Rocker Reacts to "Black on Both Sides"

[@travahnb.896]

Ms. Fat Booty literally one of the greatest sample flips of all time. It’s one of those instrumentals that’s so catchy and accessible you forget how intricate it is from a producers/musicians standpoint. I’m forever astonished by it.

[@escribe154]

Top 3 storytelling songs

[@Sticks_of_Truth]

@@escribe154 1- Children's story, 2- Love's Gonna Get cha, 3- A Day in the life of Benjamin Andre, and many others but Ms Fat Booty is definitely one of the best as well.

[@travahnb.896]

@@Sticks_of_Truth "Childrens Story" for sure number 1. I'd put Ghostface "Malcolm" at number 2. Number 3- "Kim" by Eminem.

[@hyperpotionz]

Ayatollah is a great producer; his beats are the epitome of soulful. Check out his albums of you're interested. Tracks like "Blood Red Roses" and "A Soul Prayer" are so lush.

[@kenkani3897]

@@Sticks_of_Truthnah bro “dance with the devil” is by far the best storytelling song

[@yourboibigbrain7353]

The song sampled on Ms. Fat Booty was also sampled on JID'S the forever story and was meant to be sampled on Kendrick's DAMN True classic track 👌

[@randomgamerdude98]

Which is why he said he heard the beat before lol

[@owenfitzgerald1697]

I really wanted to see his reaction to realizing this lol

[@seanlagunday168]

@@randomgamerdude98 yeah and he was just telling him where he knows it from

[@felix3033]

JID ruined it

[@bezos690]

no he didn't@@felix3033

[@littyagain9402]

Gotta say bob, ur definitely the realest reactor on youtube no one goes as deep into the music and expresses as much emotion, much respect 💯☝️

[@bobthepoppop]

Thank you 🙏

[@duuuvalvillain]

"I start to think and then I sink Into the paper --- like I was ink When I'm writing, I'm trapped in between the lines I escape --- when I finish the rhyme" - Rakim

[@bobthepoppop]

Is this from a track off 'Paid in Full' ?

[@duuuvalvillain]

@@bobthepoppop Yup. First verse of "I Know You Got Soul"

[@Camille4Real]

@58:31 I appreciate how transparent you are. I think many of us have these same thoughts and feel helpless or like we're not doing enough. I concur with whoever left that comment. It's nice to come here, forget about bullshit, and re-live these classic albums. Your channel is therapeutic and soul cleansing. Keep it up! ❤

[@bobthepoppop]

❤️🙏 I'm happy to be that. I want to be that. There's so much noise in the world. Moments of calm seem so rare. I find it to be a very special to help bring calm when I know how important those times are for me.

[@Number016]

For the Song "New World Water", it is literally about water and it's importance. How people need it to survive, how precious it is (droughts), how we do not understand the importance of it, how corporations monetize/pollute it.

[@user295.]

Yeah but the song is also very likely a double entendre

[@Number016]

@@user295. No it is not. It is very literally about water. Not every song has a deep or double meaning. By constantly looking for for deeper meaning where there is none, you distort the song and overlook what is simply there.

[@sanchittiwari7690]

And it was really amazing coincidence that bob was talking about rain and floods just before the song

[@MojoeWhirligig]

The song is about (dramatic pause).... water. 💦.

[@fornikolas]

@@Number016 true. But Bob should also listen to Rappers Delight by the Sugar Hill Gang.

[@franlymatias6942]

I saw Yasiin Bey in concert this year with Robert Glasper, Bilal, and special appearances by Common and Ghostface Killah. He killed it, performed a few of the songs on this album, completely gave us his soul on that stage. Best concert I've been to yet.

[@goose0078]

Damn, what event was that? Saw him in the early 2010s with Talib doing Blackstar.

[@Camille4Real]

LUCKY! I've seen everyone you've named in concert but not all together on one stage. Sounds incredible! 🔥

[@franlymatias6942]

@@goose0078 This was a few months back, Robert Glasper was doing a residency at Blue Note Jazz Club and Sony Hall in New York City. He would have a slew of artists with him every night, but Yasiin did 2 or 3 nights with him during this run. I heard Black Thought came out during one of these also.

