Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Hip Hop history classroom. It has come to my attention that some of y’all don’t know where hip hop as we know it came from. So I’m here to drop some knowledge. Now, there will be some homework, but I promise this class will be the easiest A you’ve ever got (even if it is your first). I’ll be bringing you hip hop history lessons and all you’ll have to do is sit back and listen. And if you stick around long enough you might learn a thing or two. I hope to add some knowledge to your game and add some dope records to your playlists. Let’s get started.
On March 27th, 1984, the world was introduced to Run-D.M.C. They released their debut album Run-D.M.C. and never looked back. The group was an iconic trio; Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay), Darrly McDaniels (DMC), and Joseph Simmons (Rev Run). Run’s brother Russell helped Jam Master Jay with production and Run-D.M.C. handled the vocals. The Simmons’ brothers have gone on to have incredible business success after their music careers, but that’s a story for another time. Run-D.M.C. served as the coming out party for one of the most influential rap groups ever and would become the first album in the genre to go Gold and be nominated for a Grammy. The album had huge success with standout tracks like “Jam Master Jay”, “It’s Like That”, and “Sucker M.C.’s” to name a few.
This album paved the way for Run-D.M.C to take over the game and revolutionize the sound. Jam Master Jay was a true DJ and scratched up countless records to make his tracks but he also incorporated a lot of samples and instruments that were not common in rap at the time. Rev Run and D.M.C. also pushed the art of MC’ing forward. They still used the classic elements of delivery in a nursery-rhyme style at times but also adopted a quicker flow. They are undoubtedly at their best when they play catch with the beat, passing it back and forth with a quick tempo trading bar for bar. If you love the way today’s groups like Migos pass the beat around, then you owe it to Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C. was also greatly influential to the hip hop culture. They were the coolest cats out of Queens all throughout the 80’s. They were always rocking the flyest track suits with fat gold chains and dope kicks. Their famous track “My Adidas” brought the sneaker and clothing brand to the masses. And their huge crossover track “Walk This Way” with Aerosmith broke down major walls and put hip hop on the pop radar for one of the first times.
If you’ve never heard of Run D.M.C. you’ve either been living under a rock, or I’m older than I thought. And even if it is my age, I’m gonna have to have a word with your parents. If you did already know about this great group I hope I refreshed your memory and helped you dust off some classic records. Now go wherever it is you go to get your music, find Run-D.M.C. and start from the beginning. I’ll get you started with a video below. You can thank me later. Make sure to check in for more lessons in hip hop history like this.
Astros’ Manager AJ Hinch told reporters on Tuesday that the four-man outfield is not just a gimmick. The Astros have experimented with it a little this spring and are prepared to use it in certain situations this year during the regular season. Hinch says that it will be used against pull-happy lefties, most likely on the road since Minute Maid Park has a relatively small outfield layout. The extreme shift would push second baseman Jose Altuve into shallow right, shortstop Carlos Correa to the first base side of second, and move third baseman Alex Bregman into true left field, sliding the other three outfielders towards the right field line. It would leave the third base side of the infield completely empty. Hinch cites two reasons for the extreme shift. The first of course being the numbers. There are hitters in this league that almost never hit the ball on the ground to the third base side and this defense puts the fielders in positions better suited to make plays for those kind of hitters. The second is psychological. It completely messes with the hitter’s head. The Astros are basically telling hitters, “We don’t think you can hit the ball over there.” It will cause some hitters to change their approach to try to beat the shift, pushing them away from what they do best. Those who don’t want to change their approach will be playing right into the Astros’ hands and have less grass to find between fielders. Now this won’t be seen often I’m sure, but I kind of like it. If you’re going to play the percentages and over shift why not go all the way? Leaving the third baseman up the middle doesn’t really add any value, but a fourth outfielder really makes a difference by eliminating gaps. Not every team could do this though. You need to be confident that one or more of your infielders can handle the outfield.It will be interesting to see how Bregman handles the assignment. He saw time in left field on his way to the big leagues before settling in at third base and he’s spent all of an inning and two thirds out in left in the big leagues but clearly AJ Hinch is confident in the young star. I guess we’ll have to wait until Hinch decides to break it out this year to see how it goes. Who knows? This might become common just like the current over shifts.
