PopSyndicate.com

As voted on by us “fans”!!!

Believe me, I understand the futility in complaining about a pop culture list, especially one voted on by fans. And I know I’ll probably, once again, be called out for “hip-hop snobbery”. But if you’ll indulge me, I just don’t think I can hold my tongue on this one. Not that VH1’s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs list is a complete wash; many of the songs have every right to be considered some of the greatest of all time. I certainly won’t argue with the #1 choice of Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power”. But dammit if there aren’t just a few points on the list, where I, quite frankly, found myself a little dumbstruck, disheartened, and ultimately disappointed. I understand everyone has a right to their opinion. Bearing that in mind, I’m of the opinion that some of the “fans” responsible for this list should have their hip-hop membership cards revoked, post haste!!

Now, some of these songs are on here just for pure novelty’s sake, but the important thing is that they have a lasting impact. L’Trimm may have only had one hit, but dammit if my sisters and cousins don’t still sing the hook to “Cars With The Boom” (#95 on the list), if only to give each other a good laugh. What I can’t understand is how a song like “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” can’t get ranked any higher than #90! In terms of concept and execution, it’s a brilliant song that has stood the test of time, and Pete Rock has since proven himself to be one of the most influential hip-hop producers of all-time. 90s era hip-hop definitely wouldn’t have been the same without him. What’s even more infuriating is seeing what immediately outranks “They Reminisce Over You” at #89, “Oh, Boy” by Cam’Ron!! I’d be less salty if they had chosen “Horse and Carriage” featuring Mase! At least back then, Cam rapped like he gave a rat’s ass!

You also have songs like “Woo Ha! Got You All In Check” by Busta Rhymes, getting immediately outranked by Terror Squad’s “Lean Back”? Ice-T’s “Colors” getting outranked by 50 Cent’s “In Da Club”? Method Man & Mary J. Blige’s “I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need to Get By” outranked by Game and 50 Cent’s “Hate It Or Love It”? I’m not trying to say the songs are bad, but some of them aren’t even that old. There hasn’t been any real passage of time to allow fans to look back on these songs and see if they’ve had that large of an impact on rap and hip-hop in general. Aside from their immediate popularity, I can’t see what puts them ahead of so many other songs that have proven to be so much more impactful and influential.

To say nothing of the omissions! Where is “Scenario” by Tribe Called Quest and Leaders of the New School? Where is “Ice Cream” by Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and Cappadonna? Where is “How High” by Redman and Method Man? Where is “93 ‘til Infinity” by Souls of Mischief? Hell, where’s “New Jack Swing” by Wrex-N-Effect?!?!? Even “Rumpshaker” would have been acceptable! Not to mention “Passing Me By” by The Pharcyde!! This is classic material people!!! Even some of the artists who do get recognition, the song choices for many of them are rather suspect. Was Tupac’s best song really “I Get Around”? And if you had to choose between LL Cool J’s “I Need Love” (#60) and “Mama Said Knock You Out”, which one would you go with? And of all the Fugees songs to choose from, fans pick an R&B cover song with NO RAPPING?!? Believe me, I could go on, but I think I’ve browbeaten you all enough.

But like I said, it’s almost pointless to complain. Fans are free to think what they want to think, and in a situation like this, where there are so many people chiming in, you’re guaranteed not to please everyone. But the illusion is clearly presented that this list is meant to be somewhat definitive. Music outlets like VH1 and MTV, or publications like Rolling Stone, will present these lists to the public as if they were the Ten Commandments. Speaking of which, where the *&%&$ is Notorious B.I.G.’s “10 Crack Commandments”?!?

For the complete list, Click Here.