Track Checker: Heavy D "Don't Curse"

This is my respect post the the late Heavy D. I know you're thinking that The Tort Team is one of the least respectful organizations around, and you are right, except where real hip hop is concerned...and Hev was definitely real hip hop. You're probably also noticing that this post is very late, and it is, but I wanted to make sure it was right before it got posted.

We haven't done a respect post like this before, but I feel like young cats might not understand Heavy D or how he fit in to hip hop. If all you hear from the guy is "The Overweight Lover's In The House" then you're probably getting the wrong impression. Heavy D was a dope MC who had enough skill to pull off a silly track like that off and not lose fans (like me). It's an odd thing though, I can't remember how I became a fan of Heavy D, he was always was on my playlist but never as a headliner, just as someone who could be counted on for a dope track. Plus the guy literally danced in his videos.

So for our featured Heavy D track we'll look at one of his best collaborations ever, this one is from his 1991 album "Peaceful Journey", a track called Don't Curse featuring Big Daddy Kane, Grand Puba, Kool G. Rap, Q-Tip, Pete Rock & CL Smooth. That's an amazing roster. Obviously times were different then and censorship was an issue of some sort so these guys got together to straighten things out. I know it's odd to honor Heavy D by showcasing a song that on features Hev on 20% of the track, but it's a clever song and really demonstrates one of Hev's strengths (besides his ability to pull guests): his light take on a serious subject. Now the rhyme skill comes in as the MCs skirt bad words without saying them. It's genius. Q-Tip is especially brilliant with his "4 girls" line ("eight hits"). Everyone does great on this track and if it doesn't make you smile then you should just leave now. (Also ignore the outfits).




Dont'Curse Score 10/10
Here are a couple of great bonus tracks. The song with Marley Marl is on here because it's dope, this is how hip hop is supposed to be. The Peter Rock & CL Smooth song is here becasue it was about a member of Hev's crew.

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