The NFL owners approved three rule changes today. The biggest one is updated language in the definition of a catch. The league is responding to a lot of backlash about the previously shaky language regarding what is and what isn’t a catch. They stripped down all the jargon and simplified the definition. Now, for a play to be considered a catch it must meet three requirements. The receiver must establish control of the ball, establish himself inbounds (still two feet), and perform a “football move”. A football move is considered a maneuver common to the game, such as a third step or lunging with the ball. So yes, the infamous Dez Bryant non-catch (2014, pictured above) and Calvin Johnson’s non-catch (2010) would have been catches under the new language and will be called as such from this point forward.
Overall, I think this a huge step forward. I will always be in favor of simplifying things. These referees are professionals too and they know how to do their job. This just makes their job easier. This will not end speculation and debate over catch calls though. There will always be something to debate over. Now, that focus will be placed on the “football move”. What counts as a football move? Did the receiver actually complete the move? Was the move completed before the ground separates the ball? This rule change doesn’t make the catch a perfect science, but no amount of change will. There will always be an area of judgment that will change across different people. But this simplifies the decision making process for the people in charge of making these judgements and that is win for me.
The other rule changes are less significant but will still prove to be difference makers. The temporary, trial rule that changed touchbacks on kickoffs to the 25 yard line was made permanent. The rule had good results in its trial run. It helps limit the amount of touchbacks and increases the amount of exciting returns while still keeping the safety benefits of kicking off from the 35. The third rule is completely new. Al Riveron, the senior vice president of officiating, now has the authority to eject a player from a game for non-football acts even if the on-field referees choose not to. This rule was in response to big hits that were penalized but did not result in ejection. I’m sure this rule will get a lot of attention the first time it is enacted. It will be difficult for players and coaches to accept the influence coming from outside the stadium, but in the long run I think this is a good move. The NFL needs to continue to clean up the game from a safety standpoint if it wants to stick around.
Former Cleveland Browns and current burnout Johnny Manziel threw in front of 13 NFL scouts yesterday at the University of San Diego’s Pro Day. Representatives from the Patriots, Bears, Browns, Chargers, Giants, Chiefs, Jets, Raiders, Titans, Lions, Jaguars, Panthers, and Buccaneers were in attendance. Manziel had been working out at USD with their two receiver prospects who did not have a QB to throw to them. This was a win-win as Manziel got a shot at fresh eyes and brought much more coverage to the other two prospects. Manziel claims he is a changed man and is on the grind for a comeback to the league. Sources who were present said that Johnny looked sharp throughout. He told reporters, “I’m a married man. I’m at home with my wife and my dogs, and I don’t have a lot of time after that after doing six-hour training days. I’m happy with where things are. I think things are going well, and I couldn’t ask for a better place to be in my life right now.” If he really has matured, and I hope he has, then he deserves another shot. We all know that he is an amazing athlete and a polarizing character. I have a feeling that Johnny Football will find a gig one way or another with the two new professional football leagues on the horizon. But why not take one last run at the fat paydays in the NFL? Best of luck to you Johnny, just keep your nose clean and the ball flying.
Aaron Boone has been messing with the idea of hitting Aaron Judge in the leadoff spot for awhile now, but today we finally saw it. Judge led off today against the Red Sox in Tampa with Stanton in the two spot. Boone said that this could be an option against a tough lefty when Gardner might see some rest. The idea of having to face Judge and Stanton at the very beginning of a game is definitely going to be a mental obstacle for opposing pitchers. Starters often talking about settling into the game when they pitch and there is nothing settling about seeing those two monsters one-two. And don’t forget that the lineup doesn’t get much easier after those two. You’ll still have to face Greg Bird, Sanchez, Didi and others. That’s a scary sight. As for Judge, leading off doesn’t seem to phase him. “This morning I wake up and I’m hitting leadoff,” Judge said. “It’s just another day. No big deal.” Today he struck out twice but hit the ball hard twice as well, finishing with a 1 for 4. Today’s start was much more about getting comfortable to the idea of leading off then actual results. I hope we see this during the regular season. I agree that it’s a great idea against lefties with Hicks hitting ninth to turn over the lineup. The other plus to this approach is simply more at bats for the two sluggers. Having them higher in the lineup will get them more at bats over the season and of course you want your best hitters getting the most at bats. Balancing this lineup will be one of many good problems Aaron Boone will have to juggle in his rookie year managing. But if he can keep everything straight and this team can stay healthy, the sky’s the limit.
