Some of my favorite moments in rap have been provided by crews who only ever managed to release one single (or spot on a compilation) before vanishing from the limelight. This collection of sixteen one shot winners are tracks that have stood the test of time, despite their creators never rising to the ranks of the greats.
Download: A Salute To One Shot Wonders
Track listing:
01 ‘Dope On Plastic’ – Uptown ((Uptown would reappear on a couple of Buckshot LeFonque records as 50 Styles: The Unknown Soldier, but this was his sole headline release.))
02 ‘The Rhymthologist’ – Jamose
03 ‘My Masurati’ – Jay Bok The City Ace ((Both this and the horror movie themed b-side are two outstanding DJ Doc productions.))
04 ‘The Other Side’ – Levi 167 ((KRS-One‘s one time buddy dropped this essential single on B-Boy before reportedly dedicating his time to beaming up to Scotty.))
05 ‘Ready To Penetrate’ – Sugar Bear The Powerful Powerlord
06 ‘They Call Me Puma’ – Seeborn and Puma ((Not a Garanimal.))
07 ‘Mystery’ – Lazy Laz
08 ‘Listen To My Turbo’ – Raw Dope Posse ((Best T La Rock tribute ever.))
09 ‘Genuine’ – Triflicts ((Gab Gotcha and Creature went on to solo releases, but this was the only thing they released as a team with Buc Live.))
10 ‘Stitch By Stitch’ – Ron B and The 2 Step Crew ((Ron B does New Orleans proud on this Hear No Evil gem.))
11 ‘Top Gun’ – Lord Alibaski ((Ali Ba-Ski‘s other track appeared on 45 King Presents…The Flavor Unit LP.))
12 ‘I’m The King’ – Raheem ((The debut of Grandpa Finesse on the intro with an early Diamond D beat. What more could you want?))
13 ‘Don’t Say It, Sing It’ – Keek & Qagee
14 ‘We Have Risen’ – The Almighty El Cee
15 ‘Pimps, Players & Hustlers’ – Big Meal ((The original Dr. Butcher before Drew stepped in to provide Kool G Rap‘s beats and scratches.))
16 ‘Rap Fiend’ – Ray Love ((Hidden jewel from the Culture Shock International compilation.))
The “Rhymthologist” by Jamose is pure dope.
Don’t sleep on the Bound E Huntaz and Nightbreed!
Extra dope comp, thanks for posting!
Bonus beats:
Footprints impossibly rugged Pelan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO1NcpB3OAk
Top picks Robbie Thanks for the comp!
Im quite surprised folks ain’t been throwing down their own lists. Here’s a few other well liked one shot wonders on 12″ worth acknowledging.
1.Spicey Ham – You never heard of me – B-Boy Records
2.Ministers Of Black – Step In My Office – Warlock/Soo Deff
3.Glamorous – Good To Go – Cold Chillin’
4.Poetry – Everything I do – Pow Wow
5.BZ 2 MC’S – We’re Troopers – Strong City
6.King Doe V – Shamalama – Fresh Records
7.Nile Kings – Dropping Bombs – Rhyme Syndicate
8.Royal Ron – Opsta Now – Schoolly D Records
9.Von Love – Momentary Laps Of Reason (e.p) Soo Deff
10.Dr. Luv & Kev Ski – Aint Goin Out Like That -Zakia
11.B.A.D. Rep – Say No Rhyme Before It’s Time – Payroll
12.Kool D With Technolo-G – Go To Work – Wild Pitch
13.Prince Lover Dalu – All Praise – G-Fine (This even got a UK release on Breakout)
^^correction
Glamorous Good To Go Prism
What happened to MC Glamorous from the J-U-ICE? one feature and one solo single.
@P: A couple of those were in the running. Ministers of Black made an LP and Royal Ron did another single, so they were disqualified.
I believe Glamorous was Magic’s girlfriend so she was only a temporary ringer in the Juice Crew.
Here is my list :
1/Finger Wave Dave : Finger Wave
2/ Dezo Daz : It’s My Turn
3/ Princess Ivori : Crackpipe
4/ The Brothers Akiem & Narkim : The Brothers
5/ Mixmaster Gee : The Manipulator
6/ Z3Mc’s : Triple Threat
7/ Levi 167 : Something Fresh To Swing To
8/ Tody Tee : This Beat Be Smooth
9/ BronxStyle Bob : Bob Didi Bob
10/ Pazzaz : Hold On
Sorry,I am too lazy to search the labels,but 3 of them were on B.Boy Records (4;7;10),and the Z 3mc’s was ln Beauty and the Beat
Enjoy
Thanks for the list. I dont know that Ministers of Black do an album. I first hear step into my office ’89 on the Tim Westwood show.
