Ant Banks — Sittin' on Somethin' Phat

Debut album by Anthony Banks, Oakland rapper, known at the time as one of the fittest producers in the Bay Area.

 

Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. — New Funky Nation

The group is a gangsta rap act founded by the six American Samoa Devoux brothers in 1988 in Carson, California. All members are Bloods gang members. The Devaux Brothers introduce themselves under the moniker Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. by releasing a disc that's foreign to the 1990 scene, completely different from the rest, relaxed, detached. T.R.I.B.E. is the acronym of Too Rough International Boo-Yaa Empire.

Shaquille O'Neal — Shaq Fu - Da Return

Sophomore album for the man with one-ring-less-than-Kobe, on his second effort in the world of rap music. O'Neal is supported by the production of RZA, Erick Sermon, Redman, Warren G, Chyskillz, The LG Experience and LoRider, while the guests on the album are some of the best rappers of the period, Erick Sermon, Redman, Keith Murray, Warren G, Prince Rakeem The RZA and Method Man, as well as Ill Al Skratch, General Sha and Mr. Ruffneck.

Biz Markie — Goin' Off

Marcel "Biz Markie" Hall was born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York and grew up on Long Island. Passionate about hip-hop, his moniker pays homage to Busy Bee. In the early 1980s, he met and became friends with Roxanne Shanté, who in 1986 released the single "The Def Fresh Crew", produced by Marley Marl in which Biz Markie is the author (uncredited) of the beatbox.

Penthouse Players Clique — Paid the Cost

Unique studio album released by Los Angeles hip-hop duo Penthouse Players Clique, released by Ruthless Records and Priority. The duo is made up of rappers Playa Hamm and Tweed Cadillac, who offer competent but not excellent rapping, here the guests are all stronger than them, even AMG in the sexist "Trust No Bitch" posse.

StreeThugs — Not to Be Fu•?ed With

Yet another G-album released in the mid-nineties, but it's done really well, unlike most of the other gangsta LPs you might encounter around the same time from more well-known artists. Street Thugs (StreeThugs) is an Oakland-born hip-hop group consisting of Sean "Nutt-So" Cole (Keyshia Cole's brother) and a couple of other guys.

 

Tuff Crew — Danger Zone

In the mid eighties is formed the hip-hop group Tuff Crew, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed by William "Ice Dog" Velazquez, Adreese "Tone Love" Burden, Joseph "DJ Too Tuff" Hicks, L.A. Kid and the hype man Monty G.

Pudgee tha Phat Bastard — Give 'Em the Finger

First and last album for Tracey Adam Horton, a boricua from Harlem (later moved to the Bronx) who signs for Giant Records thanks to Tone. This latter guy, with Poke, forms Trak Masterz Production, producers of the entire Horton solo album, which performs under the name of Pudgee tha Phat Bastard.

Lakim Shabazz — Pure Righteousness

In 1988, Larry "Lakim Shabazz" Welsh makes a debut as a solo artist after signing with Tuff City, with an album produced entirely by the beatmaker The 45 King, who discovers Lakim when the MC provides vocals for his piece "The 900 Number". His moniker refers the so-called Lost Tribe of Shabazz.

Dre Dog — I Hate You With a Passion

Second studio album for Dre Dog, rapper from San Francisco, California. Production is performed by Dre Dog, Mark 5, TC, The Enhancer, Race Smith, Reggie Smith, and Rob V. Guests are Cougnut, Black C, Mac-10, and Lo-Lo. Dre Dog replicates the formula used on the previous record, and provides a similar, but better effort: the production is dynamic, funky West Coast, there are solid samples, dark vibes, good minimal drums often uptempo, supporting the raw tight hardcore rap of the performer. By putting gangsta topics like violence, crime, drugs, and sex on the table, the guy sounds more focused than ever before, he's at his best here. Dre Dog offers several solid tracks and rhythms also elevate pieces that usually suffer or feel unnecessary on rap albums, such as interludes ("FIlmoe") and thanks ("Straight 2 the Point"), where MC is blessed with the "Twin Peaks" masterpiece theme created by Angelo Badalamenti. Released by the Oakland label In A Minute, it's a solid album, recommended for gangsta rap fans. 7.5/10.

