Today marks the anniversaries of a modern-day classic, the passing of a G-Funk legend and an attempt to bring peace in the culture during a heated time.
6 Years of “To Pimp a Butterfly” by Kendrick Lamar
6 years ago (2015) Kendrick Lamar released his third studio album, “To Pimp a Butterfly on Top Dawg Entertainment. Need I say it? Arguably one of the greatest albums formed in music and a top 5 GOAT contender for just Hip-Hop, Kendrick really channeled himself and completely flipped the game on its head when he dropped this social-conscious project. I remember the 2016 Grammy performance of “The Blacker The Berry” like yesterday. Phenomenal album, must listen to it.
10 Years since the Passing of Nate Dogg
213’s own Nate Dogg passed away 10 years ago (2011) from multiple strokes/congestive heart failure, age 41. From the military to music, Nate D-O-double G was the hook to your favorite track, from Snoop to Eminem, Nate Dogg’s voice has become one unmatchable from anyone. The OG of autotone, he has a spot next to Roger Troutman for iconic voices. His son, NHALE lives on by reminding us that;
“G is for the gang of money I make
F is for the gang of fools I break
U is for the undisputed champ
N is cause you never gonna get the mic back
K is for the niggas that I knock on they back”
16 Years of “Like Toy Soldiers” by Eminem
16 years ago (2005) Eminem released “Like Toy Soldiers” as a single from his fifth studio album, “Encore.” The song is a way of mending beefs between Benzino of The Source to the Ja Rule vs. 50 Cent beef that Marshall felt went far past Jay-Z vs. Nas. The song is one of my favorites by Eminem, what is crazy in a twist of fates is how Proof who played Bugz, a member of D12 in who sadly passed away in 1999 would later on die a year after the music video was released, art imitating life in a way. The track is a staple in Em’s discography in my opinion, truly is sad to think of all the fallen MC’s, DJ’s, everyone who died over something stupid, RIP Bugz and Proof.
The Musical Hippie 