Okay. If we’re going for greatest verses ever then I’ve got two.
Black Thought’s 10-minute freestyle on the Funkmaster Flex show is a masterclass in rapping and lyricism. The single greatest rap performance in the history of the genre in my humble opinion.
The greatest verse on wax is R.A. The Rugged Man’s verse on the Jedi Mind Tricks album cut - Uncommon Valor.
I like emcees’ little signature adlibs before they rhyme, like Big L saying ‘yo, check it…’ or Westside Gunn saying ‘ay yo…’, but on Uncommon Valor, RA’s adlib speaks volumes… ‘True story…’
The rap is the personal account of his father’s Vietnam War experiences. His father, Staff Sergeant John A Thornburn, was a highly decorated soldier (in the special forces), who later joined the Air Force. His helicopter got shot down in Cambodia in March 1970, but he made it out alive. His serious injuries led him to be medically discharged.
After the war, the effects of Agent Orange took their toll on him. He had four children and the two youngest were affected by the harmful chemical - Dee Ann and Maxx were both born with serious physical ailments. Neither could walk or talk, and Maxx was blind too. They both died young.
RA’s verse is a masterpiece in lyricism. His father’s story and the horrors of war and chemical weapons. Hard-hitting rhymes in every sense.
It gets me every time I listen to it.
(Second verse! The first verse is the set up from Vinnie Paz). I’ve posted a version with just audio as I always think any visuals lessen the listening experience.
As good as the Black Thought freestyle is, they really shouldve switched up the beat a few times over the course of 10 minutes.
Love his verse on Ghostface’s ‘In The Park’
Around the time Flav started cold lamping
“Rebel Without a Pause” was the street anthem
Old Memorex cassette, tape collections
Bright spotlights on all the fights at the Spectrum
When the Fresh Fest come, leather bombers and sheepskins
Brothers would bust they guns to get one
MC Breeze, Disco C, Jazzy Jeff
Cash Money and Miz and Lady B
Everybody banging “Sucker MC’s” in '83
I was South Philly like St. Charles and Crazy D
Them wild North Side Puerto Ricans would snuff you
Twenty deep in a Ford Escort, pumping the Tuff Crew
I used to follow my cousin, he was a buck too
“Y’all don’t like how I’m living, well, fuck you!”
By all accounts he’s also a bit of a lazy fucker which may have hindered him somewhat!
Love me some Brand Nubian though, between the first 3 group albums + the Sadat and Puba solos theres so many great songs. Excellent run of 12"s from the first 2 group LPs too.
that’s one of the things i love about him - he sounds lazy.
" I once caught a bid, I never hit skid, Never date a girl if the girl got a kid. Nah, papa’s got a brand new bag, And I never hit skins once they sag."
