Termanology & DC — Out the Gate

Collaborative album between rapper Termanology and producer DC the Midi Allen aka DC. The album consists of 73 minutes of music divided into 19 songs in which a guest is often present, the solo choices stop at 4. The guests are Termanology group ST. da Squad and its members Rock aka Easy Money, Snuk aka Superstah Snuk, Hectic and Ghetto, as well as Krumbsnatcha, Killa, Lee Wilson, Akrobatik, Jordan, L da Headtoucha, Shells, Checkmark, Fizz Daddy, Prospect , Gutta, Karen Christy and Esoteric.

MC Breed — The New Breed

Eric Tyrone Breed, who went down in history as MC Breed, brings out all his pezonovantes for his third studio album in three years, "The New Breed", his best career effort. Intro, outro, ten songs, none under three minutes, 46 minutes of listening overall. The rapper chooses generic gangsta themes straight out of Dr. Watson's school on a production that breathes deeply from the West Coast, with beats made mostly by Breed himself with the help of The DOC, Warren G and Colin Wolfe.

Gregory "D" & D.J. Mannie Fresh — "D" Rules the Nation

Byron "Mannie Fresh" Thomas was born and grow up in New Orleans. Thanks to his dad DJ Sabu, in 1984 he becomes a DJ for New York Incorporated, a hip-hop crew of New Orleans. In the late eighties, Mannie Fresh starts to record with New Orleans rapper Greg "Gregory D" Duvernay. In 1987, they publishes their debut single "Freddie's Back" and the first LP, "Throw Down", with D&D Enterprises. After signing with Yo! Records, label from Dallas, Texas, the duo creates a second CD.

RZA — The RZA Hits

Why is Robert "The RZA" Diggs the best hip-hop producer of the nineties, or one of the best? This document is yet another answer, in case you don't want to go and listen to the albums of the five-year plan created by Bobby Steels himself for his group, the Wu-Tang Clan of Staten Island, New York. The disc spans the years 1992 to 1996 and the albums, from "Enter the Wu-Tang" to "Ironman", go from one certified classic disc to the next seamlessly and not in chronological order. The production is supposed to be entirely by RZA being titled "The RZA Hits", but you can swear it isn't, in fact, "Brooklyn Zoo" is also present in the middle of the collection, whose beat is signed by True Master and ODB. Every member of the Wu-Tang Clan, including Cappadonna, has at least one verse on the CD.

Logic — College Park

«Fine. I'll do "Teen Wolf 3". I've got fair-weather friends to feed.» (Bart in "Behind the Laughter")

Logic's ninth studio album, his first as an independent after spending ten years with Def Jam. The guests are RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Lucy Rose, Andy Hull, Redman, Statik Selektah, Norah Jones, Joey Bada$$, Jordan Harris, Bun B, Lil' Keke, C Dot Castro, Big Lenbo, Fat Trel, Adé e Seth MacFarlane. 6ix handles most of the production, the other beats are made by Logic, Keanu Beats, PSTMN, Eugene, Kaelin Ellis, Soundtrakk, Conor Albert, Boi-1da, Jahaan Sweet, Monte Booker, Travis Stacey and Kal Banx, with the help of live instrumentation provided by Josh Lippi, Steve Wyreman, Kevin Randolph, Pete Jacobson, Travis Stacey, Stuart D. Bogie, Arkae Tuazon and Norah Jones.

Kanye West — Donda 2

« Kanye West is blond and gone

Life on Mars? ain't just a song

I hope the live stream's almost on »

With these words beautifully pronounced in spoken word, in a sad and almost suffering way, the rapper of the year closes the song of the year on the album of the year.

The album leaves you disoriented and in a mental state of great despondency, sadness and bitterness. With many more doubts than certainties than before the listening began. It takes away your reference points. I really don't know where to start to describe this. Let's start over.

Eminem — Recovery

For "Relapse", Eminem recorded more material than an album could contain, so he was ready for a direct sequel to be released in 2009. However, the negative critical reaction from the public and reviewers convinced him to discard all the remaining material and start almost from scratch with his new product.

