Customer Reviews

The Hip Hop Box

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Any 30-something person like me who heard "Rapper's Delight" almost 25 years ago (!) isn't surprised to find that one track started a hip-hop revolution. The Hip Hop Box is an excellent compendium of tunes that trace the evolution (devolution?) of crucial rap music, as it moved from underground social commentaries to slick commercialism.

Not every song is killa, and obviously everyone will be disappointed with the songs that got left out. But if the inclusion of hits as diverse as "The Message" and "Slam" and "Rebirth of Cool" and "Just a Friend" doesn't make you smile and nod ya head, well, maybe hip hop isn't for you. Some of the songs will get under your skin, some will annoy you (I have a low tolerance for Craig Mack), but all of them shimmer with the beats of the streets.

Taste is taste, and as Chris Rock once rightly pointed out, hip hop isn't for everyone. But anyone hearing the Hip Hop Box has to recognize the incredible diversity of the music and those who make it. And they'll have to acknowledge that while rock and roll is struggling to breathe these days, hip hop is here to stay.

Much like Rock 'N' Roll, Hip Hop is not going away and is
getting stronger every day ~ just when you thought this was just a fad "Hip Hop Box", celebrating 25 years (1979-2003) ~ sends a message to all the fans that this is here and now, and is going to stick around for a long time.

With a forward from Chuck D (Public Enemy), loads of photographs (some of them rare), chuck full of bios and detailed information on each track ~ fills in the gaps for many fans curiosity ~ this tasty tidbit of a genre is a history lesson featuring eighteen number one Rap hits.

Entire fifty one cues is a collectors gold mine, with selected rap pioneers stepping up and spreading the gems that we have noted through the airwaves of the streets ~ most diehard fans will want more of the same, but for many of us, this is as good as it gets ~ remember, this could have been a two or three disc collection ~ enjoy the four disc classic lineup from some living legends in the world of HIP HOP! ~ gotta love it!

Total Time: 4-CD-Set ~ Hip-O Records 69588 ~ (4/20/2004)

this collection is obviously very incomplete, "but" is very refreshing compared to what is out today(4-cd's can/will never do the job so take it for what it's worth. i tell myself that everyday). so with that said, what is 50 cent doing in this set. at the time this set came out(5/2004) 50 had'nt contributed enough to "real-hip-hop" to deserve a cut on here(and still has'nt). look at him now and compare him to the rest of the greats/legends in this set. also each disc had extra time/space left for extra cuts(a disc can hold 80 minutes). each disc had "at least" 10 min left(so at least 2-3 more cuts per disc). could of been 60 tracks instead of 51. besides all that this is very essential, and so much better than this sorry fake hip-hop being put out now(mike jones, paul wall, 50 cent just to name a few). for real. this along with def jam's 10th anniversary 4-cd boxed set, and tommy boy's greatest beats 1981-1996 4-cd boxed set, as a reviewer said awhile back, is pretty much all you need to remember what "real hip-hop" was and is all about. and to all you rap/hip-hop haters, don't blame hip-hop or even rap, blame those who make it look bad(mike jones, paul wall, 50 cent, and others). rap/hip-hop is very positive(when used correctly). some people just don't understand it(there fault), but don't blame hip-hop(as a whole). it's history. haters... learn about it, study it, listen to it(espeacially the 80's/early-mid 90's)and you'll see hip-hop was and still is positive. please, just don't judge if you don't know. LONG LIVE GOOD REAL HIP HOP!!!!!!!!!

Any hip-hop fan should purchase this collection of rap songs spanning about 30 years. Starting back at the Sugarhill Gang/Grandmaster Flash and The Furious 5 era, progressing to the Ice-T/Public Enemy era, on to the DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince/Wu-Tang Clan era, and finally to the DMX/50 Cent era, this CD obviously covers a lot of ground. Unfortunately some key artists are left out of the album including Nas, N.W.A., Jay- Z, 8Ball and MJG, Outkast, UGK, Ultramagnetic MCs, Ice Cube and more. They could have taken out the Method Man/ Mary J. Blige track and the 50 Cent/Nate Dogg track to make room for more highly regarded ones. Just because these may have been popular during their time of release does not mean that they have contributed greatly to the evolution of hip - hop.. Some priorities need to be set. However, this CD does have many excellent songs vital to the hip-hop genre and I must admit that I think it would be hard to incorporate every exceptional hip-hop song ever made on to one CD. So, I commend the creators of this CD. 4.5 stars.

Wow. I remember hearing "Rapper's Delight" for the first time when I was in junior high. I knew I loved rap right there and then. But I never, ever though it would grow into the body of work that it is today. So many people over the years faded rap and hip-hop calling it a fad; they were and still are, thankfully, wrong.

This collection does an imperfect but important job of trying to capture this wonderful form of musical expression invented on the streets. I am so impressed with how this collection covers the breadth of rap that I strongly recommend you buy this album.

