(Manny Infinity at an old ER CAMP in early 2006)

Ten Hip Hop Albums parents can play around their babies
(in no particular order)

After conducting one of our E.R. C.A.M.P.'s, there are a few parents who ask which albums I play for my children. I have been saying for the last five or six years that I would come up with a list so that I can just hand out. I can easily blurb them out and watch parents scramble to jot them down. Some of these still have curse words but they are minimal and my warnings will be listed along the album titles. Yet all of these albums are light years ahead of what is played on the radio today even though several, if not all, of these albums were recorded years ago. Then again, I prefer my children to sing “Black Woman” from the Jungle Brothers instead of “Thug Boy” any day.

Midnight Marauders – A Tribe Called Quest – the other night at Billie Wheelz' home he explained how he played “Steve Biko” for my youngest child. It really calmed him down. When it would finish, he would start crying again. It reminded me that this album was the first album I introduced to my oldest son, X Man, way back in 1994. I will admit that “Sucka Nigga” and “One Thousand Stories” are two cuts you may want to fast forward but overall the album is dope.

Done by the Forces of Nature – Jungle Brothers – I sincerely love this album. I think I have purchased it three times. My tape kept popping. There are so many positive songs on this album. The hooks are catchy and the beats danceable. The babies sincerely love this album too. It is highly recommended. I was already a huge fan of their's with Straight out the Jungle, but this made me a bonafied Jungle Brother. I even dressed like them.


Joyful Rebellion – K-OS – I still can't believe this brother ain't blow. This album is several years old, but it still gets rocked in the Omi household. The new one is dope but it doesn't beat this one, his second outing. I have not heard anyone of any age or race dis this one. The babies adore this one. They even ask for it by name. Also great to B-boy to.


A Future Without A Past – Leaders of the New School (LONS) – this is what I am talking about. Busta Rhymes, Dinco D, and Charlie Brown were all 17 when this album came out. They talked about what they did: PTA, cutting class, getting referrals, lunch room ciphers, and detention. That was it. There were no fantasies of drug deals gone bad, feds, and pushing weight across continents. Now, I will admit that I don't condone cutting class or getting detention, but it was the innocence of it all. Busta was dope too. But I love the funny antics. My babies love “The Pinnochio Theory.”

Buhloone Mindstate – De La Soul – I always dug De La. As a matter of fact, I have 90% of their albums and remain a fan until this day. Posdunous is one of the most underrated MCs out there hands down. In 1993, this album opened up the world of Jazz for me. Once I checked the samples and who Maceo Parker was, I was hooked. I never listened to that frizzy headed white guy that did Silhouette again. This is a great way to bridge into jazz music. Plus the babies and I freestyle our butts off on “I be blowing.” Even though I love De La Soul is Dead the best, I don't think the babies are ready for that.


Blowout Comb – Digable Planets – I enjoy this album because of the playfulness found in many of the tracks. It was hard and was influenced by the the Black Panther Party era late 60s and early 70s but it had such a playful old school ethic to it. This is the hip hop music I want my babies to realize. The production was dope and the rhymes clever yet simple. I love this album way more than the first. It was way over everyone's head. Most people expected them to come out with another Reachin'. The babies love this one too.


The Tipping Point – The Roots – I am a huge fan of the Roots. I love this album because they stick to percussion and keep it a simple ten tracks. The children love it. Especially the old school feel to the album. I have to purchase another copy. My first one is scratched up. This one will calm down all the baby anxieties they may have. Plus it's great to b-boy to.

Trip the Light Fantastic – Lady Bug Mecca – I know the sisters are like “when is he going to rock one for the sisters...?!?” Here it is. My daughter really loves this joint and now can pick out her voice anywhere. Lady Bug joins the MC becomes band leader trend but she does a decent job.


All Hail the Queen – Queen Latifah – People are going to hate on me for this one, but this is the best female MC hip hop album ever. Dope beats, dope rhymes, and positivity. You cannot go wrong. This should be considered one of the top twenty hip hop albums of all time but never gets mentioned. Latifah battled, crooned, danced, and dropped science on this joint. You can't go wrong on this one. For those single sisters with all boys, keep this one on rotation. It will teach those youngbloods what a real sister does.

Power in Numbers – Jurassic Five – the members in my Zulu Nation Chapter hate on me for loving these cats, but this album is dope. Have to cop a new one but the whole Omi squad knows the words to this one. It's also great to b-boy to. The babies and I have a ball battlin' each other on this one.