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In yesterdays post about the trials and tribulations of transcribing lyrics [READ HERE] I concluded that the ultimate solution is that artists, particularly those with something important, clever, or intriguing to say, should include the lyrics with their releases in some shape, form or fashion. That helps us moving forward, but what about the past? Call me a dreamer, but I fantasize about someone taking on the task(s) of getting with the lyrical pioneers and compiling their lyrics and doing the ultimate lyric site, with the words straight from the source. For some of the more prolific and gifted writers I envision a book series of lyrics. It's shocking enough that some artists never released the lyrics with their albums, so now is as good a time as any to make it right. Specifically, I still can't believe that printed lyrics never came with albums from Rakim, KRS One, Organized Konfusion. The Genius a.k.a GZA, Ghostface, Wu-tang Clan, De La Soul, LL Cool J, Micranots, Outkast, Slick Rick, Redman, Poor Righteous Teachers, Nas, The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, Freestyle Fellowship, Chubb Rock (he only did it for the one album), Aceyalone, Third Bass, Black Sheep, Ultramagnetic MCs, Hieroglyphics, Juggaknots, Killah Priest, Labtekwon, Kool G Rap*, etc... Those are all artists who highly celebrated the importance of lyrics. Of course, some of those artists were on indie or small labels and/or they didn't boast a lot of record sales, so budgets could have been an issue. However, it's a mystery in cases such as Rakim, KRS, and GZA, who were all on major labels that invested at least decent money into their projects...
That is just a list of who I consider the obvious choices. There are also plenty of other artists who I'd like to see their lyrics printed as well; Crash Crew, Treacherous Three, Funkytown Pros, Queen Mother Rage, Godfather Don, Rubberoom, Mantronix (MC Tee and Bryce Luvah), UBC, Soul Sonic Force, Fearless Four, Black By Demand, Chill Rob G, The D.O.C, Masta Killa, Nice & Smooth, W.I.S.E Guyz, C.P.O, Company Flow, Scaramanga, Chief Kamachi(he only did lyrics for "Cult Status"), Open Mike Eagle, Jay Electronica, Masai Bey, etc...
Interestingly enough, yesterday I noticed on Facebook that Grandmaster Caz of the Cold Crush Brothers is about to release a book of his lyrics. He just showed a picture of the book, but didn't give much info, so I'm not sure what all is included but it sounds intriguing and I'm hoping it contains all the classics + plus some unheard gems as well! Then I'd love to see some of the artists follow suit....in a magical world they all would...
Here's a list below of the Singles and Albums that I know have lyrics. I focused more on the older stuff and I'm still going thru the more recent albums, but it's a decent start. Please comment with any ones you know I'm missing!!! Who would you like to see lyrics from?
LYRICS TO GO**:
1980
Kurtis Blow-Kurtis Blow
1981
Kurtis Blow-Deuce
1982
Kurtis Blow-Tough
1983
Kurtis Blow-Party Time
Fearless 4-Problems Of The World 12”
Gary Byrd-The Crown 12”
Whodini-Whodini
1984
D.st-Mean Machine 12”
Kurtis Blow-Ego Trip
1986
Doug E Fresh-Oh My God
Boogie Boys-Survival Of The Freshest (only the song “Colorblind”!)
1987
Public Enemy-Yo! Bumrush The Show
Ice T-Rhyme Pays
T La Rock-Back To Burn 12”
Grandmaster Flash-Ba Dop Boom Bang
1988
Public Enemy-It Takes A Nation Of Millions
DJ Los & EZ B-Untouchable
Ice T-Power
King Tee-Act Fool
Kool G Rap-Road To The Riches (reissue)
K-9 Posse-Self Titled
Mantronix-In Full Effect
Afrika Bambaataa & Family-The Light
Doug E Fresh-The World’s Greatest Entertainer
Numarx-Our Time Has Come
1989
Divine Styler-Word Power
Beastie Boys-Pauls Boutique
Jungle Brothers-Done By The Forces Of Nature
Ice Cream Tee-Can’t Hold Back
Kool Moe Dee-Knowledge is King
Three Times Dope-Orginal Stylin’
Kaos & Mystro-Outcast Vol 1
The Jaz-Word To The Jaz
Bobcat-Cat Got Ya Tongue
Stop The Violence Movement-Self Destruction 12”
B.R.O.T.H.E.R-Beyond The 16th Parallel 12”
Black Radical MKII-Monsoon 12”
1990
MC Shan-Play It Again Shan
Groove B Chill-Starting From Zero
Public Enemy-Fear Of A Black Planet
The Jaz-To The Soul
2 Deep-Honey, That’s Showbiz
MC Mell’O’-Thoughts Released
1991
Hijack-Horns Of Jericho
Def Jef-Soul Food
Genius-Words From The Genius
Ice T-O.G.
