Some times it’s up, some times it’s down. Recorded and filmed a little over 20 yrs ago, a few blocks from Zuccotti Park. More proof perpetrators were at it from the get go.
“Wall Street Rap” by Dr. T. and the Klinic dropped in 1988 (not long after Oliver Stone’s movie, which I’m sure is no coincidence) on Prescription Record Inc. It’s the label’s only release, though not Dr. T’s, who in fact dropped a couple other records on different labels. And considering the thematic ties between their names, I’d assume Prescription is the Dr.’s own label, and this is a self release. This wasn’t done on the cheap, though. It comes in a cool picture cover where they’re dressed in full medical regalia, they’ve got a full band providing the music (though I’m not sure if they’re considered The Klinic – judging by the cover, I’d guess the Klinic are his dancers and back-up singers), and they even had an elaborate music video for this.
It’s super corny, of course – this is bordering right on the edge of novelty rap. He rhymes like a cross between Hurt ‘Em Bad and MC Hammer, and the music by the band – which consists of a keyboardist, horn player, guitarist, three people credited with drum programming/ percussion, and bass played by Dr. T himself – sounds very much like outsider musicians taking a stab at making some rap music without being familiar with classical styles of hip-hop production. But in a light-hearted, old school kinda way, it all sorta works. All the live instrumentation gives this record an old Sugar Hill Band feel, the hook gets stuck in your head, and the lyrics are actually pretty smart. It almost plays like an education record for kids…
