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Schoolly D: Welcome to America (Ruffhouse/Columbia)

Chuck Eddy, Vibe, March 1994

EARLY RAP imitated the world it was created in: celebratory house and street parties that suddenly erupted into bloody crossfire from gangster-leaning, stick-up kids walking around like Pretty Boy Floyd. People busted asses and pointed guns at heads in Solid C, Bobby D, and Kool Drop's 1979 'Wack Rap' and Spoonie Gee's 1980 'Spoonin' Rap', but the violence snuck up on you, hidden among zaniness about roller skating or limes turning into lemons. Outsiders didn't start bugging out about violent rap lyrics until Schoolly D released his first album on his own label in West Philly in 1986.

Total word count of piece: 353

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