Public Enemy-Apocalypse ‘’91
Royal Flush-976 Dope
Silver Bullet-Bring Down The Walls…
Katch 22-Diary Of A Blackman Living In The Land Of The Lost
Black Radical MK II-The Undiluted Truth
Cash Crew-Will It My Brown Eyes Blue?
1992
Chubb Rock-I Gotta Get mine Yo (Book Of Rhymes)
Hardknocks-School Of Hardknocks
Tung Twista-Runn Of At Da Mouth
Goats-Tricks OF The Shade
Donald D-Let The Horns Blow
Gang Starr-Daily Operation
Sister Souljah-360 Degrees Of Power
Arrested Development-2 Years, 5 Months, & 2 Days In The Life Of
1993
Leaders Of The New School-T.I.M.E
Greg Osby-3D Lifestyles
Young Disciple-Road To Freedom
Stony Island-Stony Island (Cassette)
Blade-The Lion Goes From Strength To Strength
Katch 22-Dark Tales From Two Cities
1994
Saafir-Boxcar Sessions
1995 (??)
1996
Bahamadia-Kollage
Stony Island-Slowly On The Southside (Tape)
Stony Island-Supertransfer EP (Vinyl)
Keith Murray-Enigma
1997
Psycho Realm-The Psycho Realm
Sacred Hoop-Retired
Latryx-The Album
1998
The Coup-Steal This Album
Public Enemy-He Got Game
All Natural-All Additives, No Preservatives (Fresh Air Book Bonus)
1999
Haiku D’Etat-Haiku D’Etat
Task Force-New Mic Order
2000
2001
Braintax-Biro Funk
The Coup-Party Music
SO Called Artists
Promoe-Governement Music
2002
Cee Lo-…..And His Perfect Imperfections
Cage-Movies For The Blind
2003
Jehst-Falling Down
2004
Chief Kamachi-Cult Status
Insight-The Blast Radius
MadVillain-MadVillainy
Saul Williams-Self Titled
Promoe-The Long Distance Runner
2005
Aesop Rock-Fast Cars
Blood Of Abraham-EyeDollarTree
Busdriver-Fear of A Black Tangent
Blackalicious-The Craft
Danger Doom-Mouse & The Mask
Sage Francis-A Healthy Distrust
Atmosphere-You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having
2006
Busdriver-Roadkill Overcoat
2007
Brother Ali-The Undisputed Truth + DVD
2008
Atmosphere-Lemons (+DVD)
LoopTroop Rockers-Good Things
2009
Brother Ali-US
2010
Freeway & Jake One-Stimulus Package
Eastern Sunz-Corroded Utopia
2011
Blueprint-Adventures In Counter-Culture
Atmosphere-The Family Sign
2012
Ill Chemistry-Ill Chemistry
Billy Woods-History Will Absolve Me
Carnage-Respect The Name
Aesop Rock-Skelethon
Brother Ali-Mourning In America and Dreaming In ColorWritten, Researched, and Theorized By Kevin Beacham
-Editor's Note:
*The Kool G Rap Deluxe CD reissues include the lyrics.
**Shout out to Kurtis Blow,who appears to be a pioneer of printing lyrics in Hip Hop... You'll also note the clear increase of printed lyrics in '88 and '89, when there was a bit of a lyrical innovation renaissance...
***Featured Image: Billy Woods "History WIll Absolve Me" is an album that dropped early this year and has the lyrics included.This album is living proof of the power of providing the lyrics, reading along increases the impact and drives the message home...
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