RZA — Instrumental Experience

Compilation that has remained incomprehensibly unnoticed and never properly treated. In 2006, Robert "The RZA" Diggs, rapper, producer, master and co-founder of the Wu-Tang Clan, officially releases an instrumental tape through Think Differently Music, a label managed by Dreddy Kruger, Killa Bee and part of the Royal Fam. 21 instrumental tracks from some of the most famous songs by Wu-Tang and other affiliated artists, in addition to the intro, a jewel of over eight minutes. The rest should be the best of RZA, it shouldn't be that hard to find, it's all wrapped up in the Wu-Tang Clan albums between 1993-1997: "36 Chambers", "Tical", "Return to the 36 Chambers", "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...", "Liquid Swords", "Ironman" and "Forever". Easy come easy go. But that's not the case, for some reason, and RZA beats from the beginnings up to 2007 are encapsulated: it means that there may be underwhelming beats made by Steels in the last decade. And so it is, unfortunately.

Raekwon & Ghostface — R.A.G.U. (Rae and Ghost United Pt. 2) [unofficial]

Ghostface Killah & Raekwon The Chef return with a new recipe two years later "RAGU", they cooked "RAGU 2", Rae and Ghost United Pt. 2. There's still Dreddy Kruger's Think Differently Music behind this unofficial release. The tape maintains culinary references from the beginning, where the tradition remains of putting different titles to obscure songs in order to deceive listeners by making them pass as new songs: it happens immediately for "Fried Rice with Eggs", which is "Belt Holders / Eldarado" from "Hidden Darts", Starks' compilation.

Raekwon & Ghostface — R.A.G.U. (Rae and Ghost United) [unofficial]

Following the unification of Italy, formally proclaimed in the spring of 1861, agricultural contracts of feudal origin, allowing the population working on the land to continue to live, especially in the south of the country, were abolished. The democratic land distribution, which passes from the vast ownership of kings, nobility and clergy to smaller properties divided among the heirs of those lands, it no longer allows farmers to live on the fruit of their labor in a country that is almost completely devoted to agriculture, and forces them to look for work elsewhere in order to survive and not die of hunger. Between 1861 and the First World War, there was a massive migration of Italians seeking their fortune abroad, particularly to the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Many survive, adapt and proliferate in these places, even starting to eat meat, a food that before the Second World War most Italians could not afford due to the inaccessible price.

Ice Cube — The Predator

Ice Cube's third album comes out half a year after the riots in Los Angeles, sparked by the videotape of Rodney King's beating. Audiences and critics alike expect another political effort from the guy who is the most ruthless spitter, but Cube has already poured his anger, talent and passion into his two previous records.

Statik Selektah & Termanology —The Evening News EP

At the end of 2010, an EP of 22 minutes and 8 tracks signed 1982 is released, distributed by St. Records & ShowOff, respectively the labels of Termanology and Statik Selektah. The tape is a showcase for the talent of Term, Statik and friends, including Wais P, Kali, Ghetto, John Xantus and Action Bronson. The MC from Queens eats the boom bap jazz rhythm that Lawrence's producer offers him in "Money Is Reality", with a professional attack and a good hardcore flow with which he rips the track. Termanology, on the second verse, sounds bland. The others are simply clocking in before the usual absenteeism covered by Statik, which shuts both eyes on the thing. Of course, excluded Bronsolinho, no one does the work here and the project ends up being of no particular interest.

Curren$y — Pilot Talk 4

Six years after the last chapter, Curren$y and Ski Beatz release the fourth part of Pilot Talk.

Bravehearts — Bravehearted

Wo, wo, wo, wo, what up son? What up G? Debut studio album of one of the most forgotten groups, rightly so, in rap. Bravehearts, East Coast hip-hop straight outta Queensbridge, New York. Originally, the group is formed by Jabari "Jungle" Jones, brother of Nas, Mike "Wiz" Epps & E. "Horse" Gray. You know both, at the time of the biggest feud the East Coast has ever seen, the one between the two Kings of New York Nas and Jay-Z, Hova claims that Horse's verse and flow are better than those of his rival in the hit "Oochie Wally", gold certificated in which Wiz also participated.