What did they do right here ? They added artists that would perhaps be forgotten, but are nonetheless important to the history of rap. MC Hammer! Yeah he's wack - but guess what - he was important to rap. OPP ? It's as played out as the jerry-curl, but we need to know it was here - because its part of the context of rap. So I don't diss this collection for adding these songs - in fact I pay the producers my respect.

I must say, there are some hot hot tracks on here - my favorite being the live piece by the Roots. So hot, so musical. So important. Of course, It would be so irresponsible for me not to mention and give props to tracks like "Roxanne's Revenege" - think about the girl rappers that heard that and decided to grab the mic (salt-n-pepa? tlc?)

I think Afrika Bambaattaa's piece "Planet Rock" in retrospect is a very important piece of music and I am glad they included it. I think historically rap could have gone the way of guitar-based, band-backed music....ie Kurtis Blow, Blondie sound etc. Afrika Bambaataa brought the electronic sound to Rap (ok, write me if you disagree!) Perhaps rap would be different with out this. I don't know but I'm 'rockin' no stoppin' and I love this cut.

The big error and it must have been an error was the omission of LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys and and Jay-Z. I can understand the Beasties being left off - sorta - but LL? And Jay-Z...I simply can't believe they left him off. I'm sure there are fans who will also be upset to see no eminem. Nothing is perfect, but I think they should have had an NWA cut on there - simply because they gave birth to so much of what is rap today. But oh well. And now I will diss one artist - Ice T. In the rap I think he's a cul-de-sac. Sorry, T, I'm just not down wit your lyricals.

In conclusion, this is a must have. A great gift. And a wonderful way to capture the magic of this art form.

the coolest thing about this Box set is that not only the timeline but also the different parts of the Country that are represented.the cool thing is the vibe you get from all the artists on here.Hip-Hop Music has it's own manner&style&isn't going anywhere&you see so many elements&ways it got it's message across to where it is today.enjoy.

The Hip Hop Box is a nicely packaged four disc collection of hip hop music that spans the dawn of popular/ commercial hip hop ("Rapper's Delight" 1979) to the days of the collection's release ("21 Questions" 2003). You have to observe the set as a collection of songs because it fails to be a completely comprehensive guide to hip hop. This is understandable given all that has been done within the genre. However, the omission of artists such as LL Cool J and Eminem (and others) may make some question the set's worth. The Box does a nice job of gathering many hits and a better job of introducing the listener to the genre. Highlights include "The Breaks", "Just a Friend", "Passing Me By" and "Luv 2 Luv U (remix)".

If money is an issue, Hip Hop Gold is a cheaper, two disc set made by the same company (Rhino Records) that has many of the same songs. The Box is uncensored and Gold is, but that does not affect many of the songs.

so many key artists and songs were left out of this, such as nas, jay-z, eminem, blackstar and NWA. not to mention "the next episode" got on here instead of "murder was the case", "aint nuthin but a g thang", or any one of the other timeless classics dre and snoop made, the light instead of "I used to love H.E.R." and "you got me" instead of "what they do". regardless of its flaws, this box set still brings together most of the best of hip-hop. if you're just starting on hip-hop this is a great way to kick yourself into gear, and then you can buy the albums with the missing classics like "doggystyle" and "illmatic".

on a lighter note, method man is on here 3 times... WU, TANG, WU, TANG, WU TANG, WU TAAAAAAAAAANG!

I am so happy that this came out. This is REAL HIP HOP right here for you guys! This is EXACTLY the kind of rap that should still be around TODAY! Compare this incredible work to the trash you hear on todays radio and you'll see a total difference- back then, rap was about the truth. For all you suckas who are hardout into "bling-bling", girls, sex, cars and all that stupid trash, this is one CD you ALL need to hear because this CD simply explains to you what rap was REALLY about.

I am so glad this was put together because not only does this represent the REAL hip-hop, it also brings back good ol' memories. I mean, who could not forget the unforgettable eulogy for Trouble T-Roy (Pete Rock and CL Smooth- T.R.O.Y.)? Who could not remember the first time Run DMC smashed onto the screens with their endless 'Sucker MC's'? Boys and girls, not introducing but bringing back the REAL HIP HOP! REPRESENT!!!

CD1:
1. Sugarhill Gang- Rapper's Delight (5/5). The endless and classic song that became successful
2. Kurtis Blow- The Breaks (5/5). Who said this song couldn't get you moving?
3. Treacherous Three- Body Rock (4/5). Incredible, beats Chingy
4. Afrika Bambaataa (5/5). ZULU NATIOOOOOON!!!
5. Grandmaster Flash (5/5). Let's put it this way- BEST RAP SONG EVER!
6. Run DMC- Sucker MCs (5/5). Dedicated to all biters, especially you Ja Rule and 50 Cent
7. UTFO- Roxanne, Roxanne (5/5). One of my favorites, especially love the 'ary' and doctor rhymes in this
8. Roxanne Shante- Roxanne's Revenge (5/5). The Roxanne Wars were heated!
9. Salt N Pepa- Push It (5/5). Freaks who later turned out to be REAL hot
10. Too $hort- Freaky Tales (5/5). Before 50, before Snoop, there was rap's first pimp, Too $hort
11. Kool Moe Dee- Wild Wild West (5/5). Definately WILD!

