EDGE OF THE NEW SCHOOL

The Future Sound: Sucka Set
From The Whole Shabang (East/West, 1992)

Original Flavor: Brainstorm.
From This Is How It Is (Atlantic, 1992)

Neither of these were extraordinary albums or artists but they represented a fascinating snapshot of hip-hop right at the fading edge of the New School. Positive, conscious, jazzy, both of these Dame Dash-managed groups came on the heels of the Native Tongues, Leaders of the New School, Brand Nubian, etc. but were two years too late to truly capitalize. That said, these two songs represent the better side of both artists. “Sucka Set” sounds like a KMD b-side while “Brainstorm” has more of a Kwame-throwback feel (but not in a bad way).