Eminem — Relapse

After the release of "Encore" (2004), Eminem wants to leave his artistic career to become an artist producer for his own label, Shady Records. In the summer of 2005, he was forced to cancel some dates of his world tour due to a crisis caused by his addiction to sleeping drugs. In the following year, Mathers marries and a few months later divorces Kim a second time, while his best friend, the rapper Proof, dies in a shooting in Detroit. Having fallen into depression, Eminem emerges from a dark period by managing to return to the studio and produce music, working on his next album. However, in late 2007 he ends up in the hospital due to a methadone overdose that almost killed him. He manages to recover from his addiction and becomes and stays sober by the following April.

MC Lyte — Bad As I Wanna B

In the late 1980s, young Lana Moorer entered the rap game and began setting and breaking records, establishing herself as a driving force on the circuit and one of the best emcees of her era. She also released her debut album in 1988, which was considered one of the best of the decade in hip-hop and beyond. From the 1990s onwards, she also began working in television and made her film debut, proving herself to be a triple threat, collaborating with the hottest pop artists of the moment.

Jaz — Word to the Jaz

Jonathan "The Jaz" Burks was born in Brooklyn and raised in Marcy housing project in Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. After listening to Grandmaster Caz and UTFO's "Roxanne, Roxanne", he chooses to become a rapper. Growing up in the same projects, Jaz meets Jay-Z and becomes friend with him, Jaz becomes the mentor of Carter.

Stereo MC's — 33-45-78

In 1985, singer Rob "Rob B" Birch and DJ and producer Nick "The Head" Hallam founded the Gee Street recording studio and record label, along with Jon Baker and DJ Richie Rich. In the following years, Birch, Hallam and DJ Cesare founded the rap group Ultimatum and released a couple of singles in 1988 on their own label G Records. In the same year, the group was noticed by 4th & B'way Records, with whom they signed, changed their name to Stereo MC's, released the single "What Is Soul?" and in 1989 published their debut album, which was made on a shoestring budget.

I.M.P. — Back in the Days

Debut album for San Francisco hip-hop group Ill Manered Playas (IMP), composed by Ronald "Cougnut" Fields, Carey "C-Fresh" Johnson, Lou-E-Lou, Robert "Rob V." Vernon and Stacey "Hitman Sting" Evans.

Hoodrats — Sneeke Muthafukaz

The Hoodrats are a duo from Queens consisting of Lamont Lake and Mark Eason. You can also find them under the names of Dingbat and Doh-Doh, but I don't venture to tell you who's one and who's the other. Production is mainly done by Doh-Doh, with additional rhythms provided by DJ Irv, Dukey Man and mixing by David Kennedy.

Yall So Stupid — Van Full of Pakistans

Debut album for Yall So Stupid, hip-hop group from Atlanta, Georgia, formed by Shawne Bailey aka H20 (h twenty...), Sha Boogie, Unkle Buk, Logic and producer Xavier "Spearhead X" Hargrove.

Success-n-Effect — In Tha Hood

First LP by the Atlanta rap group Success-N-Effect. The group started out as part of Edward J & the J Team, a mixed tape crew composed by Edward J, Lady DJ, Dangerous D, MC Shy D, DJ Man, DJ Len and Professor Lazy Rock. These last two, with the add of Johne X Battle, get a recording contract with On Top Records and record "Roll It Up My Nigger", a track that has a extreme racial language with some messages and becomes a hit of the trio, leading some critics to consider it one of the first political rap acts. In the same year, the group release the first album.

Nu-Sounds — Mackin'

In 1988, the Bronx group Nu-Sounds sign with UNI Records, sub-label of MCA, publishing the first single "Condition Red". The group is formed by Craig "Chaz Rich" Burrus, Rashid "RMR" Hewitt and Rohan "DJ Fashion" Robotham. The next year the trio release is unique LP.

