Obscene!
Eighteen years ago today 2 Live Crew’s album ‘As Nasty As They Want To Be’ was banned in their home state of Florida on grounds of obscenity. Following a ruling from Judge Jose Gonzalez, selling the album, released the previous year, was declared illegal. The ruling was overturned by the United States Court of Appeals in 1992, with a number of people, Sinead O Connor amongst them, defending the band on free speech grounds.
Whilst, for obvious reasons, I’m never keen on casual misogyny and the “bitch-ho” school of lyric writing, there’s something about 2 Live Crew that’s too cartoonish and too flat-out silly to get worked up over. Like your five-year-old nephew running around shouting ‘Bum! Bum! Bum!’ 2 Live Crew merit a wry smile and a hope they’ll grow out of it. You’ve also got to hand it to them for some kicking bass and a very nice way with a sample. As Christopher Weingarten says in the eMusic review:
“The legitimate pop hit “Me So Horny” overshadows the real silliness going on. There’s a hip-house parody (”Get the Fuck Out of My House”), a naughty go-go stomper (”Bad Ass Bitch”), some Jamaica-baiting reggae-rap (”Reggae Joint”), some truly inexplicable no-bar blues (the gloriously tuneless “2 Live Blues”) and even a dance number for the brothers with the funny haircuts (”Get Loose Now”). The dour robots in Kraftwerk probably broke into a hearty human laugh when they found out they were the backbone for a song called “Dick Almighty.””
Nearly two decades later, does this album still shock anybody?
My dream is to start a topless sushi bar called Miso Horny.
I’m really glad you said that, because I actually sing that every time I make miso soup. Drives my boyfriend insane - I might even be putting him off Japanese food. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks it’s funny.
Also worth noting, Jack Thompson, the Florida lawyer who started to ball rolling against 2 Live Crew, is the same Jack Thompson who moved on to videogames (specifically Grand Theft Auto) and is currently being disbarred for being a totally unethical loon.
“Put It in the Buck” is an amazing song. Definitely not lyrically, but musically it’s always been my favorite from that record.
It’s worth noting that the lawyer who spearheaded the lawsuits against 2 Live Crew was Jack Thompson. He’s made a name for himself recently with constant, and increasingly ridiculous, attacks against video games such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Bully.
He is currently facing the threat of disbarment for the actions he’s committed during legal attacks on the makers of these games.
As Nelson would say on The Simpsons: “ha ha!”
Well, maybe it’s time for me to download this album and give it a listen. By the way, there is a Spank Rock & Benny Blaco album that seems to be paying tribute to 2 Live Crew:
http://www.emusic.com/album/Spank-Rock-Benny-Blanco-Spank-Rock-and-Benny-Blanco-are-Bangers-and-Cash-MP3-Download/11224657.html
Wow, I kind of broke the page with that long URL. Sorry about that. I don’t know how to do links on here.
Sorry But I have got to reprint this eMusic Reviewers Comments:
Subtle,Complex Social Commentary REXX from Earth
Before Lilith Fair, 2 Live Crew were boldly addressing women’s issues and working hard to spread the gospel of equality to all who would listen. Bravo! I say! Bravo!
This Comment made me pee with glee