I Miss 90s Hip-Hop Vol. 2 (Late 1990s)
Late 1990 (July-December)
The veterans strike back
Following A Tribe Called Quest's groundbreaking debut in the early 1990s, the latter half of the decade saw artists who had driven the 80s hip-hop scene keenly sensing the changing times and exploring new styles.
80年代半ばにDef Jamから華々しいデビューを飾り、一躍トップスターとなってヒットを重ねたものの、今ひとつ伸び悩んでいた感のあるL.L. Cool Jにとって、起死回生の一枚となったのが4thアルバム『Mama Said Knock You Out』（9月14日発売）だ。アルバムのほとんどの曲のプロデュースをMarley Marlが手がけ、特にタイトル曲「Mama Said Knock You Out」における疾走感溢れるトラックとL.L. Cool Jのパワーみなぎるラップとのコンビネーションは完璧過ぎるほど。本作からは他にも「Around The Way Girl」、「The Boomin’ System」といったシングルヒットが生まれ、80年代とは異なる新たなL.L.の姿勢を提示することに成功した。
L.L. Cool J "Mama Said Knock You Out"
L.L. Cool J "Around The Way Girl"
Also featuring L.L. Cool J was EPMD's 3rd album, "Business As Usual," released on December 18th. While there wasn't a drastic change in sound like with L.L. Cool J, they showcased their veteran swagger on this album by steadily scaling up from their 1st and 2nd albums.
EPMD "Rampage feat. L.L. Cool J"
Boogie Down Productions“ (hereafter BDP) fourth album, ”Edutainment,“ released on July 17th, is a work that further solidified the already strong political message of BDP. As the album title, a portmanteau of ”education" and "entertainment," suggests, KRS-One literally becomes a teacher, addressing a wide range of topics from the history of Black people in America to human morality. The album boasts a high level of completeness as a concept album, incorporating speeches by activist Kwame Ture, who was also a member of the Black Panthers, into the skits.
Boogie Down Productions "Love's Gonna Get'cha (Material Love)"
Incidentally, D-Nice, a member of BDP, also made his solo debut during this period with the album "Call Me D-Nice," which illustrates BDP's momentum in the hip-hop scene at the time.
D-Nice "Call Me D-Nice"
While they may not have achieved commercial success, Run-D.M.C.'s fifth album, "Back From Hell" (released October 16th), is also not to be missed, as it shows them exploring their own style in a different way than in the 80s. While there are compelling tracks like "The Ave," their somewhat unfocused approach is also evident, as they experiment with New Jack Swing on the single "Faces."
Run-D.M.C. "The Ave"
Run-D.M.C. "Faces"
Juice Crew's Second Golden Age
During this period, works by members of the Juice Crew, led by producer Marley Marl who was instrumental in L.L. Cool J's resurgence, were also released one after another.
The debut album "Intelligent Hoodlum" by Intelligent Hoodlum, who is still active under the name Tragedy Khadafi, released on July 10th, features Large Professor as a co-producer on two tracks. Regardless, Marley Marl's production is outstanding. In particular, the single "Black And Proud" has an excellent synergy between Intelligent Hoodlum's straightforward message as a Black Muslim and Marley Marl's track, making it truly thrilling, including its musical style.
Intelligent Hoodlum "Black And Proud"
Masta Ace's debut album, "Take A Look Around" (released July 24th), also gained attention for its posse cut "The Symphony," considered a Juice Crew anthem. From this album, "Me And The Biz," where Masta Ace imitates his fellow Juice Crew member Biz Markie, became a hit. This song conveys the rich character and uniquely positive aspects of the Juice Crew.
Masta Ace "Me And The Biz"
同じく「The Symphony」参加組のKool G Rap & DJ Poloの2ndアルバム『Wanted: Dead or Alive』（8月14日発売）は、Masta Aceとは真逆とも言えるシリアスなトーンで、ギャング映画などにも影響を受けたクライムストーリーからハードなバトルチューン、さらに反人種差別など実にさまざまなテーマを網羅している。
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo「Streets Of New York」
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo「Erase Racism feat. Big Daddy Kane & Biz Markie」
On Grand Daddy I.U.'s debut album *Smooth Assassin* (released October 16th), Biz Markie produced all the tracks instead of Marley Marl of the Juice Crew, and it includes smooth songs like "Something New" and "Sugar Free."
Grand Daddy I.U. "Something New"
Grand Daddy I.U. "Sugar Free"
The final act for the Juice Crew will be the 3rd album by Big Daddy Kane, a star alongside Biz Markie, titled "Taste of Chocolate" (to be released October 30th). However, due to the overwhelming success of his first and second albums, this work is unfortunately not as highly regarded. One factor might be Marley Marl's absence as a producer, but listening again, one can find a different charm compared to when it was initially released.