Snoop Dogg — Tha Last Meal

Fifth studio album by Long Beach rapper Snoop Dogg, third and final on the Houston label No Limit Records. Production is handled by Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Scott Storch, Mike Elizondo, Battlecat, Soopafly, Meech Wells, Studio Ton, Carlos Stephens and Jelly Roll. Kokane is the main guest on the album, participating in eight songs. The other guests are The Lady of Rage, Bad Azz, Lil HD, MC Ren, Ice Cube, Nate Dogg, The Eastsidaz, Butch Cassidy, Mac Minista, Eve, Mr. Magic, Master P and Suga Free. He keeps a reference to Crips by wearing blue on the cover. Musically, the product maintains a funky soul that looks hopefully at the return of g-funk, lyrically, the rapper tackles the same topics as ever, moving from gangster themes to bars closer to pimpin'.

Raekwon — The Lex Diamond Story

The last noteworthy mafia album is "Roots of Evil": at the end of 1998, Kool G Rap gives a final twist to the subgenre and gives us one of his latest masterpieces. At that point, the wave of the subgenre was long over and the undertow was about to bring more waves of greater intensity, shiny suits, jiggy, shock rap, bling, the return of alt rap, and so on. At the end of 2003, Raewkon released his third studio album, four years after his previous one, the disappointing "Immobilarity".

Method Man — The Meth Lab Season 2: The Lithium

More than three years after the latest effort, Method Man releases what is regarded as the sixth studio album in his discography, sequel to "Meth Lab". The production is mainly done by Dame Grease in the first part and by Daez in the second part, as well as a dozen amateur beatmakers. Among the guests of the record, there are Raekwon, Cappadonna and Masta Killa of Wu-Tang Clan, affiliates Redman, Streetlife, Intell and Lounge Lo, and several Wu-external members, including Snoop Dogg, NORE, Heltah Skeltah, Sheek Louch and Hanz On, main guest of the album, as in the previous edition.

Daz-N-Snoop — Cuzznz

After many years of work, Snoop Dogg & Daz Dillinger release a collaborative album under the name Daz-N-Snoop. They are cousins, hence the title. The production is mainly performed by Dâm-funk, together with Rick Rock, DJ 2High, League of Starz, KJ Conteh and Jansport J. The guests are Dâm-funk, Shon'Lawon and above all Kurupt, present in three songs and part of Tha Dogg Pound together with Daz. When the tape comes out, without any promotion, it already sounds old: the music is excessively cheap, simplistic, shoddy, imitates g-funk and mobb without much success, while the dudes' rap is tired, lacking in energy, bland. Snoop Dogg did his best disk in 1993, having largely contributed to Dr. Dre's debut the year before, and Tha Dogg Pound released its best album in 1995. All three acts were under Death Row. It's easy to think that a collaborative project around that time would have been a masterpiece or a huge The Firm-style flop, doing it twenty years later makes almost no sense. No track works except the last one, which closes the tape with a high note. Released by an independent label, the tape records its presence in both the rap and pop charts. 4/10.

Eminem — Slim Shady EP

His album sells just under a hundred physical copies. He's ignored by insiders and ostracized by the radio, which refuses to spin his songs: "Are you a white rapper? Go to rock n roll". His producers are dumping him. Having not recovered the money he had spent to record the album, Marshall Mathers finds himself in a precarious economic situation, worse than before. The boy cannot afford the apartment on the outskirts of Detroit, and is forced to return to live in the trailer park with his mother. Kim and her twin sister Dawn Scott ran away from home in their teens and, shortly after meeting Marshall, moved in with him in their mother's trailer for a couple of years, until their mother kicked them out because he left school at 17.

