Monday, January 29, 2007

Flashback to the clubs, 1984


Ran across Grandmaster Flash today: realized I still know every word to this song, most likely from the clubs in SoCal 1984-1986 (mom, cover your ears). My quintessential dance routine was totally set to this song. Though unlike in the video, I did not incorporate The Worm into it.

Some trivia I found: "This was one of the first socially conscious rap songs. Groups like Public Enemy and KRS One emerged later in the '80s with rap songs that usually had a political message of some kind. Chuck D of Public Enemy even called rap "The black CNN" for its ability to reach a young black audience." Figures I'd like it.

Some of my favorite bits of lyrics include:
Rang dang diggedy dang di-dang
Rang dang diggedy dang di-dang
Rang dang diggedy dang di-dang
Diggedy dang di-dang diggedy dang di-dang
And then there's:
A street kid gets arrested, gonna do some time
He got out three years from now just to commit more crime
A businessman is caught with 24 kilos
He's out on bail and out of jail
And that's the way it goes
Raah

(Kane sugar kane sugar kane)

Athletes rejected, governors corrected
Gangsters, thugs and smugglers are thoroughly respected
The money gets divided
The women get excited
Now I'm broke and it's no joke
It's hard as hell to fight it, don't buy it

Excuse me while I go practice my routine...

7 comments:

SassyFemme said...

Amazing how fast the words to that song came back to me! You know, I was so innocent back then, I don't think I ever really got what the song was about!

purpletwinkie said...

So glad you can remember it.

"A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

Oops, wait--that's the wrong one.

I mean...

"This is your brain. This is your brain on..."

Monogram Queen said...

Lelo I loved rap (still do) and especially Public Enemy. Some NWA. Many others. One of my friends from highschool just met Chuck D at James Brown's funeral in Atlanta and said he was so cool. My ringtone on my phone is "Ridin' Dirty" hehe.... don't get jealous Purple Twinkie!

Anonymous said...

Is that a joke that Spike Lee directed?

My favorite part of that video is the pole dance, using G as a pole.

Anonymous said...

PS It's never too late to bring the Worm back!

Anonymous said...

Leotards! WICKED!!!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the trip.