Early Wu: Hush Hush Tip

I won't tell if you won't tell
N-Tyce: "Hush Hush Tip (feat Method Man)"
N-Tyce: "Hush Hush Tip (Instrumental)"
N-Tyce: "Root Beer Float"
from Hush Hush Tip 12", 1994

N-Tyce's "Hush Hush Tip" was the rap equivalent to the veritable onslaught of the R. Kelly-instigated "keep it on the down-low"-themed R&B songs of the mid-90s ("Creep," "Down Low", and on and on). This, along with SWV's "Anything" remix, bears evidence of RZA's effort to start the expansion of the Wu to pop radio. That's not to discredit the song whatsoever; it is the epitome of early Wu productions (Killarmy's 4th Disciple, to be specific). The reverberating chorus in the background, off-tune guitar twang, and a jazz piano adds up to a real head-nodder. N-Tyce's silly metaphors haven't aged well ("Gettin' more whistles than a whirlwind," "When it comes to runnin' games...call me Chicago," "You tried to play me like a Genesis") but her personality is contagious and you can't front on the overall vibe. Method Man on the chorus increases the single's charisma.

As others have noted, N-Tyce later appeared in the short-lived female Wu-affiliate The Deadly Venoms, and is not to be confused with the other N-Tyce (what are the chances?). And of course, being on Wild Pitch, she received nothing but the best graphic treatment on her debut single. Word to Stu Fine!

Also included for the listeners is the instrumental, and the enigmatically titled flipside, "Root Beer Float."

Extrablogicular reading
Davey D's writes about the The Deadly Venoms
Stylus Magazine's Top 10 Underappreciated Early-90s Hip-Hop Summer Jams