"Me and Kweli Close like Bethlehem and Nazareth"
quote from "Definition" by Mos Def and Kweli is Black Starr

I wanted to focus on duos in my blog because often we focus on the talent of only one individual but it was the combination that makes them awesome. (sorry could think of another word.) I orginally wanted to create a list but I hate prioritizing cause its often too debatable.

Field Mob: I slept on these two cats for years. I only liked "Sick of being lonely" but I figured that since they were down with Ludacris' Disturbing the Peace (and I think Luda is dopest) I should give these guys a chance. Now I am wondering what else have I missed. Lyrically its sharp as a Ginsu (really deadly sharp knife). The word play is sick. Production should have more fire. The Jazze Pha tunes are getting played to me.

The Clipse: I wasn't crazy about the beat on the first single but it grew on me hard. The album was much better although the content was pretty much the same. Lyrically it is so nuts. "Call me subwoofer cause I pump bass like that jack". WHEW WEE!! (sounds on a DJ Clue tape.) I hope they can keep the momentum on the next LP.

Nice & Smooth: Two opposites based on flow but they were the ish in the 90's. Template for all other duos. The entire catalog is classic. I can rap it up in one word. DWYCK!!. Those of you who don't know that's why ITunes exists. Step your game up. Too bad they went solo and was never heard again. Word is Smooth B is a Janitor in the Bronx.

EPMD: Erick and Parrish Made Dollars for many years. I can write a book on these dudes. They are pioneers beyond limits. Erick Sermon is one of the greatest music minds in hip-hop era right next to Premier and Dre. They are trend setters and and the mold for groups like Mobb Deep, Gangstarr.

Mobb Deep: Queen's Finest. (no brokeback!). "Been in the game for years made me an animal." The second album is classic beyond classic. "Shook Ones" is an anthem. "Survival of the Fittest"....an anthem as well. Although they have not been as successful as Jay-Z but they should. Havoc on production and Prodigy on the mic something got to give. Years in this industry does wear one down but these dudes kept their heads afloat though they could have easily and quickly disappeared. 50 [Cent] smart move [signing them to G-Unit records] but put some promotions so they can see some paper.

M.O.P.: I was never a fan of the first single, "How About Some Hardcore". But "Rugged Never Smooth" was my ish. Although they have never seen a gold or platinum plaque. they have platinum respect from all artists and fans. even enough for 50 to steal them from Roc-a-fella. Ante up, B#$%#!!

Smif-n-Wessun: aka Cocoa Brovas (wack name btw) I like Tek and Steele a lot because they flow tighter than Jay-z's lips droppin dime on his coke connects. I especially liked the fact that they would go back in forth in cuts like "Let's Get it On". First album is classic.

Capone-n-Noreaga: I was never a fan of "War Report" (I know I will get some hate for that.) I think lyrically they are not as superior as any of these I mentioned but they have a cult fan-base similar to Dip-Set. They have some success as solo artists but together they are the ish. I became a fan when [Ca]pone came home. "Blood Money part 3" sealed the deal for me. "Reunion" the album was the nail in the coffin.

Pete Rock & CL Smooth: Unlike his rhymes Pete's beats where off the chain. They were a new version of GangStarrr. CL held the group down lyrically. As a duo it was a force to be reckon. too bad they could not resolve their issues. CL's new single is fire.

Salt-n-Pepa: Fresh from getting a VH1 Hip-hop honnors award last year, these ladies paved the way for all ladies in Hip-hop. THey have sold more records then most of their male counterparts. Lyrically they may not be the illest but often the subject matter had more range than Jay-z could ever have if he repeated his career three times. They almost got excluded because the Spinderella picked up the mic a few times. Shout Herbie!!

Kid-n-Play: There party songs were hot during 90's. Although its as if they never existed but they sold millions of records with the assistance of genius Herbie "lovebug" Azor. They had it all: cartoons, comic books, and movie deals. I guess when the hightop fades got played out so did they.

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince: During the early 90's Will Smith and Jeffery Townsend had a stage show like no other. It was basically as if Will was Jeff's hype man. Nonetheless they worked hard on their craft and have the album to prove it, "He's the DJ, I'm the rapper."

Meth and Red: THey are not a real duo but How High and the Rockwilda is the ish. The collaborations on were sick on each others repective solo albums but came a little short on their debut release. Although it is very unlikely that another album will spawn up. I still look forward to hear them go back and forth.

Ghostface Killah and Raekwon: Another non-tradional duo but "Iron man" and "Built for Cuban links" were classics LPs. their colaborrations went well. Although I thought in the beginning Tony Starks(ghost) rhymes skills was as impressive as U-god's it really stepped up thus getting the Phife Award, most improved emceee out of no where.

Black Starr: Fate brought them together but although it was an experiment gone right -its a gift and a curse. They each have well-respected solo careers Mos def and Talib Kweli but everyone is still waiting for another album. Each of them are cast in the shadow of black Starr and are expectd to perform together every where.

Run-DMC: Pioneers to the end. Sold millions. Broke all kinds of records. DMC's voice was the craziest before the loss. They have made themselves Kings forever. RIP JMJ. I like the show Run's House too.

Outkast- My favorite group. They have pushed the envelope each release and get better each time. Lyrically they are the most respected in the south. them boyz is ICE COLD!!!

BeatNuts: I was not a fan of them but I had friends that worked at Relativitly Records that used to be me over the head with that and Fat Joe. They are on my list because when Al-Tariq left it was the produciton that kept them in the spotlight. They have a lot of underground classics and they repped the Latinos hard.

Dogg Pound: Daz and Kurupt are the illest from the west!! I am extra excited that they have reunited because on the days on Death Row they were killing ish. I know age and separation did play its toll. However we still have the early releases to show how wicked they were. Despite their weak debut album.

Gangstarr: Refreshing to the utmost. Their contributions can and will never be compared to any other. I was not a fan about GURU's monotone style but it was clear and precise just like DJ Premier's skills on the 1 & 2. Production wise awesome.

I wanted to name a few more but the crossed the line some how of duos: Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Slum Village, A tribe called quest, Jungle Brothers, BDP, 3rd Bass, Brand Nubians, Kool G. Rap & Polo .


OOOO!!! I almost forgot!!
Black Sheep: This was my favorite album on the planet "Wolf in sheeps Clothing" the skits, the orginality, the flow and on that note,"I'll dig you later"

"I said later, man!!"