He wrote it for Spike Lee's movie of the same name, but Spike apparently wasn't feeling it and went for Public Enemy's 'Fight the Power' instead. It's a lost classic that has stood the test of time.
I’ve always thought that. He comes up in my mind a lot when it comes to early 90’s hip-hop but no one ever acknowledges him. He had lyrics, the look , and could dance. All the songs he dropped as singles that I knew were tight. His stage name was ill too. Kingpin? Come on man. I’m see if there’s an interview of him talking about all of this.
Sure as eggs is eggs I miss NJS too. It's like I turned into a grandma "they just don't make it like this no more", indeed all-time favourite. I love the whole album, I have it on cassette but it's stretched a bit, the CD is great in the car - I can have it as loud as I want!
Oh my goodness! I remember watching "the people under the stairs" movie when I was young and this song come on at the ending. I always loved it. It was the perfect song for the ending.
Because it wasn't fully supported back then and now 20 years later the masses all of a sudden has a moral compass but where was they back when this project needed our support? I visibly remember black radio out here (Lake Charles LA) was told to not play this song. Luckily I bought the soundtrack so screw radio.
Still relevant still rockin' the spot. Every time I hear this I'm a kid again in my Kickers boots & pin-rolled dungarees. So glad to have been a kid back then because being a kid now is way harder. Everybody everybody in the world you got to do the right thing...
Say this is before my time my dad used to play this when I was a kid and me and brother used to replay this song on people under the stairs…. Moral of the story I grew up as man to do the right thing…. Much love brothas and sistas
Reesey Clemons Hahahahahaha yeah,I was into Breakdancin and Hip Hop (still am) and had this on 12", watched"People under the stairs"and next thing credits are rollin,cash is flying everywhere, people under the stairs are runnin around and This iz blastin out,I was like WTF Hahahahahaha
Plenty of songs about it. Problem is they arent usually backed by the industry and pushed like the songs promoting the streets, drugs and division. But you can find plenty of artists pushing positivity if ya do just a little digging, and dont care about your circle ribbing you for listening to shit that isnt "cool". And to be honest there are even some very popular artists that promote positivity through their music.
It actually wasn't. Gang bangin & violence was crazy in the 90s, BUT the cool thing was there were more positive alternatives to just Gangsta rap. So more variety, including positive & pro Black Hip hop.
What a lot of people don't realize is that Teddy Riley opened a whole genre of Hip-Hop back in the 80's/ early 90's and continues to work with todays artist just as low-key as he was back then. "New Jack Swing" was what they were calling his style of music when I lived in VA. Guy and Blackstreet Had the same Hip-Hop feel with an R&B twist...or he'd switch and make a R&B song with a Hip-Hop feel. I remember swinging to this watching this on MTV RAPS.
The whole world is acting like a giant Howard Beach" I remember the tensions in NYC at the time and this song was released some years after that in 89 when Yusef Hawkins was murdered in Brooklyn
I just tried to like everyone's 👍 comments, This Song is the definition of rap 🎶 music, yeah yall...Redhead Kingpin was all the way lit on this joint. People Under the Stairs, Yall know the rest. Love ❤️ the 90s forever.
They used it in People Under The Stairs at the end credits! Awesome song fo sho! I just got through watching the movie and thought that song at the end was seriously TUFF! We need to get back to funky feeling in music! It's so timeless and you never get tired of listening to it! Redhead Kingpin tore that one out the frame!!!
I saw redhead kingpin and the fbi in concert back in 1988 in brisbane,Australia. What a blast I couldn't get enuff of this red head dude talk about legit rapping without shit true to the word and never let his fans hang like some other imposters do. peace:---)))) I'm outta ahere
Man I was so young when I used to listen to this guy at school socials and now I realise how dope he is!! Wow!! I feel so lucky to have had such good messages going in my ears, even if I didn't realise what they were at the time.. almost 23/24 years ago now when I was in intermediate school in Birkdale, NZ.
Thank you RUclips for allowing the posting of songs from my childhood days. Nice to see and hear this during these unprecedented times and the message is fitting at this time. 💙
@PrAnG2000 You'd be surprised, it might have given the move more crossover appeal. I love FTP,but my gut tells me that Spike should have gone for a Double-Barrelled OST. I just know that somehow it would have worked!💪
If there's one thing about horror movies that came out in the early 90s, is that they had some pretty good music to go with the movie, this song being one of them 👌
This song suddenly popped into my head and I looked up the lyrics and found it. Then I had to remember where I knew it from, the end of People Under the Stairs!
