Is The National Recording Registry Ready For The Geto Boyz?

The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place - lots of times, you're even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good - so once a week we're going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Have something you always wanted to ask a rapper? Email it to introducingliston@gmail.com.

This Week's Subject(s): Houston songs that should/should not be immortalized.

Each year, the National Recording Registry selects 25 songs to enter their, umm, registry. This year, Tupac's "Dear Mama" was selected. He's only the third hip-hop act to ever have a song selected after Grandmaster Flash and Public Enemy. Now, as part of the requirements to be selected, a song must be "at least ten years old and bear some historical, cultural or aesthetic significance."

Here's what we'll do. You and AAR will play Good Cop/Bad Cop. We'll throw out some songs and list why they should not be included, you tell us why they should be. Good luck. And we're off:

UGK, "Pregnant Pussy"

Bad Cop (Ask A Rapper): You need an explanation for why this shouldn't make it? Seriously? Okay, how about there's a part in there about how while you're having relations with a preggers, the baby can simultaneously be giving you head? Will that do?

Good Cop (Kyle Hubbard): Please excuse my partner; too many years on the force have made him a bitter, bitter man. I commend this track for trying to push the "even pregnant ladies need love too" campaign, but I think the whole approach is the problem. It's like if I were to approach a girl in the club to say something like, "Hey, you're hot, you should let me put my D in your P."

You see, that's not quite an insult, but it will probably secure another night alone. The same principle applies here. I think the message is good, even though it's horribly rough around the edges.

Geto Boys, "Mind Playing Tricks On Me"

BC: There are probably a few reasons that this shouldn't make it, but you really only need one: Kottonmouth Kings did a remake. Any song that inspires more music by the KK should be held accountable.

GC: This is a great song, and will always be one of the most important tracks in Houston history. It has been around for a long time and it has touched a many person along the way, but somewhere the song made a few wrong turns, started hanging out with the wrong crowd.

I will never forgive Kottonmouth Kings for what they did to it (or for existing for that matter), but I know it's not the song's fault. It will always be a classic song and deserves to be held up there with songs like "Dear Mama." If it straightens up and flies right it could be the fourth hip-hop song ever picked.