental and a sunroof Cadillac" in 1979, both cars today are worth less than Jay-Z's windshield wiper blades.

Bunch of songs missing, esp. "Bring The Noise", definitive PE. Are you sure this isn't K-Tel?

MrB

Posted by: MrBastard at April 15, 2004 06:47 PM

"You five dollar boy and I'm a million dollar man" - Run DMC.

NO LL Cool J?! LL's "Rock the bells" definitely needs to be on there. T-La Rock "it's yours" needs a nod too. That basically launched Def Jam. Glad to see they included Chubb Rock & T3.

surprised there's no Jay/Nas/Biggie(althought they got Jr Mafia)

Posted by: quimby at April 15, 2004 07:23 PM

Missing key tracks: "The Roof Is On Fire" By Rockmaster Scott & The Dynamic Three, and "Deep Cover" by Dre & Snoop.

They also should've put "South Bronx" instead of "My Philosophy", and "6 in tha Mornin'" instead of "I'm Your Pusha"...

Fave line: "When we're alone the arguments commence/ I'm the one you're against/ and it doesn't make sense..."

Any dude who ever loved a girl who was shootin' up their world like Shaft can feel Large Pro's frustration on that one line.

Posted by: Sex McGinty at April 15, 2004 07:26 PM

missing:
Special Ed- I got it made
Slick Rick/Doug E. Fresh- the show
Dis Masters- part time hustler*
Rob Base- it takes two

Best Line - Main Source,Lookin at the front door "you treat me like a burnt piece of bacon"

Posted by: Jamaal a.k.a. Nat Turner jr. at April 15, 2004 11:44 PM

When I first heard about this box set I was very excited, but after reading these comments and noticing some GLARING omissions -- no songs from Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, NWA, Ice Cube, OutKast, Big Daddy Kane or LL Cool J -- I'm not too happy about this compilation.

Undoubtedly, younger hip-hop heads need to check this box set out because many of them are unfamiliar with the history of hip-hop. There's kids out here thinking that Biggie and 2Pac is old-school hip-hop.

Posted by: Trent at April 16, 2004 12:03 AM

There's not enough female rappers in the box set either. Where's MC Lyte, Missy Ellliot, Boss, Yo Yo, Jean Grae -- ;-) ?
The south is not represented -- Geto Boys, 'Kast, D.O.C., Scarface and yes, Kris-Kross.

Dang! We can go on and on and on.

But, on the positive side, this is an overall great beginner's set of classic shit. Let us hope that there's a Vol. 2 to this box set in the near future.

Posted by: Trent at April 16, 2004 12:18 AM

"Rap is like a set-up, a lot of games
a lot of suckas with colorful names
I'm so-and-so, I'm this, I'm that
huh, but they all just wick-wick-wack"

BDP, "My Philosophy" would be a fave lyric from this group.

I would have liked to see NWA and some of the other groups mentioned above, but think that MC Lyte is definitely missing.

Posted by: Tom at April 16, 2004 12:21 AM

Favorite line from a song on the list, from Eric B & Rakim's "Follow the Leader":

A step away from frozen, stiff as if you're posin'
Dig into my brain as a rhyme gets chosen

Most glaring omission, for me: Nas, "The World Is Yours"

Posted by: Nelson at April 16, 2004 02:16 AM

"heeshe, blowtishus"
thats the best line from flavor in your ear. i assume they put the remix on there, not the regular joint.

if not...
"hurry up and give me the microphone 'fore i bust in my pants"
that there from slam

the glaring ommision is, of course, "soul clap"
possibly "space tech banana clip" by babbletron

Posted by: doc strange at April 16, 2004 09:51 AM

"Damn, if looks could kill/ You look like host was a ghost from your grill" - Zev Love X verse from Gas Face

missing:
Organized Konfusion - Stress (Extra P remix)
Nas - It Ain' Hard to Tell
Biggie - Hypnotize
O.C. - Time's Up
Mobb Deep - Shook Ones pt. II

-left.

Posted by: leftentant at April 16, 2004 11:24 AM

Hold up! Hold up! Hold up! Hold up!

No Brand Nubian? No Poor Righteous Teachers? No Jungle Brothers?
Nah, fuck that. This box set is definitely, definitely, definitely incomplete.

No Brand Nubian? Nah, I can't believe that shit. No. This can't be happening.

