I remember dissing Cell Therapy by Goodie MOB back in '94(?) because of the beat. It also was because the popular kids in high school liked it and as a proud nerd, I couldn't be caught dead liking what *they* liked. LOL

But a few years later when I was working in my first job I stumbled upon the album and thought, "Damn, this is dope and so original. Why didn't I like this when it dropped?!?!?!"

And I had a similar experience with Itzsoeeazy from De La's Stakes is High. With that song, I just didn't get the beat. But, again, after some time I grew to love that song.

As far as albums, Jewelz is a big one that I overlooked. I think I saw the video for Far From Yours and thought O.C. "sold out" and made a club record. It took me until 2018 to stumble upon that record and hear it in full. And I'm glad I circled back around because that is one of the lost gems of that time period. Very, very unheralded.

Paul's Boutique is another one. Although it took some time for the audience of hip hop to widen enough to give an audience for that record. Even though I wasn't really a fan of License to Ill, the beats just didn't work for me when it came out. Granted I was in junior high at the time. I just didn't have the palette to appreciate the work.

Then I had a roommate in college who swore by the album. I heard it and really liked it. It is definitely in that same vein of sample porn that Prince Paul and to a different degree The Bomb Squad perfected.

How about you?

I was so turned off by "Ain't No" that when I saw the video for "Feelin' It" on BET a few weeks after first hearing "Ain't No," I immediately dismissed it and the album and him.

Stupid stupid stupid.

Because his work is so varied, like he'll have a few club and commercial tracks on an album that blow up. While that may bring in new fans, it could turn off heads.

But then he'll have one song for the heads or something more introspective that would make Jay stand out as a true master of his craft that would attract those die-hard fans back into his orbit.

While there were some songs from Reasonable Doubt that I liked, Jay just came off as a cocky, commercial artist that my inner backpacker wouldn't accept.

But then The Black Album was announced and I saw the list of producers and was really interested to listen. It really connected with me and after that, I've been a big fan, even of Kingdom Come. LOL

It's interesting to think how some artists we fall for initially and those we don't but circle back to.

Welcome 2 Detroit
N.E.R.D. In Search Of (saw it live and...woo)

Your growing appreciation for him is about the same as mine.

While I like the stuff he's done with affiliated artists (Q-Tip, Soulquarians, etc) I've been slow to warm up to his solo stuff. But over the years, I've warmed up to his music.

No matter if someone is a big fan of his work, it's hard to discount his contribution to hip-hop music and culture. I don't want to feel like I'm missing out on one of the greats in the genre.

...it took me a while to understand.

I was a kid for a lot of this and just didn't appreciate subtle sonic touches.

Fight the Power - Public Enemy (I kept waiting for the rapping to start, and then realized that guy talking low in the mix was meant to be the rapper)

Almost every first wave Wu-Tang solo, although I loved Enter the Wu-Tang

Boot Camp Clik

Bone Thugs N Harmony (I'm not a super fan now, but I recognize how cool what they were doing was)

The Score (I was also reacting to the people in High School who played this album to death)

Even though they've been such a unique and powerful figure in the culture, they're an acquired taste.

Like, The Purple Tape wasn't something that I really got at first. Same with GZA's Liquid Swords and Ghostface's early stuff. But eventually, it clicked. While I don't like it as much as many other fans do, I appreciate the impact they had on hip-hop and the influence on lyricism and flows that they brought.

That Drake/Meek/Wale/Wiz, etc. era. I know for sure I have not heard a full Meek song. That was probably the beginning of me being super picky about music.