Throughout the 90s, Brooklyn was an unimaginable supply of rap expertise that not solely took over the streets however the music trade at giant. Whereas it was overwhelmingly male-dominated, ladies discovered methods to chop via – and Cunning Brown’s finest songs made her one of many key gamers on the frontline.
Born Inga DeCarlo Fung Marchand in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood, Brown obtained her begin at native expertise exhibits. She quickly caught the eye of manufacturing group Trackmasters, who later added her because the lone feminine visitor on LL Cool J’s testosterone-heavy “I Shot Ya (Remix)” in 1995. She shortly cemented her place within the trade together with her appearances on 1996’s The Nutty Professor soundtrack with “Touch Me, Tease Me” alongside Case and “Ain’t No N—a” with Jay-Z. Brown’s unabashedly carnal lyrics have been a shock to many, however that rawness was a part of the attraction. At 17 years outdated, she signed a report cope with Def Jam.
Brown’s debut album, Unwell Na Na, was launched later in 1996. It helped set a regular for the brand new class of feminine rappers because it flawlessly balanced sexual confidence, rugged avenue references, and a stylish persona. The significance of Brown has grown as time has gone on. By comfortably proudly owning her provocative nature and embracing her multi-cultural heritage, she arguably paved the best way for larger stars that arrived years later. She’s served as an inspiration for a brand new technology of feminine artists, together with Rihanna, Megan Thee Stallion, Maliibu Miitch, and Nicki Minaj. When discussing rappers who modified the sport, the dialog should embody Cunning Brown.
Cocky Anthems
(“Big Bad Mamma,” “Hot Spot,” “Candy”)
The 90s ushered in a rap period that was all about dwelling lavish, and Cunning Brown wholeheartedly embraced it on a few of her finest songs. She teamed up with R&B group du jour Dru Hill for “Big Bad Mamma” on 1997’s How To Be a Participant soundtrack. Interpolating Carl Carlton’s “She’s a Bad Mama Jama,” Brown proved her model was untouchable: “I know it well, rock Prada over Chanel, H-Class ho with the H. Bendel / Prom diva footwear: Via Spiga.”
That sass continued with “Hot Spot” from the rapper’s 1998 sophomore album Chyna Doll. It was the album’s lead single, Brown didn’t maintain again with the sexual rhymes. (“MC’s wanna eat me but it’s Ramadan.”) As the subsequent decade rolled round, the rapper maintained her explicitness however up to date her beforehand brash manufacturing for extra streamlined sounds. The Neptunes produced 2001’s “Candy.” That includes Kelis on the hook, the Damaged Silence single combines Brown’s icy circulation with poppier, New Wave-inspired melodies.
The Jay-Z Co-Signal
(“Ain’t No N—a,” “I’ll Be”)
Cunning Brown and Jay-Z sparked a friendship within the mid-90s after her Def Jam signing, which led to Jay co-writing a few of her earliest songs (“Get Me Home,” “Big Bad Mamma,” “Hot Spot”) and hopping on a handful of singles. One among their most notable collaborations is 1996’s avenue anthem “Ain’t No N—a,” included on The Nutty Professor soundtrack and Jay-Z’s lauded debut album Affordable Doubt. It stays one of the iconic “battle of the sexes” hip-hop tracks of all-time.
The pair reconnected for Brown’s 1997 “I’ll Be,” an Unwell Na Na single that samples René & Angela’s 1985 R&B jam “I’ll Be Good.” “I’ll Be” is her highest-charting track up to now (it peaked at No.7 on the Billboard Scorching 100) and additional showcased the musical chemistry between the 2 stars. Brown was raunchy on the verses, whereas Jay-Z confirmed off his ear for catchy radio-ready hooks: “Straight out the gate y’all, we drop hits / Now tell me, how nasty can you get.” When it got here to getting nasty, Brown at all times delivered.
The Gradual Jams
(“Get Me Home,” “Touch Me, Tease Me”)
As a substitute of busting via mainstream rap’s door with in-your-face lyricism, Cunning Brown led with sultriness on her debut 1996 single “Get Me Home.” It leans extra R&B, because of the pattern of Eugene Wilde’s “Gotta Get You Home Tonight” and Blackstreet crooning on the hook.
That very same yr, Brown teamed with R&B singer Case for “Touch Me, Tease Me,” which additionally featured Mary J. Blige. The one appeared on The Nutty Professor soundtrack and likewise fared properly on the Billboard Scorching 100 chart, peaking at No. 14. (In 2018, it was given new life when King Combs sampled it for “Love You Better.”)
Caribbean Favorites
(“Oh Yeah,” “Tables Will Turn,” “Come Fly With Me”)
Cunning Brown has proudly represented her Trinidadian heritage in her music, working with Caribbean artists simply as continuously as she does with rappers. Simply earlier than hip-hop and dancehall collaborations took over radio within the early 00s, Brown helped kickstart issues with 2001’s “Oh Yeah.” That includes Jamaican icon and then-boyfriend Spragga Benz, the Damaged Silence single samples Toots & the Maytals’ 1968 reggae anthem “54-46 That’s My Number.”
Brown continued repping dancehall on Damaged Silence, teaming with Child Cham for the bouncy party-starter “Tables Will Turn.” In 2003, Brown paired with Sizzla – yet one more dancehall icon – for “Come Fly With Me” that showcased her knack for seamlessly combining patois and Brooklyn slang.
Store for Cunning Brown’s music on vinyl or CD now.
