Power 106
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The Samples Behind Gang Starr’s ‘Moment of Truth’
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Since 2015, Power 106‘s Wax Only series has examined some of the most iconic albums in hip-hop history. While each episode has been outstanding, the latest one is extra special.
Today, Wax Only is celebrating its 100th episode by honoring the 20th anniversary of Gang Starr’s fifth studio album, Moment of Truth.
Released on March 31, 1998, Moment of Truth debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and peaked at No. 6 on the 200 chart. The project, which was produced by DJ Premier and the late great Guru, was the duo’s first gold album and most successful commercially.
Moment of Truth featured the singles “You Know My Steez” and “The Militia.” It also contained classic tracks like “Above the Clouds,” “Work,” and the title track, “Moment of Truth.”
Watch Wax Only above.
Related: The Samples Behind 2Pac’s ‘Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z…’
Producer Rvssian Talks Upcoming Migos and Bad Bunny Collab, Producing ‘Krippy Kush’
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Jamaican producer and singer Rvssian recently sat down for an interview with DJ Lechero from Power 106’s The Cruz Show.
Born in Kingston but based in Miami, Rvssian is best known for producing Farruko and Bad Bunny‘s Latin trap hit, “Krippy Kush.” The multi-platinum selling producer hasn’t always worked in Latin music, however. He got his start in dancehall in 2010, working extensively with Jamaica’s Vybz Kartel and Konshens. It wasn’t until 2014 that he crossed over, bringing together Sean Paul and Farruko for a bilingual track called “Passion Whine.” The 27-year-old has since become one of the most sought-after producers in the genre.
During the interview, Rvssian reveals that he’s working on two big collaborations: one with Migos and Bad Bunny, and another with J Balvin and Farruko. He also discusses being an English-speaking producer in a Spanish genre, among other topics.
Watch the interview above.
Related: Bad Bunny Talks Breaking Barriers, Future Collaborations, and Getting Latin Trap on US Radio
The Samples Behind 2Pac’s ‘Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z…’
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Power 106’s Wax Only series has examined the samples behind 2Pac’s second studio album, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z…. The project, which is celebrating its 25-year anniversary today, is considered by many as Pac’s breakout album.
Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z… debuted at No. 24 on the Billboard 200 in March 1993 and went on to achieve platinum status. It featured the tracks “I Get Around” and “Keep Ya Head Up,” which reached No. 11 and 12 on Billboard’s Hot 100 respectively. “I Get Around” remains a staple in DJ sets to this day.
Watch Wax Only above.
Related: The Samples Behind Nas’ ‘Stillmatic’
Bad Bunny Talks Breaking Barriers, Future Collaborations, and Getting Latin Trap on US Radio
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Bad Bunny and DJ Lechero. (Source: Instagram)Rising Latin star Bad Bunny stopped by Power 106 on Tuesday for his first interview with a US hip-hop radio station. The 23-year-old, who burst onto the scene in 2016, is the leading voice behind the surging Latin trap movement.
With the help of his Farruko collaboration, “Krippy Kush,” Bad Bunny has catapulted the once underground genre into the mainstream. In November, he broke language barriers when he enlisted Nicki Minaj and 21 Savage for the official remix of the track. The bilingual remix has been getting radio play in the US ever since, a rarity for a genre not considered radio-friendly.
In the interview, which was conducted entirely in Spanish, Bad Bunny discusses breaking language barriers, his upcoming collabs with American artists, and his ambition to get Latin trap on US radio.
Below are some of the translated quotes from his interview with Power’s DJ Lechero.
His thoughts on his first interview on a US hip-hop station:
“I’m proud because we’re doing big things. We’re achieving enough success to the level that we’re breaking language and cultural barriers. And, from different parts of the world, we recognize what the US hip-hop, rap, and trap markets mean. It’s introduced me to a lot of artists in those genres who respect me, and who I also respect. It’s huge for Latin music and for Latin people in general. I think it’s very important.”Future collabs with American artists:
Whether Latin trap will make it to radio:
“It’s a daily battle that we’re facing, but I rest assured that the moment is coming when we’re fully on just like every other genre. And we won’t have to change the format or the style. I’ve been saying it since I started. And little by little you can see the change and that people are more open-minded to it. Radio programmers are becoming aware of our impact and that the people want our music on. So if the radio is for listening to music, and people want to hear Latin trap, Bad Bunny, and the other artists also making hits, then you have to give the people what they want.”Watch the interview below.
Related: Enrique Iglesias Drops New Single and Video, ‘El Bano’ Feat. Bad Bunny
The Samples Behind Nas’ ‘Stillmatic’
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Following his iconic debut album, Illmatic, Nas took his next three projects in a more mainstream direction. The decision put him under heavy scrutiny and even brought upon JAY-Z‘s infamous 2001 diss track, “Takeover.”
