SONG FOR THE MOMENT (DECEMBER): COMMON SENSE-I USED TO LOVE H.E.R. (J-Emcee's Old School Remix)

"I met this girl, when I was 10 years old. And what I loved most, she had so much soul." If you know this lyric, then you know real hip-hop. You know Common Sense and this 'I Used To Love H.E.R.' song by Common the artist formerly known as Sense, the classic of all classics, serving as both an open letter of devotion and the history of hip-hop. Common's classic is one of raps most well written scribes and his story is one that is only right to be celebrated in the coming December release of his new album 'The Dreamer, The Believer'. 'I Used To Love H.E.R.' already has a pretty nice beat but what better way to pay homage to this track and genre by way of a reminiscent remix?

Well that's what J-Emcee (James Mark Currie) has done with his 'Old School Remix' of this 1994 iconic track. Sampling beats from everyone from Biz Markie to Dr. Dre (the full incredible list of samples for you hip-hop heads follows this piece) J-Emcee really paint the portrait and picture of this classic and genre like it should be. Drawing many of Common's inspirations for this record all on one track. The samples tell the story of 'h.e.r.' just like Common's rhymes do and thanks to J-Emcee's visionary style it also doesn't use any beat after 1994 (when this track was released) so therefore it's true to both the originality and inspiration of the timeless track. The vision also extends to the remix being played over the original video, where many beats fit like Kangol's on Cool J's, some adding to the sound effects of tape decks and breaks. It all seems so seamless, it all seems so meant. J-Emcee has reinvented the Remix going beyond the usual. It's clear he loves 'h.e.r.' too, and who we're talking about is hip-hop. TIM DAVID HARVEY.



Audio Two – Top Billin’
Boogie Down Productions – The Bridge Is Over
Biz Markie – Make The Music With Your Mouth, Biz
MC Shan – The BridgeFunkdoobiest – Shittin’ On ‘Em
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Ill Street Blues
Lord Finesse – Track The Movement
Schoolly D – P.S.K.
Marley Marl – The Symphony
X Clan – Verbs Of Power
Boogie Down Productions – Stop The Violence
Eazy E – Still Talkin’ S***
De La Soul – Fanatic Of The B-Word
Dr Dre – Deep Cover
A Tribe Called Quest – Bonita Applebum
The Pharcyde – Passing Me By
Naughty By Nature – Guard Your Grill
Stetsasonic – Talkin’ All That Jazz
Pete Rock & CL Smooth – Skinz
Gang Starr – Manifest
Eric B & Rakim – Microphone Fiend
Just Ice – That Girl Is A Slut
Diamond D – Red Light, Green Light
Ed OG & Da Bulldogs – Bug-A-Boo
Apache – Gangsta Bitch
Cypress Hill – Stoned Is The Way Of The Walk
EPMD – Let The Funk Flow
Whodini - Friends
Showbiz & AG – Runaway Slave
Onyx – Slam
Das EFX – Straight Out The Sewer
Slick Rick & Doug E Fresh – La Di Da Di
Wu-Tang Clan – Shame On A N****