Throwback Thursday: "You Came Up" -- Big Pun ft. Noreaga

There's no denying Pun's first LP, Capitol Punishment, was a classic. Just about every beat was on point, and perfectly showcased his smooth-but-rapid flow and effortless lyricism. People forget, though, that Pun's sense of humor was just as big as his talent, and went a long way to him becoming an instant success. And this video—though it doesn't synch up with the song's lyrics (a pet peeve of mine)—brings out a bit more of his charismatic jokester side.

Throwback Thursday: "Off the Books" -- The Beatnuts ft. Big Pun & Cuban Link

I think The Beatnuts thought this track would be their jump to the bigtime. It ended up being Big Pun's, instead. This was the first big-studio recording he ever did, and he lays down what would become his trademark rapid-fire delivery of lyrical daggers. RIP Pun.

Overall a slick little track. And the team of dancers is causing a flare up of my Latin Fever (or maybe it was the Catalina Taylor video I watched the other day that's to blame...).