Jay-Z — The Dynasty: Roc La Familia

Jay-Z's fifth studio album in five years was released in 2000. Rick Rock and up-and-coming beatsmith Just Blaze shared half the album, with the rest of the production featuring beats provided by The Neptunes, Kanye West, Bink, Rockwilder, B-High, Memphis Bleek, and TT. Guests included members of the Dynasty group Beanie Sigel, Memphis Bleek, and Amil, as well as Freeway (who would later join Sigel and Bleek in Roc-A-Fella's new group State Property), Scarface, Snoop Dogg, and R. Kelly.

Pete Rock — Soul Survivor II

Pete Rock's sixth studio album, third solo, second album-producer, released by BBE and Rapster six years after his debut, of which it's a direct follow-up. The production is managed by Pete Rock, while, unlike the previous chapter, the guests alternate between well-known names and up-and-coming guys: Pharoahe Monch of Organized Konfusion, CL Smooth, RZA & GZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Talib Kweli of Black Star, Dead Prez, Little Brother, Slum Village, J Dilla, Black Ice (less-known affiliate of Wu-Tang, is part of U-God group HIllside Scramblers), Kardinal Offishall, Postaboy, Denosh, Skillz, Krumbsnatcha and Leela James.

Half a Mill — Milíon

Jasun Wardlaw from Albany, Brooklyn, New York City. A neglected guest of that project that is remembers reluctantly with the name "The Album" by the hip-hop supergroup The Firm, he makes his way from the underground to the mainstream and in 2000 tries to launch a very ambitious project.

Pete Rock / InI / Deda — Lost and Found: Hip Hop Underground Soul Classics

In 2003, the labels BBE Records and Rapster Records released a compilation that includes the two albums recorded by Pete Rock in 1995 for Elektra: at the time, the label only released the single "Fakin' Jax" and, not satisfied with the response of the public, decided to shelve both projects ("Center of Attention" and "The Original Baby Pa": both released in 2003 by Pete Rock through Rapster label), believing that it wouldn't have to spend more time and more money on them. In total, the double LP includes 29 tracks and 126 minutes of material, just over two hours of listening.

Boogie Down Productions — By All Means Necessary

In 1987, South Bronx hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions released their debut album, "Criminal Minded", which achieved good commercial success and was praised by critics, selling hundreds of thousands of copies. Despite the positive results in sales, the label they were signed to, B-Boy Records, struggled to pay royalties to the group and this caused a breakdown in the relationship between the group and the label, leading to a lawsuit that was settled out of court. The boys left B-Boy Records and signed with Warner Bros. Records through the mediation of Ice-T.

Nas — The Lost Tapes 2

A year after published a disappointing album with Kanye West, Nas releases a new compilation of songs, a sequel to the much-acclaimed "The Lost Tapes" (2002): it features unreleased tracks discarded from "Hip Hop Is Dead" (2006), "Untitled" (2008), "Life Is Good" (2012) and "NASIR" (2018). The MC keeps the tape personal, renouncing any guest outside rapping, while the production is provided by some of the best artists of the period, including Pete Rock, RZA, The Alchemist, No ID, Kanye West, DJ Toomp, Statik Selektah and Hit-Boy. Among the beatmakers, the most surprising is Swizz Beatz: the boy has two rhythms and, to my amazement, they are two of the best beats in the collection. Wonderful. Swizz Beatz has created two wonderful rhythms. Two. In a record. I write it several times because it's hard to believe. For me.

La the Darkman — Heist of the Century

Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, born in the Bronx and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Lason "La the Darkman" Jackson grew up with some of the Wu-Tang members. As a teenager he signed his first contract and in 1998, barely twenty-year-old, he released his first LP. The cover has a black background and features the author's name at the top, title at the bottom, and the Wu-Tang logo in purple that appears to have eyes in the center. Production is primarily done by Carlos "Six July" Broady, covering over half the disc, while other beats are provided by 4th Disciple, the Wu-Tang Clan related producer who is part of Killarmy, RZA, Raekwon (credited as co-producer), DJ Muggs and Havoc, author of two beats. The guests of the record come mainly from the Wu-Tang Clan and answer the names of Raekwon, Masta Killa, U-God and Ghostface Killah, along with the Wu-affiliates Tekitha, Killa Sin of Killarmy, 12 O'Clock of Brooklyn Zu, and other guests such as Havoc, Maia Campbell, Puff, DJ Rogers and Shotti Screwface.

