“Now, this ain’t funny, so don’t you dare laugh,” but the fact Cru only has one album – 1997’s Da Dirty 30, to me, is a cruel (Note: hyperbole) joke.
Members Chadio, Mighty Ha, and Yogi felt like the 2nd coming of A Tribe Called Quest, a phoenix that burned a swath through an era of gangstas and Mafioso. The fire this trio created on a single full length opus should have stayed lit by Def Jam for years.
For those rhyme lovers who adore punchlines, this album is flooded with them from beginning to end. Better still, this LP is actually 30 tracks long!
There was no need to fear the distance, however, as 30 flows seamlessly from start to finish. It keeps you too busy breaking your neck to Yogi’s stellar production and its abundance of dope lines to count the miles. See: “The Ebonic Plague” featuring Rass Kass and “Live at the Tunnel” featuring The LOX”.
Cru’s first single “Just Another Case” (featuring Slick Rick) is just as much a classic as this entire LP. It’s one of those records you’ve forgotten about, but lose your mind with excitement when you unexpectedly hear it. “Oh, yeah; this was my $#+%!”
Cru’s record is artistic, it’s fun and funny, and it’s a masterwork in group chemistry that never got an opportunity to further test its formulas. Thankfully their rare science in sound is a triple 10 of dope. | THIS ENT
[By Mr. Joe Walker]
On August 11, 2023, we will join Sixman in Grand Rapids, MI for HIP HOP 50Th Anniversary Music Fest live at top-rated venue The Pyramid Scheme!
Celebrating this cultural milestone, Sixman will close out a stacked lineup of Nappy Head Assassins, J.Rob, Manchild, Loudchief, Zero, Gwopped Up Speedy, Alfie Da Great, Huff the Goat, WUZEE, Sonny Ski, D.E.S., Sha Dow, Adrian Wright, Dj Ill One, DJ Kapp, Dj Seven Eightz, and DJ Kokn, with industry favorite MR. 1204 serving as host.
Sponsored by WYCE, NOXX and COOKIES GR, Wasted Brand Clothing, Debo Scotty (Power Moves Only), Vitale’s On Leonard, THIS ENT, and Feeding America (West Michigan), Sixman is encouraging attendees to bring a non-perishable food item to help feed the less fortunate in the community.
With this once-in-a-lifetime event Sixman and everyone involved are upholding the charitable nature of Hip Hop’s origin at 1520 Sedwick Ave in Bronx, NY fifty years ago.
