October 19, 20264 min read

Today in Hip Hop: October 19

On this day: Eazy-E went to war with Dr. Dre, MF DOOM put on the mask, Pharoahe Monch went solo, and Black Moon took Brooklyn back. Seven moments that shaped the culture.

OMYGOTTI

Toronto hip-hop artist | 730K+ Facebook

1993

Eazy-E Drops "It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa"

On October 19, 1993, Eazy-E dropped "It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa," an eight-track EP aimed squarely at Dr. Dre. It was the last project he would release in his lifetime. It debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 and moved 110,000 copies in its first week.

This was war music. Dre had left Ruthless, N.W.A was dead, and Eazy came back swinging with "Real Muthaphuckkin G's," one of the coldest diss records ever cut. He went at Dre, Snoop, and the whole Death Row machine with nothing but the truth and a grudge. Eazy passed in March 1995, so this EP stands as his final full statement, and it charted top five on pure disrespect.

My take: People forget how dangerous this record was. Eazy did not have Dre's budget, he just had the truth. "Real Muthaphuckkin G's" is still a top five diss record ever. History remembers who won the war, but this EP proved Eazy was never scared of the fight.

1993

Black Moon Drops Debut "Enta Da Stage"

Buckshot, 5FT, and DJ Evil Dee dropped "Enta Da Stage," Black Moon's debut, on October 19, 1993. Produced by Da Beatminerz and carried by "Who Got da Props?" and "How Many MC's...", it became a mid-90s East Coast landmark.

1993 was a crowded year, but Black Moon carved their own lane with a dark, smoky Brooklyn sound. Da Beatminerz gave them beats that sounded like the basement they were recorded in, all grit and low end. This album helped set the template for what underground New York would sound like for the next decade.

My take: This is the sound of Brooklyn basements in 93. Dark, dusty, no polish. Black Moon did not chase radio, they built a movement by staying true to the block.

1993

Erick Sermon Drops Solo Debut "No Pressure"

After the EPMD split, Erick Sermon stepped out solo on October 19, 1993 with "No Pressure." The Green Eyed Bandit, holding it down alone.

Everybody wondered if Sermon could carry a record by himself. He could. "No Pressure" had that funky Sermon bounce all over it, and it proved the split did not slow him down one bit. EPMD would reunite eventually, but this album stands as proof that Erick was always a force on his own.

My take: The Green Eyed Bandit did not miss a step. When your group breaks up and your solo still knocks, that tells you the talent was real all along.

1999

MF DOOM Releases "Operation: Doomsday"

On October 19, 1999, MF DOOM released his solo debut "Operation: Doomsday." Independent, raw, and unlike anything else out. It introduced the metal-masked villain to the world.

Nobody knew who was behind the mask when this dropped. DOOM took the most comic book concept imaginable and made it the realest thing in rap: the skits, the dusty loops, the dense rhyme schemes. Tyler, The Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, a whole generation of brilliant weirdos, they all trace back to this album. He proved you could be the most mysterious artist alive and still be the most respected.

My take: This is the album that made being different a superpower. No face, no interviews, just bars. DOOM walked so a whole generation of left-field rappers could run.

1999

Pharoahe Monch Drops Solo Debut "Internal Affairs"

Pharoahe Monch dropped his solo debut "Internal Affairs" on October 19, 1999. "Simon Says," built on the Godzilla theme, was the monster single, and the guest list read like a lyricist summit: Canibus, M.O.P., Busta Rhymes, Common, Talib Kweli. It peaked at #41 on the Billboard 200.

"Simon Says" had every borough screaming along, but the album was deeper than the single. Monch was always the technician's technician, the rapper other rappers studied. "Internal Affairs" proved he could carry a whole album alone without dumbing down a single bar.

My take: "Simon Says" is still one of the hardest records to ever rock a party. And Monch never dumbed it down. Bars first, always.

2018

Future and Juice WRLD Drop "WRLD ON DRUGS"

On October 19, 2018, Future and Juice WRLD dropped "WRLD ON DRUGS," the collab tape nobody saw coming. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200: two generations of melodic trap on one project.

Future was already a legend and Juice was the new wave, barely out of his teens. Putting them together was a passing of the torch and a meeting of minds at the same time. "Fine China" showed how natural the chemistry was. Looking back now, with Juice gone, this project hits different. It is a time capsule of two artists at the top of their powers.

My take: This one hits heavier now. Two generational talents, one tape, and Juice was just getting started. Play it loud for him.

1992 / 1972

Born on This Day: Lil Durk and Pras

Lil Durk was born on October 19, 1992, and Pras of the Fugees was born on October 19, 1972. Two different eras, two different lanes, same birthday.

Durk carried Chicago on his back and turned pain into anthems. "Almost Healed" proved he is more than drill, he is a songwriter. And Pras, one third of the Fugees, part of one of the biggest rap groups of all time. October 19 stays producing real ones.

My take: Durk turned Chicago pain into platinum. Pras helped make the Fugees immortal. Salute to both. October 19 has range.