DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince

Before he ascended to Hollywood superstardom, Will Smith was a Philly rapper who, along with his partner DJ Jazzy Jeff, helped push hip-hop into the mainstream. Their second (and arguably best) album is an undeniable classic, with crucial hits like "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "A Nightmare On My Street."

From Fabian and Chubby Checker to Cosby and this crew, Philadelphia has always produced too many unthreatening teen dreams--it's enough to make you stop worrying and love Schoolly-D. Though I grant the Fresh Prince's acting ability and find myself touched when he tells the crowd he's 17, he makes the mistake of coming on smug in a genre whose staple is confidence. In life, maybe the wheedle is more socially advanced than the demand; in art, it's a turnoff. (Grade - B-)