Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta

More knowledge from the god Nav:

The Kool Genius of Rap. Says it all really. Certified OG in this hiphop game, the hustlers know this. Klashnekoff knows this (check his latest LP as he, Kyza Smirnoff and G Rap get busy over a Joe Buhdha banger). RA the Rugged Man knows this. Shit, even my Cuz knows this and he doesn't listen to any hiphop that is after 1993 (taking hiphop snobbery to new levels)! He influenced many of the 90s spitters; Big Pun got on his knees when he finally met him! If you haven't heard of him, then you need to know asap....and in terms of content, G Rap is the opposite of Talib Kweli. Take that however you want. Reppin' Corona, Queens, you can feel the realness through his trademark lispy raps. This is thug rap done well and where you truly believe the artist lives the lyrics. Below are five tracks from different times in his 20+ year career. An awesome, raw talent who made his mark on hiphop music. Salute!


Big Daddy Kane feat. Kool G Rap: Raw (Kool G Rap Remix)



Rare remix of Kane's '88 classic. Juice Crew flava. Early potential is evident. You could even go as far as saying that G Rap outperforms Kane. There is a story that G Rap rhymed for so long for this recording that the reel had stopped half-way. BTW Juice Crew film is being made, "Vapors" with Cuba Gooding Jnr as Marley Marl. I can't wait.


Kool G Rap and DJ Polo: Bad To The Bone



This is a personal favourite and for those living the fast life. Balling without any Puffy ethos. Has a ruthless playboy feel to it. G Rap steps up a gear for a career high performance off the classic Wanted Dead Or Alive LP. Large Professor contributed a lot to this LP but didn't get the recognition he deserved because Eric B insisted on taking credit for the production on the album. "profile's kept low/more dough than Barry Manilow" Brilliant....he name-dropped Barry Manilow! Now that's gangsta.


Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: Death Wish



1990's Wanted Dead or Alive was G Rap's second album and the maturity of the artist is on display. He grew as an artist by the time of this release and Death Wish highlights a nastier, harder, more gangster side to the former Juice Crew member that had now emerged. Another big performance.
"run for your life when I'm starting/suckers are getting turned into missing muthafuckas on a milk carton". Hard.


Kool G Rap Freestyle on Sway and Tech's Wake Up Show



If there was one performance that epitomises Kool G Rap, it would have to be this rare freestyle from the Wake Up Show archives. Circa '99, he messes up, recovers and still kills it....and Tony Touch has the unfortunate job of rhyming after him. How is Toca going to top that?


Kool G Rap feat. G Wise: My Life



From 2001, I played this a lot when it was released. A good combination of being radio-friendly while still remaining hard. Produced by the Mighty VIC (Beatnuts, Big Pun), this has a chorus you would sing when you are drunk...but I haven't tried it yet. CNN did a remix of this with G for Soundbombing 3 and this track was one of the singles for G Rap's planned Rawkus release. Vocoders are gangsta.