Philadelphia Weekly

MUSIC

Emynd and Bo Bliz Party Like It’s 2001

By Brian McManus

Add Comment | Comments: 2 | Posted Jan. 19, 2010

2001. The year we had to try hard to cope with one outrageously horrific, tragic assault on our way of life: Creed got huge. What’s more, Britney broke through. Pink arrived on the scene. Every other song on the radio was an aural bomb set to detonate. So how do Philly DJ savants Emynd and Bo Bliz plan to play nothing but music from the year 2001 for five straight hours at the next installment of their fun, fun, fun It’s The Year... party—wherein the dynamic duo play music released in a specified year? We asked Bliz (Emynd’s in France until Saturday) to give us a glimpse into the night. Thankfully, we see no Creed. Never again.

Alicia Keys, “Falling”

”So everyone was convinced at this point Ms. Keys was the next coming of real artistry and God knows what else. It was a welcome change from most of the R&B that was coming out. Whether you’re sold on her or not (she’s on my shit list because of ‘Empire State of Mind’—go Phils!), this first album was huge, and I’m certain all y’all will be mangled and singing along to this come 2 a.m.”

Blu Cantrell, “Hit ‘em Up”

”And you thought ‘to the left, to the left’ was an original idea? What? One of these songs comes out every couple years where for three minutes girls can wag their finger and sing along about how they are kicking their man to the curb for breathing wrong and they’re all swaggerific and independent. Then the next song comes on. The beat bangs though.”

Jay-Z, “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)”

”You could have been anywhwere else in the world, but you’re here with me...” Man I was really looking forward to getting out of my 9:45 class and buying this album [Blueprint, out September 11]. That was until I heard about the WTC. Eeesh. Bad memories. What a shitty decade of wars followed that BS. Still by far Jigga’s best album.”

Nas, “Ether.”

”Yup yup. ‘Who’s the best? Pac, Nas and Big.’ Nas’ return to relevance came in 2001. So many good songs on this album [Stillmatic] and we can thank his beef with Jigga (I guess). But yeah, I’ll be trying to run the majority of this album at various times on Saturday. ‘That ether, that shit to make your soul burn slow.’”

Aaliyah, “Rock the Boat”:

”Awwwwww... Aaliyah, we still miss you. Definitely saw Aaliyah maturing as an artist on this album, and tragically it was her last. RIP.”

Missy Elliot, “Get Ur Freak On”:

Watch dance videos and dance lessons at DanceJam.com

“Missy and Timbaland were running things back then. I’d like to hear more Timmy nowadays. No one has beats like this dude! He da bessss.”

Ludacris, “Roll Out”:

”Everyone likes Ludacris. My vote for most charismatic rapper ever, with Slick Rick and Ghostface tied at second.”

O-Town, “Girl”

”Sike!!! We ain’t playing no goddamn O-Town! We will be playing our fair share of poppy BS though. You’ll just have to come and find out what.”

Sat., Jan. 23, 9pm. $7. Hosted by Reef the Lost Cauze. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave. 215.739.9684. johnnybrendas.com

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COMMENTS

Comments 1 - 2 of 2

1. Ryllis said... on Jan 20, 2010 at 09:46AM

“Me likes. Me there. Can't wait for the Blu song!”

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