[@chrilborn4138]

Super jealous of this

[@claudionyc]

seen him solo once years ago at sony hall in nyc, illest show

[@lennox6687]

The sample in Ms. Fat Booty is also used in Surround Sound by JID! Might be where you heard it!

[@kylemoore861]

I was waiting for him to put it together lol. It’s great uses of the sample

[@goose0078]

Man... I love UMI Says. Definitely one of my go to songs when I need some comfort. You're right Yasin Bey is special. This album is special. Hip Hop is special. Bob on Both Sides.

[@daveruss9972]

Bob on Both Sides 🤣🤣🤣. Good name for the channel.

[@m1scmus1c]

Going through some shit right now and seeing “rocker reacts to black on both sides” unironically cheered me up lol Bless you Mr. Poppop

[@bobthepoppop]

I hope things take a turn for the better soon 🍻

[@luhzonia254]

YES TOP 5 ALBUM EVERRRRR THE LYRICS ARE UNBELIEVABLE

[@junqone]

Right on Bob! I noticed "UMI Says" was a track that hit you, you're not alone, because this masterpiece was meant to inspire.

[@bobthepoppop]

I agree with the term masterpiece. It's exactly that, and it both inspires and calms me ❤️

[@pickenchews]

One of the greatest songs to come out of that turn-of-the-millennium time period.

[@roya_u]

New World Water is not only one of the best songs on the album, but also one of the best hiphop tracks of all time. Period.

[@Richard-Ellis]

i sincerely believe this too, and it really annoys me that fantano has echoed this sentiment before too, as I've had people tell me i only think this because he said it, which isn't the case lol

[@felix-barth1279]

👍

[@zshakur]

The chorus on "Love" is an homage to Eric B and Rakim's song "I Got Soul" (Word for word pretty much)

[@bobthepoppop]

Gotta get some "Paid in Full"

[@gooserich3970]

You need to do Be by Common

[@The_Purple_Idiot]

Hell yeah

[@default3252]

The Be intro is heaven in music form

[@The_Purple_Idiot]

@@default3252 fr, the entire album is

[@aramnishanian4404]

Yes

[@he_so_dreamii]

I love tht album top 10 for me

[@pickenchews]

"New World Water" is one of my favorites, because it's literally about the impending water crisis we could face. It's not some 2 bit metaphor for something more general or typical that a bunch of other rappers have touched on. He went and wrote a rap song about water, taking it for granted, and losing access to it. It's a real topical lyric, and I've always felt emcees & songwriters ought to be stretching themselves more with regard to finding unique subjects to write about.

[@freddiegibbslover911]

1:35:24 the sample you recognize is the same as Biggie Smalls used in “Who shot ya”

[@AGrepSTN2M]

I liked the moment when you were trying to figure out from where you’ve seen DJ Premier’s name. I dont know that many DJs but if theres one to know it’s probably DJ Premier! He was huge back in the days. If I may suggest one album, Moment of truth by Gang Starr. Classic hip-hop album. Gang Starr being a duo formed by DJ Premier and Guru (RIP Guru)

[@viktorvondoom9119]

Best hip hop producer alive. No doubt. Maybe even best producer in any genre alive

[@jlbs12209]

"Power from the street light made the place dark.." is a double entendre. In the early days of Hip hop there used to be street parties, where the dj would use the power from the street light to power his equipment. The pull from the equipment would dim the street lights. The other meaning is how the parties in the streets brought people outside for the love of music and dancing.

[@fornikolas]

Aw, umi says will do that to ya. Appreciate you, Bob.

[@Austyn59913]

I totally get what you mean at 27:16 Love is easily my favorite song of all time it means so much to me sonically & lyrically

[@JimeLello]

You give extremely articulate and insightfull commentary. I am so glad I found your channel

[@zshakur]

One of the greatest Hip Hop albums of all time!!!

