Cruisin Yardi Style by JD Ranks10: A Raw, Unfiltered Ride Through 1988 Hip Hop
Man, let me tell ya—this album is like a time machine straight to the late '80s. Cruisin Yardi Style by JD Ranks10 isn’t just another hip-hop record; it’s a vibe, a mood, a whole lifestyle wrapped up in bass-heavy beats and thug rap grit. The genre mashup here—thug rap, ragga hip-hop, and bass music—is wild enough to keep your head nodding but raw enough to feel real. And yeah, it came out in ’88, so you know this thing has that old-school authenticity dripping off every track.
Now, let’s talk tracks. First up, there’s “Cruisin Yardi Style (Vocal).” This one hits different. It’s got this swaggering flow with lyrics that scream confidence and street smarts. Jeffery Daily killed it on the writing—every line feels personal, like he’s spitting his truth right into your ear. You can almost picture yourself posted up somewhere, windows down, cruising through the neighborhood while this plays loud as hell. Eric Griffin’s production? Chef’s kiss. He layers these gritty drums with melodic undertones that somehow make the whole thing smooth yet edgy. Like, how do you even pull that off?
Then there’s the instrumental version of “Cruisin Yardi Style.” If you’re someone who digs beats for days, this cut will slap you upside the head (in a good way). Without vocals, the basslines take center stage, hitting you deep in your chest. I swear, this track makes you wanna drive faster or at least pretend you’re in some lowrider competition. Dave Hardy and Sam Saferstein did some next-level engineering work here because everything sounds crisp without losing that analog warmth. Every horn hit, every drum kick—it’s all perfection.
What really sticks with me about this project is its honesty. Back then, artists weren’t trying to fit cookie-cutter molds. They made what they felt, no gimmicks. Listening to this album feels like stepping into JD Ranks10’s world—a place where life moves fast, and the music keeps pace. Sherman Nealy clearly had vision as the executive producer, trusting the team to bring something authentic to the table.
Here’s the kicker though—listening to this now, decades later, it’s kinda crazy how timeless it feels. Sure, the tech might be dated, but the heart? That’s forever. Makes me wonder if JD Ranks10 knew back then they were crafting something people would still vibe with today. Or maybe they didn’t care—they were just making music for the moment. Either way, props to them.
So yeah, if you’re into hip-hop history or just looking for an album that’ll transport you to another era, give Cruisin Yardi Style a spin. Just don’t blame me when you start slow-rolling through your block like you own the place.
