Be True To the Game

The January 1992 issue of The Source was the 1991 year in review issue.  I always enjoyed these year in review issues, especially in later years, for the brief trip down memory lane.  And as I sit here watching The Cosby Show while typing this, glancing through this issue is like taking a spaceship back in time.  Ice Cube, the family movie guy today, was in the Nation of Islam back then and no one could turn his frown upside down.  Can anyone imagine O’Shea X in the Nation of Islam today?  Death Certificate was released in November ’91 and was still heavily debated in December ’91 when this issue hit the stores.  I really miss the angry version of Ice Cube.  He was at his peak on this album and it seemed at times as if he would come through the mega sized speakers I owned back then.  His music career spiraled slowly downward from here.

By the way, what was the best album released in ’91, in your opinion? 

Some highlights from this issue:

–Miles Davis, who passed away in ’91, is remembered for his genius

-The best album, single, and artist for the year – I don’t agree with their top album of the year but I can see why they chose it.  Just look at the list of 15 albums.  They should have included 20, in my opinion.  It’s unbelieveable that this list of albums would be TOPPED in ’92.  Ahhh…the golden years of hip-hop!!!

-The artists were also polled on their top 5 albums of the year – I think I agreed with “Master Ace” more than anyone else.  I think he’s a Philadelphia Eagles fan, too.

-An article discussing the marketing of products (soda, fast food, alcohol, etc.) by hip-hop artists – Back then, it wasn’t considered “good” to market certain products.  But today it’s almost essential for an artists’ survival to endorse just about any products such as candy bars, chewing tobacco, and motor oil.  The ads that upset me the most were Rakim‘s St. Ides ad on the radio and the Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial with Hammer and his entourage dancing for chicken!  I hid under the covers after watching that garbage.

Record Report highlights (the mics are finally here!):

-Ice Cube – Death Certificate (4.5 mics) – Was this rated appropriately?  Should this be rated higher or lower now?

–Organized Konfusion – Self Titled (4 mics) 

–Big Daddy Kane – Prince of Darkness (3 mics) – Other than “Come on Down” featuring Q-Tip and Busta Rhymes, I can’t listen to anything else on here.  I remember Terrell laughing at me for buying this, too.

–Run-DMC – Together Forever (4 mics) – Huh?  This should have been 5 mics easily.

–2Pac – 2Pacalypse Now (3 mics)

January ’92 issue

http://www.zshare.net/download/6676603a0986ff/

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~Vincent~