NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
By 1993 for most people when you mentioned West Coast rap one thing came to mind and that was “gangsta rap” with artists like Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and 2Pac owning the charts and the sound. Without a doubt, the fans of hip hop loved it all but for some people, they wanted something different and didn’t want the gangsta rap sound or message. In came groups like The Pharcyde who rhymed about everyday issues with tight beats and slick wordplay plus they had cats like me looking up jazz artists based on the samples they used. They helped open up a lane for groups like the one this article is about. I’m old so while in high school my homie Lenny Gonzalez slid me a CD from a group called Tha Alkaholiks, off the jump the name made me question if these dudes would be for me. But of course, like any kid, I said screw it, tossed it in the Walkman and let the journey begin. I was introduced to J-Ro, Tash, and E-Swift.
21 & Over:
I have to admit my first thought was oh, great another West Coast album about “the life” and selling drugs to survive as if I a kid from the suburbs could ever relate. Well, it didn’t take long for me to find out I was wrong this was not what they were about at all. This was a banging party album and the crew was fun light and for me, a huge sports fan J-Ro was that dude with the sports references. Tracks like “Only When I’m Drunk”, Make Room”, and Turn Tha Party Out” are straight-up head knockers and have stood the test of time. They had beats that sounded like they were produced in Brooklyn and still showed respect to the west sound at times as well. No one from Cali was doing it like this and quickly they became a staple at any house party I was at. Although the group was not on top of the charts real hip-hop heads knew what was up. If anything the debut album left you wanting more as well as learning about the “Likwit Crew” King Tee had put together something dope and fresh.
Coast II Coast:
With their second album, we got more of the crew and J-Ro and Tash stepped up the lyrics and brought it. The punchlines made you laugh and look up what the hell they were talking about. Producer E-Swift is in his bag for sure and leveled up all around I can’t stress enough how DOPE these two were going back and forth like the OG duos of hip-hop. One of the tracks that showcased the greatness of the group is “Let It Out” J-Ro ripped it
I can’t hold it in my friend the Liks get the most clout
We be scorin points like Michael Irvin on the post route
And just like +Troy+ boy, I make your bones +ache man+ (Aikman)
Just how much punishment can a rapper take man?
The homes be like “Where you been?” man I been creatin
We had you salivatin like the dogs that be waitin
for the Kibbles n Bits, I love pits tits and rap hits
And +Bruce Lee+ flicks, and clockin yapes with the Liks..”
Not to be outdone was Tash who hit the Michigan fan of me right between the eyes when he dropped this gem:
Caps get peeled rolling in my force field
Like a nine with hollow points, I keep rap flows concealed
So when you walkin’ down the block you better watch who you approachin
I’m not your R&B singer, so ain’t no need for vocal coachin
Just a forty and a roach and I’ll +evict+ you out the units
While y’all niggaz couldn’t +move me+ if you worked for Starvin Students
Downin all beer types, from St. Ide’s to Red Stripe (yipes!)
The menace stuffin mics down motherfuckers windpipes
Has returrrrned, to burrrrn, it’s time y’all ni**az learrrrrn
I neutralize y’all ni**az like relaxer in a perm
with flows that go against the grain with a story so compellin
I should mind The People’s Court, snatch the mic from Doug Llewellyn
and host my own show, after Bill Cosby comes Ricooooo!
Transmitting live to all my black people
Catch my drift, I’m down with my ni**a E-Swift
My name is Tash, I’m from the group that you don’t wanna f**k with..”
Just two smooth! The wordplay meshed so well with the wordplay in 2023 and I still have this album in heavy rotation. This is the classic Liks album where you just hit play and let it ride while chillin’ with friends or pregaming before a party. When everyone was preaching the whole East Coast vs West Coast beef they brought in Diamond D and had him produce “Let it Out”. With this one, I was so excited about what they would bring next and also who would come along with them.
Likwidation And Now:
1997 they dropped their third album and the party only gets better coming in 20 tracks deep and features from the likes of King Tee, Styles P, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and Xzibit. Once again E-Swift is with it and shakes off the puffy coats era that was all over that time in hip hop music. The passion Tash and J-Ro have for this thing called hip-hop music comes bursting through. The mentions of sports and pop culture are there and shines as it should. My favorites are “Off The Wall”, Likwit Ridas”, and “Contents Under Pressure”. It is awesome to see that Tash felt he had a problem with alcohol and has flipped his life around. But he is still with the group looking and sounding great as ever. As we celebrate 50 years of hip hop we can’t forget this trio and what they brought to the game. As many consider the 90’s the golden era the music Tha Alkaholiks made needs to be included in the nostalgia. In the words of Tash “Kick Your dopest rhyme, I’ll break it up like 3rd Bass, I’m from the crew that sets it off by spraying beer in your face.”
Check out This Great Interview On Drink Champs.
https://drinkchamps.com/episodes/episode-298-w-tha-alkaholiks-drinkchamps/
