Recently, the staff at HipHopDX was discussing what would happen if we could swap album titles throughout the last 20 years of Hip Hop and make some appropriate switches, given what we know now. We picked up 20 that came to us over beers and jokes, and we present to you, our first edition of Album Swap Meet.
Long Live The Kane by Scott Storch (originally used by Big Daddy Kane)
Of course King Asiatic was referring to himself, but the Miami based producer’s love for the city’s favorite pastime, Lindsey Lohan and churning out 60+ placed beats between 2007 and 2008 makes it a more appropriate title for him. Push it to the limit, Scotty; cocaine is a hell of a drug.
Three Feet High & Rising by Bushwick Bill (originally used by De La Soul)
Hip Hop’s Jamaican little man might smaller than most, but since the beginning, he’s made it known that “size ain’t shit.” Couple that with his tendency to smoke copius amounts of marijuana and drink that old gold, and Chuckwick (who stands at 3’8″) is actually what the Tommy Boy Records classic was talking about.
Vagina Diner by Ray J (originally used by Akinyele)
Brandy‘s little brother got his YMCA card for the world to see, with the most smashable of the Kardashians. As Hip Hop’s most famous sex-tape, we found it fitting to swap out homie with one of the five best albums Interscope put out, then called back.
Soft White by Asher Roth (originally used by Mack 10)
Straight outta Philly’s affluent ‘burbs, the SRC Records artist that scanned over six figures of his debut earlier this year, but between non-threatening lyrics, a pot-head’s persona, and the age ol’ stereo-type that silver spoons make for lousy two-pieces, the Ferris Bueller-inspired emcee could swap out with the Chicken-Hawk rapper from Inglewood.
Thoughts Of A Predicate Felon by T.I. (originally used by Tony Yayo)
Like Too $hort, Tip can’t stay away…but we’re talkin’ about prison. T.I. might be the realest rapper out, not because he’s a predicate felon, but because he clearly ain’t scared of nothing. Yayo had a lot of stamps on his book, but Tip takes the cake. If we were swappin’ film titles, Alfa Mega would be Run Tell Dat for what it’s worth.
Playinwithchamama by 50 Cent (originally used by Willie D)
Regardless of whatever you may think of Fif‘s album-making as of late, there probably has never been a dirtier fighter in the Rap ring. Jay-Z‘s expose of Prodigy‘s pirouette years was good. But Curtis taking Tia, Rick Ross‘ baby-mama on a shopping spree was better. Willie D is forever Rap’s “clean-up man,” but Fif pretty much won the first beef that he didn’t stage himself with this move.
Moment Of Truth by Rick Ross (originally used by Gang Starr)
Like Gang Starr‘s classic, Don Diva magazine produced this should-be title. Rick Ross‘ past may still be speckled, but after a 2008 expose, it’s also badged. Like Guru and Premo though, the Boss‘ career moves forward in spite of that momento.
Ill Na Na by Yung Berg (originally used by Foxy Brown)
If he wasn’t all of 11 at the time, one could say that DJ Pooh‘s role in Friday was based on Yung Berg. The Chicago rapper has been Deebo‘d by everybody by Trick-Trick, Maino, and shots fired from Brisco and Ne-Yo. Like Jamie Foxx‘ “Tooth” character on In Living Color, we’re not sure Berg has ever won a fair-one. If he snagged Foxy‘s title, she’d probably run up on him too.
Conspiracy by Made Men (originally used by Junior M.A.F.I.A.)
How well do you know your Source magazine history?
Things Fall Apart by Master P (originally used by The Roots)
Master P had it all – including an actual tank. Some say he’s still got plenty paper, but whereas the death of the Roc dynasty and Death Row‘s fall-out were telegraphed, No Limit‘s still leaves many in a head-scratch stance. Chinua Achebe‘s famed novel-turned-Roots-album title can be passed like popcorn to Percy, whose tank stopped running without a reason.
Still On The Run Eatin’ by Beanie Sigel (originally used by N.O.R.E.)
The Broad Street Bully has been spending a lot of time on the south side lately, sneakin’ steaks from Pat’s and Geno’s making him more of a belly than a bully these days. The association with 50 Cent may put some meals on the table, as Beans look at Jay-Z with beef on his mind.
