Throwback: Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth-They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)

Pete Rock and C. L. Smooth’s “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” brought them center stage in 1992. The warmth of Tom Scott’s saxophone sampled from his cover of Jefferson Airplane’s “Today” became the intro to a eulogy in song. They were friends with Troy “Trouble Roy” Dixon who was a dancer for Heavy D & The Boyz and had died in an accident backstage two years earlier. The song was a way to mourn him and celebrate his life. The duo had previously released their All Souled Out EP in 1991 but “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” is when their music hit a critical mass of hip hop fans. Critics gave Mecca and the Soul Brother which was their debut album approval and recognition.  In their grief, Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth found a signature song and created one of the best hip hop albums of all time. 

The duo split in 1995 and reunited for various collaborations over the years. C.L.Smooth appeared on Pete Rock’s Soul Survivor, Petestrumentals and Soul Survivor II. Smooth released two solo albums; American Me in 2006 and The Outsider in 2007.