Posted in: Hip Hop by Chambo on December 21st, 2008 | 17 Comments
If the constant pain of hearing angry rappers blow on about bitches, hoes, rims, and bling is causing you extreme frustration and a real feeling the world is on a downward spiral, then treat your senses to a Jurassic five feast of hip hop from the heart.
Formed in 1993 out of Los Angeles, California back when rap and hip hop was relatively new and the airwaves were soaked by the grunge rock sounds of Nirvana and the like, Jurassic 5 was a unique sound that nobody had ever heard before. The combination of founders Chali 2na, Akil, Zaakir, Mark 7even, DJ Nu-Mark, and DJ Cut Chemist bought the world a very refreshing and catchy new beat.
The group released their first record in 1997, the Jurassic 5 EP and then their first full length album in 1998, the Jurassic 5 LP. Still relatively unknown it wasn’t until a record label change in 1999 to Interscope Records that they were able to release an album with some vigour and an element of success. The album was Quality Control and it launched the hip hoppers career through the single Influence and the catchy tune Game written around the famous Los Angeles Lakers team of the late 80s early 90s.
Their third album Power in Numbers released in 2002 contained the catchy singles Freedom, What’s Golden, and the song Thin Line accompanied by a catchy melody featuring an up and coming Nelly Furtado.
Feedback was released in July 2006 and featured the single Work It Out which combined a chorus recorded with the Dave Matthews Band and extra exposure by having a spot on the soundtrack for Playstation’s and EA’s NBA Live 07. To date this record has bought the troupe the most success and mainstream exposure in a world where rap seems to be becoming more and more crass and values free.
February 2007 saw a split by the group for reasons unknown to anybody but the members of Jurassic 5 and their closest associates.
The November 15, 2008 release of the Jurassic 5 11th Anniversary Deluxe Re – Issue featured a full length documentary of the group and 15 previously unreleased songs which suggests the band was still in contact and a reformation is on the cards. For the sake of rap and hip hop, let’s hope these LA boys find some retribution and reconciliation and “Work It Out”.
Work It Out – Jurassic 5, Feedback, 2006
papaleng December 21st, 2008 at 10:30 am
Thanks for this very enlightening article, i didn’t know that there really existed a band called “Jurassic Five”.
Bo Russo December 21st, 2008 at 11:37 am
I didn’t know about this,but I like Nelly Furtado & Dave Matthews both,might have to give this a lesson,thanks,RJ
Blue Buttefly December 21st, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Interesting article about singers! Hope they can work it out.
Juancav December 21st, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Pleasant music and singers.
Jackie Stroud Painter December 21st, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Great work!
Joie Schmidt December 21st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I’ve never heard of them before – but, they’ve got a really great sound – thanks!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
Unofre Pili December 21st, 2008 at 6:18 pm
A nice read. Informative!
eddiego65 December 21st, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Never heard of them before. Thanks for the information about them.
Lauren Axelrod December 21st, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I haven’t listened to them in forever. Thanks for the memories
Chambo December 21st, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Hi guys thanks a lot for the comments. I hadnt heard of them either until a couple of years ago when one of my friends introduced me and then I was hooked. Unique sound.
Leafygreens December 22nd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Very interesting!
James DeVere December 22nd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Will get it! Excellent gift idea for this time of the year…j
Chris Stonecipher December 22nd, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I never heard of the Jurassic 5. I like Dave Matthews. I also thought the video had a good sound to it.
Brenda Nelson December 23rd, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Good review, I had not heard of them before. Thanks
hfj January 2nd, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Thanks for the info RJ. I will listen to some of their sounds.
Maria Blazz January 4th, 2009 at 10:21 am
There’s so much good music around the world that sometimes you don’t have the time to listen to everything or even get noticed. Thanks for sharing this.
C Jordan January 19th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
well you turned me onto Blink,so I’ll certainly give these guys a serious listening