PRhyme — PRhyme

PRhyme debut album, a collaborative project between Detroit rapper Ryan "Royce da 5'9"" Montgomery and Houston-born New York producer Christopher "DJ Premier" Martin. The music department is managed exclusively by the guy from Gang Starr, who uses Adrian Younge's catalog for the samples, while the guests continue to follow one another during the listening: Ab-Soul, Mac Miller, Dwele, Common, Jay Electronica, Schoolboy Q, Killer Mike and Slaughterhouse.

Russ — Chomp 2

Sequel to the EP released in 2020. The production is signed by Russ, Jake One, Mr. Porter, Hi-Tek, 9th Wonder, DJ Premier, Harry Fraud, The Alchemist, Hit-Boy, Statik Selektah, Bink, Boi-1da. Guests are Ransom, Papoose, The Game, Styles P, Westside Gunn, Jadakiss, Big KRIT, DJ Premier, Snoop Dogg, Jay Electronica, Big Sean, Hit-Boy, Joey Badass, Wale, Conway the Machine, Ghostface Killah, Cyhi the Prynce, Lloyd Banks, Statik Selektah and Mozzy. They are, hands down, some of the best producers and MCs of the moment. It looks like an album, it's sold as an EP, it's actually a mixtape.

KRS-One — I Got Next

Third solo album by KRS-One, rapper from the Bronx, former member of Boogie Down Productions. The MC of New York is primarily responsible for the rhythms, creating two thirds of the total set, the rest is provided by "Commissioner Gordon" Williams, Showbiz, DJ Muggs, Domingo, Jesse West, DJ Cipher and Thembisa. The guests are Angie Martinez, Redman, Puff Daddy, Mic Vandalz and Thor-El.

Curren$y — Land Air Sea EP

Jet Life collaborative tape between rapper Currensy and producer Cash Fargo. The effort, five tracks per twenty-one minutes, is a further testimony to the fact that the MC is more at ease on a melodic production on which he can express himself with greater freedom, without being pressed by asphyxiating samples and a too tight drum. The drum chosen by Cash Fargo waits for the rapper and falls downtempo, accompanied by excellent samples and a jazz background that comes in the wake of the best works with Harry Fraud. Fiend & Fendi P are appropriate guests. The best songs arrive in the last few minutes, completing one of the rapper's most successful works of the season. 6.5/10.

DJ Shocca — 60 Hz

«"Preemo you know wassup?" "Wassup?" "Vai a cagare!"»

Sta cercando di bere qualcosa con DJ Premier, ma il Gang Starr è circondato di persone. Matteo "DJ Shocca" Bernacchi è stato più volte paragonato all'iconico producer e ha in "60 Hz" il suo lavoro più riconosciuto, considerato un classico nella storia dell'hip-hop italiano. Nativo di Treviso, Veneto, Shocca fonda il gruppo Centro13 con i rappers locali Mistaman, Ciacca e Frank Siciliano. Nel 1997, il producer realizza "ABC" assieme al rapper Uno, l'anno dopo pubblica "Acciaio" coi Centro13, il gruppo si scioglie pochi anni dopo e Roc Beats continua a collaborare sia con Frank Siciliano sia con Mistaman, rilasciando rispettivamente un EP e un album. "60 Hz" è il suo primo album in studio da solista, ed è un album-producer. Shocca aka Roc Barakys produce tutte le tracce e vanta uno dei migliori roster nella storia della musica hip-hop italiana: gli artisti rappresentano le città di Treviso (Mistaman, Frank Siciliano, Shezan il Regio, Zonta), Reggio Calabria (Esa, Tormento), Palermo (Stokka & MadBuddy), Torino (DJ Double S, ATPC), Milano (Club Dogo, Bassi Maestro), Senigallia (Nesli), Roma (Primo, Colle der Fomento), Verona (DJ Zeta), Stresa (Rido MC) e Bologna (Inoki, Royal Mehdi), oltre al rapper belga di Bruxelles Rivalcapone.