This treasure dropped when i was a 21 yr old flat top fade rocka baybee ! 6 feet tall and 175 lbs from all that dancin ! NUFF RESPECT 4 postin this GEM !
Je me souviens que c'était à l'époque du Night fever! Ce fut la meilleure époque de ma génération. Pour tout ceux qui ont connu le Night, le Studio one, ils savent de quoi je parle.
I recently heard this song again and was struck by how much it sounded like a New Jack Swing/Teddy Riley produced track. But I didn't remember Teddy being affiliated with the group. So I did some digging. Apparently, this track was produced by Teddy's little brother (Markell Riley) which explains why it has that Teddy feel to it. And I'm sure Teddy was behind the scenes, helping his brother out with the production. Dope track. I remember this song when it came out, it was catchy-as-hell.
TR credited as "mixer" and "arranger". Hard to know who really did what during the Gene Griffin era. But yeah odds are that Ted was instrumental (pardon the pun) in the making of this record. Would have to be him taking it to church on the keyboard solo plus the talk box bits plus the vocal ad libs (yep yeps and more!). And would have to be the legendary and hugely underrated Lee "Bubba" Drakeford singing the hook.... The unheralded voice of many New Jack classics!
What a record! I still have my vinyl copy from wayyyy back when I were a nippa. Why cant anyone make hip hop like this any more? BigD is right, Never take this down dude.
For those in their 50s.
We will always cherish this period of music.
damn right!
Well said. Where have all those years gone?? Top comment.
You damn Skippy!!!
And early 60's if you please!
He wrote it for Spike Lee's movie of the same name, but Spike apparently wasn't feeling it and went for Public Enemy's 'Fight the Power' instead. It's a lost classic that has stood the test of time.
Agreed 💯
That’s a dope fact! This song fits well
@@Tee-kk6tj it sure does I wish spike would have used it .
Hard to knock the decision to go with Fight the Power, though.
That's messed up
🔥🔥🔥 I'm 47. I feel blessed to have grew up listening to emcee's like this. We had African pride big time back then.
I don't get it. What caused the switch ? Gangsta rap ?
I'm still rocking to this in 2022, this should be airing all over the radio in today's time
Well said bro. Much love I agree. ❤
I dance like this when I go out to dinner and bingo.
And you are not fucking alone dude ;-)
CAuse... WE DON'T HAVE A PLAN "B"
Teddy Riley at his finest! ❤️
I was 21 when this jam hit the airwaves. Red Head should've gotten waaaaayyyy more recognition. He was a damn good lyricist!!!!
I’ve always thought that. He comes up in my mind a lot when it comes to early 90’s hip-hop but no one ever acknowledges him. He had lyrics, the look , and could dance. All the songs he dropped as singles that I knew were tight. His stage name was ill too. Kingpin? Come on man. I’m see if there’s an interview of him talking about all of this.
Come on Spike Lee… this would have been a great addition to your soundtrack for that movie 🤷🏽♂️
Born in the late 60s
That "New Jack Swing" has stood the test of time! Teddy Riley is a musical genius!
Teddy Riley was the man alright back in my homie days
Haven’t heard this song in 30 years! I thought of it & the next minute I was listening to it. Thanks RUclips! This song is a lost classic.
The New Jack Swing era, I miss those days with a passion! And this is one of my all time favorites.
Right.
Ditto!! 😎👊🏽
Sure as eggs is eggs I miss NJS too. It's like I turned into a grandma "they just don't make it like this no more", indeed all-time favourite. I love the whole album, I have it on cassette but it's stretched a bit, the CD is great in the car - I can have it as loud as I want!
48 and still rock to Redhead puts me in SUCH a better mood!!💜
Truth!
I remember this like yesterday. I'm fucking 42 now still doing the right thing. Classic redhead respect
True
speaktomybeadlehand I'm 49 and ever time I hear this joint it takes me back to that time. Funny how these new rappers only make me throw up jajajaja
speaktomybeadlehand I feel you I'm about to be 38 and I'm still trying to do the right thang
Word to big bird
42 here here
2021 still 🔥🔥🔥 Back then when music was inspiring & sent positive messages...
That message has changed dramatically over the years....What a great song with a great message. Good then and still great.