And Jay, I gotta be a butt-head and break the rules here:

I can't just post a line, I gotta post verses.

First and foremost:

"What makes a bitch want to act in this fashion?/ Pulled more stunts than my man Action Jackson/ A real gold winner just like Bruce Jenner/ Lay the bitch on the bed and then you run right in her/ Puba makes no mistakes
She said "Rock me tonight . . . for old time's sake"/ Picture that . . . you little hooker"
-- Brand Nubian's Grand Puba, "Slow Down"

And a poem from an incredible hip-hop song:

"I reminisce so you never forget this/ The days of wayback/ So many bear witness the fitness/ Take the first letter out of each word in this joint/ Listen close as I prove my point/ T to the R-O-Y, how did you and I meet?/ In front of Big Lou's, fighting in the street/ But only you saw what took many time to see/ I dedicate this to you for believing in me/ Rain or shine, yes in any weather/ My grandmom Pam holds the family together/ My Uncle Doc's the greatest better yet the latest/ If we're talking about a car, Uncle Sterling got the latest/ I strive to be live 'cause I got no choice/ And run my own business like my Aunt Joyce/ So Pete Rock hit me, nuff respect due/ When they reminisce over you, listen . . . "
-- Pete Rock & CL Smooth, "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y)"

The greatest song in hip-hop history
That's right, I said it dammit!

And Brand Nubian needs to be featured in the box set. I demand a recall of all box sets!

Posted by: Trent at April 16, 2004 11:55 AM

One more and I'm done.

It's not featured on the incomplete Hip-Hop Box Set, but this joint is classic, peep the verse.

This is for my hardcore thugs:

"Hit a nigga, kill a nigga will come back . . ."
-- Naughty By Nature's Treach, "Uptown Anthem"

This song should be featured in the box set, it's only two minutes long . . . but it's a classic.

Big ups to the Bomb Squad!

Posted by: Trent at April 16, 2004 12:18 PM

fave line: warren g + nate = regulate
"the rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble"

shoulda:hellllloooo? righteously token q.latifah + monie love = ladies first

crunchy close 2nd: jurassic5 - jayou

Posted by: lizelle at April 17, 2004 03:35 AM

I have to answer whith the complete thrid verse of 'My Philosophy'

How many mc�s must get dissed
Before somebody says, "don�t f*** with kris!"
This is just one style, out of many
Like a piggy bank, this is one penny
My brother�s name is kenny - that�s, kenny parker
My other brother i.c.u. is much darker
Boogie down productions is made up of teachers
The lecture is conducted from the mic into the speaker
Who gets weaker? the king or the teacher
It�s not about a salary it�s all about reality
Teachers teach and do the world good
Kings just rule and most are never understood
If you were to rule or govern a certain industry
All inside this room right now would be in misery
No one would get along nor sing a song
�cause everyone�d be singing for the king, am I wrong? !
So yo, what�s up, it�s me again
Scott La Rock, KRS, BDP again
Many people had the nerve to think we would end the trend
With Criminal Minded, an album which is only ten
Funky, funky, funky, funky, funky hit records
No more than four minutes and some seconds
The competition checks and checks and keeps checkin�
They buy the album, take it home, and start sweatin�
Why? well it�s simple, to them it�s kind of vital
To take KRS-ONE�s title
To them I�m like an idol, some type of entity
In everybody�s rhyme they wanna mention me?
Or rather mention us, me & Scott La Rock
But they can get bust get robbed, get dropped
I don�t play around nor do I f*** around
And you can tell by the bodies that are left around
When some clown jumps up to get beat down
Broken down to his very last compound
See how it sounds? a little unrational
A lot of mc�s like to use the word dramatical!
Fresh for �88, you suckas...

There are so many deserving songs that are missing. Off the top of my head I'll say 'Rebel Without a Pause'

Posted by: Michael at April 17, 2004 04:17 PM

The box set also left Cypress Hill off of it. "How I Can Just Kill A Man" should be there, but most likely they would pick "Insane In The Brain", their biggest hit.

The Hill gets slept on a lot. And on the subject of Latinos in hip-hop, what about Mellow Man Ace, Sen-Dog's brother? "Mentirosa" anyone?

Eminem should get at least one spot-- if they'll put 50's "21 Questions" on, they should at least put "My Name Is..." even if it isn't his best track.