Berner — Gotti

"Gotti" closes the mafia trilogy created by the San Francisco rapper Berner, which began with "Russ Bufalino: The Quiet Don" (2020) and continued with "Paulie Cicero" (2021). He, in a complicated moment of his personal life, gets the blessing directly from John Gotti Jr., with whom he has a couple of meetings, and which allows him to use unreleased audios from his father, John Gotti, on the album. Berner uses short clips from the Gambino family's Godfather for the interludes on his record, closing a trilogy centered on the Italian-American East Coast mafia.

Flee Lord & Tiona Deniece — Mask & Glove

Third album of 2021 for New York rapper Flee Lord, debut for Buffalo-native singer Tiona Deniece, known for having participated in several Griselda projects and who has signed with Flee Lord's label, Lord Mobb. Composed of ten short tracks and half an hour of listening, opened and closed by a spot of G4 Jag, with BVNGS as the only other guest, the tape alternates Delgado's rapping with Tiona D's suave singing and focuses most of the time on the singer's qualities, enveloped in an accessible light jazz boom bap production. Overall, this hip-hop/rnb joint isn't a bad tape, although it might turn Flee Lord fans and casual rap listeners away, because his contribution is contained here.

Lil Peep & Harry Fraud — High Fashion EP

Lil Peep's emo rap plays on the materialistic holy trinity (girls, weed, money), it complements la musica de Harry Fraud well, and sounds better than usual when the snare is accompanied by lively jazz loops and a roaring guitar in the third song. The material is brief and from a lyrical point of view, you can either pretend that it does not exist and let yourself be carried away by the sweet sound current that the excellent producer provides or appreciate the pleasant frequency with which the interpreter uses his favorite verb and topic in these ten minutes: either way, it's surprisingly both accessible and good enough to convince Harry Fraud fans and skeptics to take on listening without regrets of any kind. 7/10.

Raekwon — Coke Up in da Dollar Bill [mixtape]

It seems that in the last weeks of 2009, to thank the audience for the warm and ultra enthusiastic reception received by the Purple Tape sequel, Chef Raekwon decided to throw out a New Year's Eve mixtape with the little material he had available and he had very little.

EPMD — Business as Usual

Third effort for the hardcore duo composed by Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith, they release an album easily assembled with the same formula of the previous works which allows it to take zero risks.

Organized Konfusion — Organized Konfusion

Excellent debut album by Organized Konfusion, duo composed of Larry "Prince Po" Baskerville and Troy "Pharoahe Monch" Jamerson, who presents himself here with a great alchemy. The production, made by the same duo, ditches a kind of masterpiece album: the rhythms are dark and hard funky, a little jazzy a little mediocre.

Remedy — Remedy Meets Wu-Tang

In 2021, Ross "Remedy" Filler released his third studio album, entirely self-produced together with Danny Caiazzo. The guests all come from the Wu universe with the notable exception of Griselda's spearhead Conway the Machine. At the mic, in addition to the aforementioned Conway, Remedy also features Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, Masta Killa, Method Man and RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Killah Priest of Sunz of Man, Trife and Solomon Childs of Theodore Unit, Streetlife and Shyheim.

AAVV — Shady XV

For the 15th anniversary of Shady Records and his 15th album (excluding Mathers soloists), Eminem releases a compilation album, a double album of 27 tracks (+ 3 bonuses), some of which are original, for a total of over two hours of material. The production is signed by Eminem, Boi-1da, DJ Premier, Just Blaze, Statik Selektah, Dr. Dre, Mr. Porter, Luis Resto, Emile Haynie, Mike Elizondo, Conrad Clifton, John Hill, Marv Won, The Maven Boys, WLPWR, Apex, AraabMuzik, Jeff Bass, J-Praize, Katalyst, Witt & Pep, and Mr. Pyro. The performers are both the current members of the Shady Records roster, and the artists of the past: Eminem, 50 Cent, D12, Slaughterhouse, Yelawolf, Obie Trice, Bobby Creekwater, Ca$his, Stat Quo, plus guests Sia, Skylar Grey, Big Sean, Daddy Brown, Dej Loaf, Trick Trick, Kuniva, Kid Rock, Lloyd Banks and Nate Dogg.