M.C. Shan — Born to Be Wild

Honestly, I thought it was a mediocre typical sophomore jinx pulled badly by one of the members obscured by the Juice Crew. Instead, "Born to Be Wild" ends up being quite decent, a good effort by Shan who doesn't stray too far from the good debut.

Killah Priest — The Offering

Killah Priest's sixth solo studio album, after a long four-year hiatus, returns to release solo material. During this time he has collaborated on the albums of his groups The Four Horsemen, Maccabeez, Sunz of Man and Black Market Militia, he has re-established his ties with Wu-Tang, re-collaborating with the boys of the supergroup and participating in numerous albums.

Dre Dog — The New Jim Jones

Debut album for Andre Adams, rapper from San Francisco, Bay Area. Adams chooses Dre Dog as his moniker, later changed to Andre Nickatina, and the title of his first album refers to being the new Jim Jones, reverend and cult leader that between the fifties and seventies created a considerable slice of followers, living in San Francisco in the 1970s. Moving to Guyana, in 1978 he's responsible for a mass murder and for the suicide of himself and his 900 followers in the Jonestown commune.

Natas — Life After Death

The young rapper and pioneer of the Detroit scene Rasham Smith founds the horrorcore group Natas, together with fellow citizens Gary Reed aka Mastamind and Terry Jones aka TNT. Rasham Smith is the author of the lyrics under the name of Esham Smith and is the author of the music under the name of The Unholy.

Smoke DZA & Benny the Butcher — Statue of Limitations EP

Collaborative EP between Smoke DZA and Benny the Butcher, entirely produced by Pete Rock. Smoke DZA and Pete Rock have collaborated few years later in "Don't Smoke Rock". Styles P, Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine are the guests of the project.

Lil Ramsey — Goin Undacova

The only cassette released by Ramsey McDowell, a rapper from Memphis known under the moniker Lil Ramsey. The production is entirely entrusted to Tommy Wright, who's also the unique guest of the record, uncredited.

Rock Marciano — Strength and Honor [mixtape]

In its early years, street mixtape is still art in New York, and it's under this lens that Rakeem "Rock Marciano" Myer's first tape should be seen. It's different from the rest of the tapes and you can immediately notice it from the cover: it pays homage to Tank Man aka Unknown Protester or Unknown Rebel, the boy who in June 1989, in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, decided to stand in front of Type-59 tanks. The album, is more of a collaborative effort by UN than a solo project by Rock: it was born as a promotional mixtape in view of the group's debut album, born in 2001 and composed of Roc Marciano, Mike Raw, Dino Brave and Laku.

Cold World Hustlers — Cold Streets

Debut album for Cold World Hustlers, San Fran hip-hop duo composed of Big Vic and E-Sic. These guys self-produce their cassette and in 2005 they also manage to release a CD version, always self-produced.

Brokin English Klik — Brokin English Klik

Finally, some healthy '93 East Coast hip-hop! Seriously, the jazzy sound promoted by Native Tongues and Pete Rock is starting to saturate the game and some lesser artists from South and West Coast don't want to miss the commercial train of glory and have plunged into the adventure of the jazzy boom bap too.

 

The U.N. — UN or U Out

Unique album released by The U.N., hip-hop group from Long Island, New York, formed by rappers Rakeem "Roc Marciano" Myer, J. "Dino Brave" Hodges, James "Laku" Armstrong, Michael "Mic Raw" Marr. Production is provided by Roc Marciano, Pete Rock, Large Professor, Mahogany, Mic Raw, Oddisee and Bruce Wayne. There are no guests.

