Via Nappyafro

You have to dig in the crates quite a ways back to find out when skits became big on Hip-Hop albums. If I remember it right, I THINK it was De La Soul that pretty much escorted this practice into regular status in Hip-Hop. On some albums, it’s a major player and adds to the quality and on other albums, it’s a part of the reason the FFWD button is damn near naked. Today, let’s talk about classic skits in Hip-Hop and those who have you looking forward to the skits almost as much as the albums (at least the ones that I’ve heard, so don’t come in here talking about MC Local Leonard on his Still Local 6: The Takeover Album.)

5. Lauryn Hill

Stand-Out: Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
As one of my top 5 albums of all time, the interludes on this album add to the classic nature of Ms. Hill’s first album. The classroom setting and voice of the children set the tone as Lauryn grows up on this album in front of our eyes.

4. Little Brother

Stand-Outs: “Diary of a Mad Black Daddy”, “5th and Fashion” (Minstrel Show); “Don’t Trust Em”, “The Singing Bums”; (Separate But Equal), “Roy Lee Producer Extraordinaire” (The Listening)
I think LB could be writers or have their own Skit show on TV because these cats are fools man. One of my favorites is 5th and Fashion that patterns itself after one of those commercials for the Big Big Expo Sale down at your local Convention Center or dome.

3. Kanye West

Stand-Outs: (Any skit from The College Dropout & Late Registration)
Ye is one of the best at using skits to complete his album. From the (fake) Bernie Mac intro to Broke Phi Broke, Ye has proved to be one of the purest and most complete fusions of Hip-Hop and creativity to date. Proven to be more than just filler, this man is serious about his music.

2. Bad Boy Records

Stand-Outs: Mase – Harlem World, The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death
The skits featuring the Mad Rapper were so successful, they spawned an album. The shit was comic genius and would do even better in today’s climate of ringtone rap and one hit wonders. Not to mention my personal number one skit of all time before “Nasty Boy” on Biggies album kept me teary each time I heard it.

1. Dr. Dre – Aftermath / Death Row Records

Stand-Outs: “The $20 Sack Pyramid” (The Chronic), “Steve Berman” (The Marshall Mathers LP)
The skits with Steve Berman, Paul Rosenberg, and Insane Clown Posse on Em’s CD’s are too funny for words. When you add in $20 Sack Pyramid, the classic Deez Nuts, and the lead in skits on Doggystyle, I don’t know that any one producer is better at this than Dr. Dre.