Arsenio was a pretty funny guy.I remember as best as I can (really young at the time) he use to get a lot of flack for dick riding Eddie but I think he held his own.Coming To America was classic in so many ways and he was no exception in it.Looking back at the time his show had a lot of great performers on it.And what was great looking at these now you can tell he wasn’t faking the funk when he was interviewing them.It looked like he was a fan and tried his best to promote good music.Especially with Hip Hop/Rap which for the most part was getting a lot of bad press due to the insurgence of gangsta rap etc.Even though at the time the balance was pretty even for second.For every N.W.A. their was a Tribe.That was a great era when every group or Mc had their own identity it didn’t seem like sheep getting led to the slaughter.What was great to you can really tell every group or MC saw Arsenio as a launching pad and a measure of success so they went balls to the wall on performing.So as KRS said on the show, “Arsenio Hall, Nuff respect due”!!! Here is part 1 of some really good performances I found on Youtube.
A Tribe Called Quest w Leaders Of The New School- SCENARIO
Black Sheep The Choice Is Yours
KRS One Sound of The Police/Hip Hop vs. Rap
The Pharcyde – Passin’ Me By
3rd Bass – Gas Face
James Brown – Move On
Jodeci – Lately
10,000 Maniacs – Eat for Two
De La Soul – Me, Myself, and I