Kryme Life — Juice Jones

Shaka Amazulu the 7th also resurrects the finished career of Kryme Life and allows him to print physical copies for his new project, limited to few dozen copies. The set of beats is put together by amateurs and the result is cheap, but not completely unpleasant, while the rapping of Kryme Life is not totally inspired. The other TMF members, Tommy Whispers and Trife da God, have one slot each as guests. Three quarters of an hour of material, thirteen tracks, not recommended.

Kryme Life — The Kryme Wave

Anthony "Kryme Life" Jones was born in Jamaica, Queens, and grew up in Stapleton, Staten Island, from an early age. Rapper of TMF (an acronym that takes on different meanings each time depending on how the sun turns), then a member of the Theodore Unit chaired by Ghostface, finally a solo artist who made his debut in 2007 with his own studio album financed through the independent label Ruffline, created by his uncle Triple OG, main guest, and Dan Bramley, main producer.

Machine Gun Kelly — Hotel Diablo

Refreshed by the new lifeblood that brought him the feud with Eminem, Machine Gun Kelly releases his fourth studio album.

Kryme Life — Krymewave 2

Second Kryme Life tape under Black Stone of Mecca in a few years. This is done as it should, from the finally good cover, to the melodic production to the energetic and concentrated rapping of Kryme Life, which brings some of his best songs here, between boom bap rhythms and more modern and closer to trap solutions. There are several highlights, despite a bit boring part at first, and the tape ends on a high note, with the rapper deciding to put a freestyle on the beat of "One", a song that Ghostface Killah has made iconic in 2000. Kryme Life makes a good impression here.

Hopsin — No Shame

Fifth studio album by Marcus "Hopsin" Hopson, rapper from Los Angeles, California. The production is entirely done by Hopsin, except "Black Sheep", produced by Harry Fraud. Eric Tucker, Joey Tee and Michael Speaks are the only guests. Published by Undercover Prodigy, distributed by 300 and Atlantic, it obtained a good commercial result, entering the first fifty places on the pop chart and in the first fifteen of rap records.

Statik Selektah & Termanology — Still 1982

Statik Selektah & Termanology's third studio album, six years after the previous one. The sound chosen by the beatmaker is acceptable and accessible, at times pleasant, East Coast boom bap with a jazzy flavor. The rapper is still in trouble when he's alone, so solo tracks are limited to two out of twelve. Guests are Kendra Foster, UFO Fev, Crimeapple, Haile Supreme, Mtume, CJ Fly, Nems, Beanz, Fame, Conway the Machine and Chris Rivers. Interesting is the song "It's on You" which features a ragga hook by Haile Supreme and the rapping contribution of Fame on an elegant jazz rhythm by Statik. Crimeapple flows well on one of the less successful productions here, while Nems delivers with a style that massacres the beat by overshadowing the other performers in the sixth song. Termanology, also passed from an agile UFO Fev, would also be present in "30 Shots": boom bap jazzy, drum downtempo, melodic sample, lounge vibes. The soundscape is Griselda house, Chris Rivers' professional attack, he destroys the track; Conway performs calm, fluid, cool, then follows the main rapper, quite bland. The tape has the same strengths and weaknesses as the previous ones released by the Boston duo, by now you know them after three LPs. 6/10.

213 — The Hard Way

Two One Three was born as a group in 1990, formed by Calvin "Snoop Dogg" Broadus, Warren "Warren G" Griffin & Nathaniel "Nate Dogg" Hale. The name of the trio derives from the telephone area code 213, which served the city of Long Beach at the time of the group's formation, a tribute to the Oakland group 415. After collaborating together on several albums, the trio manages to work on a single studio album in 2004. The production is carried out by DJ Pooh, Nottz, Terrace Martin, Lil 1/2 Dead, Hi-Tek, Fredwreck, Kanye West, Jelly Roll, Missy Elliott and Snoop Dogg credited as Niggarochi, among others. LaToiya Williams, Boki and Dave Chappelle are the only guests on the CD.