Parental Advisory — Ghetto Street Funk

Debut album by Parental Advisory (Dungeon Family crew), hip-hop trio from College Park, Georgia, consisting of James "Mello" Hollins, Kawan "KP the Great" Prather and Maurice "Big Reese" Sinclair. Technically far from being revered as the best, they combine limp lyricism with a simple and decent jazzy boom bap production, making gray and bland songs, even if not totally bad, thanks to well-chosen jazzy / funky samples and mediocre but smooth rapping. This trio, later to become PA, carries an East Coast sound (the initial track is the only one the sounds southern and simplistic, with a quick and tight delivery style that will never be touched again in this record), the result of the production of Organized Noise and Parental Advisory (DJ Toomp produces "3B", decent) and a slow, smooth delivery that makes these 45 minutes enjoyable. The guys wink at the West Coast trying to produce vicious tracks and also try the g-funk trend, with little success, because the record doesn't sell anywhere: the MCA doesn't renew the contract and leaves the group without a label. Not recommended. 6/10.

E-40 — The Curb Commentator Channel 2 EP

Extended Play number five in Earl Stevens forty-year career, resumes the first chapter of his series, released a few months earlier. Five pieces for a total of 16 minutes, with four guests. While the lyrics don't differ too much from the previous tape, the E-40 enhances the music and releases a decent project, West Coast funky-jazzy boom bap, performing with his slow syncopated style. The samples are decent, the drum vibrates, and the guests seem to be fine until the last track, when Chippas & Milla aren't up to par on a commercial hit trap attempt for the club. Big KRIT emerges on a funky lo-fi boom bap blessed with a great sax sample and comes out almost casually and unknowingly with the best song of the EP. Recommended for E-40 fans, it's better than the previous release, but not an essential listen. 5/10.

Hyenas in the Desert — Die Laughing EP

Around 1996, Chuck D gets a deal with Sony to distribute the records of his newly formed label Slam Jamz through Columbia, even if at the moment the leader of Public Enemy has no artists on his roster. At that point he turns to friends, the Hyenas in the Desert are formed, the first act to sign with Slam Jamz.

Mellow Man Ace — Escape from Havana

Ulpiano Sergio "Mellow Man Ace" Reyes is a Cuban-American rapper born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba. When he was still a child, his family moved with him to Los Angeles, then to South Gate, California. In 1987, he signs with Delicious Vinyl and releases his debut single "Do This". The next season, the emcee gets a contract with Capitol, being the first rapper to release a solo Latin hip hop album.

E-40 — The Curb Commentator Channel 1 EP

Fourth extended play for the Bay Area veteran, E-40. 14 minutes, 5 songs, overall, it's a very weak, lazy, effortless work: it's not a particularly bad project, but it's mediocre and poor. Production is cheap, simplistic West Coast funky boom bap that gives you Rap-A-Lot vibes, energetic vibrating drum machine, E-40 carves a single solo track, but guests don't add as much. Wiz Khalifa is decent on the trap vibes of the second track, K-Camp goes unnoticed in "Bet", while the other two are Suga Free (good) and B-Legit (not so good). There's literally nothing to talk about here, a little bit of random braggadocio, many have stopped at that line, but I mean guys, have you seen that series? Is Peter Dinklage the only one drinking?! Come on, it's not funny, I mean, if he had replaced it with Lena, he would have at least closed a decent bar. 4/10.

Wrecks-N-Effect — Wrecks-N-Effect

In 1988 childhood friends Aqil "A-Plus" Davidson, Markell "Marky Mark" Riley and Brandon "B-Doggs" Mitchell form the new jack swing / hip-hop group from Harlem, New York, Wrecks-N-Effect. The trio sign with Atlantic Records who adds a fourth member, Keith "K.C." Hanns. With this formation, Wrecks-N-Effect publishes a self-titled EP: produced by Markell Riley and Gene Griffin, is one of the first act in hip-hop to refers to the mafia in a title track with "We the Mafia".

