Dear Camilla,
I had an interesting discussion with someone recently about music. She initially asked me where I stood on the Drake/Meek Mill beef. Listen, I'm more interested in discussing the Drake/Hostess beef. (#hostess4life) Don't know who Meek Mill is and I only know that Drake is the kid who can't ball and somehow likes all really good teams. Nothing against these youngsters, but I am all about Old School. This woman, who is young according to my wife, proceeded to ask me what I meant by Old School. Therein lies the problem. She started naming some artists, most of whom made me shake my head. So, Old School initially referred to the first true era of Hip Hop. Now, folks of my generation use Old School to describe music from our younger days. Not everything from my younger days counts.
Vanilla Ice ain't Old School.
Color Me Badd ain't Old School.
One hit wonders like Young MC ain't Old School.
Old School is not only rap, but some of the best r&b.
Old School is New Jack Swing.
Old School is Uptown Records.
Old School is fun music.
Old School is about having fun at a party. You can attend those upon your 30th birthday.
Damn, I love me some Old School.
Old School is real Hip Hop. It's the kind of hip hop that comes on at a party and everyone goes, "Ohhhhhh damn, that's my jam!"
It's the kind of music with a beat that even gets those folks on the dance floor
who usually think that dancing is beneath them.
So, Camilla, here is a playlist for you. I call this my Old School primer. It's not the quintessential list. But, it should help someone who asks the question, "So what is Old School?"
Soul For Real - Candy Rain (Remix ft. Heavy D.)
Meth and Mary - All I Need (Remix)
SWV - I'm So Into You
Brandy - I Wanna Be Down (Remix) ft. MC Lyte, YoYo, and Queen La
I know this is a Donell Jones song, Left Eye steals both the song and video U Know What's Up.
De La Soul - Me, Myself, and I (If you don't own 3 Feet High and Rising, get it. Now.)
Pete Rock and CL Smooth - They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)
Mary J. Blige - You Remind Me (Remix)
If there was a soundtrack of my life, the voice featured most prominently would be that of Mary J. Blige.
Mary - You Bring Me Joy
Seriously, this list could just be Mary.
Aaliyah - If Your Girl Only Knew (Another talent lost too soon.)
Seriously, try not to dance to Faith Evans' - All Night Long ft. Mr. Sean Combs. Watch more than once.