Good Ol' Days

This weekend, I've been watching a multitude of music videos from the 80's-early 90's era. Christopher Williams, EnVogue, Jodeci, and SWV were a few acts on the playist - classic material to say the least. After singing along, laughing at the dance steps, and reminiscing on the good ol' days, my friend said she missed the avant-garde sensuality that was a theme in most of the videos. They were sexy, but not over the top as they are today.

Uhhhh, yeah. They were very classy and subtle in an artsy fartsy way. That's good and all...

BUT, I miss the RAW element of HipHop music videos of the past. There's nothing more artsy than seeing Luther Campbell swim between the spread legs of several chicks in a swimming pool. Just to see Luke sink into the water with a cigar in his mouth is enough to make me (and Hugh Hefner) smile.

*Luke "I Wanna Rock"*



***SideNote: "Heeeeeeeyyyy...we want some puuuuu-say!" countered by "Heeeeeeeyyy...we want some D-I-C-K!!" has got to be one of the GREATEST call and responses ever!! End SideNote***

Being from Detroit, I was sucked into the unescapable abyss of bass, techno (also known as Detrechno), and dance music that played on the radio, clubs, car systems, and 'The New Dance Show' (Remember 'The Scene'??)

***SideNote Number TWO: If You're From Detroit, You MUST CLICK THOSE LINKS!!*

***SideNote Number THREE: Remember when they would advertise strip clubs on TV???? (Female and Male)

Sure we liked lyrical cats like Kane, story tellers like Slick Rick, pioneers like Run-DMC, and gangsta shyt from Spice-1, but didn't anything get the party started like some 2 Live Crew or Splack Pack.

*Splack Pack "Let Me C'Ya Work It"*



I remember being at Belle Isle listening to mixtapes as Splack Pack's eloquent words, "Shake That Ass Bitch And Let Me See What You Got", blasted through the speakers. Ahhh...those were the days. This was from an age where dudes were up front about what they wanted. There wasn't no beating around the bush or giving mixed signals to females. You gotta respect blatent honesty no matter who you are.

Ladies, would you rather a man LIE to you, give you subtle clues about what he wants, and play the passive-aggressive role just to get in between your sheets OR do you prefer a confident man who let's you know exactly what he's about from the get-go so you can make the decision for yourself without going through the bullshyt and games??

That's rhetorical. I already know the answer.

And don't get it twisted, guys weren't the only ones being upfront with their sexuality. Women got in on it too.

*Oaktown's 357 "Juicy"*



Damn they were pumpin' it hard...LOL!!

I'd be remiss if I left out one of the greatest groups of all time..

*Salt 'N Pepa "Shake Your Thang"



This is from a golden age in HipHop when the networks (damn I miss The Box) wasn't as scurred as they are today. It was all about having a party and letting off some steam. Speaking of 'party', this time-honored jam right here captures the essence of the word by itself.

*Luke "It's Your Birthday"*



When I came to Atlanta in '94, the bass movement was in full swing. This was the Freank-nik era - a time when raunchiness ruled. Damn, I wish I still had some of my video tapes from back then!! Since I don't I'll take you back to that place and time with this...

*DJ Kizzy Rock "Yeah, Shawty, Yeah"



At the time, I was a little too young to get into the renowed strip clubs of the 'A', but that video was suffice. Shout to The Gentlemen's Club and Club Nicki's though!!

Anyway, I guess I said all that to say, what we see in videos today ain't shyt compared to back in the good 'ol days.

Here Are Some More Great Raw Videos For Your Enjoyment.