Wednesday, April 15, 2009
In hip-hop, breakups can be a good thing. Just look at N.W.A.--both Ice Cube and Dr. Dre went on to stellar career heights. Sometimes, a breakup is necessary for the good of the planet. The Fat Boys are legendary, but I don't think Mother Earth could have taken another "Mack Daddy." But that's not what I'm talking about in this blog entry. We'll focus on those breakups that really didn't do anyone any good.
#5 - Eric B. and Rakim
Yeah, Rakim is "The God MC" and nothing can take that away from him. To this day he does a great live show and is one of the most influential MCs of all time. However, ever since breaking from his alleged DJ, Eric B., he hasn't really done much. So what if Large Professor actually did all the work--at least Eric B. kept a schedule. The end result was a few unremarkable albums from Rakim and the hilariously awful Eric B. solo shot. (The title of said album is a killing word around here)
#4 - Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth
Pete Rock still does production, but now usually for people I don't want to listen to. Maybe Nas blackballed him from doing any major label hits. C.L. Smooth was perfect wallpaper for Pete Rock's production--but not a guy interesting enough to carry a solo album with budget beats. The awesome reunion track they did on Pete Rock's "Soul Survivor II" shows how unnecessary this separation is!
#3 - 3rd Bass
I was never a huge 3rd Bass fan in their prime, but in my sunset years I have grown to appreciate their dense wordsmithing and goofy stagecraft. Pete Nice went on to get fat and start a baseball museum. Serch put out a great solo album but shelved his follow up. On second thought, the atrocious 3rd Bass reunion tracks that were revealed on Serch's last compilation may have proven this break up was for the best.
#2 - The Pharcyde
I mean really. What is up with these guys? So Fatlip got a little nutty. That's what happens when you get a big enough label advance to buy all the drugs you want. Since the departure of Fatlip and the Machiavellian maneuverings of Tre, the remaining two members turned The Pharcyde into a druggie novelty act. While Fatlip did put out a decent solo album, it took nearly a decade. Can't you guys bury the hatchet after nearly 15 years?
#1 - Gang Starr
Premo seems to be open to a reunion, but Guru says he's happy in the post-Gang Starr world. Unfortunately, nobody else is. We're still waiting for Premo to focus and put out a full length worthy of his mid '90s peak. And Guru, well, we're just hoping he comes to his senses one day.
