- Venicia S.
- Tuesday, December 12, 2023
From elementary to high school, hip-hop has played a significant role in my love for music. This list embodies the songs that have had meaning to me during my most formative years.
"1st of tha Month " by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
This song brings back a core memory of the 1st day of school throughout elementary and middle school… my mom would wake my sisters and I up to this song every school year! Although we hated having to get up so early, we loved this song and had the album on repeat in our household. I also remember the E. 1999 Eternal album as being my first introduction to Hip Hop.
"U.N.I.T.Y" by Queen Latifah
I L.O.V.E the Queen! Living Single was one of my favorite sitcoms growing up (and still is). During a first-season episode (Five Card Stud), Queen Latifah’s character, Khadijah, is called out of her name by one of the male characters. After the episode, during the credit roll, a short clip of the music video for Latifah’s song U.N.I.T.Y is played. This clip ties so well into the episode and shares a message about the disrespect shown towards women (that we unfortunately still deal with today). From the trumpet bringing in the opening notes, to the powerful message, this is an anthem that should resonate with every generation.
"Fu-gee-la" by Fugees
Another early introduction to hip hop… I absolutely loved this whole album and, much like E. 1999 Eternal, my mom, sisters and I would have The Score on repeat!!! Although all of the songs on this album were bangers, Fu-gee-la is my absolute favorite! Lauryn Hill’s rap skills and amazing vocals will forever be iconic.
"All I Need" by Method Man ft. Mary J. Blige
To me, this song is the literal definition of “Love & Hip Hop”! Mary J. Blige is one of my favorite artists ever and Method Man… need I say more?! From the music video (can’t help but nod your head along!) to the message on love and holding your partner down… this song will forever remain a Hip Hop/R&B classic in my book.
T.I.'s "Urban Legend"
So, this is dedicated not to a particular song, but to T.I.’s 2004 album Urban Legend. This album came out my senior year of high school. One of my best friends and I absolutely LOVED us some Clifford Harris! When we learned he would be doing an autograph signing at the Manifest record store (R.I.P) we had to go! A “friend” stole my signed autograph 😢 but I still have this memory…
The childhood memories I will always hold near to me have been shaped by music. My mother introduced me to so many different genres of music and I am grateful that hip hop was one of them!