Blumhouse and WWE Studios hope that martial arts fans turn out for Birth of the Dragon, opening next weekend. Set in 1960s San Francisco, it casts Philip Ng as legend Bruce Lee and chronicles one of his most famous showdowns with Shaolin Master Wong Jack Man (Xia Yu).
The film premiered nearly a year ago at the Toronto Film Festival and it’s getting a release stateside on approximately 1500 screens. The late summer release date and lack of promotion could hinder its box office potential.
If box office predictions were made by considering the amount of Wu-Tang Clan members who might attend a screening, I’d have this higher. Minus that, I’ll say it struggles to even reach $3 million.
Birth of the Dragon opening weekend prediction: $2.9 million
We’re into the Top 30 of my personal top 90 hip hop singles of the 90s decades! If you’ve missed any of the entries covering numbers 90-31, you can peruse them by clicking the Music tab on the blog or simply scrolling through.
Let’s bring it:
30. “Big Poppa” by The Notorious B.I.G. (1995)
One of Biggie’s signature tunes from his Ready to Die debut album, this gave the brilliant rapper his most prominent nickname.
29. “Bring the Pain” by Method Man (1994)
One of the stars of Wu-Tang Clan, this was Meth’s first single from his acclaimed Tical album.
28. “Insane in the Brain” by Cypress Hill (1993)
Cops come and try to snatch Cypress Hill’s crops (likely marijuana) in the group’s best known hit.
27. “Fu-Gee-La” by Fugees (1996)
The lead single from Wyclef, Lauryn, and Pras’s landmark album The Score.
26. “The Choice Is Yours” by Black Sheep (1991)
Engine engine… number 9… Black Sheep had an amazingly catchy smash with this release.
25. “The Humpty Dance” by Digital Underground (1990)
Digital Underground released their signature tune that memorably described lead rapper Shock G’s proclivity to do things at Burger King that didn’t involve typical menu ordering.
24. “Triumph” by Wu-Tang Clan (1997)
The RZA led hip hop super group showcased the talents of all its rappers on the first single off their Wu-Tang Forever album.
23. “Rosa Parks” by Outkast (1998)
The lead single off Aquemini offered one of the most commercial and catchy tracks from Andre 3000 and Big Boi.
22. “Can’t Truss It” by Public Enemy (1991)
Many PE fanatics might rank other songs higher, but this has always remained my personal favorite track from the iconic group.
21. “Deep Cover” by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg (1992)
The world got its first taste of the Dre/Snoop combo in this title song from a 1992 Laurence Fishburne crime thriller. Rap would never be the same.
And that’ll do it for now! We’ll enter the top 20 tomorrow…
This evening on the blog, we’re breaking into the Top 50 of my personal favorite 90 singles of the 90s decade. If you missed my first four entries of this blog series, simply go to the Music tab category and use your incredible scrolling abilities to track them down.
Let’s get to it!
50. “Mo Money Mo Problems” by the Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy and Mase (1997)
The second single from Biggie’s posthumous Life After Death project, this is one of the brilliant rapper’s most mainstream tracks with its sample of Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” and its assists from Puff and Mase.
49. “Shoop” by Salt-n-Pepa (1993)
One of the most infectious singles from the greatest rap girl group in history.
48. “N.Y. State of Mind” by Nas (1994)
With its propulsive DJ Premier beat, this is a highlight of Nas’s terrific debut album Illmatic.
47. “New Jack Hustler” by Ice-T (1991)
Ice-T hit a home run with his single off the New Jack City soundtrack, which he also costarred in.
46. “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice (1991)
So… yeah… if you don’t this should be on the list – I will ask: do you know all the lyrics? Thought so.
45. “C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu-Tang Clan (1994)
This pioneering and very large hip hop group had one of their best with this single from their Enter the 36 Chambers debut album.
44. “Award Tour” by A Tribe Called Quest (1993)
One of the most innovative rap groups ever, this is Tribe’s first single off their Midnight Marauders album.
43. “I Got 5 On It” by Luniz (1995)
A green anthem for the ages, Luniz staked their place in rap history with this jam.
42. “All About the Benjamins (remix)” by Puff Daddy featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Lil Kim (1997)
The creme de la creme of Bad Boy got together on this banger from Puff’s debut solo album.
41. “Still Not a Player” by Big Pun featuring Joe (1998)
The late Pun has his signature hit with this party starter featuring R&B singer Joe.
And that’ll do it for now! We’ll enter the Top 40 tomorrow.
We have arrived at part 3 of my personal top 90 hip hop singles of the nineties decade, covering numbers 70-61. If you missed my first two posts covering nos. 90-71, shame on you. However, you can find them here:
With its infectious chorus and its Spike Lee directed video which had us all ridiculously waving our arms to and fro, Naughty by Nature scored a well deserved smash in 1993 with this jam.
69. “Still DRE” by Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg (1999)
The lead single off Dre’s Chronic 2001 album found the glorious mix of Dre and Snoop back in business.
68. “Keep Ya Head Up” by 2Pac (1993)
Pac’s single showcases the more sensitive side of the iconic rapper.
67. “Ice Cream” by Raekwon featuring Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and Cappadonna (1995)
Four Wu-Tang Clan members collaborate on this classic track from Raekwon’s amazing Only Built 4 Cuban Linx album.
66. “Baby Got Back” by Sir-Mix-a-Lot (1992)
It’s still being put to good use today by Nicki Minaj in her hit “Anaconda”, but Seattle based Mix-a-Lot created a booty jam for the ages over two decades ago.
65. “I’m a Player” by Too Short (1993)
So many filthy yet remarkable songs to choose from involving Too Short – but this cut from his Get In Where You Fit In album rose above the rest.
64. “Murder Was the Case” by Snoop Dogg (1994)
One of Snoop’s many masterpieces from his Doggystyle debut album.
63. “Funkdafied” by Da Brat (1994)
Da Brat and producer Jermaine Dupri had a summer 1994 highlight with this title track off her debut album.
62. “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (1991)
Speaking of summer, before Will Smith became one of the biggest film stars in the world – he and partner DJ Jeff made a seasonal anthem that will never go away.
61. “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer (1990)
Quibble if you want, but this Rick James sampling classic was instrumental in bringing hip hop to the mainstream. Plus – Hammer pants!!
And that’ll do it for now, folks! I’ll be back with part four soon enough…
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