Hip hop was gooood right about then. 1989-1992? Couldn't tell us shit. And while I love the Native Tongues, the Juice Crew, BDP, PE, Gangstarr, etc, one album always, always, ALWAYS will be my theme music:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41VKQTYWXJL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Big Tyme was the shit. Yes it was part of the whole New Jack Swing movement (and say what you will about it, but for a while it ran shit and wasn't really that corny!). Yes it came with it's own pair of patent leather shoes. Yes you had to wear a polka dot shirt with it. But dammit, that album kicked so much ass...

http://youtu.be/x6JT1-P5lmQ

http://youtu.be/I2fS9XtWemY

http://youtu.be/OYmxbydg1BI


Shit, people these days don't even remember what T.R.O.Y. was even for anymore. RIP Trouble T


A personal favorite dropped a few weeks into sophomore year, and STILL gets bumped on a regular basis:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/40/Eyes_on_This.jpg

To this day, I could give a fuck if Lyte wrote her rhymes or didn't (I'm in the camp that says she did), this shit was straight fire. She could fuck up a mic without taking her damn clothes off. Fuck Kim, fuck Foxy, Fuck Nicki. None of them can touch this album. Ever. Word....

http://youtu.be/HpSeJP2HfaY

http://youtu.be/qhW_ph0ipp8


Before junior year started Mr. Smith dropped an album that redeemed him from all the bullshit that came with Walking With a Panther. Probably my favorite LL album (though Bigger and Deffer would probably like a word with me about that)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/be/Mama_Said_Knock_You_Out_-_LL_Cool_J.jpg

Aside from the cover for the girls, the only thing I didn't care for was 'The Power Of God', which if I remember correctly, when I dubbed the tape I replaced that with The Boomin System underground mix, which I liked much better than the album version. And no I can't explain the video for it either. Pass the Heineken and mind ya business... Eat Em Up L banged like shit, To Da Break Of Dawn was unnecessary, but banged, and Cheesy Rat Blues is probably one of the best songs Mr. Smith penned in his life. LL never came better than this one

http://youtu.be/zgRbVVgz8AU

http://youtu.be/hTPk1LgJvYY

http://youtu.be/xU5lQsV0L6s

http://youtu.be/UshlbpBopbc


In my junior year we had a mentoring program where we got the chance to go to some of the elementary and middle schools to talk to the kids (afrocentricity was HUGE back then). I was assigned with one of the seniors to go to my old elementary school. When we left, I popped this in the tape deck of his Calalier (nobody was ballin' in '91...)

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIT2wS_lHjw/Td4TJ_NduzI/AAAAAAAAB_g/bYWLeWJLQL8/s1600/ed.jpg

Let me just say, I love this album. LOVE IT. The Mission was some of the dopest shit on the radio. I'm The Magnificent (remix) was straight fire (and gave Theo a chance to direct a video, which was big back then). Ya Wish Ya Could is an underrated gem. And let me tell you, nothing felt better than pulling out of Suitland High School's parking lot blasting this:

http://youtu.be/3umYMYuoFwM

http://youtu.be/sHCWMkKAkUs

http://youtu.be/x20-9rXOzGE

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...