Back In Rap

Spent some time organizing and sifting through the CD collection this weekend. Whenever I have to do this, I always come across some old gem that takes me back to wherever and whenever.

This time, it was Say What?. In 1990, this Christian rap duo (featuring the humorously-named DJ Mix Master Mighty White) dropped Fresh Fish (iTS, Yahoo!) onto the burgeoning Christian rap scene. DC Talk had just released their first album and hit single ("Heavenbound" off DC Talk) the year before, was getting ready to followup with Nu Thang, and was still capitalizing their name. Other rap groups like Dynamic Twins and D.O.C. were either just cracking the charts or in the wings.

But Say What? stood out of the crowd more for their novelty lyrics than for their good beats and tasty rhymes (which they did have). The first couple of tracks ("Fresh Fish" and "Back In A Big Way") were good, upbeat fun in the veins of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince or Young MC. A couple of tracks later was the eponymous sample-fest of "Say What?" and shortly after that one of the songs that became a part of many a youth group bus rides, "I Can Sing Higher" (AAC file). In this skit, two girls debate over one of the girl's ability to sing higher than Sandi Patti.

Keep in mind, in 1990 Sandi Patti was still one of the icons of CCM. Even One Bad Pig rifed on her in their song "We Want You". Anyway, it was hoot. Still makes me chuckle.

Two years later, and with a different MC (but same DJ), Say What? released Nuclear Fishin' (iTS, Yahoo!). It was, like it's predecessor, a mixed bag of songs, samples, and skits/interludes. The sophomore effort didn't really build on the first release. Instead, we got mostly more of the same, and the areas they did try to expand (namely "serious" songs about AIDS and whatnot) in fell flat. However, there was a delectable morsel to be found.

Pulling from a host of CCM artists and hits, Mix Master Mighty White crafted "Star Spangled Sundae" (AAC file). This skit envisioned a GMA-week banquet where all the artists responded by singing samples from their songs. Most of these acts are long gone, but if you followed Christian music around the time, it's worth a listen and a laugh.

At this point, Nu Thang had made dc Talk the king of Christian rap. Free At Last would come out later that year, setting the bar quite high for Christian hip-hop and rocketing dc Talk into stardom. And, like most novelty acts, Say What? didn't have the fan base, the musical talent, or the relevance to sustain themselves. Or maybe they just got day jobs. I have no idea.

Anyway, I enjoyed my journey down memory lane. And even if you never heard of them before, I think you'll get a laugh out of the two songs I linked to if you were familiar with the word of CCM "back in the day".

While scrounging around for the links, I came across a mash-up album called Smash-Up featuring Christian artists. Fun stuff. Even if it does include C*rm*n. 

Comments

[dphnee]

I looooooooooooved Say What? !!!! But the answer to this question still eludes me...WERE THEY WHITE?!

[Adrian]

do you have the cd still? --> i have a worn out cassette and it would be great to get some mp3s, hell ill even paypay the original music label a donation!

[Kevin]

My brother and I have passed the old cassette tape of Say What back and forth over the years to each other. It's amazing how such an insignificant album can have such a long lasting impression on people. Of course it's not because the music is great, we laugh at it and make fun of it, especially the song Brother, Brother. But how many old tapes do I have from 20 years ago? That's right, only 1. So I guess Fresh Fish is a great album.

[Matthew]

The album Fresh Fish is available for download on iTunes. Enjoy!!