BYHH GW3: Group A - 1996 vs. 1998

[cestuneblague]

Yeah I would've used Check Your Head at some point if I did '92, I think the fact that Beastie Boys managed to get adored with the Alternative Rock and Pop crowds at the time probably had more to do with older discussions of appropiation and whatnot more so than whether or not they could be classified as hip hop.


Coming to this match... . I greatly prefer 96 singles but 98 albums are better in my mind if less interesting.

[RoundTheBend]

Yeah absolutely the elvis effect.

It is curious though that I've yet to read anything about that about them... just meaning this is the most "white people" conversations I've ever seen about them. It's like them being white is mostly ignored - vs Eminem for example.

[RoundTheBend]

When you are the only one voting for your team...

[babyBlueSedan]

Going 1996, as I prefer its albums and singles.

As I mentioned in the 2000 match Kool Keith has grown off me a bit but I still really enjoy Dr Octagon. It's completely ridiculous and nonsensical but I think it succeeds because it really leans into it and never lets up. So many great skits - "Oh shit, there's a horse in the hospital!" - and stupid but good lines. "Think about it, if you was there standing looking at me. What would you do, if I hit your face with dog doodoo?" is probably my favorite of the bunch. "3000" used to be a favorite and I don't think it's as impressive these days but it's still one of the highlights. The other thing that puts it over the top is the production, which is so smooth and atmospheric.

I liked the Visualz EP too. First 5 tracks were good but not great but the final track really put it over the top. Loved how the beat kept changing and the MCs never lost a step.

Not super huge on the MC Eiht song but "I Ain't Mad At Cha" is probably my favorite 2Pac song.

Neither of the 1998 albums really impress me. Moment of Truth probably isn't as bad as the 40 I have it rated here but a lot of Gang Starr's music just bores me. Guru is a capable rapper but I've never thought anything sets him apart, and I've never got the love for DJ Premier's beats on these albums. Sounds like really competent but unexceptional hip hop to me. Aceyalone album was good but Aceyalone seems like one of those rappers where the unexpected words and rhymes are a big part of his style - Busdriver and Kool Keith also fall into this bucket I think - and that's just not a style I love. The poems also really interrupted the flow of the album, especially the recitation of Jabberwocky, what was that?

I liked the Busta Rhymes single vocally but the beat seemed inessential. And I want to like the Beastie Boys because I think their schtick seems like a lot of fun but I can never get past how irritating their vocals are.
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And it's hard to be a human being. And it's harder as anything else.

[baystateoftheart]

Dr. Octagonecologyst: 3/5
Siah And Yeshua Dapo ED: 4/5
Thuggin It Up: 3.5/5
I Ain't Mad At Cha: 4/5

1996 Total: 14.5/20

Moment Of Truth: 4/5
A Book Of Human Language: 3.5/5
Gimme Some More: 4.5/5
Intergalactic: 4/5

1998 Total: 16/20

Really strong '98 team anchored by two classic singles. A worthy opponent in '96, but the vote shouldn't be this lopsided.
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Add me on RYM

[Skinny]

1996 wins, 6-3.
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2021 in full effect. Come drop me some recs. Y'all know what I like.