Da Hoodstas — Hoodsta Madness

Album by Da Hoodstas, rap group from Los Angeles, California, that is formed by Drano, Lil D and Caffeine, a guy who has acted in a few movies including "Menace II Society", in which he has a small role. Recorded in Hollywood, released by Strictly Lethal Records, this is a low-grade gangsta rap effort with poor production and bland, unimaginative tracks, the song titles are your generic album ones. Not recommended, 3/10.

Ahmad — Ahmad

South Central Los Angeles rapper Ahmad Ali Lewis makes his debut in the rap game with an album produced by Giant and Reprise, released by Warner Bros.

 

Daddy-O — You Can Be a Daddy, But Never Daddy-O

Glenn Bolton (Stetsasonic) made his solo debut with a studio album under the name Daddy-O, in '93. Unlike almost ten years ago, there are now a lot of people trying to make hip-hop records so if you suck, you risk being invisible.

 

Apache — Apache Ain't Shit

Debut album for Anthony Peaks, rapper of the Flavor Unit under the moniker Apache. Minimal cover typical of the nineties and a title that lends itself to joking, Peaks here brings out an effort of 14 songs, intro, anti-white racist skit and a few guests for a total of about 45 minutes.

 

Big Noyd — Armed and Dangerous: The Best of Big Noyd

 

Compilation released by Big Noyd in 2003, shortly after the release of his first studio album, "Only the Strong". The production is done almost entirely by Havoc. Mobb Deep are the main guests on the album, along with Infamous Mobb, Chinky, 50 Cent, Rakim, Nas, Cormega, Bars N Hooks.

Flesh-n-Bone — T.H.U.G.S.

Debut album by Stanley "Flesh-n-Bone" Howse, rapper from Cleveland, Ohio, older brother of Layzie Bone and cousin of Wish Bone. He's a member of the group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, the first to release a solo album.

 

Lo Key — Test My Nuts

Debut tape for Lo Key, a rapper from Memphis of whom little is known, in this case only that he's a cousin of Tommy Wright III.

Blahzay Blahzay — Blah, Blah, Blah

Debut album by Blahzay Blahzay, duo composed of producer Felix "PF Cuttin" Rovaira and rapper / producer Martell "Outloud" Ellis. Guests are La the Darkman, Smoothe da Hustler, Trigger tha Gabler, Mental Magician, Verbal Fist and Verbal Hoods.

 

Delinquent Habits — Delinquent Habits

East LA trio formed by rappers David "Kemo the Blaxican" Thomas and Ivan "Ives Irie" Martin together with DJ and producer Alejandro "O.G. Style" Martinez.

 

Too Strong — Inter City Funk

Too Strong is one of the first German hip-hop groups, they come from Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. The group is made up of DJ Zonic and Pure Doze who are later joined by DJ Brocke and Der Lange. They began releasing songs in English, then switched to German, before releasing their debut album, “Greatest Hits” (1994). Later, due to internal disagreements, DJ Brocke and DJ Zonic leave Too Strong, while DJ Funk Chris becomes the new member of the group. The second LP was recorded at the end of 1995 and released in 1996. The effort is almost completely produced by Pure Doze and has no guests, focusing thematically on the four elements of hip-hop. The production is punctual, the rapping is good, the guys do a commendable job and they create a nice tape, without any particular weak points in these fifty minutes.

Rating: 7/10.

Logic — Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

Less than three months after publishing one of the worst things of 2019, Logic releases his second album of the season, the sixth in studio. Production is mainly entrusted to his friend 6ix and is completed by Shroom, HAZE, Illmind, AG, Frank Dukes, J.LBS, Andre Hotbox, Cubeatz, Kajo, Tee-WATT, Keanu Beats, DJ Khalil and Logic himself. The guests are Eminem, Cordae, G-Eazy, Gucci Mane, Wiz Khalifa, Will Smith and My Dad (not my dad, his dad, I mean, Robert Bryson Hall Sr.).

