Cozy Thoughts: The Lost Battle Part 2
Round 6: “Chicken Head” vs “1st of Tha Month”
Bone Thugs have a lot of songs about money. Never heard a song dedicated to welfare checks? Bone got you. You love money? So does bone. Are you a bill collector? Bone is too!
Each of their money-themed songs are equally breezy and aggressive. Immediately, “1st of Tha Month” triggers thoughts of what the summer could be like. BBQ’s, music blasting and seasonal flings. Such fun for a song about government assisted living.
“Chicken Head” features Project Pat, frequent Three Six collaborator and Juicy J’s big brother. I’ve already mentioned how influential Three Six Mafia is but Project Pat deserves credit too. Cardi B used Projet Pat’s flow and even remade this song into the ratchet fun “Bickenhead.” I’d argue that Cardi B’s “Invasion of Privacy” album is a reflection of Project Pat’s “Mista Don’t Play.”
Project Pat was appreciative of the tribute (and probably the check).
“Salute to Cardi B, that was love. Cardi B, man, she’s the truth. She helped me out, like for real,” he said to Complex.
Round 6 goes to Three Six.
Round 7: “Pussy Got You Hooked” vs “Breakdown”
The very ingenious @Dragonflyjonez once said if he ever got married, he’d have violinists play “Pussy Got ya Hooked” at the ceremony (he kept his word). At the start of the song, DJ Paul said they never do one for the ladies. And boy, it’s the classiest Three Six song ever.
Both of these songs are beautiful and feature the lovely Remy Martin and Mariah Carey.
Round 7 is a tie.
Round 8 : “Tongue Ring” vs “Look into My Eyes”
Not one of their biggest singles but another ratchet classic from Paul and Juicy nonetheless.
Round 8 goes to Three Six.
Round 9: “Stay Fly” vs “Crossroads”
Whenever I hear that “YEAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH,” it’s like blast of adrenaline just came through the speakers. “Stay Fly” is an ode to Memphis but it’s appreciated by those not from there. Three Six has given us plenty of top-notch posse cuts and this might be their best one. Its hook is infectious, the production is sharp and I’m still looking for that shirt Juicy J wore in the video.
“Crossroads” has a similar effect. I’ll harmonize the BONE BONE BONE BONE BONE… BONE BONE BONE BONE BONE,” part and then I’m quickly terrified when I hear judgement comes for you. Also, easy to forget that this was actually a remix. The original “Crossroad” was out in 1993 and was dedicated to a lost member of the group, Wally. “Tha Crossroads” was of course dedicated to the man that discovered them, Eazy-E as well as dead family and friends.
“After we were signed by Eazy-E, Wally passed away shortly after and a lot of our family members and close friends were dying off as well,” Krayzie said to OK Player. “Alongside Ruthless Records, we decided to remake the song into ‘Tha Crossroads’ for everyone that we had lost. For us, it was primarily a dedication to our lost loved ones. We had no idea that it would be such a huge song even to this day.”
“Tha Crossroads” is a monster record and Bone’s most famous single. Rest in Power to Uncle Charles, but I’m here for fun.
Round 9 goes to Three Six.
Round 10: “Intl’ Players Anthem” vs “Ridin”
International Players was Project Pat’s song. A deep cut from Pat’s 2002 album “Layin’ Da Smack Down.” This just means that DJ Paul and Juicy J had joints to give out. It was UGK’s biggest song of their career and featured the legendary and GOAT Hip-Hop group, Outkast. Everything about the track is perfect. Andre 3000 opens the song with an a Capella verse and Pimp C rides the beat as the drums kick in. They gave us a dope video and UGK earned a Grammy nomination–a bittersweet adulation for the late Pimp C.
“Ridin” is a big ol’ middle finger to police and law enforcement who assume black and brown people are trafficking drugs or doing anything illegal. I do find it ironic that a song about racial profiling earned Chamillionaire and Krayzie Bone a Grammy but more power to them.
Round 10 has to go to Three Six and they’re my winner for this battle (if we ever get it).