But I think it's a shame they left Cypress off.

Posted by: Sex at April 19, 2004 05:56 PM

There's too much 2Pac on this shit. When will the rap and hiphop communities learn that dude just doesn't cut it as a rapper. Anybody who makes fun of another person for having Sickle Cell Anemia and wishes his death because of it doesn't merit being included 1) on this compilation, and 2) in anyone's list of the top 100 greatest MCs ever. 2Pac helped bring about the demise of hiphop period. He was a disgrace and a terrible rapper, period. Am I making myself clear?

Posted by: BCTW at April 20, 2004 02:27 PM

I totally understand...and I agree, 2Pac is the greatest rapper of all time.

Posted by: mic at April 20, 2004 03:53 PM

hey jay: you've left this dangling now for a week. what about you: what's the best line and most egregiously omitted track?

Posted by: Larry at April 21, 2004 01:27 PM

I made my own Saturday morning mix to go with, thanks for the inspiration.

Posted by: gwen at April 24, 2004 06:47 PM

Testing. Can't seem to post a comment with a full URL with filetype, can't ping either. (please delete if it comes through)

Posted by: gwen at April 24, 2004 06:49 PM

Last try, delete this one, too. Sorry about that.

Posted by: gwen at April 24, 2004 06:50 PM

"Have you ever went over a friend's house to eat
and the food just ain't no good --
i mean the macaroni's soggy, the peas are mushed,
and the chicken tastes like wood?" ...who else but The Sugarhill Gang

Disappointed there is no Missy Elliott, but would still like the box set...

Posted by: pintobean at April 25, 2004 09:39 PM

I agree with y'all:
Also miissing from the set:
Ice Cube, Yoyo, Timex Social Club, FuSchinkens, Biggy, Paperboy, Doug E Fresh and Slick Rick, Heavy D, Above the Law, Fat Boys, Vanilla Ice (yes!), Marky Mark, and Back to the hotel song, and Beasty Boys!

maybe for the next volume

Posted by: edawgz at May 2, 2004 07:09 AM

favorite line:

16 in the clip and 1 in the hole
Nate Dogg is about to make some bodies turn cold
Now they droppin that yellin its a tad bit late
Nate Dogg and Warren G have to Regulate

-Regulate

Posted by: Special K at May 5, 2004 09:55 PM

sorry forgot

Halftime (Nas), Gin N Juice (Snoop n Dre), Aint Nothin But a G Thang (Snoop n Dre), I Know I Got Skillz (Shaquille O'Neal), and Hip Hop Hurray(Naughty By Nature) should all b there

Posted by: Special K (again) at May 5, 2004 10:00 PM

I think They should switch the A tribe Called Quest sng in to Electric Relaxation That'll be be better

FAVORITE LYRIC: Niggas is mad
i get mo buts than ash trays
fuc a fare one i get mine the fast way
skee mask way
nigga ransom not
far from hansom but damn a nigga tote
Mo guns than roses
foes is shaking in their boot invisible bully
as the poof dissapear ypu wack to me take them rhymes back to the factory
i see the gimmicks
the wack lyrics
the shiz is depressing pathetic please for get it

Posted by: Huggy Bear at June 22, 2004 10:04 PM

Eric B. and Rakim - Follow The Leader

Stop buggin'! A brother said, "Dig him?" I never dug him.
He couldn't follow the leader long enough so I drug him.

Posted by: MC / DJ / MJ at July 3, 2004 11:47 AM

I'm the sugar dick daddy
Fuck what you think
Pass the 40 right by me cuz you know I don't drink
I remain sober when I drop a hit
But I put gum in my ass cuz I like to pop shit

I would change black sheep's "chioce is yours" for either strobelight honey or similack child.

Posted by: Beej at July 10, 2004 11:09 AM

HELLO!

Posted by: shelley at July 23, 2004 06:13 PM

your all fucking bum boy who hide behind computers fucking pussys

Posted by: smokie at October 6, 2004 09:21 AM

your all fucking bum boy who hide behind computers fucking pussys

Posted by: smokie at October 6, 2004 09:21 AM

your all fucking bum boy who hide behind computers fucking pussys

Posted by: smokie at October 6, 2004 09:21 AM

your all fucking bum boy who hide behind computers fucking pussys

Posted by: smokie at October 6, 2004 09:21 AM