Black Elvis by Jay-Z (originally used by Kool Keith)
He may not have Kool Keith‘s Elvis wig, but he does have Elvis‘ record under him now, for #1 albums. We all know this because Hov isn’t shy about telling us. Ask Beanie Sigel and 50 Cent, they’re all shook up. Hey hey.
Predator by South Park Mexican (originally used by Ice Cube)
Word to Chris Hansen, child molesters are the scum of the universe. Facing a 45 year-long conviction, the CEO of Dope House Records was probably better suited to carry Cube‘s seminal album’s title. Can you believe SPM actually released an LP called The Purity Album?
King of Rock by DMX (originally used by Run-DMC)
Run-DMC was referring to their heavy use of guitars on their sophomore album when they titled it so. Of course, if Earl wisely decided to borrow the title it would have a much different meaning. And no, we’re not referring to his love of geology.
Check Your Head by Lauryn Hill (originally used by The Beastie Boys)
The Notorious K.I.M. by Eminem (originally used by Lil Kim)
Considering you could nearly make an album full of the songs he has made about his wife/ex-wife/baby mama/murder victim, Em should take a page from Lil Kim‘s book. We know he’s off that these days, but especially around album three, fans knew who the Queen B in Marshall‘s life was.
Disposable Arts by Soulja Boy (originally used by Masta Ace)
When your biggest hit takes approximately 10 minutes to make, you’re either a genius or biodegradable. DeAndre Way is a marketing machine, but what’s he really selling? Masta Ace‘s critically-acclaimed LP title goes through the phone (with no kiss) to the rapper with his own cereal in the video – arguably a better buy than his music.
God Loves Ugly by Craig Mack (originally used by Atmosphere)
Don’t blame us, Common pointed this out on “The Resurrection.” In any event, the Hit Squad-turned-Bad Boy hit-maker had a lot of flava for our ears, but was never easy on the eyes. Slug and Ant, who pack ladies into clubs since ’96, could let the Long Island emcee borrow their play on words.
Shade Business by Diddy (originally used by PMD)
Read Marc Curry‘s book if you disagree. Former Bad Boy artists like The L.O.X., Black Rob and G-Dep will attest, PMD‘s slept-on solo debut had a title that truly belonged to Diddy
The Great Depression by Joe Budden (originally used by DMX)
The king of official mixtapes/street albums has a habit of writing his lyrics from a psychiatrists couch, and titling his releases in the same vein. Channeling DMX seems to be the logical step after his moody escape from the halfway house.
Pyschoanalysis: What Is It? by Game (originally used by Prince Paul)
From the tattoo tears turned butterfly turned L.A. (and on and on), to the on and again off again beefs with damn near everyone and hints at retirement and interview outbursts, The Game should have Prince Paul‘s debut title.
Laugh Now, Cry Later by Young Buck (originally used by Ice Cube)
One phone call said it all. Fifty Cent‘s Linda Tripp game bypassed the backpacker’s El-P/Sole taping from the top of the decade and found a onetime millionaire rapper busting out the Kleenex for what may very well be ice in his drink.
MM…Food by Big Lurch (originally used by MF DOOM)
Easily the most obscure rapper on the list. While few still talk about The Cosmic Slop Shop‘s music outside of Rap nerd circles (although hit-maker Rick Rock was in the group), many recall this guy being a true rhyme cannibal. This dude released an album after getting a life sentence, but MF DOOM should have passed him the peas…errr title.
Am I Black Enough For You? by Paul Wall (originally used by Schoolly D)
Whereas Eminem clearly embraced his racial minority in Hip Hop culture since the Rap Olympics days and before, Paul Wall may just steal the title of Schoolly D‘s seminal album with a straight face.
I Need A Haircut by ?uestlove (originally used by Biz Markie)
Since day one, novice Rap fans knew the Illafifth Dynasty by their drummer’s doo. Unlike Jay-Z‘s early ’09 look, we don’t actually want to see the “Proceed” drummer get a new doo, but we figured it fit, and wanted a reason to channel back to our least favorite Biz album, with the best cover art.
Internal Affairs by EPMD (originally used by Pharoahe Monch)
Everybody from The Artifacts and Pete Rock & CL Smooth to G-Unit and Geto Boys have seen their share of beefs within the clique. None greater though, than the widely reported rumor that E-Double tried to put the “bandit” in his other nickname when goons raided PMD‘s Long Island residence. Business, never personal.
HipHopDX wants to know: what are some of your album title swaps?