The first song is "Sometimes I Rhyme Slow" by Nice & Smooth. This 1991 minor hit by the underground New York rap group features a sample hook from Tracy Chapman's hit song "Fast Car". The first verse of the song performed by Greg Nice is more upbeat with quicker rhymes and more blissful lyrics. While the second verse performed by Nice's partner Smooth B is a slower more discontent story of a girl who did him wrong. Although the song is not much of a feel good story itself, the sound of the song can always get me up when I'm down.
Second comes "Jammin'" by none other than the great Bob Marley. The most influential and recognizable figure of reggae music epitomizes the essence of "feel good" with his hit "Jammin". Bob sings to whomever his audience is supposed to be telling them he just wants to jam. To Marley and many other musicians alike, "jamming" can be very relaxing and expressive. Not only are the lyrics relaxing but the music is very soothing itself featuring electric guitar, bass guitar, steel drums, and some sort of organ or piano.
The third and final song for this playlist is "Moment of Truth" by Gang Starr. This is possibly the most influential song on me. So influential I decided to tattoo a line from the song across my back (see picture below). The line goes as so "no one is untouchable, no man is bulletproof, we all must meet our moment of truth". I believe that what Guru (the MC from Gang Starr) was trying to say that we are all only human, no matter how powerful you may be there is a demise to us all. Guru believed this and that we all must someday accept this truth thus leading one to his or her "moment of truth". Despite these deep lyrics, it is a feel good song to me for that reason exactly. The sheer power and meaning that is put into each and every line of this song by Guru truly exemplifies not just a feel good, but ranks among some of hip hop's greatest titles.
No comments:
Post a Comment