[@luutarb]

You are a very kind and considerate person. I feel the exact same way when listening to UMI says. The message can make music very powerful sometimes and I think Hip-Hop brings this out the most because there is a lot of serious topics and passion, people with experience who haven't had the most fortunate upbringing.

[@shaynetaylor4945]

"Umi Says" somehow always manages to get the most visceral reaction from any listener. Transcending tune on a fantastic album

[@bobthepoppop]

It's a beautiful song. I played it for my wife today (with the lyrics up) and she got teared up over it too.

[@Deltron3031]

BOBS lol (Backs On Both Sides) was one of those albums that just got me through difficult times of my life. Especially Climb, during 2003-2005 I was in a lively city neighborhood but never felt so lonely. Seemed like I was partying every weekend then sitting on my stoop alone at 1am with a desperate cigarette (I only smoked when drinking), but although lonely could go through this album and feel part of a bigger community.

[@bobthepoppop]

There's a magic that exists in this album. I still can't place my finger on it just yet, but it's there.

[@KjartanBjrkvold]

If you haven't seen it yet I am sure you would enjoy Dave Chappelle's Block Party, featuring Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Kanye, Dead Prez, Fugees and more. It's a great vibe

[@deensyed786]

BALD ON BOTH SIDES

[@MXXKRXX]

bob looks like ray allen

[@pickenchews]

I listened this album SO MUCH back then, it certainly goes down among the most special hip-hop albums for me in my life. Big part of the soundtrack to my late teens and early 20s.

[@henryjay100]

Never undermine your output into the world, you never know what it could mean to somebody else. Be you, do what you can when you can.

[@bobthepoppop]

🙏

[@danielgoodwin1461]

Your energy is needed in this space. Being a hip hop head and watching your reactions; helps me see life in another perspective and gives me hope that others love and understand the expressions of us.

[@patsnation8427]

Pharoahe Monch "Internal Affairs" why haven't anyone requested that project to him. It's one of the best albums from the 90s.

[@yen4407]

this whole album is so amazing it’s insane

[@ruggedtechie5867]

For me most def is theeeee goat when it comes to mc'ing

[@franlymatias6942]

Music is where we come to escape from everything its the highest form of vibration to many of us. You're bringing positivity by experiencing music we appreciate, and baring it all in front of us.

[@bobthepoppop]

❤️

[@ZeBji]

You have loved every DJ Premier beat you heard so far (who doesnt?!). My recommendation for you stays the same, try Gang Starr! Moment Of Truth album might be perfect to get into them. Btw, I think you might like the video from "Digging The Greats" called "The INSANE Musical Math of DJ Premier and Mos Def". it explains the song mathematics pretty well.

[@Docmajor16]

Loved the Umi says tangent. I remember listening to that as a kid, that song has always meant a lot to me.

[@jimmyjohnson2465]

Absolutely love your stuff Bob. Your positivity and insights are an absolute highlight every single week. Keep doing you we're all behind it

[@bobthepoppop]

❤️

[@Yunche17]

This channel has to be meant for me because I literally just listened to this entires album front to back about 2 hours ago and now you’ve just uploaded it

[@Yunche17]

Listened front to back for the first time ever, too. Excellent album.

[@zshakur]

"Fuck a bank...." Big Bank Hank was slang for a cat who is rich and flashy. He's saying he'd rather have a giant tank of fresh water than live lavish with luxury items. The song is LITERALLY about water! Water is LIFE.

[@Antonio-vx6gw]

UMI says is such a powerful track. Easily in my top 10 songs ever made.

[@bobthepoppop]

Yup, agreed. I love everything about it.

[@pickenchews]

"Climb" is mysterious, but I always innately took it to be a poem about the natural wiring that draws people (especially young adults) out into the nightlife, searching for one another, searching for something bright and shiny, searching for communion, beauty, love, excitement, looking to mate, etc.

[@connorgrenier3301]

This album is so incredible man I almost forgot it was this good Jesus Christ

[@default3252]

So excited for this. Bob mentioned The Roots at the start - I wonder if he's heard of the Soulquarians

[@goose0078]

What's the soulquarians?