Snoop Dogg — Tha Blue Carpet Treatment

Six years later, Snoop Dogg brings back the blue on the cover for his eighth album, the whole project pays homage to the Crips, the music videos of the singles are permeated by blue everywhere. Production is performed by Dr. Dre, DJ Battlecat, DJ Pooh, Fredewreck, Jamie Foxx, Mr. Porter, Rick Rock, Nottz, The Neptunes, Timbaland, Stevie Wonder, Akon and Frequency, among others. Guests are Nate Dogg, George Clinton, B-Real, R. Kelly, Kurupt, Daz, Goldie Loc, MC Eiht, E-40, Damian Marley, The Game, Akon, Ice Cube, LaToiya Williams, Western Union, Nine Inch Dix, Jamie Foxx, War Zone, Stevie Wonder, D'Angelo and Dr. Dre.

Snoop Dogg Presents — Algorithm

In June 2021, Snoop Dogg is hired as an executive by Def Jam and four months later releases a compilation of twenty-five songs, in which he's present in eleven songs and reserves a single solo track for himself.

DJ Muggs — Winter 2

Ninth and last project in the 2021 season for DJ Muggs, producer from Los Angeles who in the last twelve months has released tapes together with Rome Streetz, Flee Lord, Yelawolf, Hologram, Crimeapple, and al.divino. This disc is a sequel that sees the return of several performers already present in the previous chapter (Meyhem Lauren, RLX, Crimeapple, Hologram), flanked by Roc Marciano, T.F, Rigz & Mooch and Ill Bill. The producer isn't placing his top rhythms into this effort nor are the rappers spitting out their most inspired bars or their tightest flows, which is why a somewhat gray and seesaw project comes out, decent overall. Rigz & Mooch don't disappoint, Roc is evergreen, the others are ok. 6.5/10.

French Montana — They Got Amnesia

French Montana's fourth studio album comes out almost by surprise, in mid-November, a few weeks after the announcement. There are over 30 people in production, but the music seems to be more punctual and focused than the rapper's previous mainstream releases: Hitmaka is the busiest beatmaker, alongside him appear French Montana himself, Harry Fraud, Diddy, Boi-1da and Cardiak. Guests are John Legend, Rick Ross, Kodak Black, Pop Smoke, Lil Durk, Saweetie, Doja Cat, Fivio Foreign, Fabolous, 42 Dugg, Col Leray, Ty Dolla Sign, Latto, Lil Tjay and Moneybagg Yo: most of these rappers and singers overshadow French. In particular, Rick Ross, Saweetie, Doja Cat, Fivio Foreign, Latto and MoneyBagg Yo.

2Pac — Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.

Tupac Shakur plans to release his second studio album in 1992, a year after the debut, but "Troublesome 21", the project's original title, is rejected by Warner. The artist creates half an album from the beginning, changes the title ("N.I.G.G.A." is an acronym for "Never Ignorant in Getting Goals Accomplished") and manages to bring some previous tracks into the new project, including "Souljah's Revenge", "Keep Ya Head Up", "Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...", "The Streetz R Deathrow" and "I Get Around", most of which will make up the final section of the album. Production is provided by a dozen different beatmakers: Live Squad, Stretch, Big D the Impossible, Bobcat, The Underground Railroad, Akshun, Special Ed, Truman Jefferson, DJ Daryl, D-Flow Production Squad, and 2Pac himself. As guests of the album, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Deadly Threat, Live Squad, Digital Underground, Wycked (2Pac's stepbrother, later known as Mopreme), Treach, Apache and Dave Hollister collaborate.

