It’s not the most infamous “Black Cow” sample — that one comes courtesy of
Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz — however “Gas Drawls” still showcases how much cool oozes out of the Steely Dan catalog. That’s thanks to Doom, a master musician as much as a legendary New York MC, whose death was
announced late last year. On this 1999 cut, he constructs a global of sleaze and intrigue around the original song’s breakdown, using his bars to shout out pizza, money, and his Doctor Doom-inspired persona in an individual couplet: “The supervillain cooler than a million, I be chillins / Still quick to slice squares like Sicilians.” It’s just one of the dozens of magisterial moments littered across his discography that’ll crash a big, stupid smile on your face. —
Patrick Hosken