Suga Free-I Would

mobbdeen:

Underrated & Ignored, Vol. 21: Suga Free - Street Gospel (1997)…

You don’t need the benefit of hindsight to understand why Suga Free never blew up in the mainstream.  Gangsta rap was cool, but I think America might draw the line at graphic and specific descriptions of pimping, no matter how hilarious the messenger is.  Besides, Suga Free has one of those off-beat flows that might throw off the casual or first-time listener and the guy that introduced him to us listeners hasn’t really sustained his success throughout the years (more on him later).

But for those of us that enjoy fictional misogyny, adore loose women and abhor simps, tricks and scallywags, ‘Street Gospel’ was/is a fucking godsend.  There are a lot of songs and albums that you can play for a young playa in training to make sure that he doesn’t make all those mistakes that fuck up the game for real niggas (buying drinks for random girls at the club, cupcaking, handcuffin’, tricking, simpin’ and other generally hoe-ass nigga behavior that I’m blissfully unaware of), but no album gets to the point as quickly as ‘Street Gospel’.  Let me put it like this, if a simp listens to this album and continues simping, then there’s no hope for that fool.

Suga Free cuts a charismatic and hilarious figure throughout the album - after all, he’s a pimp (and an efficient one at that).  He fits every stereotype of the genre, and while that admission may not be alluring in the written form, you’d have to hear the man to understand what I’m getting at.  Generally, pimps are kinda despicable, but if you can make it through ‘Street Gospel’, you’ll either strongly consider becoming a pimp or you’ll at least empathize with one of the most disgusting muthafuckas on the planet.  To his credit, he actually loves his mom, but don’t we all? No shots whatsoever.

I’ll also admit that Suga Free’s delivery and flow might be an acquired taste, but if that’s your reason for not listening to the Pomona Pimp, then you have some bitch-ass earholes.  That shit sounds smooth as fuck.  Quotables for YEARS.  I mean, I can almost understand how the unfortunate women ensnared by pimps get caught up.  Anyone that can say this vulgar shit with the style and conviction that Suga Free does is probably hard to resist.  Pause?

Then there’s the fact that the album is entirely produced by DJ Quik.  Let’s just say that the Quikster is criminally underrated and leave it at that for now (you better believe that I just got an idea for a post/rant in the near future).  You probably don’t know this (yes, that’s condescension), but Quik tends not to make bad beats, especially if you’re into funky west-coast style shit with live instrumentation.  

I was a little young for ‘Street Gospel’ when it dropped in 1997, but I discovered it on my own later and I’ve still never heard anyone else make a reference to it - online or otherwise.  I find that puzzling, given the quality of the music. 

Random: wikipedia claims that there was a clean version of the album that’s now out of print.  I’d pay decent cash to hear what that sounds like.  It’s probably just a set of instrumentals and hooks with no verses.

Anyway, stop reading this long-ass shit hoe and go cop this shit wherever you cop music (preferably iTunes - insert evil laugh).  But I’d recommend that you not apply the lessons learned from this shit too literally.  You’re likely to get slapped, fired, shot or stabbed if you over-do it.  Or maybe all at once.  But don’t forget to sample the song above (I like the entire album, but I figured it would help to pick one song)…

It’s good to see the Pimp getting some recognition around some corners of the internet. Hopefully one day he will get his proper respect for being a pioneer and one of the best rappers of all time (Put a P on that!).

I mean, at least look at how fucking original this man is. WHO in the fuck could spit some shit like this man?? And have the timing, and the delivery, and I could go on… Rappers is talking about being real, but are really on some funny shit. Suga Free is a funny motherfucker but you better believe hes spitting the realness. Pay homage to the PIMP!

guttaboyjihad:

3 Things I Think About: Suga Free- I’d Rather Give You My Bitch

1. How did DJ Quik become almost UNMENTIONED as a producer? Like seriously? Can someone explain how DJ Quik has become almost forgotten? Fuck a Lex Luger/Alex Da Kid/(Insert clownshoes new producer who’s beats suck here).

2. Suga Free is probably my favorite rapper from the West Coast. More than Snoop, more than E-40. His Style »». Its not even close— its IMPOSSIBLE to emulate; I mean, have you ever HEARD anyone even attempt it? Suga Free was swag before the word existed- real pimpin. I marked out when I went out to Cali a few years back and saw the exit sign to Pomona. If only that nigga was skitzing and riding around with AK’s; He deserves to be mentioned among the greats, based off flow alone.

3. Nah, fo real, tho. Back to Quik. How the fuck isn’t he mentioned as Top 5 DOA? He made No Limit Top Dogg listenable— that should earn him a place in amongst the god’s and generals of producers, fuck what you heard. 

JihaD

Word 

STREET GOSPEL II>

The Pimp letting them know what’s up. Talks Dj Quik, Street Gospel, Street Gospel II, who he wants to work with (everybody) among other things…