Oh my goodness! I remember watching "the people under the stairs" movie when I was young and this song come on at the ending. I always loved it. It was the perfect song for the ending.
Why can't rap be like this in today's times? Back when rappers kicked knowledge and rap was fun and uplifting. This trash today can go somewhere. Smh.
Because it wasn't fully supported back then and now 20 years later the masses all of a sudden has a moral compass but where was they back when this project needed our support? I visibly remember black radio out here (Lake Charles LA) was told to not play this song. Luckily I bought the soundtrack so screw radio.
RedHead had serious flow. This was back when rap was fun! I love it!
Classic. They never do it like this anymore. ❤
Still the jam! Some music never gets old or goes out of style!!! 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
This is still the JAM!!!!!!! My Kids are amazed no cussing and this song is older than them. This makes me wanna watch HOUSE PARTY.
I love house party
Bro this was the ishh back in the 90'z .... totally support this guy !
Still relevant still rockin' the spot. Every time I hear this I'm a kid again in my Kickers boots & pin-rolled dungarees. So glad to have been a kid back then because being a kid now is way harder. Everybody everybody in the world you got to do the right thing...
Back when it wasn't uncool to have a positive message......
I miss that
Absolutely and unique
im the truest mofoker eva
and i say red headrocks hard
Amen to that!
Man,you forget how brilliant these tracks were...Heavy..!!
Yes Teddy Riley and possibly Gene Griffin on production. Lee Drakeford (Big Bub) from Today on Vocals!
Exactly
And sampling "UFO" by all female punk band ESG, like so many others
No no Gene Griffin. All Teddy.
Lol Gene never produced a thing. Just took credit for Ted's genius and ripped him off
Classic.......takes me back to 88'-89'......don't we all miss it!!! 9real hip hop music that is...back when you could actually FEEL the music!!
2023 this still bangs. Memories !!
2024* 🔥🔥
Say this is before my time my dad used to play this when I was a kid and me and brother used to replay this song on people under the stairs…. Moral of the story I grew up as man to do the right thing…. Much love brothas and sistas
This was and still is my jam...lyrics like this no longer exist in Hip Hop what a damm shame
When Emcee had the background dancers but still dance along with them. Golden Era.
People Under the Stairs brought me here. Classic film
any else remembers this playing at the end of People under the stairs?
of course one of my all time fav movies...fool did the right thing for sure in that movie....
Love the movie and the song!!!!
That's what brought me here lls
Yes! Great movie
Reesey Clemons Hahahahahaha yeah,I was into Breakdancin and Hip Hop (still am) and had this on 12", watched"People under the stairs"and next thing credits are rollin,cash is flying everywhere, people under the stairs are runnin around and This iz blastin out,I was like WTF Hahahahahaha
Old Skool, Lovin" it.
Don't think you'll ever hear songs again talking about "do the right thing" in today's world...sad.
this could be killer mikes Bernie selected theme song
Plenty of songs about it. Problem is they arent usually backed by the industry and pushed like the songs promoting the streets, drugs and division. But you can find plenty of artists pushing positivity if ya do just a little digging, and dont care about your circle ribbing you for listening to shit that isnt "cool". And to be honest there are even some very popular artists that promote positivity through their music.
True😢
Omg!!! I asked god to help me find this song and now I found it after years and years and years!!! 😂🎉❤ been since 2009!!!
WOOOOOW! A classic for sure. I remember when he dropped this we danced and life was good. 💯✌👏
back in 89 was the bomb
Positive message we all need to get back to- loved this song and still do🙏🏼
AMEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS LISTEN,,, MUCH LOVE PREACH ON WORD X
Underrated and Underappreciate cat in hiphop, classic album right there!!!
Never knew the lyrics this dude rhymed til late appreciate this joint and redhead ..bless new Jack swing
Loved this song...that was playing "People under the Stairs Movie" in the closing credits...
I wasn’t even born when this song was made, yet it makes me kinda sentimental. Late 80’s/early 90’s was so innocent.
It actually wasn't. Gang bangin & violence was crazy in the 90s, BUT the cool thing was there were more positive alternatives to just Gangsta rap. So more variety, including positive & pro Black Hip hop.
that hook still goes hard
I get lifted. KC and the Sunshine Band
@@shanedpain7734 yep is that big bub singing the hook ?.