Dr. Dre — 2001

Seven years after his groundbreaking solo debut, Andre "Dr. Dre" Young releases his second studio album, one of the events in the hip-hop season. The album is a direct sequel to "The Chronic": the original title is "The Chronic 2000", Suge Knight isn't as powerful as in previous years, but he's still powerful, he can still be so annoying and decides to steal the title from Dre and use it for his compilation "Suge Knight Represents: Chronic 2000", in which, of course, there's no song realized by the former NWA. The producer chooses to change the name to "The Chronic 2001" and is again hampered until he gives up the word "Chronic". It comes out 2001. In 1999. The cover is a classic: entirely black, the author's name at the top left, the title at the bottom right, flanked by the marijuana plant ("The Chronic"), thus bypassing all obstacles. It's one of the few clever things in the whole project.

Statik KXNG — Statik KXNG

Collaborative studio album between Boston producer Statik Selektah and Long Beach rapper KXNG CROOKED. The rapper of the supergroup Slaughterhouse shows that he has an inspired pen and brings out texts on various topics, especially materialistic and bravado, as well as some socio-conscious and political extracts. Statik never really strays from his comfort zone, his loops are safe, calculated, melodic, still very good and his drums are lively and youthful. The production is fresh, jazz and soul, suited to Crooked's energetic, rough and fluid flow, capable of delivering some of his best solo tracks, having shown all his talent to the mainstream public on Slaughterhouse's best-selling albums. Distributed by Showoff, Circle of Bosses and Penalty, the project is crushed by some professional critics in a incomprehensible way: it's a solid and quality album, the beats in the ending are no longer great as in the beginning, nevertheless, it's one of Crooked I's best records. 7/10.

Amil — All Money Is Legal (A.M.I.L.)

Amil Whitehead is discovered by Jay-Z in 1997 as part of the Major Coins group, she debuts solo on his album "Vol. 2" (1998) and in the same year she signs solo for Roc-A-Fella: she's the first female rapper to agree with the label and becomes the "First Lady of Roc-A-Fella". Amil becomes Jay-Z protégé, he constantly engages in the promotion of her debut album, spending time and energy, the girl makes several appearances, the rapper writes her verses and prefers her to Foxy Brown. Between 1998 and 2000, Amil is in four Hova singles that make the charts, her career is launched with what should be a rousing major debut, but the girl, at 26, doesn't seem ready for the industry.

Joell Ortiz — Autograph

Sixth project by Joell Ortiz in the last four years, the Brooklyn rapper is committed to building a solid and coherent discography, releasing material with regular frequency. He has succeeded so far, excluding that EP with Salaam Remi, thanks to his own skills and a competent production that for a good part of his career, including the period with Slaughterhouse, he didn't get.

Snoop Doggy Dogg — Tha Doggfather

Calvin Broadus arrives to present his number two studio album after a very complicated life span. He creates his own label, which pays homage to his debut and becomes a subsidiary of Death Row Records, he's acquitted of his murder charge in February 1996 and only then decides to start recording this project. He abandons the gangster's life which could lead him to prison or death, and limits the violent content in his LP. Soon after, Dr. Dre leaves the Suge Knight label and in September of the same year, his friend and label mate Tupac Shakur is murdered. Snoop would like to continue working with Dre, but Suge stops him. Production is handled by DJ Pooh, Daz Dillinger, Soopafly, Sam Sneed, Snoop Dogg, L.T. Hutton, Arkim & Flair. Guests are Teena Marie, Charlie Wilson (new signing on Snoop's label), Kurupt the Kingpin, Soopafly, Too Short, Tha Dogg Pound, Warren G, Nate Dogg, LBC Crew and Tray Dee.

Statik Selektah & Nasty Nas — The Prophecy

Patrick "Statik Selektah" Baril released his first project in 2004, making a mixtape together with Nas. The tape consists of 28 tracks which also include AZ, Jay-Z, Biggie Smalls, Cormega, Styles P, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, Ludacris, Mobb Deep, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Lowkey, Large Professor, Kool G Rap, Termanology and The Isley Brothers.

