When I posted excerpts from the I’m Gonna Git You Sucka soundtrack a few weeks ago (which can be found here) there were a few comments about the singles from the album, and the remixes they contained. I didn’t even know such singles existed! So I thank those who mentioned them. The Discogs merchants from whom I bought them from probably thank you as well. And now all the readers should thank you too, because here are some remixes from the said singles.
Boogie Down Productions
Jack Of Spades (Extended Remix)
Jack Of Spades (Instrumental)
I’m Still #1 (Extended Remix)
I’m Still #1 (Numero Uno Re-Recording)
How bad-ass is KRS-One? So bad-ass that he sounds like a mean motherfucker even when he’s rapping about a character in a Wayans Brothers comedy. That’s pretty damn mean. “Jack Of Spades” is pretty much just a rap re-telling of Jack’s story arc in I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, so I guess the song should feature a spoiler warning if you’re still interested in seeing the movie.
“I’m Still #1″ wasn’t on the I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” soundtrack, so instead of being about how awesome Jack Spade is, it’s about how awesome KRS-One and crew are. His argument is pretty convincing.
K-9 Posse
This Beat Is Military (Hard Corps Version)
This Beat Is Military (Hard Corps Radio Edit)
This Beat Is Military (Hard Corps Dub)
This Beat Is Military (Basic Training Version)
Turn That Down
When I previously talked about this tune I described it as one of the most brilliantly stupid rap songs of all time, and I still love it for its unwillingness to veer away from the “I’m as hardcore as a major military force” metaphor. As for these alternate versions, the “Hard Corps Version” is pretty similar to the original aside from some added beats, while the dub and radio edits speak for themselves. The “Basic Training Version” is radically different though, no A-Team opening (sadly) and the hard-pounding military-inspired beats are cut and replacesdwith some really out-of-place keyboard loops. It also puts a really big emphasis on the line “Def Jam? What’s that? Are we cut?” I sense a beef there. Finally there’s “Turn That Down,” and while that may sound like a different song, it’s really just an instrumental/dub version of the “Basic Training Version.” They keep in an opening Def Jam dis though.
Man, I really want to know what went down between the K-9 Posse and Def Jam, they seemed pissed.
Now for some non-I’m Gonna Git You Sucka hip-hop that I’ve been hanging on to for a bit.
Run-D.M.C.
30 Days (Instrumental)Sure, this probably appeals to about five people. But I got it, so here it is, a seven-and-a-half minute instrumental version of a Run-D.M.C. song. Enjoy
Mantronix
Bassline (Club Version)
Bassline (Instrumental)
Bassline (Radio Version)
Technically this isn’t hip-hop, it’s electro, but whatever.
I personally enjoy the instrumental versions of Mantronix tracks. The lyrics aren’t as timeless as the beats, for me anyway.
Kurtis Mantronik had a hard time getting respect in the US hip-hop circuit, despite his obvious talents. Not just because he blended with electro and house. But also because he stuck his principals, made the music he felt comfortable making, and wanted to make more mature types of tracks [as opposed to sinking into the violent vortex mainstream hip-hop was becoming].
Mantronik productions run from hip-hop, electro, and house. His remix work on Joyce Sims is amazing, classic. The Matronik remix of FSOL ‘We Have Explosive’ is pretty cool. His Chamonix track ’77 Strings’ was huge.
I am one of the readers who chimed in on the Sucka post. You are a (…my dreadful attempt to applaud you with 80’s hip hop slang deleted) for scoring these amazing Posse remixes. In 1989, I had an alternative rock show on WKSR (Kent State University). When one of the evening “Ebony Waves” slots had a one week vacancy I had, stepped in and played the Basic Training Version of Military. I taped the show and have been searching for this track ever since. That “defdefdefjam” bit will worm into your psyche.
To bridge back your previous Exotic Birds post, pre and then current NIN drummer Chris Vrenna was also a DJ at WKSR. He lent me his De La Soul 12-inch singles collection for that show. Those superior out of print 3-Foot era remixes thankfully wound up on the anniversary edition of the album.
Your post inspired me to track down other tracks I played on that show. I just found “Girl Watcher” by Poppa Ron Love on a Def Jam Classics album on Amazon MP3. Jaz’s “Hawaiian Sophie” featuring a pre-Jay Z “Jay Zee” (so cool to see the icon in teenage sidekick mode) remains elusive. I have a copy of the vinyl 12-inch, but it skips. I thankfully just found the single version online. The 12-inch sports two remixes – they don’t stray too far from the single, but they’re fun. Video on YouTube is worth checking out.
Thanks again for the amazing read (and listen).
Awesome – glad you found the BDP single!
I always thought the line was “Def Jam, what’s that? A weak cut?”
Not that that makes any sense either. Thanks!
I used to have that Jaz single, I might still have it somewhere, I should try and dig it out! Thanks for the kind words.