Killah Priest — Black August Revisited

Digital album released in 2003 shortly after the release of "Black August", originally internet-only, and therefore re-released in 2008. Despite the title, it's practically a new unreleased Killah Priest album, and therefore can be considered his fifth studio album. The tape is made in collaboration between the author and Dreddy Kruger. The production credits Anton Kallisto, Javon, G 13, Jahson of Mood, Just Blaze, Francis, Full Moon, John Shairo, Killah Priest, Tiny, Mr. Khaliyl and 4th Disciple. The guests are Ol' Dirty Bastard of Wu-Tang Clan, Hell Razah of Sunz of Man, Dreddy Kruger of Royal Fam, Ras Kass & Kurupt of The Four Horsemen, Rudy, Savoy and Main Flow.

Dubee AKA Sugawolf — Dubee AKA Sugawolf

In 1995, Major "Dubee aka Sugawolf" Norton signed with Young Black Brotha Records which at the time had a distribution agreement with Atlantic, and the following year released his first self-titled LP.

 

Logic — Supermarket

In 2019, Logic releases his fifth studio album, which accompanies his first novel of the same name about a dude employed in a supermarket. Judging by the title alone, there's not much fantasy in either the novel or the record, a thought confirmed by listening to the LP.

Domino — Physical Funk

Domino's second effort has all the makings of a full-blown sophomore: formerly known as Genuine Draft of the group Bloods & Crips on the album "Bangin on Wax" (1993), the rapper discovers success in the recording industry with his debut album, which obtains critical acclaim and constantly grinds out copies, finishing in the top ten best-selling rap albums and obtaining two gold certifications from the RIAA, one for the hit "Getto Jam" and another for the LP. Three years later, the boy renounces the trusted producers who contributed to the success of his self-titled debut and decides to do everything alone.

Kid 'n Play — Kid 'n Play's Funhouse

Sophomore slightly subdued by Kid n Play, here less energetic than usual and a little more serious. The skeletal and hard beats dominating the production realized by Hurby Luv Bug and the Invincibles with instrumentals played by Glenn Gibson (guitar) and Stanley Brown (keyboards), remain simple and minimal, rarely frenetic, hard, light, or lively and fresh on which the duo spits simple braggadocio lyrics. The disk is co-produced by Quicksilver, The Grand Composer Dre, The Wizard M.E., Stanley Brown, Dana Mozie, and Stevie "The Boy Wonder".

Yo Lynch — Caughtcha Slippin

First cassette by the rapper Yo Lynch, fully produced by DJ Squeeky. The production packaged by Dj Squeeky is praiseworthy, solid patterns of drums, dark loops, a subtle sound, very skeletal typical of the Memphis scene and the interpreter possesses a competent rap style, nevertheless, the Tape has few moments worthy of note and doesn't stand out from the rest of the scene, it never emerges as an essential listening, despite being a good project. 6/10.

Killah Priest — Black August

Fourth studio album by Killah Priest. Jahson of Mood produces half the album, the rest of the beats are made by Anton Kallisto, Godie, Mr. Khaliyl, G 13, Prose Ipso, Steely & Clevie, Sticky Dan and UC, the latter taking care of most of the mixing. The guests are Savoy, Solstice and Elephant Man. The title derives from the fact that the author was born in August.

Benny — My First Brick

Mixtape by Benny the Butcher, second in 2016, but that's really what allowed him to take the first step towards glory. The choice to design the cover so that the word "brick" is made up of bricks is a touch of class. One of the newest records of the last waves of drug rap, lyrically, Benny is focused on braggadocio, thug, and drug themes.

Ghostface Killah & Sheek Louch — Wu Block

Collaborative album between Staten Island rapper Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan and Yonkers rapper Sheek Louch of The LOX. Music is provided by Frank Dukes, Fithestate, John "Jmac" McCall, The Futuristics, Vinny Idol, Shroom, Phonix Beats, Jon Woo, Moose, Odie Peken, Red Spyda, V Don, Last Child, Joe Milly, Andrew Kelly, Termanology and Erick Sermon. The guests are exclusively from Wu-Tang Clan (Raekwon, Cappadonna, Method Man, Masta Killa, GZA and Inspectah Deck) and The LOX (Styles P & Jadakiss).

