Schoolly D is gangster as fuck. And he’s obviously good at it ’cause he’s lived to be the ripe age of 40 without catching that lead sleeper. This Phily O.G.’s fame predates that of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and definitely predates Spank Rock.
His career started in 1984 and hasn’t quit yet, in fact, his music might be more far reaching now that it ever has been. Even if you’ve never heard his name before, there’s a good chance you know some Schoolly D lyrics. Any Aqua Teen Hunger Force fans out there? Don’t know what in the hell a ‘Hunger Force’ is? The Aqua Teen Hunger Force show on [adult swim] is now a feature film in theaters—and Schoolly D did the theme music (in addition to being a occasional voice actor). For shits and giggles, here’s the ‘Theme Remix’ from the ATHF: Colon Movie Film for Theaters:
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MP3: Schoolly D – ATHF Theme (Remix) (2007)
That makes 2 themes for Schoolly D, the first being the theme from the 1990 film, ‘King of New York‘. But it must have taken some restraint on Schoolly’s part to tone his lyrics down to syndicated TV standards. Here’s some uncensored Schoolly D to wrap your head around. Let’s start with his first 12″. Schoolly is not only an emcee, but producer as well:
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MP3: Schoolly D – Gangster Boogie (MC, MCs) (Street Version) (1984)
Schoolly D is a rapper’s rapper—he is cited a primary influence by more commercially successful gangster rappers that came after him, such as N.W.A. and Ice-T. In fact, Schoolly D is generally accepted as the father of Gangster Rap (or Gangsta Rap, if you must), because he is the first rapper known to rap about street gang life and the first apply the word “gangster” in a rap song. So, throw up your gang signs to that 808 bass and baby scratches. Chuch!
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MP3: Schoolly D – P.S.K. “What Does It Mean?” (1985)
Now let’s thank Schoolly D for inspiring others greatness. Like the stain ‘P.S.K. “What Does It Mean?”‘ left on Ice-T, who has cited ‘P.S.K’ as the influence for his epic ‘6 ‘n the Mornin” track (his first hit, imo). This track set a new direction for Ice-T; Otherwise we might have had to deal with the happier more socially-adjusted Ice-T of years prior. A simple example.
Not very gangster (electro track):
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MP3: Chris The Glove Taylor and Ice-T – Tibetan Jam (1984)
Very gangster:
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MP3: Ice-T – 6 ‘n the Morning (1987)
Did I make my point?… Schoolly D spread the joy that is Gangster Rap and the rest is history! Here’s another pair of bookend-tracks titled, ‘Gucci Time’ and ‘Gucci Again’ that left a definite mark on hip-hop audiences and genres beyond. ‘Gucci Again’ is likely to strike a familiar chord because this track provided both the name-sake and vocal sample for The Chemical Brothers‘ ‘Block Rockin’ Beats’:
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MP3: Schoolly D – Gucci Time (1985)
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MP3: Schoolly D – Gucci Again (1989)
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MP3: The Chemical Brothers – Block Rockin’ Beats (1997)
And
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MP3: Schoolly D – Pussy Ain’t Nothin’ (1989)
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MP3: 2 Live Crew – Face Down, Ass Up (Remix) (1990)
Schoolly D has always had a large fanbase in the UK, and in the late-1990s formed relationships with folks in the trip-hop and drum & bass communities. Hear Schoolly School get busy over D’n'B with these collaboration tracks with DJ/producer Aphrodite. Also, a Sneaker Pimps remix of a classic Schoolly D track, ‘Mr. Big Dick’:
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MP3: Aphrodite – Aphro vs Schoolly D (2000)
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MP3: Aphrodite – Hoochie (feat. Schoolly D) (2002)
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MP3: Schoolly D – Mr. Big Dick 2000 (Sneaker Pimps Remix) (2000)
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MP3: Schoolly D – Mr. Big Dick (1988)
Bonus fun fact for the Trivial Pursuit ORW (Old Rap Wednesdays) Edition: This weeks NWT artist, Siouxsie and the Banshees sampled Schoolly D in the early 90s (I haven’t discovered which track, but my source is this interesting Schoolly D interview from 1997).
With 8 albums and more under his belt, this is only a small and incomplete sample how Schoolly D gets down. If you like what you hear, you should support the artist, while doing yourself a favor, and purchase Schoolly D albums from Amazon. Highly recommended is the still-in-print-and-therefore-affordable The Best of Schoolly D. If you want to dig a little deeper, we highly recommended starting with 1989’s out of print gangster-meets-social-commentator album titled, ‘Am I Black Enough for You?‘. If amazon is looking steep, you can always try eBay.
Last stop on this trip! Please go check Schoolly D at MySpace and tell him that we think he’s gangster as fuck.
