
I had a conversation with this young lady who is 5 years my junior over the weekend, and the question asked to me, “R.E. who’s your favorite artist?” That was a hard question to answer. I have a lot of artists that I like but none of them that I consider to be my favorite (no, not even you Weezy). Actually, the last time I had a favorite artist was Method Man and that was before he went hollywood and made bad movies and worse sitcoms. And then started sacking on his rhymes. But back in ’93, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97 Method was that dude in my book. It prolly had a lot to do with Method being a tall, skinny, brown skin dude with crazy swag more than anything because I pretty much have that same description.
So I answered shorty’s question, “I don’t really have a favorite artist. The last favorite artist that I had was Method Man.” Lil mama looked at me like I was Don Imus or someone, “Method Man,” she said. “Why in the world would you like Method Man?” Right then and there it hit me. As an ’81er, is R.E. losing connection with younger ’80s Babies. These 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22year olds (yes, that means you, E) have no recollection of the best era in hip-hop music. Back when the Wu Tang was nothing to fux wit’. When Biggie was black and ugly as ever. Back when Nas was a chipped tooth lyrical genius. When the Lox were killing the mixtape game. Then Outkast wore kango hats and Atlanta braves jerseys. Shit, even when Master P was making ‘em say uhh! These kids have no idea. And because of this, today at The Block I have to take some time out to salute my mid-90s heroes. Yes, Meth was my favorite rappr as a teen and here are some of my other favorite peeps growing up in the ’90s.
My Favorite R&B Singer: Mary J. Blige

I really did have a crush on Mary since real love. Back when Mary was on drugs and letting K-Ci beat her ass, you could feel the pain through her music. This new Mary is cool but the new millennium Mary was nothing like the Mary that was Queen of Hip-Hop Soul when I was a teen.
My Favorite Group: Jodeci

My and my ace homeboy, KB, used to think we were K-Ci and Jo Jo. I’d throw my fit cap to the front and be Jo Jo, and he’d throw his cap to the back and be K-Ci. Then we’d attempt to sang sweet Jodeci-influenced nothings into whatever young lady’s ear that was near. (That’s prolly why we both ended up being freaks). Jodeci was the ultimate band in the mid-90s. Ask Jagged Edge, they got their whole style from these nuccas.
My Favorite Basketball Player: Penny Hardaway

Before Penny had injury problems he was the fuxing man. He had a killer crossover, crazy court vision, mad hops, his own shoe and most importantly…Lil Penny. Damn, Penny. I miss you bruh, (nullus).
My Favorite Baseball Player: Ken Griffey Jr.

I played baseball as a teen and I tired my best to emulate Ken Griffey Jr. coming up but it didn’t work that well because he was left handed and I was right handed. Anyways, if Griffey Jr. didn’t get hurt every other at bat the dude would have shattered that Hank Aaron homerun record years ago. Barry who?
You youngsters don’t know what you missed. ’93-’97 were the best years ever.