A Few Videos with Eclectic, Impressive Casts
I’ve been away for a minute as I have been working on a big project. When I think of the oddest casts in rap music video history, three classic videos immediately come to mind.
De La Soul: Stakes Is High
CAST: De La Soul, Maury Povich, Jerry Stackhouse, Adam Yauch, Phife, Q-Tip, Common, Ali Shaheed Muhammad.
It’s hard to match this song in terms of verses, beat, concept, and video. Is this my favorite song ever? I don’t know that it is but I can’t rule it out. I’m not ashamed to admit that I shed a tear recently watching it as Dave, Phife, Adam Yauch, and producer Dilla have also passed on. I spend too much time wondering if their untimely passing is connected to general systemic racism in our country or also due to the fact that many rapper struggle, at least at some time in their life, to have the benefits that many people take for granted. If I were a more financially secure person, I’d try to unionize rap music to at least provide minimal pooled life insurance. Unreal how many legendary rappers won’t see their 60s and 70s.
Digital Underground: Same Song
CAST: Digital Underground, 2Pac, Dan Akroyd, Dr. Dre, Eazy E
Sad segue into a video featuring 2Pac and Shock G. I don’t think people today know how groundbreaking Digital Underground was as artists. This videos features them, along with their protege 2Pac, and Dan Akroyd, promoting his movie Nothing But Trouble. Dr. Dre and Eazy E make cameos.
Beastie Boys: Make Some Noise
CAST: Please click here. It will save me hours.
This video is essentially cameo-porn. Adam Yauch tried to squeeze in as many stars as possible and succeeded. Roughly 5 years ago, I calculated the following from video cast members.
11 Oscar Nominations
2 Wins
81 Emmy Nominations
8 Wins
47 Golden Globe Nominations
13 Wins.
I will update those titles soon. In the meantime, please tell me what videos I forgot!