[@sivemdlalose9636]

@@goose0078 collective of like minded hip-hop and neo-soul artists and their acquaintances that occupied the Electric Ladyland studio for much of the late 90s and very early 2000s. The four original members were D’Angelo, Questlove, James Poyser And J Dilla but it grew to include Common, Erykah Badu, Mos Def and Talib Kweli, The Roots, Q-Tip and Bilal. If you listen to the tapes they released around that time, they have a lot of ideas in common, they used to jam and participate in each other’s projects often around then, Pitchfork has a KZbin video about it.

[@sivemdlalose9636]

He has a reaction to one of their albums up

[@yossymick5]

He started off with calling the album ¨Bald on both sides''😍

[@jpgorman4021]

The best hip hop album ever. Bars, flow, charm, production, music, beats, pocket, depth of thought, scope of thought, evoking emotions. Lo mejor.

[@donb.loneleo770]

This album is amazing, relistened to it and I forgot how good it was. Some of my fav tracks are Ms. Fat Booty, Love, Got, Mathematics, UMI Says, Do It Now, Know That, Hiphop and Speed Law. Enjoyed Brooklyn, May-December and Climb (for the vibe) as well. The whole album basically lol As for Busta Rhymes, you can't really go wrong starting with any of his first 3 albums imo. Tho keep in mind those first 3 have a loose theme of Y2K/"the world is about to end" so maybe it'll be a good idea to start with his debut but it doesn't ruin anything by starting with another of the first 3. Also that's the era of Busta Rhymes that you were talking about with the fisheye lens music videos, etc.

[@None-zm7ow]

Day one of asking Big Roberto to review The Cold Vein by Cannibal Ox. Very forward thinking album from the early 2000s produced by El-P from Run the Jewels

[@enlightenmenttv2287]

Hey, now we're talkin'. Yes!!!! I'm leaving this comment before watching the reaction, just to say this is my favorite hip-hop album of all time. The best ever, in my opinion, as is Mos Def's lyrical ability. I'm hype, I'm sure I'll have more to say after.

[@jlbs12209]

"Olympic sponsor of the black gloc, gold medalist in the backshot" simply means hip hop's penchant for violence and celebration of sex. The overall context of the song highlights the dichotomy of hip how's growth, but also it's growing pains.

[@kristofklutz]

This was a great personal reaction. Appreciate it man for having the courage to share your honest thoughts, especially in the umi says section. Cheers ✌🏼

[@treasey8655]

you don't need something to turn your brain off. your brain is trying to tell you something. Listen to it. it might be painful, but it's gonna be worth it in the end. Trying to escape your own thoughts is a slippery slope.

[@bhagatsubedi1928]

YES BOB this is a classic that doesn’t get talked about enough

[@qMartink]

You seem like a great dude, Bob. I appreciate your videos.

[@asussurge670]

yea, I get what that man was saying about your content, as someone being stuck in a position where they don't know what their doing with themselves, it's nice to just get away from it, and just watch someone enjoy and experience and the music i enjoy, and some times you will react to a new album or artist and it's nice to experience new thing as virtual as they may be. so thanks for the last year and a bit, your video are a pretty cool jam to watch. :) thanks.

[@JamesEarlBonez]

Diamond D is one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time

[@BLKBKLN]

New World Water is about the commodification of water from a free and necessary element for life to just another source or revenue within capitalism. Also, he's touching on the impending shortage of water on a global scale while wealthy nations hoard it, other places don't have enough for basic life functions such as cleaning and cooking. The song was so ahead of its time. The only other person I heard talking about water in this capacity was my business professor in college.

[@Michael-fs1cw]

Awwwww let’s go to church!!! Love every album he’s done. Ecstatic, True Magic, Blackstar, Dec 99th. Love you Yasiin!! This vid is gonna be some fun

[@Michael-fs1cw]

New Danger!!!!!!!

[@Michael-fs1cw]

Loved that new Blackstar as well!!!!!

[@Michael-fs1cw]

Love you Bob!!!!!!!