Statik Selektah, Royce da 5'9" & DJ Premier — The Bar Exam [mixtape]

Released from prison, Royce da 5'9" must prove that he's the same talented rapper of the past years. To do so, he enlists Statik Selektah and DJ Premier in order to find twenty beats to spit braggadocio for over fifty minutes. The guests are Termanology, Jaretta, Rell, Black Milk, Guilty Simpson and his brother Kid Vishis. The Detroit MC proves to be one of the best lyricists of the season, bringing out one of the most successful projects of 2007. He really flows very well on Premier beats, proving that a collaborative album between the two could easily be a masterpiece, and is in confidence all the time. With all this battle rap tracks, Royce shines on finally good production, boasts a tight, fast, dominant flow and releases his best work yet. 7.5/10.

Kaze & 9th Wonder — Spirit of '94: Version 9.0

After releasing his debut independent album in 2003, Virginia-born rapper Kevin "Kaze" Thomas, who grew up between Virginia and North Carolina, releases a remix album entirely produced by 9th Wonder.

Kaze — Spirit of '94

Kevin Clarence "Kaze" Thomas writes, produces and self-releases his first album in 2003 via his Soul Dojo label. There are 70 minutes of material divided into 16 long tracks, many over four minutes and the last at eight. For the quality of the lyric material, the rapper doesn't stand out in the national circuit, having said that, the economic and simplistic production sinks the tape. Several tracks point to radio airplay and to the club, and excessive listening length takes away from the little replay value that the record might have. 5/10.

Ol' Dirty Bastard — A Son Unique

Somehow, Russell Jones manages to record his third and final studio album alive. It should be released in 2005, after his death, in a collaboration between Wu-Tang Records and Dame Dash's Damon Dash Music Group, a subsidiary of Roc-A-Fella with which it was about to start a split. It would be distributed by Universal via Island Def Jam.

Murs & 9th Wonder — Murray's Revenge

Almost exactly two years later, Murs & 9th Wonder release their second collaborative studio album. The two boys don't change their formula or the structure of the product, ten songs, about half an hour of listening, no skits, guests from the inner circle of Little Brother (Rapper Big Pooh, Joe Scudda). The Winston-Salem producer carves rhythms from soul and rnb samples, giving life to an unmissable half hour for fans of the chipmunk soul sound popularized by Jay-Z and Kanye in the early 2000s, even if aesthetes and specialists might notice the watered-down cherry flavor that this set of beats retains. The LA rapper Murs has never been in the fan's books as an all-time favorite, and if you don't know him, he might seem like a generic MC; here, he's not particularly surprising, but in fact, Nick Carter doesn't even disappoint, he boasts a competent and organic style, and he's quite fit with the liquid sound solution chosen by 9th Wonder. Released under the Record Collection, the effort is praised by critics, although it receives some less applause than the previous one, on the other hand, it improves in commercial results, entering several Billboard charts. In general, the LP sounds similar to the debut, where the two brought their respective best material. Not essential, 7/10.

Peedi Crakk — Welcome to the Crakk's House [mixtape]

A friend of Freeway since high school, the Philadelphia rapper got the fellow to sign with Roc-A-Fella Records in 2001, after Freeway had joined the label through a friendship he developed over the years with Beanie Sigel. The following year, Pedro Luis Zayas aka Peedi Crakk released his first single, "One for Peedi Crakk", a song created in collaboration with some guys who will later be part of the State Property group such as Sigel, Freeway and Young Chris: the single entered the rnb charts and ended up on the soundtrack of the film "Paid in Full", released the same year.

Raekwon — Cocainism Vol. 2 [mixtape]

Around "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt II" some of the best mixtapes released by Chef Raekwon have grown and formed. "Cocainism" shines among these and features the typical commercial move of artists of putting a vol. 2, 3, 4 or 50, when the former doesn't exist. Consisting of 21 short tracks and about 50 minutes of listening, the tape, edited by Brinks Boyz, features several guests who all leave a good impression: Noreaga, Tommy Nova, Mobb Deep and Mean Doe Green. Selasi is working on a ragga filler that I don't care about, but could please fans of the genre.