Jay-Z — Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter

In 1999 Jay-Z recorded his fourth studio album entirely in New York and released it in the last days of the decade. Having found the right formula to become a commercial powerhouse, Shawn Carter obviously did everything to maintain it if not improve it further. For the music he once again relied on a mix of the most popular and young producers who were now faithful to their discography: Timbaland and Swizz Beatz produced half the album, providing four and three beats respectively, DJ Premier and Irv Gotti placed one beat each, the rest of the set was completed by the choices of K-Rob, Rockwilder, DJ Clue, DURO, Digga, Lance "UN" Rivera, Russ, SAF and Lil Rob. Guests were Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel, Amil, Mariah Carey, Juvenile, Dr. Dre and UGK.

Tha Dogg Pound — Dogg Food

Debut album by Tha Dogg Pound, Long Beach duo formed by rappers Delmar "Daz Dillinger" Arnaud & Ricardo "Kurupt" Brown. The production is done almost entirely by Daz Dillinger aka Dat Nigga Daz, and some beats are performed by DJ Pooh, Kurupt, Dave Swang and Emanuel Dean. The mixing is done by Dr. Dre. Ricardo Rouse plays the guitar, Butch the percussion and Superfly the keyboards. Guests, often uncredited, are Snoop Doggy Dogg, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, The Lady of Rage, Big Pimpin Delemond, Prince Ital Joe, Kevin "Slo Jammin'" James, Ricky Harris, Val Young, Kevin Vamado, Stacey Smallie, Rochelle Wright, Mr. Malik, Mz. So 'Sentral, Big-C Style, Joe Cool and Big Tray Deee.

Pete Rock / Deda — The Original Baby Pa

In 1995, the Elektra rejects the two new Pete Rock albums, "Center of Attention" and "The Original Baby Pa", which in 2003 the Rapster Records label manages to publish. The latter should be the debut for the rapper Sylvester "Deda" James aka Baby Pa, affiliated of Pete Rock who produces the entire project. The LP, 13 songs plus a bonus track, for a total of 58 minutes, is personal, without guests credited. The singer Vinja Monica and the rapper Ex Cons partecipate as not credited with a spot each.

The D.O.C. — No One Can Do It Better

Tracy Lynn "The D.O.C." Curry was born in Dallas, Texas. In the mid eighties, he's a member of Fila Fresh Crew, Dallas hip-hop trio in which the artist is known as Doc-T. In 1987, Fila Fresh Cresh had four tracks featured on the compilation album "NWA and the Posse" of the Los Angeles crew NWA, the same pieces are inserted in Fila Fresh Crew debut LP "Tuffest Man Alive" in 1988.

Inspectah Deck — Chamber No. 9

Fifth solo studio album released by Inspectah Deck, nine years after the last one under this moniker. The title pays homage to one of his favorite cuts, from his solo debut, however, he's still far from the Clan: the group's symbol is still there in the cover, three times, but it's easy to go unnoticed. The production is carried out entirely by Danny Caiazzo and Boo Bundy, while the guests of the edition are Cappadonna, Streetlife, Trife Diesel, Hellfire and Mz. Gemini.

Black Moon — Enta da Stage

Unique Image, a Brooklyn duo formed by Kaseem "5ft" Reid and Ewart "DJ Evil Dee" Dewgrade, meet Kenyatta "Buckshot" Blake, backup dancer from Brownsville who joins the group to form the Brothers who Lyrically Act and Combine Kicking Music Out On Nations, Black Moon. The trio releases a single and gets a contract with Nervous Records, an independent label that mainly deals with house music: Black Moon are the first hip-hop act to sign for the label and start working on their debut album with the help of Walter "Mr. Walt" Dewgarde, brother of DJ Evil Dee with whom he'll form the production team Da Beatminerz.

Pete Rock & InI — Center of Attention

In 1995, the Elektra rejects the two new Pete Rock albums, "Center of Attention" and "The Original Baby Pa", which in 2003 the Rapster Records label manages to publish. This record should have been the debut album of InI, hip-hop group by Mount Vernon, New York, composed of Gregory "Grap Luva" Phillips, Pete Rock's Brother, Robert "Rob-O" Odindo, Marco Polo and Rahsaan "Ras G" Rousseau. Pete Rock isn't part of the group, and produces the album entirely. Grap Luva is credited to the rhythm of "Step Up".

Boogie Down Productions — Criminal Minded

Scott Sterling is the son of divorced, raised by his mother, brilliant student and brilliant sportsman, graduate, but when he sets aside his dreams of glory as a basketball player, he decides to invest time and energy on music in the role of hip hop disc jockey in local clubs. And he works, as a social worker in a homeless institution: here, in 1986, he met Lawrence Parker, a young man who had already demonstrated skills in writing and emceeing.