@@shanedpain7734 oh yeah a popular sampler record 112, Snoop , Biggie , Keith Murray and so many more .
@@musiclover-cn7tb indeed it is 🔥🔥
Teddy Riley producing, Redhead Kingpin’s lyrics, and Big Bub (Today) on the hook/ chorus = still a hit🥰🥰🥰
The People Under The Stairs
WES CRAVEN ~~
Who’s still listening
2020?
Me lol might be a little random but would you know of his height & weight it's not on Wiki ?
The message is still relevant for today.
Me for sure , this track gave me the love for the dance and I'm still dancing at 46, Paris 1990 Reprezent Malakoff 92240 !!!
🙋🏿♂️🙋🏿♂️🤦🏽♂️😁😁✊🏿💞
One of my favourite Songs 😉 😎 ✌🏼
What a lot of people don't realize is that Teddy Riley opened a whole genre of Hip-Hop back in the 80's/ early 90's and continues to work with todays artist just as low-key as he was back then. "New Jack Swing" was what they were calling his style of music when I lived in VA. Guy and Blackstreet Had the same Hip-Hop feel with an R&B twist...or he'd switch and make a R&B song with a Hip-Hop feel. I remember swinging to this watching this on MTV RAPS.
that new jack swing !
Heard this at end of the late great Wes Craven's film The People Under the Stairs
The whole world is acting like a giant Howard Beach" I remember the tensions in NYC at the time and this song was released some years after that in 89 when Yusef Hawkins was murdered in Brooklyn
I remember having this on vinyl record
I just tried to like everyone's 👍 comments, This Song is the definition of rap 🎶 music, yeah yall...Redhead Kingpin was all the way lit on this joint. People Under the Stairs, Yall know the rest. Love ❤️ the 90s forever.
They used it in People Under The Stairs at the end credits! Awesome song fo sho! I just got through watching the movie and thought that song at the end was seriously TUFF! We need to get back to funky feeling in music! It's so timeless and you never get tired of listening to it! Redhead Kingpin tore that one out the frame!!!
I saw redhead kingpin and the fbi in concert back in 1988 in brisbane,Australia. What a blast I couldn't get enuff of this red head dude talk about legit rapping without shit true to the word and never let his fans hang like some other imposters do. peace:---)))) I'm outta ahere
Money Forever I was in Brisbane, Australia in 1988 as well. Great Time!
When music had a message. I miss this era!!!!!
Redhead Kingpin much respect! Gotta do the Right Thing ✊🏾
I got hooked to this song when I was 5 years old in 1991 when I watched the movie (people under the stairs) And I've Loved this song ever since
Man I was so young when I used to listen to this guy at school socials and now I realise how dope he is!! Wow!! I feel so lucky to have had such good messages going in my ears, even if I didn't realise what they were at the time.. almost 23/24 years ago now when I was in intermediate school in Birkdale, NZ.
This track featured on "People under the stairs" classic film.
I USE TO WACTH PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS ALMOST EVERY DAY WITH MY COUSIN'S. We Love It and this song, it's our jam too! "Do the right thing".
Man this song is truly a masterpiece 🎭
WOW!!! I can't believe I'm hearing and seeing this. Super classic tune. That just did my week. Respect to L.A.Y for posting this... Yizzur!
Thank you RUclips for allowing the posting of songs from my childhood days. Nice to see and hear this during these unprecedented times and the message is fitting at this time. 💙
Fucking absolute classic riff. Remember it like it was yesterday.
Really good song with a great message. I wish there more songs like this nowadays.
This was a massive club hit, but I can understand why Spike Lee never used this for his movie of the same name...it just wouldn't have fit.
@PrAnG2000 You'd be surprised, it might have given the move more crossover appeal. I love FTP,but my gut tells me that Spike should have gone for a Double-Barrelled OST. I just know that somehow it would have worked!💪
If there's one thing about horror movies that came out in the early 90s, is that they had some pretty good music to go with the movie, this song being one of them 👌
I know exactly what movie you’re talking about :) truly Craven’s most underrated work I’ve ever seen
This song suddenly popped into my head and I looked up the lyrics and found it. Then I had to remember where I knew it from, the end of People Under the Stairs!
xXTrakkStarrXx just got though watching this movie and had to come look up this song
Very same thing just happened to me! ;)
I was a High School freshman when this dropped...dope song from a dope album. Great memories.