Capone — Menace 2 Society

Second solo studio album by Kiam Kasei "Capone" Holley, rapper from Queens, New York, part of C-N-N with Noreaga. Yes, let's pretend this is an album. Production is handled by DJ Twinz, Ill Will Fulton, Just Blaze, Frank Nitty, Kyze, Reefa, Scarface, Scram Jones and DR Period. Guests are Noreaga, Lexus, 1100 and Pinky Ring.

The Delinquents — Outta Control

Third extended play by the Delinquents, Oakland rap duo formed by Glenn "G-Stack" Jones and Vidal "V-White" Prevost. The boys spit worthily on gangsta topics, but they're easily overshadowed by guests, including Askari X, a boy focused on the socio-political "Gotta Go" slant, and the Luniz, who elevate "Cracka Jacka". DJ Hook Me Mike D and Sonny B's production does the job, it's minimal, features some squeaky g-funk synths, lean, slow drums (the title track's one is slapping, hard and deadly) and cheap sounds. In general, it's not good, just functional to the duo's rap. Released by their label Dank or Die, the EP consists of six pieces (some editions go up to nine) and about half an hour of listening. Non-essential tape. 6/10.

Monie Love — Down to Earth

Simone "Monie Love" Gooden is a London female rapper who tries to break into the hip hop scene with an almost entirely hip house record. After signing with dance label Cooltempo, she publishes her debut single "I Can Do This" in 1988, the piece peaks in the UK and Netherlands charts. Her second single "Grandpa's Party" (1989) is another success, charting in UK (#16), Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. In 1990, Monie Love releases her debut studio album.

King George — Life of a Kingpin

Debut album by George "King George" Butler, rapper from Richmond, California. King George is one of the original members of the New Orleans group TRU (later shortened to Master P, C-Murder and Silkk the Shocker), from 1989 to 1995.

 

Capone — Pain, Time & Glory

I have to listen, again, to this atomic mess. Kiam Akasi "Capone" Holley's debut is very poor. The Queens rapper formed a profitable partnership with his friend Noreaga in the late 1990s, signing a debut that many fans of the East Coast rap scene consider one of the best records of the period. Then, he ended up in prison and Noreaga continued solo, with disconcerting results. When Capone was released, the duo published their second album, but he was already in jail for violating probation. In 2001, the duo signs with Def Jam: Tommy Boy still owns the Capone-N-Noreaga name and Noreaga name and demands that the artists honor their contracts, so, Noreaga changes his moniker to NORE and the group becomes C-N-N. Mixtapes come out and everything seems to be going well until, in 2005, Def Jam surprisingly decides to keep NORE in its ranks, dumping Capone at the same time. The boy doesn't take it well that move and the following year this album is released: it's his solo debut and it's made as an independent rapper.

Fat Joe — The Elephant in the Room

In 2008 Fat Joe releases his eight studio album. The production is handled by LV, Sean C, Cool & Dre, DJ Khaled, Streetruner, Steve Morales, J Starz, Danja, Swizz Beatz, Mario Winans, Scott Storch, The Runners, The Alchemist and DJ Premier. The guests are Lil Wane, Dre, Plies, Swizz Beatz, Jackie Rubio, Poo Bear, J. Holiday, Opera Steve, Rick Ross, Oz Fox and KRS-One.

Wu-Block — Wu-Block [mixtape]

Promo mixtape for Wu Block's album, a collaborative project between Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ghostface Killah and The LOX rapper Sheek Louch. The tape is known as a b-side project to the album and is also listed as "Wu-Tang Clan & D-Block". There are no production credits and credited guests are Trife da God of TMF, Beanie Sigel of State Property, Lil' Cease of Junior MAFIA and Papoose.