Nas didn’t take long to respond to both his critics and JAY, however, dropping his fifth studio album Stillmatic on Dec. 18, 2001. The project, which is a nod to Illmatic, is widely considered as Nas’ comeback album. It also featured the track “Ether,” his epic response to Jigga.
Stillmatic peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum in January 2002. It featured production from the likes of DJ Premier and Large Professor and included the singles “Got Ur Self a Gun,” “One Mic,” and “Rule” featuring Amerie.
To honor its 16-year anniversary, Power 106 has examined some of the album’s classic samples on its Wax Only series.
Watch it above.
Related: The Samples Behind Black Star’s ‘Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star’
The Samples Behind The Pharcyde’s ‘Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde’
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Power 106’s Wax Only series has examined the samples used on The Pharcyde‘s iconic debut album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde.
The project, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, is widely regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop albums of the 90s. It featured the singles “Passin’ Me By,” “Ya Mama.,” “4 Better Or 4 Worse,” and “Otha Fish.” The former peaked at No. 52 on Billboard’s Hot 100, becoming The Pharcyde’s highest-charting single to date.
Released in 1992, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde arrived during the dominant era of West Coast hip-hop. Despite that, the Los Angeles-based group presented a more light-hearted and jazzier alternative to gangsta rap. It earned them comparisons to De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, according to a feature on Who Sampled.
Watch Wax Only above.
Related: The Samples Behind Kendrick Lamar’s ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city’
The Samples Behind Kendrick Lamar’s ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city’
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Kendrick Lamar‘s breakthrough 2012 album good kid, m.A.A.d. city is arguably one of the most influential hip-hop albums. To honor its fifth anniversary, Power 106 has examined the album’s samples on its Wax Only series.
good kid, m.A.A.d city, which tells the story of K.Dot’s teenage experiences growing up in Compton, debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart. The album contains production by top hip-hop producers such as Dr. Dre, Just Blaze, Pharrell Williams, Hit-Boy, Scoop DeVille, Jack Splash and T-Minus, among others.
The 12-track project features singles “The Recipe” featuring Dr. Dre, “Swimming Pools (Drank),” “Backseat Freestyle,” “Poetic Justice” featuring Drake, and “B#tch, Don’t Kill My Vibe.”
Watch Wax Only above.
The Samples Behind Outkast’s ‘Aquemini’
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Power 106‘s Wax Only series is back to examine Outkast’s classic, third studio album, Aquemini. The album title is a portmanteau of Big Boi and André 3000’s zodiac signs: Aquarius and Gemini.
The project was released on September 29, 1998, and features singles “Skew It on the Bar-B,” “Da Art of Storytellin’ (Pt. 1),” and “Rosa Parks.” The latter became the album’s most successful single.
Produced by Organized Noize, Mr. DJ, and Outkast themselves, Aquemini was certified platinum two months after its release and certified double platinum in 1999. The album peaked at number two on both the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts.
Watch Wax Only above.
Related: The Samples Behind Souls of Mischief’s ’93 ‘Til Infinity’
The Samples Behind Souls of Mischief’s ’93 ‘Til Infinity’
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The mid-90s saw the release of many influential hip-hop albums — Souls of Mischief’s debut 93 ‘Til Infinity was one of them.
Released on Sept. 3, 1993, the album featured the following singles: “That’s When Ya Lost,” “Never No More,” and its title track. The latter, which peaked at No. 72 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, remains a staple in classic hip-hop sets.
The album was produced by four members of the Oakland, California crew Hieroglyphics, including Del Funky Homosapien.
Power 106’s Wax Only series has examined the samples used on the project in honor of its 24-year anniversary.
Watch above.
Related: The Samples Behind Raekwon’s ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx’
The Samples Behind Raekwon’s ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx’
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In 1993, the Wu-Tang Clan released their influential debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). It was followed by successful solo projects from three of its members, one of which was Raekwon‘s highly-anticipated Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.
The album, which dropped in 1995, was produced by RZA and featured appearances from every Wu-Tang member except Ol’ Dirty Bastard. It followed a cinematic storyline based on the rappers’ lives in New York City.
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx lived up to the hype, debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and achieving gold certification within two months. It is now widely considered as one of the best hip-hop albums of the ‘90s.
In celebration of the album’s 22-year anniversary, Power 106 has re-examined the album’s samples on its Wax Only series. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx was first featured on the show back in 2015, but host Vin Rican wanted to revisit it in honor of the series’ two-year anniversary.
Watch above.