before will Smith was embraced by a rich household on TV as well as the rich world of show company in genuine life, he teamed up with West Philly DJ Jeff Townes. There was a third character in the mix, Clarence Holmes (aka prepared rock C), however he left the group in 1990 best after the team won a Grammy since he felt will Smith was a glory hog. (He sued Smith as well as towns years later, however the situation was kicked on a technicality.)
Under the name DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, as well as later solely under will Smith’s solo name, the two created a long string of hits. Townes was a extremely skilled mixologist, as well as has popular skill at the art of scratching—a lost art in today’s all-digital age. as well as all of us understand exactly how lovely will Smith can be. many of their catalog included silly raps aimed mainly at not offending anybody as well as which borrowed heavily from existing pop culture references to attempt to discover an immediate audience. For example, brand new Funk heavily sampled James Brown, as well as their very first single women Ain’t nothing however Trouble, sampled the style to TV’s I dream of Jeannie. then they did headache on My Street: an incredibly corny story about satisfying Freddy Krueger, which led to issues with new Line Cinema. (Although rumor has it that the film business later provided Jeff as well as will leading functions in the film home Party, which later went to youngster N Play.) as well as their Grammy-winning hit, parents just Don’t Understand, is the quintessential example of late 1980s rap, when it was still trying to be palatable to suburbia. even Smith’s later hits, like the style to guy In Black, put all their weight in immediately recognizable samples as well as innocuous lyrics. They tried to be difficult once, with a single called “You Saw My Blinker Bitch,” however obviously the world wasn’t prepared to accept a gangsta rap style story about a fender bender. So, road rage was about the degree of Smith’s edge.
So why does summer make it to the GOAT list? since it’s the ideal summertime song. It’s lively, cute, lovely as well as (like all their other hits) immediately recognizable. even if you’ve never heard it, you’ll feel like you already understand it. since you do. It’s just lyrics over a reworking of Kool & the Gang’s instrumental tune “Summer Madness.”
Further listening: Truly, not much they did stands the test of time. however if you like easy pop raps (and I confess that I myself do like ‘em), inspect out Smith’s solo hits getting Jiggy With It, guy In Black, Wild Wild West.
Cover versions: Okay, indie as well as diy bands have covered the crap out of this song. Tons below, however don’t miss the lullabye version by Jammy Jams, as well as The Hood Web mash-up.
DEMOS by Underage Drinking Party
Vibes by Drew Diamond
Paradise Island by Joe Lewis & Jason Cirimele Feat. Snoop Bob & Matthew Johnson
Once Upon A Rhyme: The total Collection by Jammy Jams
Summertime (Cover) by My name is Moses with Datahowler