Artist: 2 Live Crew Album: The Real One

Year: 1998
Duration: 0:0-1

The Raw, Provocative Sound of 2 Live Crew’s “The Real One”

2 Live Crew, the Miami-based rap group, rose to notoriety in the late 1980s and early 1990s with their sexually explicit lyrics and controversial performances. Their fifth studio album, “The Real One,” released in 1998, continues their trademark raw, provocative sound with a mix of bass-heavy beats, explicit lyrics, and political commentary. In this of “The Real One,” we’ll delve into the history of 2 Live Crew, the music genre of the album, its best songs, most innovative parts, and my personal critique.
History of 2 Live Crew: Founded in 1984 by Luther Campbell, 2 Live Crew became one of the most recognized and controversial rap groups of its time. Their previous album “As Nasty As They Wanna Be” sparked a legal battle, which led to the establishment of the “Parental Advisory” label on music warning parents of explicit content. Throughout their career, the group faced constant controversy and censorship due to their explicit lyrics and stage performances.
Music genre of “The Real One”: “The Real One” remains true to the Miami bass music style with its focus on deep basslines and rapid drum machine beats. In addition to this, the album also incorporates elements of G-funk, gangsta rap, and political commentary. It features guest verses from Big Pun, Ice-T, and Treach from Naughty by Nature, among others.
Best songs of the album: “The Real One” features some of 2 Live Crew’s classic and most memorable hits, including “Hey Baby”, “Doo Wah Diddy”, and “Shake a Lil’ Somethin'”. The track “Freak Ho” stands out with its catchy chorus and provocative lyrics. The album also includes politically charged tracks like “Dirty Nursery Rhymes” and “Bill So Horny”.
Most innovative parts: “The Real One” maintains its traditional 2 Live Crew sound while also featuring some innovative production elements. The track “Who’s Fucking Who” blends classic funk samples with modern production elements to create a unique sound. The album also samples music from Rick James, Parliament-Funkadelic, and Afrika Bambaataa, demonstrating the group’s willingness to experiment with different musical styles.
Critique of the album: “The Real One” continues with the classic 2 Live Crew sound, with explicit and sexually charged lyrics that could be seen as offensive by some. The group’s political commentary in tracks like “Dirty Nursery Rhymes” adds an edge to the album. However, some may argue that the album lacks originality and feels repetitive, especially considering that the group had been active for over a decade.
“The Real One” exemplifies the raw, provocative sound that made 2 Live Crew controversial and influential in the world of rap. With a mix of classic hits, political commentary, and innovative production elements, the album showcases the versatility of the group’s sound. While some may criticize the group’s explicit lyrics, it’s hard to deny their role in shaping the rap genre and paving the way for future artists. Overall, “The Real One” is a must-listen for fans of 2 Live Crew and fans of early 90s hip-hop.