P-Funk is this week’s theme for Throwback Thursday as we re-visit DJ Quik‘s “Safe + Sound” which is the title track for the album which was released in 1995 which seems to be the year of which the golden era of Hip-Hop really peaked as you’ll see from our Throwback Thursday archives, 1995 is a popular time frame for our picks.
“Safe + Sound” is generally accepted as a high-quality west coast album because of Quik‘s stellar production. It was released on Profile Records. It peaked at number 14 on the Billboard 200 on March 11, 1995, number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart the same date, and was certified gold by the RIAA on July 11, 1995. The album was executive produced by Suge Knight. In my opinion DJ Quik ranks higher than Dr. Dre in terms of production which is very evident on “Safe + Sound“.
On “Safe + Sound” Quik tells the story of growing up in the streets as a teenager and how he and his friends get into troublesome situations and how they began to sell drugs on the streets. He then takes us through the progress of his hustle as he begins to make more money:
I went from wearing khakis to Sergio Teccini/ While my rocks is disappearing like the great Whodini/ I bought a gang of clothes, all of my equiptment/ And getting somthing new with each and every shipment/
Finally he tells us about his time as a young adult:
And hoes just come and go in and out/ Revolving door leaving with some nut in they mouth/ I'm making a living of pimpin so you fools can't trip/ Cause even though I love God I also love my grip/
The album includes several tracks containing disses towards MC Eiht who at the time was infamously beefing with DJ Quik. The most notable track for these shots aimed at MC Eiht would be “Dollaz + Sense“.
I personally own “Safe + Sound” and I can safely recommend this album to you knowing that if you like this track, you’ll love the album which is available on Amazon.