Raw Breed — Lune Tunz

Debut album for Raw Breed, a Bronx hip-hop group composed of Alexander The Great, Marc Giveand aka Marc Rippin', Nick Swift, DJ Solo Flxx, and Sam Swing. Giveand is Kool Keith's cousin, but nothing here can be said to be affiliated with the veteran or inspired by any of his projects. The production is credited to DJ Solo Fixx, Sam Swing, Sidney Mills and Dwayne Sumal (the latter two were part of Boogie Down Productions), Rozell "Razehl" Brown (The Roots) is the human beatbox in the intro and the only guest of the LP is Shawnie Ranks, who provides some reggae filler shots. The rhythms chosen by these guys are simple, decent boom bap often funky, with sufficient samples and a minimal tight drum machine. The group recites their lyrics with a shouted hardcore delivery style, the performers have a weak technique and bring out bland tracks and elementary hooks. Overall, it's a rough record, 13 songs for a total of 50 minutes, saved by decent production. Not recommended. 6/10.

Too $hort — Short Dog's in the House

The success of his new album "Life Is... Too Short" with the public and especially the critics established the Oakland artist from a local lyricist to a star on the West Coast. However, after a period without releases, rumors began to circulate that Too Short had been killed in a crackhouse while smoking, since at the time crack had reached the height of its epidemic in Oakland and the Bay Area, and in response to those rumors, on which the track "Dead or Alive" is based, the emcee released his new CD. The entire album is influenced by that period and the problems of the urban centers, culminating in the single "The Ghetto", a tribute to the song of the same name by Donny Hathaway.

Too $hort — Life is... Too Short

Too $hort's fifth album is one of his best, if not the best. It presents a funky and fresh production for the time, composed of good skinny and hard rhythms based on syncopated and minimal drum machines and simple bass lines in order to create a funky and not too harsh soundscape. The set is provided by Too Short along with Al Eaton, Randy Austin and Ted Bohanon, Al Eaton is credited to guitar and keyboards. Danger Zone and Rappin' 4-Tay are the guest of the tape.

G'' Len — Woop Woop

Debut studio album for Len "G'' Len" Smallwood, rapper from Los Angeles, California. Many years earlier, in 1989, he releases "Rock N' Soul", a song as part of a hip-hop group formed together with his mother Vivian Smallwood aka Rappin Granny. She later got a contract with Tandem Records to record a response song to The Fresh Prince in 1992, and in the following years she participated in several successful television series, especially comedy, as well as the 1996 cult movie "Don't Be a Menace" by the Wayans brothers. In the mid-nineties, G'' Len signed with Family Records and records his debut, totally self-produced with guests such as Be Brazy aka B-Brazy, June Dawg, Mr. Dulo and Rappin Granny.

RZA as Bobby Digital — Digital Potions

Quietly, RZA releases a new album under the pseudonym Bobby Digital. There's no promotion, no one knows this thing is really out. And it's good, honestly, if one of the names I wrote just before is even slightly familiar to you. Eight songs, just under half an hour of material. The album is released by MNRK Music Group and 36 Chambers in a limited edition of a few thousand copies on vinyl. The disc is entirely self-produced except for one track signed by Core Mason, and it features Reverend William Burk aka Rev. Burke on all tracks, Earth, Dontius and Young Dirty Bastard aka YDB.

E-40 — The Mail Man EP

The second extended play in E-40's career was born as an anticipation for his debut studio album, and is therefore effectively his second official effort, released in 1993 by Sick Wid' It and SMG.

Tha Eastsidaz — Snoop Dogg Presents Tha Eastsidaz

In 1997, after leaving Death Row, Snoop Dogg forms his group from Long Beach, Tha Eastsidaz, along with citizens KXNG Crooked & Lil' C-Style, but the trio disbanded. Two years later, he forms the group again, together with fellow other citizens, Big Tray Deee and Goldie Loc, all members of the Crips, as can be guessed from the cover. As a rapper, these guys might be labeled under the definition of "weed carriers": they're your generic MCs, not too bad not too good, average. With low-level lyrics and flows, completely obscured by the main rapper and by an avalanche of guests who practically never allow them to emerge: Tha Eastsidaz has only one solo cut out of twenty-two songs and is the song of the same name. Snoop performs without the other two guys in "Balls of Steel", "How You Livin'", "Take It Back to '85" and "Life Goes On", while in "Tha G in Deee" there isn't Goldie Loc.