Now I hate to admit my lack of knowledge in any form of any subject, but I don't know much about the Lost Boyz. I assume they're a gang of Big Tootlez, Lil' Nibz, Killa Slightly, Yung Curly, and The Notorious Twinz who live in the slums of Nevuh Nevuh Hood. I'm not so sure about those facts, but I do know that "Renee" is an insanely greatly composed song and one of the most important story raps ever.
Aside from being produced by the unfortunately named Mr. Sexxx, this track is perfect. Don't get me wrong, the production's perfect, too, I just feel uncomfortable typing that name. The beat is haunting in every sense of the word, Mr. Cheeks' delivery makes the heart-tugging story even more emotionally captivating, and the foreshadowing chorus is catchy as well as begging you to listen on. Kanye West made a statement in a recent interview that rap songs nowadays don't keep your attention to the third verse. While that's often true, thank goodness this song dropped way back in 1996.
I was watching MTV Jams the other day, and this track came on.
ReplyDeleteFirst time I had ever heard it either, and I was blown away. A very dope song.
Good Morning: Although It is always wonderful to read good reviews of my cousin Mr. Cheeks', founder of The Lost Boyz (& last man standing) music, well at least this particular song, your thoughts on The Lost Boyz being a gang is in part wrong. They started as four young men desperate to be in the Music Industry to get out of the life that was mapped out for them in South Jamacia Queens in the 80's (if you check up on South Jamacia Queens back in those days there were drug wars on every other block, i know I was there every step of the way). Once signed to Universal they were like a breath of fresh air for young kids in their neighborhood trying to find a way out figuring, if they could make it anyone of the kids in South Jamacia Queens could...was the perception...when almost as soon as there LB Brand was stamped Cali gangs ie. Bloods mostly also emerged and in HS's in Queens, teens looking for another route noticed a very detailed dap, hi-five/handshake being done by said Lost Boyz and there MO was also LBFAM / LOST BOYZ FAMILY...we were & still are a family but a hard core few (the teens looking for honor & respect) evntually go at it with wanna be gang members and one thing leads to another you have LBZ fighting Bloods,Crips etc...hence come the Police and there you have a new breed of Gang memebers - LBZ...now i know my cousing hasn't promoted as such nor has he denounced it. That is my job - The Lost Boyz are NOT A GANG THEY ARE/WERE A TALENTED GROUP OF 4 YOUNG MEN TRYING TO GET THERE OWN - "LEGALLY" IN A BORO WERE GUNS DRUGS & MONEY WERE A SIGN OF POWER, THEY WERE THE ONES WHO TRIED TO CHANGE THAT INTO MUSIC...My books coming soon lmbo...ok just thought I'd feed you with a little knowledge and trust me it's just a little...xoxo
ReplyDeleteQueen Josephine
LBFAM*4*LIFE
i understand how this is dear to your heart and you may be sensitive to jump to correct any perceived false information on the subject, but you are throwing a terribly misplaced rebuttal to a single sentence that was clearly written in jest.
ReplyDeletethe link on the words "a gang" redirects to the obvious cultural reference point of the Peter Pan "Lost Boys". in the ensuing sentence, i clearly attached stereotypical rapper name prefixes to the different names of the actual Lost Boys from the original story. it was a joke. it was not even a subtle joke.
misdirected CAPS LOCK RESPONSES TO JOKES THAT IN NO WAY REFLECT THE ACTUAL ARTISTS THEMSELVES is not the best way to promote a book. i appreciate the abbreviated history you provided, but try to understand a hip hop lover's offering to his readers of a group he very much appreciates upon his unfortunately late discovery of their music. i don't need to be patronized in a comment box about the struggles of intelligent, talented youth trying to change and better they and their family's collective life situation beyond what has been provided for them through the outlet that is hip hop music.
please.