Big Daddy Kane "Taste Of Chocolate"
N.W.A. vs. Ice Cube
N.W.A.からIce Cubeが脱退し、アルバム『AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted』にてソロデビューを果たしたことはVol.1でも触れたが、その約３ヶ月後にリリースされたN.W.AのEP『100 Miles And Runnin’』（8月14日発売）によって新たなビーフが勃発する。タイトル曲にてDr. DreはIce Cubeの脱退についてリリックの中で触れ、さらに「Real Niggaz」という曲の中でMC RenとDr. DreがIce Cubeをディス。それに対して、Ice CubeもEP『Kill At Will』（12月18日発売）の収録曲「I Gotta Say What Up!!!」 で反撃し、両者のバトルは翌年へと続いていく。
N.W.A '100 Miles And Runnin'"
Ice Cube - Jackin' For Beats
ウェストコーストシーンでは、この時期にはコンプトン出身のKing Teeが2ndアルバム『At Your Own Risk』（10月2日発売）をリリースしており、ベテランプロデューサーであるDJ Poohとのコンビネーションは多くのヒップホップファンを唸らせた。そのDJ PoohとさらにIce Cubeもゲスト参加したのが、北カリフォルニアのオークランドを拠点とするToo $hortの６枚目のアルバム『Short Dog’s In The House』（9月11日発売）で、タイトル通りのゲットーライフを歌った収録曲「The Ghetto」はToo $hortの初期の代表曲として知られる。
King Tee "Ruff Rhyme (Back Again)"
Too $short "The Ghetto"
The emergence of Brand Nubian
Up to this point, we've focused on veteran artists except for those from the Juice Crew, but I'd also like to introduce albums from newcomers who represent the latter half of the 1990s. First up is Brand Nubian's debut album, "One For All" (released December 4th), which is highly regarded as one of the defining albums of 1990. While rooted in a conscious perspective inspired by the Five-Percent Nation, their original and upbeat raps, infused with humor from Grand Puba and Sadat X, are expertly woven over tracks featuring excellent sampling, resulting in classic tunes like "Slow Down," "Wake Up," and "All For One."
Brand Nubian "Slow Down"
Brand Nubian - Wake Up
Brand Nubian - All For One
もう一つが、ロンドン出身ながらNative Tonguesの一員としてDe La Soul「Buddy」などへの参加でその名を知られていたMonie Loveのデビューアルバム『Down To Earth』（10月30日発売）だ。彼女のポジティブでストレートなメッセージ性はこのアルバムの代表曲「It’s A Shame (My Sister)」にも表れており、この曲はアメリカや母国であるイギリス、さらにヨーロッパ各国でもヒットした。
Monie Love – "It's A Shame"
It was also released on the label JMJ, headed by Run-D.M.C.'s Jam Master Jay (and DJ Hurricane of the Beastie Boys was also a member).The Afrosのデビューアルバム『Kickin’ Afrolistics』（8月14日発売）や、ブラックパンサーに強い影響を受けた過激なコンシャスラッパー、Parisのデビューアルバム『The Devil Made Me Do It』（10月9日発売）も1990年後半にリリースされた作品として挙げておきたい。
The Afros "Feel It"
PARIS "The Devil Made Me Do It"
The commercialization of hip-hop
Vol.1にて触れたMC Hammerの大ヒットとも無縁ではないだろうが、ヒップホップのポップ化は1990年後半に入ってさらに大きな波となっていく。「Knockin’ Boots」がヒットしたCandyman『Ain’t No Shame In My Game』（10月2日発売）や、若きPuff DaddyもクレジットされているFather MC『Father’s Day』（10月15日発売）など、程度の違いはあれど、コアなヒップホップファンからは軽視されるような作品が量産されていく中、決定打となったのが白人ラッパーであるVanilla Iceのメジャーデビューアルバム『Ice To The Extreme』（9月4日発売）だ。このアルバムからシングルカットされた「Ice Ice Baby」はビルボードの総合シングルチャートHot100にて第１位に輝き、アルバムも1,000万枚以上のセールスを記録。しかし、黒人文化の表面的な部分のみを搾取する彼のスタイルに対する、ヒップホップシーンからの拒絶反応は凄まじいもので、同じ白人ラッパーである3rd BassはVanilla Iceを筆頭にポップなヒップホップを強烈に批判する「Pop Goes the Weasel」という曲を発表している。ちなみにその後、Vanilla Iceはレコード会社側が発表していたプロフィールの中に経歴詐称があったことが発覚し、人気が失墜するわけだが、ヒップホップのポップ化はその後も止まることはなかった。
Candyman 'Knockin' Boots"
Father MC - "I'll Do 4 U"
Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby
3rd Bass "Pop Goes The Weasel"
＜本文終わり＞
Music writer. Began writing in 1996, contributing to publications such as the hip-hop magazine "blast." Moved to Los Angeles in 2003, where they covered the underground hip-hop scene, including artists like Stones Throw, while also writing about fashion, art, and other fields. Returned to Japan in 2015 and continues to work as a writer for various magazines and web media, focusing primarily on hip-hop.
