Hip Hop Hooray by Naughty By Nature – a classic from 1993, smack in the golden era of hip hop. Featuring a laid back bass line borrowed from The Isley Brothers’ Make Me Say It Again, Girl, it’s an uplifting celebration of rap, women and life in general, with a chorus you can’t help but sing along to.
The song’s video was directed by Spike Lee when he was at the height of his powers and he puts in a cameo appearance in it, along with Eazy-E, Run DMC, Tupac and the band’s early mentor, Queen Latifah.
Despite Naughty By Nature’s New Jersey routes Hip Hop Hooray has a sun-soaked, West Coast vibe. This is why I’ve chosen it as my Record of the Day today ahead of some vicious, weapons-grade punk. You see I’m currently taking a well-earned holiday, soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine on the Italian Riviera and this hip hop classic is an integral part of my poolside playlist. It’s also why this is a shorter article than normal – I’m writing this on my phone and, much as I’m enjoying my vacation tunes, that cool, blue pool looks too inviting.
Hip hop arrivederci!