CD2:
1. Eric B and Rakim- Follow the Leader (5/5). This will keep you awake
2. BDP- My Philosophy (5/5). KRS would definately love this album, R.I.P. DJ Scott La Rock
3. Ice-T- I'm Your Pusher (5/5). Excelent, would have preferred 'Colors' though
4. MC Hammer- Turn this Mutha Out (3/5). What's he doing here? Should have replaced him with 'Marley Marl- The Symphony'
5. Public Enemy- Fight the Power (5/5). This is my ULTIMATE anthem song
6. 2 Live Crew- Me So Horny (3/5). Alright, would have preferred Schoolly D's 'PSK (What Does it Mean)' though
7. Biz Markie- Just a Friend (5/5). Nicely done, even though 'Nobody Beats the Biz' is his best
8. De La Soul- Buddy (5/5). Anything by this group suits me fine
9. 3rd Bass- Gas Face (5/5). Another classic to hear
10. A Tribe Called Quest- I Left my Wallet in El Segundo (5/5). Like De La, anything by this classic group is excellent
11. Main Source- Looking at the Front Door (5/5). Large Pro comes out nicely
12. Chubb Rock- Treat 'Em Right (5/5). Large man with nothing to lose

CD3:
1. Naughty by Nature- OPP (5/5). Verses put out nicely by Treach
2. Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince- Summertime (5/5). Definately summer's anthem
3. DJ Quik- Tonite (5/5). Another joint from straight outta Compton
4. Black Sheep- Choice is Yours (5/5). Excellent in all ways
5. Arrested Development- Tennessee (4/5). Beautiful though I'd like to see Doug E. Fresh's 'La Di Da Di' here
6. Pete Rock and CL Smooth- T.R.O.Y. (5/5). Best rap tribute from the past to the present to the future. No doubt
7. Digable Planets- Rebirth of Slick (5/5). Cool song to chill out to
8. The Pharcyde- Passin Me By (5/5). Another classic from the pharcyde
9. Onyx- Slam (5/5). This will definately get you pumping
10. Queen Latifah- U.N.I.T.Y. (5/5). Rugged female MC but would have liked 'Ladies First'
11. Wu-Tang Clan- C.R.E.A.M. (5/5). An acronym that soon became golden worldwide
12. Warren G- Regulate (5/5). Smooth lyrics with a smooth beat
13. Craig Mack- Flava In Ya Ear (5/5). Before Biggie, there was Mack
14. Method Man- All I Need (5/5). Dark tales from the slums of chambers

CD4:
1. Redman and Method Man- How High (5/5). Excellent duo to smoke a blunt to
2. Junior M.A.F.I.A.- Get Money (5/5). By far their best hit, 'Player's Anthem' wasn't even good and this was the only good joint they had
3. Bone Thugs- Tha Crossroads (5/5). Eulogy for Eazy-E, one of the best rap tributes ever
4. Scarface- Smile (5/5). I love this song, nice feel to it
5. Busta- Put Your Hands Where my Eyes Could See (5/5). Nice mellow beat where Busta raps fast
6. Timbaland and Magoo- Luv 2 Luv U (2/5). What the hell is this doing here?
7. Gang Starr- You Know my Steez (5/5). PERFECTION!
8. DMX- Get at Me Dog (4/5). Nice, 'Who We Be' would have been better
9. Noreaga- Superthug (2/5). Not really feeling this
10. The Roots- You Got Me (5/5). Excellent, 'What They Do' would have been better though
11. Common- The Light (5/5). Perfect lyrics though 'I Use to Love H.E.R.' would be far much preferred
12. 2Pac- Until the End of Time (5/5). Nice but 'Dear Mama' or 'Changes' would have been much better
13. 50 Cent- 21 Questions (1/5). I don't know what he's doing here, he doesn't even deserve to be called a 'rapper' but just a wanksta who bites off 2Pac A LOT
14. Dr. Dre- The Next Episode (5/5). Excellent joint, Dre's the best producer yet

I absolutely LOOOOOVVVVVEEEE this collection! It takes me back to when hip-hop was REALLY hip-hop. We use to stand around and watch boys break dance on the cardboard boxes listening to these jams on tapes!!!!! And every Sunday you could bet money that the DJ would play "Planet Rock" at the skating rink.

Sit back and share the sounds with some friends because you can't listen to this collection without having the desire to say to some friends,"You remember when........"