Black History Month: ATL Hip Hop 101

Its like Chris Rock says, February is the shortest and coldest month of the year. So why not cram black history month into 28 days while white people get the other 337. This year for my black appreciation, i will be schooling you all in the ways of ATL Hip Hop History.

The Early 90s
Southern hip hop was beginning to sprout up in the completely disregarded city of atlanta. Three groups really hit it 'big' in terms of records sold and these other matters. Jermaine Dupri found two little 15 year old black kids in a mall and decided to sign them to his So So Def label. He designed their image, their sound, their songs, and then released them to the public. Everything went well until they had to take a piss, in which case they were stuck with no zipper in front. that group was the ever popular Kris Kross. of course this biz is all about staying power, and kris kross was kind of a one hit wonder that sold 4 million albums.


These guys are the miggida miggida miggida mack daddies
The second group was Arrested Development, born in tennessee but they came to atl to produce their popular 3 years, 125 days, blah blah album. Mr. Wendal was key, as was tennessee, which is still on rotation on my 'Dank Old School' mix.

The third group is TLC, who has dealt with tons of good and bad shit. They were originally produced by Babyface in atlanta, and in 1992 that album with 'What About Your Friends' was released. CrazySexyCool in 1994 was ok too, and SWV got in on the collaboration (creep and waterfalls). Of course then Left-Eye burned down Andre Rison's house and fucked it all up. eventually inner struggles tossed this group into the peace out category and left-eye died in a tragic car accident... they were inducted into the GA Music Hall of Fame in 2002.

The Mid 90s
Perhaps the most noteable group to rock out of atl is Outkast. Before they hit the 'super pop' charts, they went to school in east point, a little hood south of the city that i pass on the way to the airport. They actually went to school with the Goodie Mob, and together with a few other groups formed the basis of the Dungeon Family. In 1993 they released 'Players Ball' which hit #1. The album Southernplayalisticadillakmusik was sick. ATLiens (1996) was sick. Aquemini (1998) was sick. Stankonia (2000) was sick. and of course, Speakerboxxx (2003) was sick. This group is one of the most innovative groups in hip hop today. actually i just read that they are the most succesful group selling over 14 million records through six releases. the speakerboxxx album was one of three albums to go 'diamond', the others being Mc Hammer (my first concert ever) and Notorious BIG 'Life After Death'. Andre even has a boom boom room in his house, with stripper pole for the ladies.

Da Brat was also founded by ATL producer JD. essentially the first female gangsta rapper, she would rock the baggy cargos, backwards starter cap, and of course nose stud so hot. in 1994 she released that hot single 'funkdafied' and since then she has been appearing on other peoples shit, namely krayzie bone, missy elliott, brandy, and tyrese. she also had key verses in Snoop Dogg's classic album doggystyle.


da brat tat tat tat make ya neck snap back
In 1994, Usher (now more commonly referred to as urshur) released an album while he was still in high school. puff daddy produced it and it didnt do well at all. In 1997, Usher got together with fellow atlien Jermaine Dupri and Babyface to produce 'My Way', which hit #4 on the billboards and #1 on rap/r&b charts. i already punkd usher about the hit songs on this disc, so no need to take 2 stabs. Mainly girls like to watch him dance-- he has rock hard abs and is soo hot right now. He also starred in that flick The Faculty, a meaningless thriller. In 2004 he released Confessions vol. 1 and 2 and of course, collaborated on 'Yeah' with Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz.


Jermaine Dupri has been called a little Spike Lee with rhythm. not really. But what he has done is create his own studio in Atl. So So Def records is responsible for big names and he is constantly signing new talent. He is definitely one of the most famous and successful southern producers. He also sang in Jay-Z's 'Money Aint a Thing' and Ludacris' 'Welcome to Atlanta'. so... not much else to say.... go JD.


the resemblence between these 2 is remarkable


they spelled it out for you, in case youve been living under a rock
The 2000s
Most of the groups mentioned above are still around, but several of the atl groups didnt really emerge from the scene until recently. Ludacris started out as a DJ for ATL's V103 and although JD was interested in signing him too, Luda decided to press his own record and it was locally popular. in 2000, def jam records signed Ludacris and created a new division called Def Jam South. in 2001 atl was spinning Luda's hits like southern hospitality and his nate dogg collaborated 'Area Codes'. In 2002 'Move Bitch' was released and caused a shitstorm since bill o'reilly is a fat pig and opened his fucking mouth to attack pepsi for signing commercials with Luda. In 2003, 'Chicken & Beer' rose to #1 with the hit 'Stand Up' that was so overplayed on atl radio its not funny. Luda, you da new face of the atl southern rappas.


The Ying Yang Twins are two thugs whose classic hit from 2000, 'Whistle While You Twerk', at least produced a cool way to pronounce what i do from 9-5 M-F. They are also the spawners of the mega-hit (which translates to mega-overplayed) 'Salt Shaker'.

Lil Bow Wow is not from here, but JD produced most of his albums here. good work on starting your rap career at 5. lots of bitches and hoes to talk about at that age.

Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz were born in atl and went to school not too far outside the city. Lil Jon was also a DJ at V103 and did tons of remixes for peoples shit. And i quote, "Anything you say about crunk has to start with Lil Jon." In 2002 they released the Kings of Crunk which held the famous 'Get Low' track. In 2003, he was on Usher's 'Yeah' track to sing the obnoxious backup vocals that were mocked on Dave Chapelle's show. In 2004 he released Crunk Juice, which is just a compilation of collaborations from Timbaland, Ice Cube, etc. he is even working with Korn right now to put out a single. This guy encapsulates crunk rap and spreads his influence in tons of new records.


In case you didnt know, those two fine looking negros in the back are the eastside boyz
Last but not least, my man Kanye West the college dropout. Straight from the ATL, recorded up in NYC. just go listen to this joint. its hot, and i have to jet.

(please feel free to comment on anyone i left out, anything i didnt mention, anything at all you lazy fucking bloggies who can read but not give feedback)