My favorite 80s hip hop related "isht"...

Hi family!

I was on the subway the other day listening to Eric B. and Rakim's seminal lp, "Paid In Full" when my mind went back in time for a sec. I mean, I didn't truly appreciate it then, but I am so glad that I spent my teen years in the 80s. I laugh to myself sometimes when I see todays' youth try so desperately to emulate what we did so effortlessly. For us, it wasn't about copying a trend, but it was more of starting a trend. Of course I do realize that we all did that at one time or another, but it's so funny to see artifacts of my teen years come back in such full force.

So, I am dedicating this bit of space to some of my favorite rememberings....

Things that I miss from my teen years in the 80s

• Tricked out Jettas, Samurai Suzuki Sidekicks, Maximas, Honda Accords and Pathfinders (I especially loved when cats put stuff like "Strictly Business" or "Raheem's Ride" on the side of their vehicle. Too bad if you were a drug dealer...you couldn't hide anywhere with that!!)


• The red and black lumber jack coats, with the hat to match


• Shirlands


• Penny candy


• Ralph Kramden/Daniel Boone Coonskin hats


• Fat Laces (Yeah, I know they are back now)


• Champion hoodies


• Starter hats with the cursive writing and no logo


• Starter jackets (I had an LA Kings jacket)


• Flattops/Cameo/Hightops


• Dapper Dan Running Suits


• Posses (Where I lived in Albany, there were a few major ones...1-9-1, BDP, Elite)


• Buying tapes and CDs


• Dookie gold chains


• Name rings


• Light skinned and green eyed girls (Before I had knowledge of self and of my people, this was the ultimate prize of beauty for me and my boys then)


• 5 percent teachings


• Rocking "Diadoras", "Spot-Bilts", "Lottos", "Kangaroos", "La Coq de Sportif", "Adidas", "Nike" and "Chuck Taylors"


• Watching Yo MTV Raps and Rap City for dance moves


• For the smoother brothers, shopping at Chess King, Oak Tree and JW...


• Dancers being a requirement for all emcees to have


• When live shows were actually live shows...no dats, tapes or recordings.


• The feeling I had copping my first copy of "Paid In Full"


• Watching "Krush Groove", "Tougher Than Leather", "Beat Street" and "Breakin'" for the first time


• Rocking your suspenders ala Theo Huxtable style


• Referring to sex as "knocking the boots, humpin', bonin'


• Namebelts


• Gold fronts
  
• Slow dancing with girls to joints off of New Edition's self titled LP, Al B. Sure's "In Effect Mode" and Keith Sweat's "Make It Last Forever."


• When the only top emcees that mattered was Kane and Rakim
  
• Ron G mixtapes
  

I can go on for days, but I am sure my blog brother and sisters will chime in with their favs......

Peace! - Cap D