The Funky Precedent
| The Funky Precedent | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Compilation album by various artists | ||||
| Released | September 21, 1999 | |||
| Genres | Hip-hop, progressive hip-hop | |||
| Label | No Mayo/Loosegroove | |||
| Various artists chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Funky Precedent is a hip-hop compilation album, released by No Mayo and Loosegroove Records on September 21, 1999.[1][2] The proceeds were used to support the music education programs of three California high schools.[3] It was followed by The Funky Precedent Vol. 2, in 2001.[4]
Production
[edit]The album was conceived by Charles Raggio, who was an admirer of progressive hip-hop from Los Angeles.[5] The only previously released track was Ozomatli's "Cumbia de los Muertos".[6] "S.N.T. (Live at Peacepipe)" blends live instrumentation by Miles Tackett with the turntablism of Cut Chemist.[7] "The Audition" is also a turntablism track, by Rhettmatic of the Beat Junkies.[8] Ugly Duckling's "Journey to Anywhere (With Piano Bar Intro)" was influenced by old-school hip-hop.[9]
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [6] |
| Robert Christgau |  [10] |
| Detroit Free Press | [7] |
| The Oregonian | B[11] |
| The Sydney Morning Herald | [8] |
The Detroit Free Press said, "Emphasizing a low-fi sound—often just a DJ on two turntables and MCs—the album is a lesson in creativity."[7] The Oregonian noted that "all of these tracks have either interesting, intelligent lyrics or bumping grooves... The best track, however, might be from electric guitarist Damon Aaron".[11] The Sydney Morning Herald called the compilation "a big hip-hop party of extraordinary diversity that rewards great volume".[8] Perfect Sound Forever likened Cut Chemist's work to that of Double Dee and Steinski.[12] Robert Christgau praised "Triple Optics (Live Funky Precedent Mix)" and "Getcho Soul Togetha".[10]
Ann Powers, of The New York Times, listed The Funky Precedent as the tenth best album of 1999, writing that it "encapsulate a scene that overflows with what hip-hop needs: skilled lyricists, innovative D.J.'s, grass-roots politics and lots of laughs."[13] The Dallas Morning News listed it as the second best hip-hop album of 1999.[14] The Philadelphia Inquirer included it among the 20 best albums of the year.[15] Spin considered it among the ten best 1999 "records you didn't hear".[16]
AllMusic concluded, "The Funky Precedent is one solid good vibe from beginning to end."[6]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Triple Optics (Live Funky Precedent Mix)" | Dilated Peoples | |
| 2. | "Concrete Schoolyard (Funky Precedent Edit)" | Jurassic 5 | |
| 3. | "Musically Inclined" | Abstract Tribe Unique | |
| 4. | "S.N.T. (Live at Peacepipe)" | Cut Chemist & Miles Tackett | |
| 5. | "Journey to Anywhere (With Piano Bar Intro)" | Ugly Duckling | |
| 6. | "The Audition" | Rhettmatic | |
| 7. | "Getcho Soul Togetha" | Breakestra | |
| 8. | "Cumbia de los Muertos" | Ozomatli | |
| 9. | "Building" | Blk Sonshine feat. Masauko Chipembere | |
| 10. | "To the Outside" | Damon Aaron | |
| 11. | "Good Vibrations" | Miles Tackett | |
| 12. | "Ambiguous Figures" | Styles of Beyond | |
| 13. | "Make It Plain" | Divine Styler | |
| 14. | "Project Bliznaiznowed" | Aceyalone | |
| 15. | "Get Sober" | Black Eyed Peas | |
| 16. | "Save the Music" | Mikah 9 |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Beat Box". CMJ New Music Report. Vol. 60, no. 635. September 13, 1999. p. 60.
- ↑ Caramanica, Jon (September 7, 1999). "Institution building". The Village Voice. Vol. 44, no. 35. p. 45.
- ↑ "Rap for Kids' Sake". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 35. August 28, 1999. p. 48.
- ↑ Chonin, Neva (August 10, 2001). "Pop Music". San Francisco Chronicle. p. C1.
- ↑ Darling, Cary (September 24, 1999). "Hip-hop sets a 'Precedent'". Orange County Register. p. F51.
- 1 2 3 "The Funky Precedent Review by Bill Cassel". AllMusic. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Pratt, Tim (October 17, 1999). "Sound Judgement". Detroit Free Press. p. G6.
- 1 2 3 Buchanan, Matt (December 31, 1999). "CD reviews". Metro. The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 16.
- ↑ Pappademas, Alex (December 24, 1999). "Off the record". The Boston Phoenix. Vol. XXVII, no. 52. p. 23.
- 1 2 "The Funky Precedent". Robert Christgau. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- 1 2 Machado, Ethan (December 24, 1999). "Audio Zone CD Reviews". Arts & Entertainment. The Oregonian. p. 45.
- ↑ Matos, Michaelangelo (February 2000). "Monthly Mixtape". Perfect Sound Forever.
- ↑ "A Year When Pop Genres Took Turns in the Limelight". The New York Times. January 5, 2000. p. E1.
- ↑ Vognar, Chris (December 31, 1999). "'99 brings hip-hop into the mainstream". The Herald-Sun. The Dallas Morning News. p. D17.
- ↑ DeLuca, Dan (December 19, 1999). "Honorable mentions". Arts & Entertainment. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 15.
- ↑ "The Ten Best Records You Didn't Hear". Spin. Vol. 16, no. 1. January 2000. p. 78.