[@kadejohnson7452]

Ecstatic is probably one of my favorite albums all time! Not really one I play around other people, but whenever I’m on my own it just hits so hard

[@Robpool2000]

If you can find a way to react to it, check out Yasiin Bey’s “The Ecstatic”.

[@stefanadolfspies]

you are definitely something positive.. i used to watch you react to albums i knew and now you show me new albums .. thanks bob!

[@sam-rv8tp]

one of my favorite albums, nice to see you hearing this

[@sam-rv8tp]

also, if you could listen to The Ecstatic by Bey as well, wow, what a fun album

[@keenobaerry3195]

that was a good ride through the album. i enjoyed that bob thank you

[@Jefflon_Zuckergates]

For the song Climb; My I interpretation has always been that it’s describing a club/party scene. How sometimes people go there looking for a sense of fulfilment they will never find there. How the drugs, alcohol and general atmosphere can lead to some really bad decisions. If you listen to the song from that angle you might get what I mean

[@zapify6999]

“I’m tryna make a dollar out of what makes sense” is a double entendre cause it can also mean “out of what makes cents” and like I just love that it’s my favourite mos def line it’s from Know That

[@lavantwooten2581]

Ms Fat Booty is one of my all-time favorites. Interesting fact Mos sampled an Aretha Franklin song, and when he approached her to inquire if he could sample the song, she said yes, under one condition - no profanity. Result is a hip hop classic song.

[@fornikolas]

Kanye tried to get around that with that Spirit in the Dark joint but it didn’t quite work, leaving the cursing half-in.

[@AgentLemmon]

Bob, you do more than enough. You uplift about 84 k people on a regular just by speaking your mind about music, and about life!!

[@nickcarrillo5237]

Yo. One of my favorite albums. Glad this album got you. The tangent was well done. I actually use this album to recharge. It makes you release and rethink. Great review. Pce ❤

[@frizzyrascal1493]

This is one of my Top 5 albums for me. This was the peak of Hip Hop. Lauryn in 98‘, Mos Def a year later. The Black Star Album, Train of Thought, the whole Soulquarian era was so good.

[@barryloether5944]

DJ Premier is a legendary producer and half of the group Gangstarr. I’ve said this before but you really should do their album Moment of Truth.

[@ideac.]

Ive listened to Umi Says so many times but the way you talked about it just hit me hard man

[@seanjjpaul]

I think some of those second half songs will grow on you!!

[@jackdolan1517]

Yes on the Busta album. You should do Extinction Level Event or Anarchy 100%

[@lethalphantom925]

Excited for The Weeknd Thursday!!!

[@daveruss9972]

Def revisit New World Water. Powerful message and song. Up there with Umi. Instead of buying a 20 year bond, a 20 year water tank would be a better investment for survival (see Flint MI, etc)

[@KINOSWAGMONEY]

THE MIGHTY MOS DEF

[@Dickinabox]

I think the back Half will catch on later, especially climb and Brooklyn those are two of my favorites. I have a work playlist and you can’t have obnoxious levels of swearing so I have climb and Brooklyn are awesome. Please bob react to the Impossible Kid by Aesop Rock. The way you dissect lyrics is awesome and I don’t see a lot of people do it. If this album is a goldmine then Aesop rock is a diamond mine.

[@bigounce562]

I don't think I've seen any reactions to Aesop, that would be rad.

[@Dickinabox]

@@bigounce562 I’ve seen some reactions to singles but not a whole album. Impossible kid is the best because it’s introspective and comprehensible. You don’t always get comprehensible with Aes.

[@bigounce562]

@@Dickinabox you're right, I think Impossible Kid is an album that more people would connect with because it's introspective. What's cool about not always getting comprehensible from Aesop is that for me Spirit World Field Guide is his most comprehensible outside of maybe parts of labor days. It lacks introspection maybe, but I think it's following the storytelling tradition in rap (while being an innovative take on it) so I connect with it more.

[@invzkid]

New world water is one of the most important songs that went over your head.

