(thanks to Kelly Stitzel over at popdose for making me aware of this)
Last week’s Hump Day Flashback spotlighted “Teenage Love”, one of my favorite tracks off of Slick Rick’s 1988 debut, Great Adventures of Slick Rick. That classic album has turned out to be surprisingly ripe for covers. “Children’s Story” has been covered in the past by Everlast as well as by Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Another fondly remembered song from that album was “Hey Young World”, Rick’s uplifting, man-in-the-mirror type track. The latest artist to take a stab at the song is someone who goes by the name of Sad Brad Smith. Sad Brad’s latest album, Love is Not What You Need, is available now. Not quite sure what Brad is so damn sad about, but check his version of “Hey Young World” out. What do y’all think?
Sad Brad’s rendition marks the second cover version of “Hey Young World” that I’m aware of. The first was done by Macy Gray, with additional vocals from Rick the Ruler himself. It appeared on her somewhat overlooked second album, The Id, and if I remember correctly, it was also in one of those “Rush Hour” flicks. I can only imagine what a conversation between Macy and Rick would have sounded like back then.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nImC5oZprJc
Check out Rick’s original version after the jump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea-ezolZq5k