1. Brooklyn Queens- 3rd Bass

• "She says she's pure from legs to her thighs and we should talk over some Chinese and fries, I tell her to step, but hey that's the scene cause she ain't nothin...but a Brooklyn Queen" This gem from the "Cactus Album" is based on the disco hit "Best of My Love" by The Emotions. Like the Beastie Boys before them 3rd Bass were considered a novelty in the late 80s-were people really going to accept white rappers? 3rd Bass didn't last very long but Eminem has sold more albums than any other artist this decade so maybe the answer is yes. Next time I have some fries I might need to do it with Chinese.

2. Eric B. Is President- Eric B. and Rakim

• "Eric B easy on the cut, no mistakes allowed cuz to me, MC means move the crowd, I made it easy to dance to this but can you detect what's coming next from the flex of the wrist.." Today this is widely considered "old school" hip hop but it was actually the beginning of a new chapter for rap music. This single (issued in 1986) and the subsequent debut album "Paid in Full" ushered in a new era in hip hop. Ironically the song pays tribute to the DJ (who built the foundation for hip hop) while forever putting the MC in the spotlight. Public Enemy's Chuck D lamented the fact that "Yo! Bum Rush the Show" was delayed and released after "Paid in Full". He felt "Paid in Full" made P.E.'s debut dated on arrival. On this track Rakim shows why he is widely considered the greatest rapper of all time.

3. Mean Mistreater- Johnny Winter

• "Remember, remember, baby when you were layin' out across my bed, you know you were drinking moonshine, baby and talking all out your head" Where would music be without the blues? This song wound up on a Sony "soundtrack of the century" double CD compilation in 1999 and subsequently into my collection. I enjoy the interplay between the electric guitar and harmonica and the down and out lyrics. This is straightforward blues about someone who did you wrong. I'm sure everyone can relate to that.