[@naughtpointfive]

New 100 gecs album is out

[@apig]

Ms. Fat Booty has the same sample as JID's "Surround Sound," which I believe is what you were reminded of.

[@robpayne2918]

Special album. Incredible artist.

[@robpayne2918]

On second listen you get to hear how each songs production flows into the next perfectly

[@1stKindChris]

Waiting on OB4CL

[@shaunntsako]

man you needa do a gang starr albums dj premier top 3 greatest hip hop producers of all time a huge part of 90s new york boom bap

[@uselessyellow8531]

He needs to do mobb deep too

[@Mtruzz]

One of my favorite albums!!

[@viktorvondoom9119]

23:33 When you reroute the electricity from a street light the light itself can go off

[@shitaobeats3071]

Thank you for this reaction, especially the passage on Umi, which was very moving.

[@lumus7]

You should do bone thugs and harmonies “E. 1999 eternal” it’s a classic

[@JamesEarlBonez]

You know why you love that love chorus cause it's From Rakim the God MC " I Got Soul"

[@yuancali]

Oh since you mentioned RATM fun fact Yassin Bey was supposed to replace Zack as the lead singer but Zack was Yassin's friend and so he didn't want to take Zack job

[@leviparker5293]

I remember asking about a year ago about you doing a reaction to this album. And i mentioned how i listened to this album with my grandfather. So glad you finally got around to it. And i have no doubt upon relisten you'll really start to gel with this album.

[@PhilHug1]

Fun fact: De La Soul, Tribe, and Blackstar are all in a collective known as Native Tongues

[@seanjjpaul]

Common and the roots as well

[@timmarlowe8306]

Native Tongues is Jungle Brothers, Tribe, and De La. Those other groups are not N.T. Like minded and sounding maybe.

[@KardiFan2000]

​​​@@timmarlowe8306 Black Star and Common were anointed as the "2nd wave" of the Native Tongues in the late 90s...I believe they were brought into the collective by Q-Tip, but not 100% sure. The Roots were never part of it.

[@timmarlowe8306]

​@@KardiFan2000 O.K. Got it. But it's kinda like WuTang saying Cappadonna is Wutang. Redman is Wutang. Nas....haha. Yep!

[@KardiFan2000]

@@timmarlowe8306 I hear what you're saying, but I don't necessarily agree that Native Tongues = Wu-Tang Clan. More precisely, you could say that Native Tongues = Wu-Tang Killa Bees...both large collectives with loosely affiliated members.

[@noelcollins6689]

When the beat changed on Brooklyn that was biggie’s who shot ya track) ( biggie represents Brooklyn)

[@yean_jean5317]

This is long overdue

[@shrimp_boogaloo]

yeessss yesssss yessss progress towards my request The Ecstatic 😂

[@goostav8235]

This album and MM... FOOD basically got me into hip-hop. I liked it before fs, but these really made me interested in finding more.

[@kptecx-xs2dw]

The chorus from “Love” is taken from Rakim’s “I know You got Soul” which also has many others MCs took over the years

[@phaze3247]

Can you do Voodoo by D’angelo, The Velvet rope by Janet jackson, Sign o the times by Prince, and No celiings by lil Wayne sometime in the future !??

[@Sticks_of_Truth]

This man is top ten, if not top five.

[@pseudo4389]

I never comment but this is my favorite album of all time from my favorite artist! Can you more active subs bully him into doing ‘In Search Of’ by N.E.R.D sometime

[@daveruss9972]

Good recommendation. Bob def needs some N.E.R.D in his life

[@kadejohnson7452]

Great album

[@framedeluxe]

I've tried

[@Kaibum]

This is an album I need to get into lmao, idk why i haven't listened to it yet...

[@BCros2390]

The back half is such a contrast to the first half so I think it can take you by surprise. The first half is more straight forward(Though still genius) and the back half of the album is a little more abstract. "New World Water" is one you for sure have to go back to, though. That's one of people's favorites off of the album usually and the way it deals with the effect that water has on our world is pretty special. This isn't my absolute favorite album of all time but definitely up there, loved your initial reaction. This one gets better with some listens.