It’s that time of week again, folks—throwback radio! Today we dive back in 1994 when Bad Boy Records introduced Craig Mack’s debut album, Project: Funk Da World!
The record provided the second release under Puff Daddy’s Bad Boy Records, following The Notorious B.I.G.’s massively-acclaimed classic, Ready To Die. Because of this, Mack’s lay overshadowed by the success of Biggie’s earlier release.
Despite this, Craig Mack proved a formidable reputation as a Hip-hop artist. His debut album achieved RIAA-certified gold, following the premier of his ground-shaking hit single, “Flava in Ya Ear” which released earlier that year.
Funk Da World’s second single, “Get Down”, accomplished Mack’s second Top 40 appearance in 1994. The single would eventually attain certified Gold in 1995.
Though Mack’s debut lay under the canvas of Biggie’s album, it would be a crude mistake to dismiss Funk Da World altogether. The album features smooth beats, perfect for cruising down the civics, or just kicking the feet up and chilling.
More significantly, Mack’s rhymes seem to have transcended through time, perhaps proving greater relevance in the context of present-day. Furthermore, Mack was among the earliest artists boldly blending their faith into the Hip-hop mix. This is signified in the album’s single, “When God Comes”:
“I’m on a mission from the kingdom of God/ To do away with MC’s dat represent nimrod… And radio ya need to be ashamed/ For pumping murder, murder, murder all up in our brain/ I’ll tell ya now Big Poppa don’t like it/ Representing truth when the Mack starts to mic it/ I hope the subject don’t turn ya away/ But the whole Hip-hop generation need to pray”.
Overall, Project: Funk Da World! Craig Mack present the perfect throwback playlist. Not only does it provide a step back into laid back, refreshing rhythms, but it also projects content very significant for the issues bogging the nations today. It’s the Hip-hop movement, all over again.
By Jods Arboleda for RAPStation.com
