360º (What Goes Around): The 20th Anniversary Of Grand Puba’s Reel To Reel - Page 3
Written by
Dart Adams
Published on
October 19, 2012
Share the post
Share this link via
Or copy link
October 20th, 1992 was a notable date in Hip-Hop history for several reasons, most of them stemming from the fact it’s the day veteran MC/producer Grand Puba released his classic debut album Reel To Reel. You may ask why I’m writing about an album that failed to even sell Gold 20 years after its release. You may even wonder exactly why this album is considered a classic and what’s it’s legacy is. I’ll address all of that and more right now.
Grand Puba (Maxwell) was once a member of the crew Masters Of Ceremony, who were best known for their songs “Cracked Out” & “Hot.” Once they broke up Grand Puba was writing & producing here and there before he hooked up with Brand Nubian who were also from New Rochelle. They teamed up with legendary A&R and producer Dante Ross to create what would become a seminal Hip-Hop record as well as a classic album in 1990’s One For All. After disputes within the group, Grand Puba decided to go solo from the successful crew in 1991. He signed a solo deal on the same label Brand Nubian were on, and one of Brand Nubian’s DJ’s (Alamo) joined Puba as well. In addition, Dante Ross & his SD50 (Stimulated Dummies) production team would also lend production to Puba’s solo project (which Puba largely handled on his own).
Grand Puba had finally set out on his own but first he made some key moves and guest appearances many have forgotten about or overlooked. Let’s recap shall we? Grand Puba rhymed on Heavy D & The Boyz’ Pete Rock produced single “Don’t Curse” in 1991. He had a popular track called “Fat Rat” on the soundtrack of the 1991 film Strictly Business (formerly titled “Go Natalie!”). Puba not only wrote Pete Rock’s rhymes on Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth’s classic LP Mecca & The Soul Brother but he also appeared on the song “Skins.”
Puba also appeared on “Who Makes The Loot?” from The Brand New Heavies Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1 album. After sampling laws made provisions that samples had to be cleared and listed in liner notes (including interpolations) that made it possible for bands and instrumentalists to have more of a role in Hip-Hop, Puba was one the highest profile examples of this occurrence at the time. Puba also appeared on the title track of Mary J. Blige’s classic debut What’s The 411? which dropped in late July 1992. His buzz was huge by the time his first single from Reel To Reel, “360º (What Goes Around),” dropped the next month.
Grand Puba influenced Hip-Hop from a fashion perspective as well. Puba was an early adopter and advocate for Tommy Hilfiger clothing, Girbaud jeans and backpacks (or knapsacks as he referred to them). While he is the man who made Tommy Hilfiger’s name hot in the Hip-Hop community and Girbaud jeans popular nationwide amongst heads he wasn’t the first (or only) head that made backpacks hot.
Backpacks were already a widespread Hip-Hop accessory going back to 1991 (Will Smith’s group 2 Too Many & Leaders Of The New School are evidence of this). He has been given the credit for popularizing it because his lead video for “360º (What Goes Around)” earned a prestigious spot on MTV’s rotation via Yo! MTV Raps. Many forget that Puba associates Rough House Survivers dropped a Tony Dofat produced single “Check Da Backpack” around the same time as Puba’s “360º.”
Puba’s influence and pioneering extended beyond fashion and accessories, though. His bare bones production style, effortless conversational flow and willingness to harmonize on one track, holler at the ladies on the next and then drop knowledge on the following offering gave the listener a natural variety they often didn’t get. Usually, an eMC would vary up his songs to provide “something for everyone” in order to gain sales. Puba clearly did whatever he felt at the moment. One of these things being a duet with a young Mary J. Blige on the single “Check It Out” which should’ve capitalized off of her rising popularity.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
The single failed to crack the Billboard Hot 100 (“360º” peaked at #68). Songs like “Check The Resume,” “Honey Don’t Front”, “Lickshot,” “Ya Know How It Goes,” “Soul Controller,” “Back It Up” and “Baby What’s Your Name” could be heard blaring from cars, jeeps, Walkmans and radios all across the nation.
Unfortunately, most only remember that Grand Puba’s lead single “360º (What Goes Around)” hit #1 on the Rap charts and that the video introduced the Hilfiger, Girbauds & backpack aesthetic to those outside the Hip-Hop Nation via MTV’s airwaves. What they missed was a classic album devoid of any obvious pandering or attempts of grabbing a crossover audience although Puba was all but poised and set up to take a stab at it. Whenever the subject of Grand Puba was brought up to Dante Ross on Twitter he often remarked that Puba had unrealized potential to blow up. However, the artist often got into his own way and didn’t capitalize on opportunities that were afforded to him both musically and business wise in those critical years.
Cats seem to forget that Grand Puba produced classics for Positive K back in the days. He produced two tracks for MC Lyte’s 1989 classic Eyes On This and wrote bars and did production for many other notable artists over the years. Grand Puba was easily one of the most influential and innovative MCs and producers of the early 90’s. You can easily go cop Grand Puba’s classic 1992 album Reel To Reel on iTunes or go to the record store and seek out a physical copy to hear those chops, hard drums and clever rhymes spit deftly over great production. Brand Nubian dropped their classic sophomore album In God We Trust in February 1993 and it had a much more aggressive and militant edge to it. It was dope but definitely missed that balance Grand Puba’s bars and effortless flow would’ve possibly provided.
