1984. 8th Grade. Band class. The drummer. Since I was the only kid in school that played drums, I got put in the high school band too.

That was the scenario. Each day I’d come to class, the skinny white dork, sitting behind the row of brass instruments, played by 11th and 12th grade guys. So much I learned about African America culture that year. By the end of the first week, it was my duty to lay down the beat to this song, among many others (RUN DMC, Whodini, LL Cool J and more), while the guys stood around me and rapped. Man, did I wish I was black.

This song’s beat is still emblazoned upon my mind, as it forever shall be. Don’t forget the follow-up song, Roxanne’s Revenge.