DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Platinum & Gold Collection
Breezy, funny, corny — golden-age raps as irresistible as a vanilla cone
Of course Will Smith became a global superstar. It was clear from his first teenage recording appearance that he had more charisma in his microphone-holding hand than most performers (rappers, actors, whomever) could dream of. Not only that — he was funny as hell. It's easy to dismiss the late '80s bubblegum rap that Philadelphia duo Smith, operating as the Fresh Prince, and his DJ partner Jazzy Jeff (last name Townes) made hay with at the same time that Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim, Boogie Down Productions and a dozen others were redefining the music for hardcore fans. They may have been soft, but so is ice cream, and hits like "Parents Just Don't Understand," "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson," and "Summertime" are as difficult to resist as a vanilla cone in July.
The 12-song Platinum & Gold Collection is as generous a serving of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince as anyone needs — maybe too generous, depending on your appetite for good-natured if not terribly convincing I'm-the-best boasts like "Rock the House" and "Too Damn Hype," which dominate the second half. Nevertheless, you'd have to be a real Scrooge not to smile at the likes of "A Nightmare on My Street," complete with Smith's ridiculous Freddy Kruger impersonation, or "Boom! Shake the Room," whose title explains itself perfectly.
