ROBBIE from UnKut asked me to go in on some tracks he compiled to see which one I thought should be considered the quintessential NYC anthem.
While NaS has crafted some incredible songs paying homage to the City everyone has to bow down to Kool G Rap’s ‘Streets Of New York’. The song is on par with a Monet masterpiece from a musical standpoint.
Don’t just take my word for it (or do), you can listen to all the music that I reviewed for UnKut, and even put in your own vote for the greatest NYC anthem of all time.
Rikers Island
no.
“…Rikers Allen..allen, al, allen!…”
The original NY State of Mind by Nas for me…………The jawn with Nas,Rakim and Alicia Keyes was hot too.
hahahahahahaha Does T.O.N.Y by CNN get a second look?……
Good point. Rikers Allen.
Since we’re going all-city here, I’ll second Kool G. Rap, while lamenting how far the fuck he fell when he decided to go all-gangster, even if “Crime Pays” from “Live And Let Die” is the best, or nearly so, gangster cut ever–
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObkV_ygpEJY
“4, 5, 6” was alright but all the third-rate “Scarface” inspired nonsense that followed has been painful.
re: Rakim … whatever Eric B. actually did, it ain’t wrong to suggest it might have been near essential.
Prodigy “New York Shit” is the best something but I wouldn’t say it’s really anthemic.
Interesting side question: which borough has the most/best anthems? The BX started strong but it’s gotta be BK versus Queens, and I don’t think… I’ll dare pick Gang Starr “The Place That We Dwell”; will I? BK All Day–
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVrVzG9NeX
Nas – “Talk Of New York” is the anthem on that one for me…
Talking about worlds colliding Tony Bones is my man… Dallas Penn is my man… 40 Diesel is for the children.