M.C. Shan — Down by Law

Marley Marl's cousin, Shawn "MC Shan" Moltke appeared on Marl's single "Marley Marl Scratch" in 1985, then signed to MCA Records that same year and released his debut single, "Feed the World", which went unnoticed. The following year, Shan was interviewed for the Dutch documentary "Big Fun in the Big Town", which was divided into a part dedicated to rock and a second part dedicated to the nascent hip-hop culture, and later became a cult among hip-hop fans. The young rapper from Queens was removed from MCA's roster and shortly after, again thanks to his relationship with Marley Marl, he signed to Cold Chillin' Records and joined the Juice Crew.

38 Spesh — Sirius Radio Freestyles EP

38 Spesh puts together five freestyles performed for DJ Eclipse at Shade 45, for a total of 18 minutes. The first freestyle is slow and flowing, on a scarce boom bap with decent synth in the background and layered samples that make up a confused rhythm, a piano stands out among the many elements of the song. It follows a jazzy rhythm with slow drum and a decent flowing slow delivery of Spesh. "Ondaspot Cypher" is a 10-minute freestyle with Klass Murda and Oun P: on a jazzy boom bap with simple drum machine, 38 Spesh proves to be better than the other Trust guys. "Live Bars" has a jazzy rhythm with a slow drum machine that the rapper interprets with a hardcore style, while "More Bars" is the latest freestyle of the edition: simple beat, jazzy boom bap lean with samples from a classic, Biggie's "Ten Crack Commandments". Spesh's slow hardcore delivery, then another classic sample for the second part of freestyle, Jay-Z's "A Million & One Question", with the wonderful voice of Aaliyah. Decent tape, but far from the best of Spesh.

Smif-n-Wessun — Dah Shinin'

Iconic debut album by Smif-n-Wessun, a Brooklyn duo formed by Bedford-Stuyvesant rapper Tekomin "Tek" Williams and Brownsville rapper Darrell "Steele" Yates. It inaugurates the start of the Boot Camp Clik collective, whose members are all featured on the disc as guests: Heltah Skeltah, O.G.C. and Buckshot.

Newcleus — Jam on Revenge

Maurice Benjamin Cenac aka Ben "Cozmo D" Cenac grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant and Park Slope neighborhoods of Brooklyn. Passionate about comics and hip-hop, he became a DJ in 1976, creates a group of DJs together with his cousins Monique and Pierre "Pete" Angevin, respectively known as "Niqu D" and "Master Quadro" (later also known as MC Harmony), and organizes house parties and block parties. When Niqu D goes to college she is replaced by Cenac's friend David "Dr. Freeze" St. Louis, who has a group of DJs together with Al T. "Tuga" McLaran Jr. (other sources incorrectly indicate McLaren). With the arrival of Dr. Freeze, Cenac's crew takes the name Jam-On Productions and is made up of numerous DJs and occasional emcees.

Goodie Mob — Soul Food

One of the best albums ever to come out of the South. Debut for Atlanta hip-hop group Goodie Mob, consisting of Cameron "Big Gipp" Gipp, Willie "Khujo" Knighton, Thomas "CeeLo Green" Callaway and Robert "T-Mo" Barnett. The music is entirely created by Organized Noize Productions, a local production team that has already produced OutKast's first LP. Guests are part of the Dungeon Family collective and are André 3000, Big Boi, Cool Breeze, Joi, Roni, Sleepy Brown and Witchdoctor.

Statik Selektah — Lucky 7

Studio album number sixteen for Statik Selektah. The disc plays on number seven and is his seventh album producer. Participating in the album, among others, Rapsody, Action Bronson, Joey Badass, Your Old Droog, Dave East, Big KRIT, Royce da 5'9", Mick Jenkins, Smif-n-Wessun, Buckshot, Sean Price, Lil' Fame, Skyzoo, Domo Genesis, Termanology, Bun B, Styles P, Wais P, Ab-Soul and Talib Kweli.

Onyx — Bacdafucup

In 1988, schoolmates Fredro "Fredro Starr" Scruggs of Queens, Tyrone "Suave" Taylor and Marlon "Big DS" Fletcher, both of Brooklyn, formed the hip-hop group Onyx.

 

Jay-Z — Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life

In 1998, two years after his debut, Jay-Z releases his third album, which he considers to be his last album, a phrase he has said for practically all his releases. It cannot be said that it's not even the first because Carter wanted to retire after releasing his debut and it's not even the second, because after the release of "Vol. 1", the artist once again declares that he wants to leave the game.