Together Here’s What We’ve Gotta Do
» Published by Ace Six
Around the way girl status J-Lo gives the assist for the intro on this joint, which barely gets cut off which we all know is the exception to the rule with In Living Colour videos. Too bad she calls it Straightenin Out.
This clip gives us another fine example of 90’s fashion. Pete Rock has the grandfather chic going on with his pants up above his belly button and tucked in button-up, but I can’t front on the hat. CL, well…I don’t even know what to say except that was actually considered cool at this point.
What I’m most impressed(bored) by is how Pete Rock kicks the intro to the song almost exactly how it was on record. Improvisation is clearly not his strong point.
Finally, I might catch a lot of hate for this comment, but does anyone ACTUALLY like CL Smooth as a rapper? I listen back and I have no clue WTF he is talking about.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Ace, this is my favorite song of all time.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I never thought about this song that much, and it definitely wasn’t my favorite on the album, UNTIL I saw this performance on a rerun about 5 years ago or something. Now I think I even like it more than T.R.O.Y.
And yeah, I like C.L. as a rapper… on Pete Rock tracks. Something about his style works perfectly for that and nothing else. It ain’t fair, but that’s life.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
I like this track, don’t get it twisted. Great video too. But take the P.R. beat away from a lot of CL’s rhymes and it’s a maze without an end. Bunch of nonsense strung together with the swagger of Al B. Sure.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Al B lol nice one Ace
May 29th, 2009 at 3:28 am
umm…cl uses metaphores.
its not ‘nonsense’ you just have to listen and use your brain
lots of references in this song about getting yourself on the right track and staightening it out!
June 5th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Lets be clear, this particular year was odd because it was probably the last of the Mecca and The Soul Brother. CL Smooth has always been ahead of his time fashion wise, and Pete Rock has always been fashionably challenged. Straighten it out was a good song but everyone (including myself-at that time) was fascinated with this album because of the production. I have never heard an album (and in my opinion-to this date) that musically stretched the MPC2000 to its fullest, almost overshadowing CL Smooths rhymes..
June 8th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Check your facts, doggy.
Pete used an SP1200 and S950 on that album hence the line, “Stick it in the Sp-1200,” in CL’s last verse. There was no MPC 2000 at the time (that was the MPC 60 era), and Pete didn’t start using the MPC until much later.
You’re also wrong about this being the last of them. They did “The Main Ingredient” album two years later.
Also, certain groups have synergy for whatever reason, Pete and CL just worked together, period. The production may have been the standout, but they had undeniable chemistry.
June 17th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Max!
You played yourself!
Fashion sense? hahahaha…. nice outfit CL.
June 24th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Really, his vest probably did not come from Banana Republic where you could also get the shorts and hook em up with some Butters (Timbs) Looking back it does look a little too small on him …………. I think the only thing CL and AL.B had in common was the Vernon connection ……. CL was and maybe still a incredible MC’
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Max what up?!!! CL was a great MC. His subject matter and how he said it is comparable only to Ghostface in that respect. or vice versa. They both talk about real life situations by using pop culture references and of course the occasional 5% vernacular. These 2 along with MF Doom are in a class by themelves for that reason alone. I cant front. This album dropped when I was 12 and still naive about the world but now when I listen to it CL’s lyrics are nothing short of genius. I didnt buy the album when it dropped but I did buy the straighten it out 12″. Classic