Video Hangover: "All Star Rap Jamz"
Every week, we dig in the archives for videos that we find noteworthy, memorable, or just unbelievably stupid. And then, Jon McMillan breaks 'em down for you. Why Video Hangover? Because when you watch as many videos as we do, you're going to feel it afterwards.
"Self-Destruction"
Stop the Violence Movement, 1989
"We All in the Same Gang"
West Coast Rap All-Stars, 1989
The first East Coast-West Coast rap battle was fought over who could battle less.
This is the first time I've listened to MC Hammer, Tone Loc and the Digital Underground in one sitting since my Bar Mitzvah
True to their Hollywood origins, the West Coat Rap All-Stars make being in a gang look positively Shakespearean. A youth betrayed by gang loyalty, a young man cut down in his prime, basketball -- basically Boyz n the Hood before there was Boyz n the Hood. The main difference being that the blue and red of the Bloods and Crips have been replaced by yellow and green threads so bright that the threatened bat attack at 3:44 could pass for a detergent commercial. Until, of course MC Hammer shows up wearing his black genie outfit. Which begs the question: who was the most effective West-Coast affiliated rapper from 1989, in terms of preventing gang violence? Eazy E, Ice T, and Dr. Dre were in too deep to be credible; Young MC had no street cred whatsoever. And Def Jef brought along those ridiculous interpretive dancers (see them in action at :54). Strangely enough, it might actually be Tone Loc, who drops his novelty schtick and proves he can rap over something other than Van Halen.
Some were headed for self-destruction, others were headed for Flavor of Love
If "We All in the Same Gang" is a Marlo Stanfield ego trip, "Self Destruction" is Prop Joe's co-op -- stuffy and procedural, right down to the boardroom table and perfunctory, funk-based-but-not-exactly-funky beat. But hey, at least they took their own cause seriously. KRS-One and Kool Moe D come out swinging, and the guys from Stetsasonic drop some heavy shit in front of a "scared straight" jail cell. And then, at 2:24, D Nice comes in with perhaps one of the worst lip syncs of all time, and things start to get mildly hilarious. First, there's Ms. Melodie, looking like an extra from an Eddie Murphy fat-suit comedy (not to be confused with Heavy D, who looks more like Honky Grandma Be Trippin'), and then Doug E Fresh tries to throw dirt on a camera and misses completely. Luckily Flavor Flav is on hand to restore order. And by restore order I mean: hold up a giant clock and say "yeah boyeeee."
Got a candidate for Video Hangover? Email tips at stereogum dot com.
Posted at 11:01 AM in Video, Video Hangover
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how about a "contest" for readers to submit stereogum logo ideas... ?
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I like it! What types of logos? You mean weekly column ideas?
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Can't wait for the Japanese version.
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If it ain't broke don't fix it. Whoever came up with the new design deserves a punch in the testicles because this shit feels like I'm looking at linoleum samples on the the Home Depot website.
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does this mean stereogum scott is a jew? yes!
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Kool Moe D is a badass.
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Yeah, it's official, the new site looks like total shit.
This isn't me being resistant to change, it's me being resistant to total shit. It's visually cluttered and overall poorly considered.
Does every section on the left need a black rule around it or does the generic cheap template not give you that option?
What is THAT vaguely wood like background?
Does the type need to be so tight to the left column?
You have these nicely done/considered type for the subsections on the left, but then there are are these ugly tabs in a Futura like font in boxes at the top.
The grey rule on the sides of the main column is unnecessary and adds to the clutter.
I could go on and on
Please just go back to the old layout or hire a designer – not a template
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ew this sucks. go back to the old form. it was so clean. ew.
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hey Scott //
I just think there are a few ignorant opinions here [see the ever_present Dick_man above] who seem to post with halitosis-baited breath... I'd like to see what the fuck they can show for such 'LARGE MAN' "talk".
Also - I'd like to submit some ideas.
In closing - my new pen name is Hadisin Tyde. Like the BEATNUTS said - "watch out now".
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LOL @ "halitosis-baited breath". K makes it sound like I've been open mouth kissing his sister's vagina all morning.
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Ton Loc's "Wild Thing" samples Van Halen's "Janie's Cryin'."
You fucking tool.
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Yep, my bad. Got my wires crossed there.
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Why do the Idolator crew hate on you guys so much. I have just in the last year started reading both blogs and they seem to take some cheap shots, like the ones that led me to this particlular article. What gives, can't you all get along?
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I don't know why Stereogum was itchin' to get rid of the headphones so bad-- the drawings and feature icons were/are the only things giving the website a unique identity (sorry, i agree with MF McNutt that the layout seems a little templatey).
But yes, the new "logo" (or poorly designed jaunty font selection) needs help, and k's idea for a logo contest is a good one.
Oh, and thank you, by the way for changing the brown to the chocolate instead of the baby-shit variety that it was before!
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I think the new design looks very amateur. At least the old one had some charm in its faults. The new one just looks like some weird cut and paste of the old one and some new half-baked design. As far as the profile stuff I don't know what the hell to do. Why do I want to look at my comments and why would others want to look at my comments? Aren't comments relevant only if there's something to be commented on? It's like because Gawker did something everyone thinks comments are the hot shit (I don't know what Dave was talking about above but maybe that's why Idolator has beef). Do you guys personally know anyone who reads comments on someone's profile? No one cares. Have you guys ever heard of Open ID or Open Social? When am I going to be allowed to register once instead of starting over every time someone gets the bright idea to build a community? I'm no expert but it just seems like there's so much out there and you guys didn't take advantage of any of it. Anyway, still dig your site but hoped for something a bit more exciting and relevant than messages from Movable Type. Keep on keepin on!
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