Straight Gangsterism

“Gangsta (Put Me Down)” is an overlooked joint that appears on the Geto Boys 1998 album Da Good, Da Bad & Da Ugly. It features Beyonce and, former Destiny’s Child, LaTavia Roberson on the hook and video. I wasn’t a big fan of it ten years ago, but after listening to it again, it’s not a bad commercial single. Both ‘Face and Willie D had strong performances.

That whole album was a bit of dissapointment to me. It’s predecessor, 1996′s The Resurrection, was a masterpiece. Bushwick Bill had fallen out with Rap-A-Lot and was absent from this release. Facemob’s DMG was supposed to be his replacement, but ended up appearing on only 4 tracks.  Had he been on more songs, it would have been a better album. DMG is such a strong MC. This album was essentially a showcase of the Rap-A-Lot 2000, featuring appearances by Yukmouth, the Outlawz, Dorcacell, Tela and other of their late 1990s signees. If you notice, the video features Tyrin Turner who starred as Caine in the film Menace II Society. Well Turner, under the name Caine, was signed to Rap-A-Lot as an artist around this time. He appears on the album’s opening track “Dawn 2 Dusk.” I don’t know whatever came of that. He wasn’t that bad.

*Chunk Deuce*

This is a discussion that I have had privately and have seen electronically. In the wake of Michael Jackson’s death, people are now re-examining his influence on music. In this context, the Beatles are often credited as being the only artists to have a similar or greater impact on popular music. This debate can get really intense and often polarizing along a number of lines (race, age, etc). That being said, I would like to know what you all think. In terms of artistry, performance, industry, and other aspects of musical culture, who has had the greater influence: Michael Jackson or the Beatles? Please vote and comment if you wish.