This was one of my top five songs. Hip hop lives!
This song takes me waaay back! Back to a time when hip hop was REAL!!
I remember listening to this in 89
subatomic10 ok boomer
Admiral General Aladeen Of The Republic of Wadiya Nice bud, a casual 5 year old saying “ok boomer” to somebody sharing their memories.
This treasure dropped when i was a 21 yr old flat top fade rocka baybee ! 6 feet tall and 175 lbs from all that dancin ! NUFF RESPECT 4 postin this GEM !
2023. Still listening. More relevant today than it ever was. Do the right thing folks, it's gonna be hard.
Loved 90's music. You got a message, a great beat, awesome lyrics, and a workout (if you danced) all in one song!
But this is 80s music. The best of all.
So true! It’s actually the perfect fusion of of joy for mind, body and spirit 😁
I try to do the right thing....from today December 11th 2020...Try too✌
Je me souviens que c'était à l'époque du Night fever! Ce fut la meilleure époque de ma génération. Pour tout ceux qui ont connu le Night, le Studio one, ils savent de quoi je parle.
New Jack Swinging in 2023! Crazy song with dancing, beats & with messages intertwined like a shredded wheat biscuit. Do the right thing...
I’m a big fan of him. I wish he did more albums.
One of the vinyls I bought in my teens ... still funky 😎
First rap I learned all the lyrics to off by heart. 30 years later still remember this word for word....ckassic
Classic Classic Classic,Man I love this,memories 👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽
This song pumps me up every morning before I go to work.
"You're not the only one in the world that has problems. Keep your head straight and you can surely solve them." great lyrics.
I'm glad I grew up in the 90's best decade of all time. I was a freshman when this came out
One of the great hip-hop and new jack swing tunes!
The 90's... loved 'em
This was 1989 ;)
YES IT WAS BEST SUMMER EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!
latuit ward '89 was a great summer! Budweiser Superfest in L.A. and just about everything else in life!!!!!
Sabrina Phillips I was too young for bud fest!!!!! .....lol I could listen to it or watch it on TV... your lucky!!!!
Sabrina Phillips did you go to bud fest 89?
I can't stop saying
AW YEAH!!!
Chuby Chuby The 0 Of Chubs I will be a good
cassandra beverly you probably aren’t young anymore but I have too.. R/YOUNGPEOPLERUclips
2023,.... timeless music🎉🎉🎉🎉
This is me back in the 80s boy did we drop to this and Eric B and Rakim good days 👆🍀😎🍾🎤
Finally, the classic version of this great rap song. Thanks for posting.
Songs like this kept me on the right track..along with a few azz whippings from pops lol
Instantly I'm back in high school, listening to his positive message. Enjoy life everybody! It slides by fast.
They had some jams back in the day. They came back in the mid 90's as Private Investigators. And that was it for them.
I recently heard this song again and was struck by how much it sounded like a New Jack Swing/Teddy Riley produced track. But I didn't remember Teddy being affiliated with the group. So I did some digging.
Apparently, this track was produced by Teddy's little brother (Markell Riley) which explains why it has that Teddy feel to it. And I'm sure Teddy was behind the scenes, helping his brother out with the production. Dope track. I remember this song when it came out, it was catchy-as-hell.
I heard one of his songs on in living color the fly girls did a routine to it .
True. This has Teddy all over it.
It’s indicative to that time back when so yeah it is a new Jack swing thing
Awesome!
TR credited as "mixer" and "arranger". Hard to know who really did what during the Gene Griffin era. But yeah odds are that Ted was instrumental (pardon the pun) in the making of this record. Would have to be him taking it to church on the keyboard solo plus the talk box bits plus the vocal ad libs (yep yeps and more!). And would have to be the legendary and hugely underrated Lee "Bubba" Drakeford singing the hook.... The unheralded voice of many New Jack classics!
Droppin' wisdom on the mic. Love it.
Classic.... Great beat from my good cassette tape and radio days...
Still rocking 2023!
What a record! I still have my vinyl copy from wayyyy back when I were a nippa.
Why cant anyone make hip hop like this any more?
BigD is right, Never take this down dude.
THIS GUY WAS ONE THE BEST RAPPER EVER!!
Cool video too.
2023 still rockin “Ah yeah” 2:38
Still remember this on my mix tapes. Back in 2022 ta put this on my RUclips jam list. Swift Mello