For many, the word “streetwise” brings to mind the critically acclaimed but extremely jarring 1984 documentary film about at-risk youth on the streets of Seattle. In 1989 rap group Creative Choice had enough songs for a sophomore album. Their debut the previous year was Real New York Style, a rough and tumble lyrical ride through Seattle. One of the group’s new songs was called “Streetwise” and it became the title track for the project. Neither album was officially released at the time. Daddy D saved the cassettes and presented a deluxe CD edition of Real New York Style in 2025, and a matching version of Streetwise in 2026.

Streetwise the album starts with a cool easter egg from the first release. “In The Booth” is actually a short fly-on-the-wall studio recording taken during the making of “How Much For The Brew?” from Real New York Style. Then Colonel G opens the album with a Jacksons sample on the smooth “It’s Time To Break.” Mellow Mike covers dozens of topics in the wide-ranging “Did You Know?” In one verse he describes a soldier’s traumatic war experience, “scrap metal hit your eyes, and now you’re blind.”

Track four is the truly impressive title track, “Streetwise.” At more than ten minutes long, this is the “Stairway to Heaven” of Seattle rap. The beat incorporates elements of “Looking For The Perfect Beat” by Afrika Bambaataa and “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash. Daddy D and Mellow Mike take turns rapping about serious topics both local and international. “Eighty-eight, and a movie called Colors, just another flick about the killing of brothers,” begins one of Mellow Mike’s lines.

“Colonel G Is Back” hits hard with boasts and clever poetry. “I used to snap and crackle, but now I pop,” is one lyric that makes me grin. After a grand and rapturous “Interlude,” Mellow Mike and Daddy D team up again with the entertaining “Talk Is Cheap.” Mike raps solo on track eight, “You Don’t Have The Rhymes.” Streetwise ends with an uptempo “Outro” which samples the horns from “Did You Know?” to a scorching breakdancing beat.

Beats and scratches throughout the album are provided by brothers Frostmaster Chill and DJ Pace. Also on the production is local Seattle legend Kevin Gardner. Automatic Crush and DJ EZ Shock were also both part of the Creative Choice crew. Streetwise is an outstanding album from 1989, and should be included in any top ten list of Seattle 80s rap albums. Written by Novocaine132