Words by Jesse Serwer—
Ghetto Muzik was a video show that aired in New York City in the mid ’90s. Along with Ralph McDaniels’ Video Music Box, it had the distinction of being one of the first and only US video programs to regularly feature dancehall music. Somebody recently added an entire episode’s worth of footage from it, and ‘God bless ’em. This particular episode features WBLS Reggae House Party host and current Sirius XM radio personality/program director Pat McKay (with help from Bobby Konders and Tim Westwood) filling in for regular host Marcia Davis, and the playlist is just sick: Red Fox’s “Born Again Black Man,” Louie Rankin and Black Uhuru’s “One Love,” “Just Because I Am Poor” by HR of the Bad Brains, “Wild Wild Life” by Wailing Souls, George Clinton’s cameo-heavy “Paint the White House Black.” What?
While each of these could be its own post, the most intriguing inclusion is ’80s dancehall don Tiger’s “Who Planned It,” featuring none other than Q-Tip. If only for the reason that even the most ardent of Tribe fans might not know about this particular connect between the Abstract and Mr. “No Wanga Gut.” (Guilty as charged) As we’ve duly noted, Q-Tip has Caribbean roots which he’s repped heavy over the years but, even still, you’ve probably never heard him do it up exactly the way he does (which is to say extra goofy) on this LA Riots-inspired call for racial unity. Naturally, the clip for “Who Planned It” is stocked with all the ’90s rap video cliches you can shake a stick at, like Cross Colours-style outfits, people doing flips on basketball courts, and the ubiquitous bonfire.