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Like most hip-hop fans, I’m normally about one mediocre album—or weak single, exceptionally bogus cameo, corny video, ignorant TV appearance, etc.—away from disavowing even some of my most favoritest rappers. But I’ve always had a soft spot, bordering on the irrational, for Bone Thugs. A collabo with Mariah Carey or Bow Wow is enough to spike a record that I’d otherwise like; putting them both on one song would normally have me howling for blood. But I can’t hate Bone Thugs for “Lil Love”—I even listen to it every couple of spins I give S & L. One of the best things about Bone Thugs is the way they embrace an idea that sounds like the worst thing ever. Sometimes it’s like they’re actively seeking out something terrible just so they can somehow flip it into absolutely unbelievably good music. Whether they’re daredevils or just don’t give a fuck, they can sample Phil Collins (and have him cameo in the video) or Fleetwood Mac and rise above their sample sources in a way that arguably superior rappers often can’t.
Plus, you just can’t deny how rad it is that they rap so fast.
