a love letter to Los Angeles

With so many songs giving tribute to their city, I thought it would be a good idea to touch on songs that pay tribute to our beloved City of Angels.  Although their are tons of songs that speak on the city of LA, some get me hyped up more than others. Here is a short list of songs to help those familiarize themselves with our great city.  I don't really touch on too many genres, but the ones that capture my attention and drive my soul.
I will leave out the obvious joints like, Straight Outta Compton, I Love LA and others that we all have known to love.  

L.A. Sunshine-WAR (blue note)

This joint came to me as a direct result of loving all things WAR.  Familiar songs such as Lowrider, All Day Music, and Why can't we be friends were songs that introduced me to this classic band, but I've always had a liking for this particular song.  The lyrics are not that complicated, but the driving force behind this song is the underlying funk coupled with that repetitive line..."LA, is my hometown, Its a funky town"...Gotta Love it!

Funky LA-Paul Humphrey (lizard, 1969)

Imagine walking down Imperial Hwy back in 1969 bumping this in your ride.  Sporting long wavy hair, a fu man chu mustache, a hawaiian shirt and a tan leather jacket (that's what I imagine myself looking like).  I started following Paul Humphrey after I copped the Jimmy Smith "Rootdown" album and read the liner notes.  This song gives me an idea how funky the LA scene was back then. Come on, his back up band was called, "the cool-aid chemist!"

How to Survive in South Central-Ice Cube (Qwest)

Follow these few steps: Lace up your chucks, throw on your Raider Starter cap and press play. This is the Ice Cube we all came to love. Pre "Are we there yet".  Nobody on the West Coast was touching Cube at this time.  This is when people were scared to go to Baldwin Hills plaza, or wear a certain color. The time when Ice Cube prophetically talked about a Black Korea which became a reality for some on April 29, 1992. Play Death Certificate over and over and listen to him basically lay the groundwork for things to come. Scary. Fortunately, I found me a promo copy of the soundtrack for Boyz N the Hood (gatefold). 

People Under the Stairs- The LA Song (Om)

Who wanna test...We lickin' off shots in the West!...

I had to show a live LA show to get the real LA feel to this song...Lyrics are dope on this one.

Murs-L.A. (Record Collection)

Shouts to my cities, Lynwood, Long Beach...Dope production by 9th Wonder. His Lyrics pretty much sum up Southern California.
Murs - L.A.










Bonus Cut: The Mighty Diamonds

West UP!