How Ya Like Me Now

Performer: Kool Moe Dee
Engineer: Bryan "Chuck" New; Bryan New
Producer: Mohandas Dewese; Lavaba Mallison; M. Dewese; Pete Q. Harris; Bryan New
Distributor: BMG (distributor)

Notes: Recorded at Battery Studios, London, England. Personnel: Kool Moe Dee (vocals). Audio Mixer: Bryan New. Recording information: Battery Studios, London, England. Photographer: Douglas Rowell. Kool Moe Dee resented the fact that in the mid- to late '80s, most of rap's founding fathers were enjoying little attention. But Dee himself was one of the few exceptions, and the old-school survivor had a major hit with his sophomore effort, How Ya Like Me Now. He would have done better to devote more time to storytelling and less time to boasting, but he definitely brings plenty of soul and spirit (as well as technique) to this material. Though not as strong as his first album, it definitely has its share of classics, including "Wild Wild West," a reflection on the nitty-gritty environment that surrounded rap during its early years; his denunciation of materialism "No Respect"; and the infectious title song, which was clearly inspired by Dee's feud with L.L. Cool J. A few years later, much of the rap world was sick to death of hearing about the feud, but in 1987, it was a major topic of conversation in hip-hop. ~ Alex Henderson

Through his membership in the Treacherous Three, rapper Kool Moe Dee helped charter hip-hop's old school. Kool Moe Dee is the creator of the "fast rap," a style since utilized at one time or another by nearly every MC out to prove his or her skills. He is also considered one of rap's finest battle MCs, participating in one of hip-hop's first high-profile feuds when he accused LL Cool J of stealing his look and rap style. While Kool's commercial and creative appeal certainly peaked in the mid-1980s, he has remained a relevant figure in hip-hop. In 2004, he released the book THERE IS GOD ON THE MIC, in which he issued his "hip-hop report card" and ranked the top 50 rappers of all time.

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