On last week’s Golden Age Thursday, we discussed how the emcee and DJ duo are the foundation of hip-hop. It is how the genre was birthed, and once the idea of success and fame came into the picture, these duos started popping up left and right. While there are plenty of pairings that made an impact on the genre, very few experienced the longevity and critical acclaim of Pete Rock & CL Smooth. Rock’s approach to production combined soul and jazz with hard-hitting funk samples that built hip-hop, while Smooth’s effortless flows and thought-provoking rhyme schemes raised the bar for emcees. Together, they only released two studio albums, but their 1992 debut, Mecca And The Soul Brother remains an essential listen for any new hip-hop head. While the duo only lasted a few years, their work together laid the foundation for Rock’s expansive and colorful solo discography.
We look back at the duo’s heyday for this week’s Golden Age Thursday. In 1992, Pete Rock & CL Smooth took over the famous Showtime at The Apollo TV series for an electrifying performance of “Straighten It Out.” The iconic single from their debut record showcases Rock’s unique sample choices and Smooth’s velvet delivery. While the song did not end up charting, you can hear the crowd singing along to the chorus, solidifying its status as a stand-out from hip-hop’s Golden Age.
