Here are some random thoughts on the 2008 VH1 Hip Hop Honors...
...De La Soul's music catalog is ridiculous! They are very much like is a lot like U2, where you don't realize how many classic songs they have until you hear a tribute.
...Speaking of the De La tribute, what was up with Cee-Lo’s silver outfit? He looked like a cross between a brown M&M and an extra from George Lucas'
THX 1138.
....The Isaac Hayes tribute with Mos Def, Public Enemy, Estelle, Scarface and Ce-Lo was great. Hayes was truly a musical genius; too bad he is now only known for the “Theme from Shaft” and playing Chef on “South Park”.
...When will Scarface get his due as a hip hop lyricist? His skills may not be as complex as Rakim or Big Daddy Kane, but like Ice Cube, he is a great storyteller.
...Wasn’t it good seeing the Public Enemy Flavor Flav and not the “Flavor of Love" Flav? If anybody has season three of “Flavor of Love” on DVD, let me know.
... It was also good seeing Q-Tip performing with De La again, but where were the JB's (The Jungle Brothers) and Monie Love?
…I enjoy Mos Def's acting, but come on man, at least make an EP with Talib Kweli
...The
Chevy commercial with the various Mary J. Blige's was pretty creative. ....Speaking of which, don't you feel good when you hear Mary's "Real Love"?
...For those of you confused by Kid Rock honoring Too Short.
Back in the day, Kid was true hip hop head that was until he discovered his
inner "Billy Bob" and started making a lots and lots of money.
...Too Short looked bored and old, but I still dig his songs old and new.
...Really? Michael Rapaport (Zebra Head/Prison Break) named his kid after De La Soul's Maseo? That's cool, I'm just glad, my dad didn't name me after O.J.
…Isn’t it sad that an OJ joke still works in 2008???
...Why was former New York Giant Michael Strahan introducing Slick Rick? Shouldn't he be in L.A. sponging off of...err, I mean still dating Eddie Murphy's ex-wife?
...Since she doesn’t have a TV show or make hit records anymore, how does EVE make money?
...Cypress Hill’s “Hip Hop/Rock Superstar” is a modern classic. It might not rock the crowd like "How to Kill A Man”, but the song is solid, (Attention all DJ’s, you should always have at least one DJ Muggs song on your set list).
...Speaking of Cypress Hill, during their tribute you forget that Fat Joe was once a real good MC.
....No offense to the young man, but do you think Soulja Boy's "Crank That" will rock a crowd 15 years from now like Naughty by Nature’s "OPP”?
…What happened to Treach’s machete from back in the day?
...Speaking of Treach, if he wants to take you shirt off on stage, that's his prerogative, but maybe he needs to mix in a sit-up or two.
...Finally, I'm glad Tracey Morgan is making paper, but too me, he hasn't been funny since he was fat, playing
"Hustle Man" on Martin.
--Kevin Lockett
