Hot shit! “I’m from the Loo and I’m proud,” raps Nelly on the ’00 summer anthem “Country Grammar.” Besides pumping out of every system from Manhattan to Manhattan Beach, Nelly’s clever updating of Little Anthony & the Imperials caused a minor controversy at the Chronicle two weeks ago when certain powers that be deemed the “shimmy shimmy cocoa puff” refrain “too suggestive” for cover copy (they thought it was about breasts). But there’s no disputing this St. Lunatic playa carries a bigger stick than Big Mac himself, and that his Country Grammar album’s got more hits than the Super Bowl Champion Rams: “St. Louie,” “Thicky Thick Girl,” “Tho Dem Wrappas,” and the brilliant “Batter Up,” which not only uses baseball lingo to great effect but jacks The Jeffersons theme for its irresistable chorus. Nothing less than the hip-hop album to beat so far this year, Country Grammar lands Nelly in the big leagues all right. And that “Country Grammar” video — damn! Maybe “shimmy shimmy cocoa puff” is about breasts… “Never let ’em C U sweat,” Nelly says, but if I were NYC standard-bearers the Ruff Ryders and Lil’ Kim, I would be sweatin’, because neither Ryde or Die Vol. 2 (Ruff Ryders/Interscope) or The Notorious K.I.M. (Queen Bee/Undeas/ Atlantic) are good for much else besides object lessons in what happens when you start to believe your own press clippings… Ice-T‘s Greatest Hits (Atomic Pop) came out not long ago, and despite ignoring the Body Count years (which actually may be a good thing), it’s still a fun trip back to the pre-N.W.A. days of “Colors,” “I’m Your Pusher,” and “6 N’ the Mornin'”… Not enough time to get to the new Shaggy or De La Soul albums, but do yourself a big favor and pick up L.A. underground kings Jurassic 5‘s new one Quality Control (Interscope). Tight lyrics, dope beats, and a closing number “Swing Set” that’s raucous rehabilitation for the rhythmically impaired. Hot shit!
This article appears in August 11 • 2000.