T.Q.D: T.Q.D's Corner

Unlike many who self-proclaim to be “your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper”, it should be noted that Kool G Rap was given (emphasis on ‘given’) that nickname first.  Anyone who appreciates delivery and innovative rhyme technique and isn’t a fan of Kool G Rap, either doesn’t know Hip Hop history or doesn’t appreciate it.

His influence on Hip Hop can be plainly seen in folks like Big Pun, Biggie, Jay-Z, Nas, Treach, Raekwon, Mobb Deep, Pharoahe Monch, Eminem, Scarface, among many others.  Besides rhyme technique, he also specializes in story telling.  I’ve often argued that very few can touch him in that department. 

Even with his obvious and vast influence on Hip Hop as we know it, he decades later remains without even single gold plaque.  If ever there was an argument that respect and influence don’t equal sales, he would be exhibit A.

On July 20^th, Kool G Rap turned 42.  In honor of his belated birthday, here is a look back at his discography up to this point. 

Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Road To Riches (1989)

This album was the debut and only scratches the surface of what was to come.  The topics range from bragging, Mafioso, street tales, and simply delivery showcasing.  Most people I know dig this record a little more than I do, but I think it’s a solid debut.  This album is pretty much the blueprint for ‘90s east coast street Hip Hop.  The beats are provided exclusively by Marley Marl. 

The hit songs (“Road To Riches”, “It’s A Demo”, and “Truly Yours”) were all nice, but I was more a fan of a couple deep album cuts.  “Men At Work” in my opinion is easily one of the top 5 Hip Hop jams of the ‘80s.  “Poison” is the other jam I always had a special affinity for.  It should be noted that it is this “Poison” song that contains the vocal sample for the Bell Biv Devoe hit of the same name.

Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Wanted: Dead Or Alive (1990)

Whatever freshman mistakes Kool G Rap made on Road To Riches were fixed up just a year later.  The production took a step up.  Large Professor, Eric B, along with G Rap and Polo themselves shared production duty.   

Subject-wise, this album could be considered a sequel to Road To Riches.  However, that is in no way a detriment.  The formula was the same, but it was improved upon very much.  G Rap even tries out some new rhyme techniques (still bitten to this day) very successfully.

My favorite tune on this album is “Bad To Bone” hands down.  This album plays nicely all the way through, but that one stands out majorly.  The only really weak jam would be “Erase Racism”, which features Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie.  Kane and G Rap together in 1990 had no excuse for making such a wack tune, but they made up for it on the next album.  Nonetheless, if you can only cite one song as weak, that’s a success.

Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Live And Let Die (1992)

Due to label cold feet from the Body Count “Cop Killer” controversy at the time, this album was delayed by roughly a year.  Regardless, it eventually came out and thankfully so.  This album is damn good.  On the first two albums, Kool G Rap was a pretty varied rapper.  There was some street rap, battle rap, social commentary, and a few other things mixed in between.  This album saw a departure, as he focuses more on the streets this go round.  That is not a bad thing.  Of the first three albums, this one is easily the best.

The production this go-round is pretty much co-produced by Sir Jinx (see: Death Certificate and The Predator by Ice Cube) and Kool G Rap.  There are also a few tunes produced by a young TrackMasters.

Out of 17 tracks, there are really only a few soft spots.  I’d call that a success.  This album contains what I think is easily the best G Rap song, as well as a top 5 Hip Hop song from the ‘90s: “Ill Street Blues”.  That song is pure perfection.

The other notable tracks are “On The Run” (though I prefer the remix) and “Operation C.B.”, a song about the frustrations of cock blocking: genius.

G Rap and DJ Polo would amicably go their separate ways after this record to go solo.

Kool G Rap – 4, 5, 6 (1995)

I feel the same way about this album, as I do about Temples Of Boom by Cypress Hill.  4,5,6 is far from Kool G Rap’s most innovative or popular, but I personally believe it to be his crown jewel.  I’m willing to hear the argument for Live And Let Die, but otherwise no. 

This album is uncut, raw, street Hip Hop.  There are certainly a few average songs, but nothing that I’d qualify as wack.  G Rap goes real hard on this one and receives some pretty nice production as well.  I was always a fan of “It’s A Shame”, as well as the title track.  Those were the strongest in my view.  The album also contains a duet with a young Nas, called “Fast Life”.  It’s a good song, in my opinion is in the middle of the pack.  A young pre-wheelchair confined MF Grimm also makes a couple guest appearances as well.

The low sales of this album led to G Rap being dropped from his label.  He would never again sign to a major.

Kool G Rap – Roots Of Evil (1998)

This album, while not the best in the G Rap catalog, is highly underrated.  Some of the songs get bogged down by subpar guests, but that happens sometimes when trying to put people on.  One of the guests, Papoose, has become one of the better known mixtape rappers in the New York scene.

This album pretty much plays like a crime novel.  “Foul Cats”, “Mafioso”, and “Mobsta’s” were the strongest tunes in my view.  Another notable jam was “A Thugs Love Story”.  That song spans nine and a half minutes and is separated in to three parts within the same track, all the while remaining interesting.

Kool G Rap – The Giacana Story (2002)

This album was long delayed due to label woes.  However, that didn’t seem to matter one way or the other.  This album is simply bad.  The production is pretty nice, but there are simply way too many guests.  The guests are also subpar to the host.  Sure, the host shouldn’t be outshined, but the guests should also be able to hold their own.  Oh well, there are still some nice tunes, but it’s nothing really special sticks out.

Kool G Rap & The 5 Family Click – Click Of Respect (2003)

This album suffers the same issues as The Giacana Story.  G Rap holds his own, but his attempt to put on some friends backfires.  The students are okay, but are light years behind their teacher.

Kool G Rap – Half A Klip (2008)

Clocking in at a modest 9 songs, this record is not a classic by any stretch, but showed a return to form.  There is one weak song called “Turn It Out”: an embarrassing club track.  However, that’s about it.  The rest of the record is solid.

“100 Rounds”, “The Life”, and “On The Rise Again” were the notable jams.  He’s made better records, but not everything can be a classic.  I still give this album a thumbs up.

…and so, that is the Kool G Rap catalog thus far.  It’s been a couple years since Half A Klip, so I definitely look forward to his next record, which I hear is in the works.  Nonetheless, Kool G Rap is a certified legend with an undeniably legendary and influential career, but thankfully it will continue on.