How well do you know your music? Let’s find out with a quiz that accompanies this week playlist.
The subjects du jour are : Nicole Wray, 702, Keith Murray, Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, Mary J. Blige, Group Therapy, The Afros, Buddha Monk, Missjones, Beverley Knight, Mica Paris
They are the performers of twelve vintage hip-hop, soul, etc. tracks that were ranked in various charts, this week (48/52) BUT … in the Nineties 90s.
1. What chart position did Nicole Wray’s “I Can’t See” achieve on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart?
- A Number 100
- B Number 36
- C Number 1
2. What is the setting of 702’s music video for their fourth single from their debut album?
- A School field trip to a museum
- B Theme park adventure
- C Dinner party in a mansion
3. “Incredible” by Keith Murray and LL Cool J includes a homage to which comic book character in the music video?
- A Superman
- B Joker
- C Iron Man
4. Queen Latifah’s “It’s Alright” features backing vocals by which artist on the soundtrack version?
- A Alicia Keys
- B Faith Evans
- C Missy Elliott
5. What Brass Construction track does Salt-N-Pepa’s “R U Ready” sample?
- A “Movin'”
- B “Watch Out”
- C “L-O-V-E (LOVE)”
6. “You Don’t Have to Worry” by Mary J. Blige was included in which album after its release on a film soundtrack?
- A *What’s the 411? Remix*
- B *Share My World*
- C *The Breakthrough*
7. Which 1996 release is highlighted by its juxtaposition of East Coast and West Coast artists advocating unity in the hip-hop community?
- A “C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu-Tang Clan
- B “Hypnotize” by The Notorious B.I.G.
- C “East Coast/West Coast Killas” by Group Therapy
8. “Feel It” by The Afros was known for its prominence during what specific event in hip-hop culture?
- A Run-DMC’s farewell tour
- B The rise of afrocentric tones in the 1990s
- C The East Coast–West Coast hip-hop feud
9. “Got’s Like Come On Thru” features contributions from members of which iconic hip-hop group?
- A Wu-Tang Clan
- B N.W.A.
- C Public Enemy
10. Hype Williams directed the music video for which 1994 single by Miss Jones?
- A “Where I Wanna Be Boy”
- B “All I Want”
- C “Feel The Beat”
11. Beverley Knight’s “Sista Sista” was a dedication to whom?
- A British pop artists
- B Her album producers
- C Her friends Melissa and Karen
12. What Mica Paris track from *Whisper a Prayer* was later covered by Tamia and Quincy Jones?
- A “Two In A Million”
- B “You Put a Move on My Heart”
- C “I Never Felt Like This Before”
For TWELVE more Hip-Hop & Soul – Vintage 90s Music Videos – week 48/52 – click here
Tracklist
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1 . Nicole Wray – I Can’t SeeFeatured on the 1998 album “Make It Hot”.
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2 . 702 – No DoubtFeatured on the 1996 album “No Doubt”.
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3 . Keith Murray – Incredible (w/ LL Cool J)Featured on the 1999 album “It’s A Beautiful Thing”.
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4 . Queen Latifah – It’s AlrightFeatured on the 1997 album “Order in the Court”.
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5 . Salt-N-Pepa – R U Ready (w/ Rufus Moore)Featured on the 1997 album “Brand New”.
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6 . Mary J. Blige – You Don’t Have To WorryFeatured on the 1992 album “What’s the 411?“.
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7 . Group Therapy – East Coast/ West Coast KillasFeatured on the 1997 album ” “.
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8 . The Afros – Feel ItFeatured on the 1990 album “Kickin’ Afrolistics”.
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9 . Buddha Monk – Got’s Like Come On Thru (w/ Ol’ Dirty Bastard & Drunken Dragon)
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10 . Missjones – Where I Wanna Be BoyFeatured on the 1994 album “Where I Wanna Be Boy”.
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11 . Beverley Knight – Sista SistaFeatured on the 1998 album “Prodigal Sista”. |
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12 . Mica Paris – Whisper A PrayerFeatured on the 1993 album “Whisper A Prayer”.
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And the correct answers (in case you missed one or two) are:
1. “I Can’t See” secured position number 36 on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart in the United States. Nicole Wray’s vocal style, honed under Missy Elliott’s mentorship, contributed to the song’s success.
2. The music video for the song was set against the lively backdrop of a school field trip to a museum. It features 702 performing amidst artifact-themed dancers, aligning with the hip-hop-influenced track’s groove.
3. LL Cool J impersonated the Joker-esque character, “The Last Laugher,” in the music video for “Incredible.” The video parodies comic book super heroes, with each featured artist taking on a fitting persona.
4. Faith Evans lent her background vocals to Queen Latifah’s track on the *Nothing to Lose* soundtrack. The track is notable for its exclusive focus on Latifah’s singing.
5. “R U Ready” samples “Watch Out” by Brass Construction. The single showcased Salt-N-Pepa’s dynamic presence, boosted by its infectious hooks.
6. After its initial release, “You Don’t Have to Worry” appeared on *What’s the 411? Remix*. The track maintained its appeal through the remix and updated production.
7. “East Coast/West Coast Killas” brought together artists from both coasts, and aimed to de-escalate tensions in the hip-hop community post the conflict’s peak. The lyrical message highlighted the futility of rivalry.
8. “Feel It” by The Afros was emblematic of the rise of afrocentric music in the 1990s. The group, formed by Jam Master Jay and DJ Hurricane, distilled themes of afro pride in their work.
9. “Got’s Like Come On Thru” features contributions from Wu-Tang Clan affiliates. Buddha Monk, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and Drunken Dragon added their distinctive styles to this project.
10. The music video for “Where I Wanna Be Boy” was directed by Hype Williams. Williams is noted for his visually striking and narrative-rich direction in music videos during the 1990s.
11. “Sista Sista” was dedicated to Beverley Knight’s friends Melissa and Karen. This dedication was a deeply personal note on the album sleeve.
12. Mica Paris’ song “You Put a Move on My Heart” was later reinterpreted by Quincy Jones and Tamia in 1995. The track’s renewed success highlighted Paris’ impactful songwriting.
For THE FULL HIP-HOP & SOUL COLLECTION click here
