Search Reviews:
 |
> Artist: Crusaders for Real Hip-Hop
> Title: 'We Love the Hotties'
> Label: Profile
> Year: 1993
In 1992, Tony D formed a crew dedicated to the year 1982. The music didn't actually wind up sounding anything like the music that was being made in 1992, but it did sound like more, phat Tony D production, so all was forgiven.
Now, most people remember the first single. That was the banger with the Audio Two sample for a hook, and the one they made the video for, etc. But while that was a dope single, the real vinyl treat was this 1993 follow-up, "We Love the Hotties." Now, in Tony D's interview with Fat Lace, he told them, "The thing was Profile took more of the raw songs off the LP and put more of the commercial songs on there." And surely this single is the most shining example of that. But that's really beside the point, because what makes this single such a must-have are the 12" exclusives.
The first of these is the 'We Love the Hotties' remix. You get both the album version and the remix back to back on side A, so you can compare, contrast and pick your favorite. The first thing the remix does is dump the intro, with Tone on the phone to one of his girlfriends... so they're off to a good start. ;) The beat here is definitely going for a smoother vibe, with a saxophone loop and calm bassline. The R&B combined with the trio chanting "we love the hookies" has been completely replaced with some cool reggae crooning by Rahzii. The beat on the album version was solid, but overall I gotta go with the remix.
Next up is the totally exclusive Tony D solo track, 'La Cosa Nostra'. Like its title suggests, this is a more hardcore number, with Tony dropping a litany of Italian mafia references:
"This ain't The Money Store, and I ain't Phil Rizutto,
But I can bang your dome all the way to fuckin' Pluto.
It's only right for me to say Mama Mia, Papa Pia;
You suckers get tossed like dough at a pizzeria.
Holy moly ravioli, rolly poly;
I'm not Mr. Hand, and of course I'm not Spicoli.
Fags at the club be wearin' wigs and mascara,
While I'm at home eatin' mama's muscles marinara.
I like Italian hoagies, but I don't call it a hero.
I'm down with Joe Pesci and his boy, Robert De Niro.
Now Martin Scorsese didn't direct Freddy,
But my nose directed me to that big bowl of spaghetti!"
The beat features a nice, sonic reference to his classic PRT production and some neck-snapping drums. Tony's name-dropping lines have a penchant to get corny (Sinatra and Leonardo da Vinci, ok; but Scott Baio? Body By Jake? Really?) - always his Achilles heel as an MC - so, fortunately they've included the instrumental as well, so you can just appreciate Tone's production by itself.
And they're still not done. The last track on this 12" is another all-new remix, this time for 'May I Continue', the mini-posse cut with Tone, Mr. Law and regular Tony D collaborator Low-Key passing the mic down the line. I was sure I'd prefer the album version when I first got this 12", because that track was a monster, but the rumbling bassline and Pete Rock-style horns of the remix won me over in the end.
This is a nice supplement to the Crusaders' album. It comes in a sticker cover and can usually be picked up dirt cheap. So do yourself a favor.
> Reviewed by: Werner
> Title: 'We Love the Hotties'
> Label: Profile
> Year: 1993
In 1992, Tony D formed a crew dedicated to the year 1982. The music didn't actually wind up sounding anything like the music that was being made in 1992, but it did sound like more, phat Tony D production, so all was forgiven.
Now, most people remember the first single. That was the banger with the Audio Two sample for a hook, and the one they made the video for, etc. But while that was a dope single, the real vinyl treat was this 1993 follow-up, "We Love the Hotties." Now, in Tony D's interview with Fat Lace, he told them, "The thing was Profile took more of the raw songs off the LP and put more of the commercial songs on there." And surely this single is the most shining example of that. But that's really beside the point, because what makes this single such a must-have are the 12" exclusives.
The first of these is the 'We Love the Hotties' remix. You get both the album version and the remix back to back on side A, so you can compare, contrast and pick your favorite. The first thing the remix does is dump the intro, with Tone on the phone to one of his girlfriends... so they're off to a good start. ;) The beat here is definitely going for a smoother vibe, with a saxophone loop and calm bassline. The R&B combined with the trio chanting "we love the hookies" has been completely replaced with some cool reggae crooning by Rahzii. The beat on the album version was solid, but overall I gotta go with the remix.
Next up is the totally exclusive Tony D solo track, 'La Cosa Nostra'. Like its title suggests, this is a more hardcore number, with Tony dropping a litany of Italian mafia references:
"This ain't The Money Store, and I ain't Phil Rizutto,
But I can bang your dome all the way to fuckin' Pluto.
It's only right for me to say Mama Mia, Papa Pia;
You suckers get tossed like dough at a pizzeria.
Holy moly ravioli, rolly poly;
I'm not Mr. Hand, and of course I'm not Spicoli.
Fags at the club be wearin' wigs and mascara,
While I'm at home eatin' mama's muscles marinara.
I like Italian hoagies, but I don't call it a hero.
I'm down with Joe Pesci and his boy, Robert De Niro.
Now Martin Scorsese didn't direct Freddy,
But my nose directed me to that big bowl of spaghetti!"
The beat features a nice, sonic reference to his classic PRT production and some neck-snapping drums. Tony's name-dropping lines have a penchant to get corny (Sinatra and Leonardo da Vinci, ok; but Scott Baio? Body By Jake? Really?) - always his Achilles heel as an MC - so, fortunately they've included the instrumental as well, so you can just appreciate Tone's production by itself.
And they're still not done. The last track on this 12" is another all-new remix, this time for 'May I Continue', the mini-posse cut with Tone, Mr. Law and regular Tony D collaborator Low-Key passing the mic down the line. I was sure I'd prefer the album version when I first got this 12", because that track was a monster, but the rumbling bassline and Pete Rock-style horns of the remix won me over in the end.
This is a nice supplement to the Crusaders' album. It comes in a sticker cover and can usually be picked up dirt cheap. So do yourself a favor.
> Reviewed by: Werner
