From the late 1980s to the early 1990s, the New York City-based hip-hop collective Native Tongues redefined the genre.

While the DJs of core groups in the collective like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and Black Sheep sampled from previously untapped areas of classic rock, soul and jazz, creating a new generation of diehard rap fans across all demographics in the process, their MCs expanded on the tradition of early hip-hop as a way of enlightening the public to the challenges of the urban experience with equal doses of humor and creativity.

On his 2012 track "Nike Shoes" from the album "24:26," South Korean rapper Beenzino is clearly channeling the Native Tongues vibe, with some help from longtime collaborators Dynamic Duo.

The layers of electric piano, electric guitar and programmed drums on "Nike Shoes" dial in the samples used by De La or Tribe flawlessly, but as the track opens up it becomes apparent that these are no mere samples, but live musicians playing with considerable restraint.

If there was any doubt left whether this was a recording session with humans playing instruments or just an editing job, a blistering clavinet solo around the song's third minute makes it clear it is the former.

And speaking of blistering performances, all three rappers are on the top of their game here, delivering rhythmically precise rhymes that come across as effortless.

A creative highpoint for everyone involved, there is clearly a great affection among three of Korea's greatest MCs for rhyming over a beat so clearly indicative of the work of that highly influential crew during that classic era of hip-hop.

And what's a better way of honoring those game-changing acts than with one more blistering track?

Listen to the Beenzino track "Nike Shoes" featuring Dynamic Duo from his 2012 EP "24:26" RIGHT HERE