You down with OPP?

abrahamKim

, who purports to be a fan of rap music, appears to have a gap in knowledge of old-school rap. I suppose I can't blame him for not recognizing a song that's 30 years old.

I have been asking several people a simple question today: "You down with OPP?" There is really only one acceptable response: "Yeah you know me!" Most people in my age group would recognize this refrain from the 1991 song O.P.P. by Naughty by Nature.

As for what O.P.P. stands for, you'll have to glean that from the song. Hint: The music video starts with the removal of a wedding ring. Watch the video carefully and you might spot a cameo by none other than Queen Latifah.

Astute listeners may recognize that this song utilizes samples from other songs, namely Synthetic Substitution by Melvin Bliss and  ABC by the Jackson 5. I would argue that ABC is primarily responsible for O.P.P.'s catchy melody.

I suppose it's true that your musical tastes are forged in the formative teenage years. I have listened to some current rap, but for my ears, it really doesn't hold a candle to the rap in the early 90s.