Yo! MTV Raps was a sensation from the very first episode.
Running from August 1988 until 1995, the daily program, which featured a mix of music videos, interviews and memorable vignettes, became a showcase for some of the most important artists in the history of hip hop, including NWA, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, Eric B. and Rakim, Salt ‘n Pepa, Public Enemy, Ice-T, and Busta Rhymes. So popular was “Yo!” that it has often been credited with helping to raise awareness of the art form, one that would ultimately become of massive influence on conventional pop culture and beyond. (Hip hop aerobics, anyone?)
One of the hosts was Fab 5 Freddy and in 1992, as “Yo” was peaking in popularity, he published a book, Fresh Fly Flavor: Words & Phrases of the Hip-Hop Generation. And it is def. A soft-cover 98-page dictionary of hip hop slang, at first glance, Fresh Fly may seem like a relic from the 90’s (and it sort of is, but in a good way). However, it’s actually incredibly informative, particularly the detailed glossary of hip hop artists in the back featuring an itemized list of rappers, their albums and their record labels.
Some of the words you probably know (“dope”, “wack”), others, perhaps not (“clucker” = a crack smoker). What’s most fascinating is to see lingo such as “living large”, “wasted”, and “wired” in the book, reminding us that once upon a time, these now-familiar phrases often needed to be defined to a mainstream audience, just as something like “ROTFL” might need to be explained today.
Afrolistic — introduced by the group “The Afros”, known for injecting a major dose of humor and Seventies black culture into the hip-hop scene with their huge Jackson Five style afro hairdos (wigs). Afrolistic was heard on one of the songs and became a funny way of descibing someone or something that would otherwise be called “Afrocentric”.
Beat down — A serious physical beating by one or more persons.
Blitzed — The same as blasted, if not a little higher.
Cold chillin’ — Totally relaxed (Also, a popular rap record label).
Don’t write a check that your ass can’t cash — Don’t say you can do what you are not capable of.
Miss Thang — A conceited woman, popularized by Black gay men.
On the smart tip — See Cool.
Shake and bake — To be faked out and scored upon in a basketball game.
Slob the know — Oral sex (fellatio)
What’s up with that? — Explain what you are doing
Learn more over at MTV, where you can watch classic episodes of “Yo, MTV Raps!”