Wax Only

Thursday, February 7, 2019

The Samples Behind Big Pun’s ‘Yeeeah Baby’

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Legendary Bronx rapper Big Pun tragically passed away 19 years ago today on February 7, 2000. His second studio album, Yeeeah Baby, was released posthumously two months later. It is considered a classic East Coast hip-hop album.

Executive produced by Fat Joe, Yeeeah Baby peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum in October 2017. The project was supported by the singles “It’s So Hard” featuring Donell Jones and the Puerto Rican anthem “100%” featuring Tony Sunshine.

To honor the 19th anniversary of Big Pun’s death, Power 106’s Vin Rican has returned with a new episode of Wax Only. The series showcases classic hip-hop albums and the samples behind them.

Watch Wax Only above.

Related: The Samples Behind Gang Starr’s ‘Moment of Truth’

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Saturday, March 31, 2018

The Samples Behind Gang Starr’s ‘Moment of Truth’

Gang Starr

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…’

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Friday, February 16, 2018

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’

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Thursday, December 21, 2017

The Samples Behind Nas’ ‘Stillmatic’

Stillmatic

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’

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Tuesday, December 12, 2017

The Samples Behind Black Star’s ‘Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star’

Blackstar

In the late ’90s, rising Brooklyn rappers Mos Def (now Yasiin Bey) and Talib Kweli joined forces under the name Black Star. They would both go on to have successful solo careers, but not before releasing their classic 1998 album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, on Rawkus.

The 13-track project, which featured future Aftermath producer, Hi-Tek, became an instant classic. It peaked at No. 53 on Billboard’s Hot 200 chart, with its singles “Definition” and “Respiration” featuring Common reaching No. 3 and 6 on the Hot Rap Songs, respectively.

In celebration of Mos’ birthday, Power 106’s Wax Only series has showcased the album’s most recognizable samples and lyrics. The show’s host Vin Rican is joined by Kweli on the episode.

Watch above.

Related: The Samples Behind The Pharcyde’s ‘Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde’

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Sunday, November 26, 2017

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’

| DJ Culture, Videos
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