Homebase, the fourth studio album from the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince is celebrating 30 years. It was originally released on July 23, 1991. Homebase peaked at #43 on the RMNZ albums chart. It is certainly notable for it's first single which is arguably one of the greatest summer songs of all time, "Summertime."
"Summertime" was released before the album in May of 1991 just in time for the summer season in the northern hemisphere. It samples another summer titled song, "Summer Madness" by Kool & The Gang. With the track Will Smith simply pays homage to hanging out and having a good time in his hometown of Philadelphia.
The beauty of the song is that it translates for anybody just trying to enjoy the sun and good times with those closest to you no matter where you are. It is a timeless celebration of summer through the art of hip-hop. "Summertime" would win the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1993 Grammy Awards. Here in New Zealand the song peaked at #5 on the Top 40 chart.
The second single from the album was "Ring My Bell." It sampled and shares it's name with Anita Ward's 1979 jam. While not as successful as "Summertime" it was still a Top 20 hit here peaking at #11 on the Top 40 chart.
"Ring My Bell" would make an appearance in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air during the closing credits from a season 2 episode "the Mother of All Battles." In the episode Will and Carlton are helping Ashley deal with some bully problems at school.
"The Things That U Do" was released as the third single from the album. It was a more rhythmic track featuring some elements of New Jack Swing which was in full force at this time. In the song the Fresh Prince is spittin lines trying to get the attention of an attractive woman. It's certainly a groove but it didn't make much of an impact on the charts.
The fourth and final single from the album was "You Saw My Blinker." Like "The Things That U Do" it didn't make any impact on charts. What is notable about this song is that it is the first, and one of only two times, that Will Smith curses in the lyrics of a song. "Tell Me Why" a song from 2005s Lost and Found, Will's fourth solo studio album, is the other song. "You Saw My Blinker" tells the story of The Fresh Prince driving down the highway with his girlfriend and an accident occurs with an older woman.
Enjoy some early 90s vibes with one of the greatest hip-hop duos, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince for Homebases's 30th anniversary.