You know the Name of the album ?
@Robbie
Ministers made an LP? Royal Ron another 12? under different names right?
Glamorous makes a story by my reckoning.
that seeborn and puma joint got one of the ruffest deliveries in my book.didn’t get why the acapella never been used in a hook or so.i did.btw.there are more el-cee tunes i guess?!great compilation though.
I would add The Classical Two, “New Generation” and Wax Master Torey and DJ Sound Machine, “12 Inches the Hard Way”.
My mistake, I mixed-up Minsters of Black with Positively Black.
El-Cee did make a couple of other records, but they were hip-house so technically he never made another a rap record…reaching a bit admittedly.
Royal Ron also did ‘Rock The B-Boy Stance’ with Pimp Pretty.
@Mr Lo: Interesting list, although Bronx Style Bob and Toddy Tee made more than one record.
@Turtle: Classical Two had another single as well – ‘Classical Two Is Back.’
@P_gotsachill
@Robbie
Glamorous was also a part of The Glamour Girls. They had the one song “Oh Veronica” (with Craig G doing the beat box). She was also featured on the “Juice Crew All-Stars”/”Evolution” tracks. And of course she had “Good To Go”/”I Know You Want Me”. I looked her up a few months ago & she is doing her thing on the activist side of things. She’s a devout Muslim, & I believe she is active in community outreach programs in Brooklyn.
@GNG: Thanks for the update.
Triflicts
http://www.discogs.com/Triflicts-93-94-Unreleased-Demos-EP/release/5792017
Don’t Scandalize Mine- Sugar Bear
Return of the Body Snatcher- Preacher Earl
Daddy- A.D.I
Trenton Where We Live- Almighty and KD Ranks
Must Stay Paid- Broadway
The Assassinator- Style
Hook and Sling- Phase N Rhythm
We Don’t Play-Frescho And Miz
Glamorous hit me up a couple of years ago as I was selling a spare of her Good To Go single and she wanted it – albeit she wanted it for free, and I wanted nearer £200 for it. She’s married to a rapper, just can’t remember which one.
Great compilation Robbie.
Andrew, above – Phase N Rhythm and Preacher Earl have other 12″s, not one-hit wonders
what about Big Red??? he created a MONSTER with diamond’s help? or Bas blasta??
@Robbie
I’ve a bad memory sometimes. I forgot I have the 12″ Pimp Pretty – Royal Ron & DJ M.A.- Rock The B-Boy Stance, and a bit of a classic.
@GNG. Yes also forgot Glamorous was part of The Glamour Girls. Thanks for the reminder!
@Drew Huge I saw a copy of “Good To Go”/”I Know You Want Me” 12″ on Discogs a couple of months ago listed for $300+. Made me feel good to know I loved the record, her flow, & my desire to cut it up like Marley Marl enough to pick up doubles when it released & I still got ’em to this day.
@Andrew Not sure you can count Broadway since he was part of Strictly Roots. They had that Beg No Friends jawn.
How good is that rap fiend track. Never heard it before but got flashbacks to the first time I heard beat bop (on a radio Show early Nineties).
1988 huh?
@Robbie
Ok I swap Tody Tee with MC Crash (Life On The Street)on Beauty & The Beat and Bronx Style Bob with Mr Spice (Streets Talk) on Sharpp
A few of my faves no-one has listed:-
1. Family Quest – Sleepwalking
2. Tray Bag MC’s – At a Jam
3. Rooftop – Caught Out There
Joe Synista “Under the sun” and Profound “The Hulk” sprung to mind.
Have you thought of doing a salute to one album wonders (e.g. Dred Scott, Dead at birth, Tracey Lee etc)?
I think youre the person who can answer this. I recall hearing a song in the early 80s that was apparently dedicated to Michael Jordan… I recall the chorus being ‘goooooooo Michael, Air Jordan’ under some 808 drums and a voice saying ‘Air Jordan is in the house’ and then a drum breakdown.
And another song…. all i remember is ‘and if you ever wanna battle sucker heres your chance, while BSK rocks the b-boy stance…’
I was mad young livin in Florida at the time I heard these. A friend of mine was a graffiti artist from NY who had tapes from radio shows… thats how i was hearing a lot of dope stuff that i never heard again…. thanks for making these tributes cuz these songs are like rare jewels.