Make it a Classic

Make it a Classic: Dirty Money by UGK

In this episode, the hosts Yinka Diz and Outlaw delve into UGK's fourth studio album, Dirty Money, released in 2001. They explore their personal connections to the album, its critical reception, and the impact of UGK's music on their lives. The conversation includes a detailed track analysis, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of the album's production and lyrical content. The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding the cultural context of the music and reflect on the evolution of UGK's sound and influence in hip hop. In this conversation, the hosts critically review various songs from an album, discussing their beats, lyrics, and overall impact. They explore the significance of titular tracks, the role of collaborations, and the concept of a blaxploitation film as a narrative device for the album. The discussion also touches on the importance of song placement and the influence of artists like Scarface. Ultimately, they aim to conceptualize a classic album that resonates with listeners while acknowledging the strengths and weaknesses of the current tracks.
 
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to UGK's Dirty Money01:27 Personal Connections to the Album04:06 Cultural Context and Influences07:48 Production and Collaborations10:32 Bourbon and Music Appreciation15:58 Critical Reception and Highlights21:07 Lowlights and Final Thoughts22:30 Production Insights and Highlights24:51 Lack of Direction in Albums28:48 Track Analysis Begins38:49 Exploring Highlights and Low Lights44:36 Final Thoughts on the Album45:33 Creating Buzz and Mythos in Music46:30 Making a Classic: Conceptualizing the Album47:30 Co-Executive Production and Musical Direction48:24 Blaxploitation Movie Concept: Pimp C as Anti-Hero49:48 Character Dynamics: Pimp C and Bun B51:11 Nods to Modern Influences: Megan Thee Stallion52:32 Cinematic Introductions and Track Adjustments53:54 Guest Features and Collaborations56:44 Scarface's Role and Blues Influence01:01:31 Finalizing the Album: Track Listings and Features
 
Keywords:
UGK, Dirty Money, hip hop, album review, music analysis, track analysis, Pimp C, Bun B, Southern rap, 2001, music review, album critique, UGK, Pimp C, hip hop, song analysis, music production, collaboration, blaxploitation, classic albums

Make it a Classic: 50 Cent - The Massacre

Join the 80z Babies as they take a deep dive into 50 Cent's iconic album "The Massacre." In this episode, they dissect the highs and lows of the album, exploring its standout tracks and the production choices that defined its sound. Listen in as they attempt to reimagine "The Massacre" as a classic, discussing what changes could elevate it to legendary status. With insightful commentary and a passion for hip-hop history, the 80z Babies offer a fresh perspective on one of 50 Cent's most talked-about projects. Don't miss this engaging breakdown of an album that continues to spark debate among fans and critics alike.
 

Episode 166: A(n almost) Tribute to Stillmatic by Nas

The 80z Babies cover the fifth studio album from Queensbridge legend Nas.
 
Timestamps:
(0:18) Is this album Tribute worthy?(1:18) Is this album inextricably linked to Blueprint?(2:03) Is this Nas' Makaveli? It's centered around a diss track, and addresses his haters(4:35) Critical Reception. The Source is the only major publication to give it a stellar rating(6:35) Outlaw is disappointed in Nas' catalog(9:26) Is Nas one of the most frustrating Hip Hop artists ever?(13:10) Where was Yinka?(18:45) Where was Outlaw?(20:35) When did 'ether' become a verb?(26:00) Outlaw calls bullshit on the 5 mic rating from The Source. Yinka recaps the How 97 vs Power 105 beef. Why was Nas flirting with Murder INC?(28:35) Outlaw and Yinka unpack their love/hate relationships with both Nas and Jay Z(31:01) Overarching highlights(34:32) Overarching lowlights(35:22) Is '2nd Childhood' Premier's worst beat?(37:43) Track for track analysis(39:15) Exploring Benzino's relationship with Nas(1:03:10) Outlaw makes it a classic

Episode 158: Make it a Classic - Kingdom Come by Jay-Z

The 80z Babies attempt to tackle the 9th studio album from hiphop titan Jay-Z, entitled Kingdom Come, with another Make it a Classic.  
 
Timestamps:
(0:32) What was Jay Z doing before this release?
(1:45) Did anyone actually believe Jay Z was retired?
(2:40) Why do we cover so many Jay Z albums? What can you expect from every project?
(6:15) Can a rapper make 14 studio albums and NOT make a few mistakes?
(8:07) Had Jay Z actually grown up by this point?
(9:30) Was there any potential to make this a classic? Did he execute the themes? Breaking down the Kingdom Come title
(14:15) Is Jay Z the Mike Jordan of recordin?
(15:15) Where was Yinka?
(18:19) Where was Outlaw?
(20:55) Is this the start of Jay Z's worst period? Is the Black Album a classic?
(22:25) Critical reception
(23:53) Highlights
(26:30) Lowlights
(27:40) Yinka breaks down all of Jay Z's poor stylistic flow choices
(31:49) Track for track analysis
(58:00) Yinka makes it a classic
(1:01:28) Outlaw makes it a classic
(1:07:47) Closing thoughts

