Off The Record is a weekly MUSE installment exploring the favorite music of the Daily Free Press editorial staff. Each week a different editor will pick their five favorite songs. Week seven features our Sports Editor, Craig Meyer. Enjoy. 

“99 Problems” – Jay-Z

With lackluster albums like “Kingdom Come” and “Watch the Throne,” Jay’s post-retirement phase has been pretty underwhelming, but it becomes magnified when you consider he could have ended his career on a beautifully crafted song waxing poetic on topics ranging from the trials of fame to police abuse.

“Rosa Parks” – OutKast

I’m not as big of a fan of OutKast’s odd couple dynamic as others, but never has it worked better for them than on a song with a folksy beat that epitomizes what Southern rap should aspire to be. Besides, as a sports editor, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include a song with the line, “Bulldoggin’ hoes like them Georgetown Hoyas.”

“Award Tour” – A Tribe Called Quest

Never has a hip-hop group been able to mix a playful, party-like image with a social conscious quite like Tribe and this song is pretty solid proof of that. Also doesn’t hurt that it has what is probably the most infectious beat of all-time.

“Ain’t No Sunshine” – Bill Withers

I usually don’t pull this on something as small and trivial as music, but if you don’t have much use for Bill Withers, I frankly don’t have much use for you, especially if you can’t appreciate his deep baritone on this track reminiscing on lost love.

“This Is How We Do It” – Montell Jordan

This song isn’t exactly a crowning artistic achievement or anything, but I just can’t help but love it. If I were to ever give some sort of official presentation on why the 90’s were the best decade ever (because it was), this song and video would be at the center of it.