Album: Street Songs / Throwin' Down

Introduction
"Street Songs/ Throwin' Down" is a compilation album that brings together two of Rick James' most prominent and effective albums, "Street Songs" and "Throwin' Down". Released in 1986, this amalgamation solidified Rick James' status as the king of punk-funk and as a cultural icon. Integrating components of punk rock, R&B, new age, and funk, the album showcases James' unique style and innovative approach to music production.

Background
Rick James, born James Ambrose Johnson Jr., had been an active artist considering that the 1960s, but he rose to prominence as a solo artist in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His revolutionary blend of musical designs and charming onstage persona amassed him the attention of both critics and fans, rapidly developing him as a leading figure in the music industry. "Street Songs" (1981) and "Throwin' Down" (1982) were both launched during this peak in his profession, and they ended up being two of James' most successful albums.

Street Songs
"Street Songs", launched in 1981, is considered as James' magnum opus and among the most crucial funk albums of perpetuity. Peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, the album went on to become triple-platinum licensed. It spawned traditional hits such as "Give It to Me Baby" and the iconic "Super Freak", understood for its catchy and intriguing lyrics. The album also included several partnerships, including singer Teena Marie on the duet "Fire and Desire".

The groundbreaking LP flawlessly combined several categories and featured raw, gritty lyrics that reflected Rick James' experiences of growing up in the streets of Buffalo, New York. The album highlighted essential social commentaries in tracks like "Mr. Policeman" and "Ghetto Life", which talked about concerns of authorities brutality and life in marginalized communities, respectively. "Street Songs" became the pinnacle of James' career and would later be recognized as a definitive work that affected numerous other artists and producers.

Throwin' Down
One year later on, Rick James went on to release "Throwin' Down", a follow-up album that preserved the momentum developed by "Street Songs". While not as successful as its predecessor commercially, it still secured critical recognition and included hits such as "Dance Wit' Me" and "Standing on the Top", the latter being a collaboration with legendary soul group The Temptations.

"Throwin' Down" saw James diving deeper into try out different sounds, incorporating touches of rock and electronic synth-pop throughout its tracks. The album's material ranged from funky uptempo anthems like "Hard to Get" to smooth, sensual ballads such as "Happy". This display of James' adaptability declared his status as a leading figure in blending categories and pressing the limits of popular music.

Impact and Legacy
"Street Songs/ Throwin' Down" is a testament to Rick James' immense talent and his ability to craft fascinating, ingenious melodies that echoed through the generations to come. A lot of the tunes on this album went on to be sampled and covered by other artists like MC Hammer, who notoriously instilled James' "Super Freak" into his hit "U Can't Touch This". The collection likewise affected various artists across various categories, such as Prince, George Clinton, D'Angelo, and Faith No More.

As a cultural icon, Rick James' contributions to the world of music continue long after his passing in 2004. "Street Songs/ Throwin' Down" stands as a long-lasting collection of his most prominent works and a testimony to his unbelievable tradition.