Sir Mix-a-Lot — Swass

Anthony "Sir Mix-a-Lot" Ray was born in Auburn, Washington, soon becoming a DJ and founding a own label in 1983 with the radio DJ "Nasty" Nes Rodriguez and the businessman Ed Locke.

In 1985, Sir Mix-a-Lot release "I Just Love My Beat" whose b-side "Square Dance Rap" starts gaining attention and is reissue the next year in UK by dance-electro label Streetwave, peaking #81 in the charts. Originally, the piece is rapped slowly by the author, then he speed it up and increase is pitch in production, because he didn't want to rap: "Square Dance Rap" is played often in clubs, which allows the boy to go on tour in other states. In 1988 he placed his new single "Posse on Broadway" on the Hot 100, leading to his debut album.

The entire disc features not too inspired lyrics and more or less decent party rhythms, however due to this annoying nasal delivery most of the pieces turned out to be practically unheard and the whole album is difficult to carry on. The big problem of this album is the following: it deserves more spins to be truly appreciated in all its facets. But after the first listening, even after the first tracks, you want to throw it in the trash and never want to see it again. Not recommended, it's not an essential listening even for the hip hop albums of the eighties, despite having cultivated a fair influence towards the "minor" scenes of the game.

"Hip Hop Soldier" is among the best tracks on the record, favored by the best rhythm. "Romantic Interlude" is a vicious and too slow ballad, unlistenable song. The rhythms are composed of a skeletal and minimal drum machine, sometimes heavy sometimes light, there are atypical samples for a rap album — Moroder, Iggy Pop, Gary Numan, Kraftwerk —, the delivery of the rapper is light-hearted, devoid of grace, points to the mischievous fun typical of pop rap.

The cover, like the nonsensical title, might not even tell you, and yet the boy manages to publish independently, distribute the product in three continents, extract numerous singles (including "Rippn'" with the debut of Kid Sensation and "Iron Man", a rap metal cover of the Black Sabbath version, featuring Metal Church), climb the charts up to the 20th slot of the rnb albums and reach one million physical copies sold, a milestone certified by the RIAA with platinum disc two years after the release. Not recommended, 5/10.