Episode 155: Make it a Classic - Ghetto Fabolous

Fan Sourced:  As requested, the 80z Babies tackle the debut album from Brooklyn emcee Fabolous entitled Ghetto Fabolous, released September 11, 2001.  
Timestamps:
(0:42) Why this Fabolous album to Make a Classic?
(1:35) Remembering the William Holla family
(3:09) Does Fabolous have a classic album in his catalog? Is he a better mixtape artist?
(4:45) Where was Yinka?
(5:10) DJ Clue introduces Fabolous Sport. Origins of the name 'Fabolous'
(7:37) Remembering 106th & Park's Freestyle Fridays
(10:53) Where was Outlaw? His thoughts on DJ Clue
(11:58) DJ Clue vs Funkmaster Flex
(13:53) Superwoman remix with Lil' Mo
(15:00) Ghetto Fabolous vs Blueprint
(17:15) Who started the trend of the throwback jerseys and fitted hats?
(21:52) Critical Reception
(22:18) Did we anticipate Fabolous albums?
(24:09) Overarching Highlights
(24:40) Did Fabolous force his rhymes? Were the MA$E comparisons fair? What was Fabolous' image?
(28:28) Overarching Lowlights
(29:49) Does an album need to have themes to be great? Does Fabolous have any substance?
(32:25) Track for track analysis
(34:47) Remembering the Harlem Shake (Holla back, young'n)
(37:10) Outlaws recalls how he first learned to Shake
(42:45) Who is Fabolous? Does anybody actually know anything about him?
(47:00) Is Timbaland given his proper flowers? Timbaland vs Pharrell
(50:33) Fabolous vs Ludacris? Can you take either seriously? Did Fabolous ever see himself as having a rap career? Would Fabolous have been more successful today?
(53:15) East coast artists on West coast beats vs West coast artists on East coast beats
(58:54) Is Fabolous believable as a 'bad guy'?
(1:03:11) Yinka attempts to Make it a Classic
(1:14:55) Closing thoughts
 
Socials:
80z Babies: @the80zbabies
Yinka Diz: @YinkaDiz
Outlaw: @outlawbebe

Episode 154: Make it a Classic - 534 by Memphis Bleek

The 80z Babies discuss 534, the fourth studio album from Roc A Fella's Memphis Bleek.
 
 Timestamps:
(1:09) Initial thoughts on the album and Memphis Bleek
(4:22) Where was Outlaw?
(6:19) Where was Yinka?
(12:33) Critical reception
(14:39) Overarching highlights
(19:08) Overarching lowlights
(20:44) Should Dear Summer have been on the album? Was Memphis Bleek done a disservice? Was Jay Z addicted to the spotlight? Did he do enough to support his artists?
(26:52) Track for track analysis
(27:40) Did Memphis Bleek create the template for the early 00's New York "street" rapper? Is Bleek's persona natural or cultivated?
(31:46) Is it fair to call Dear Summer a lowlight? Can we separate the song from the album?
(34:58) Was Rihanna's star quality apparent in her first feature? Did it matter that she wasn't the best singer?
(42:13) Is Smoke the Pain Away 9th Wonder's best beat?
(51:24) Outlaw makes it a classic
(1:03:30) If The Game can make a classic album, why can't Memphis Bleek?
(1:05:35) If Bleek didn't have Coming of Age, would we see his career more positively?
(1:08:03) Yinka makes it a classic
(1:22:47) Closing thoughts
 
Socials:
80z Babies: @the80zbabies
Yinka Diz: @YinkaDiz
Outlaw: @outlawbebe

Episode 137: Make it a Classic - Joe Budden by Joe Budden

The 80z Babies give the Make it a Classic treatment to the self titled Def Jam debut album from fellow podcaster Joe Budden released June 10, 2003.

Episode 136: Make it a Classic - Philadelphia Freeway by Freeway

The fellas discuss the debut album by State Property's Freeway, Philadelphia Freeway - released February 23, 2003.
 
Highlights Include:
1. What We Do
2. All My Life
3. Flipside
4. Alright
 
 

Episode 135: Make it a Classic - The Love Movement by ATCQ

The 80z Babies are joined by Calmont as they attempt to make Tribe's The Love Movement a classic.

Episode 128: Speak On It! - What Makes a Classic Album?

The 80s Babies discuss what makes a classic.

Episode 126: Make It A Classic - Be by Common

The 80z Babies unearth the illusive Be episode featuring extended family member and frequent collaborator Panama Jackson.

Episode 125: Make it a Classic - Hi-Teknology by Hi-Tek

The 80z Babies discuss the debut album from super producer Hi-Tek.