When we think young adolescent rappers who are the first that come to mind? for many its probably Bow Wow and little Romeo. For me it's Shyheim and Shyheim again in that order. Yea Bow Wow made hits like"Ghetto Girls", but Shyheim made Hip Hop classics that will live on for true heads forever. For all you closet Bow Wow fans out there be clear! "Bow wow: that's my name" is not a classic. In 1994 Shyheim released "Shyheim a.k.a the Rugged Child" and made his splash in the music industry. Being only a youngster myself when I heard his cassette tape...yes that's right CASSETTE TAPE a friends brother had given me I was totally blown away. I remember sitting in my bed at night amazed that a kid could rap like this. "On and On" the albums best song and single earned Shyheim respect from rap fans and industry heavyweights alike. I mean dude was put on by Ghostface, and on every track he ever spit on whether it was with Wu-Tang, or Big Daddy Kane he held his own. He released this album at around 14, and his soft prepubescent voice spewed out lyrical gems for 15 tracks. Shyheim's voice is what really got you, cuz it made you listen and only further reiterated he point that this kids soul, flow and consciousness were ahead of his time. I'm not gonna give you this guys complete bio and discography. Hopefully I sparked interest enough for you to seek out some of his later underground and mainstream releases. It's always better to stumble upon dope music on your own than have someone lead you to it, at least in my opinion. Anyways if you haven't heard him before I know you've seen him. Old boy has been in a few movies like "The Preachers Wife" and "Original Gangstas", which unfortunately is actually a pretty fair portrayal of what my old mans hometown is like. I'm also pretty sure he was on that TV show the "Parenthood" a few times too. Please check out Shyheim, he's got a lot of good music out there, so seek it out. I doubt you will be disappointed.
Also I know this has nothing to do with rap, but is anyone else hyped that ESPN Classic is showing old American Gladiators episodes? I know I am. Zapp without a doubt till this day is still the largest woman I have ever seen.
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