Geto Boys — We Can't Be Stopped

During the period between the release of the first album and the release of the second, Bushwick Bill lost an eye following a discussion with his girlfriend culminating with the girl who shoots him with a shotgun: and the boys start from here, on the cover Willie D and Scarface keep the Bushwick Bill stretcher in a hospital hall.

Hell Razah — Digital Dope [mixtape]

This effort is released digitally for free without a label and many years later is collected by Chambermusik Special Product in 2015 and put on a physical CD. The Chambermusik version removes skits and interludes bringing the album from 35 to 27 tracks. Behind the keyboards are DJ Rated R, MF DOOM, 4th Disciple, Smokeshop, Get Large Production, Godz Wrath and L.E.S. The guests are Grymereaper, Sunz of Man, RZA, Lazarus, Midaz, Ras Kass, Timbo King, Beenie Man, 4-Ize and Psycho Les.

Tuff Crew — Still Dangerous

The Tuff Crew comes really strong on the eve of the nineties, after three albums that should normally be in the top 100 of the eighties of anyone. The group is well launched, however music is changing at this time and the Tuff Crew doesn't know which direction to take, ending up making an album out of its time, probably the worst of their discography, despite being quite acceptable and without bad tracks: the production is sparse, simple and frenetic, the delivery group runs smoothly, urgent in the frenetic cuts, with average lyrics. If you want to listen to the group, you can choose at random among their other efforts, unlike this fourth album, they're worth it. 6/10.

JT the Bigga Figga — Playaz n the Game

Second studio album for JT the Bigga Figga, released by Get Low Records with SMG (No Limit) and Priority distribution. The San Francisco rapper keeps the same formula used for the debut: mobb music beats, boom bap funky, with a tight slow dry drum, coupled with g-funk synths in practically every single track, and a lyricism that focuses on generic g ish. Overall, it's a decent and coherent album, with rare highlights (Mac Mall livens up his joint) and little bass when the quality of the music drops. There are rare variations in the chosen lyrics and rhythms made by the MC, the samples all work more or less, and the delivery of JT is acceptable and smooth. The record manages to enter the top 100 among hip-hop records, recommended for Bay Area fans. 7/10.

The Professional / Anti the Decimator — Le'Ment Configuration

In 2005, a collaborative effort between emcees The Professional aka Pro the Leader and Anti the Decimator, who would later form the group American Poets 2099, was released. The boys trade verses for twenty-three minutes in these seven tracks, extended to ten with three additional bonus tracks (including an instrumental) in the reissue released by Black Stone of Mecca in 2021.

K-Rino — Danger Zone

Houston rapper K-Rino's second studio album suffers as much as the previous one. Again due to the production, made by K-Rino and Dope E.

 

Low Down da Sinista — Coming for Your Soul

In his early twenties, Lowdown records this 50-minute, 17-track tape with some friends and his younger sister. The album is Memphis, even if we hadn't had no indication of which is more or less the native place of this artist, only from the cover we could easily guess that we would be in Memphis. Or on a summer camp in New Jersey. Memphis would remain the most likely solution anyway. The cassette is just what you can expect and maybe something more: minimal raw beats, creepy synths, ultraviolent horrorcore rap intertwined with gangsta themes and personal bars, performed by a dude with a scary voice who screaming and claiming he's coming for your soul. Twice. There's nothing to complain about, it's a great tape. Recommended. 7/10.

Rappin' 4-Tay — Rappin' 4-Tay Is Back!!!

Anthony "Rappin' 4-Tay" Forté, from San Francisco, Bay Area, at around 23 years old arrives at the debut album in the rap game and claims to be back. In 1991, would he return from where? From prison, he came out after ten months.

Spoonie Gee — The Godfather of Rap

Gabriel "Spoonie Gee" Jackson was born in Harlem, New York. The nickname comes from the fact that the spoon was the only object he used to eat. His mother died in adolescence, the boy goes to live with his uncle Bobby Robinson, record producer (who owns Enjoy Records) in whose apartment he starts rapping, after trying rnb without much success. At the end of the seventies, producer Peter Brown shows up in his uncle's record shop looking for someone willing to record a rap track: he meets Spoonie G and the two record "Spoonin Rap" under Brown's Sound of New York, USA label. It's one of the first tracks, if not the first, to refer to prison, a theme that later became common in gangsta rap tracks (by virtue of which, Spoonie Gee is often credited with being the first gangsta rapper), and echo is applied to his vocals. Nonetheless, the emcee decides to leave Brown's label shortly thereafter.

TRU — True

Third studio album by The Real Untouchables aka TRU, group consisting of Master P, Silkk the Shocker and C-Murder. The production is handled by Ken Franklin, Master P, Al Eaton, Mo B Dick, DJ Daryl, CMT, EA-Ski, Silk, Craig Lawson and Larry D. The guests of the tape are Mia X, C-Bo, King George, Big Ed, Carmen Taylor, Mr. Serv-On, Uhuru Wright and Tobin Costen.

1999 WRITE THE FUTURE — hella (˃̣̣̥╭╮˂̣̣̥) ✧ ♡ ‧º·˚

First album released by the crew 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE, from an idea of the crew 88rising. A quarter of the tape is produced by Andrés Rebellón, the rest credits Hozier, Surprise Chef, RedVeil, The Math, DJ Stanfill, Elijah Waters, Vic Wainstein, The Budos Band, Rich Brian, Bekon, A-Plus, Phoelix, Rook Monore, Craig Balmoris, Jacob Ray, Slint, Wesley Singerman, Sayak Das, Taydex, Vaughn Elsas, Chakra, BIAKO, Sergiu Gherman, Dan the Automator, Eyedress, John Hill, Phum Viphurit, Chasu, BADBADNOTGOOD, Mark McKenna and Tyler Mehlenbacher.

The guests are Ghostface Killah, Rich Brian, Smino, Surprise Chef, Rick Ross, Souls of Mischief, Rook Monroe, Busta Rhymes, Cuco, Warren Hue, Amaarae, Conway the Machine, Westside Gunn, BADBADNOTGOOD, Joey Alexander, Pos, The Budos Band, De La Soul, Dumbfoundead, Dan the Automator, Del the Funky Homosapien, Eyedress, Phum Viphurit, Masiwei, Offset, MILLI, Tiger JK, YOON MIRAE and OK Wang.

The Geto Boys — The Geto Boys

Reissue of the previous album with a cleaner production by Rick Rubin, who brings the group to his label also working on the tracklist and managing to highlight the simple and powerful narration, the heavy lyrics and so frighteningly outrageous to be funny that the trio wrote the year before: the album is full of quotable lines torn from braggadocio, senseless violent, dirty and dark, about drugs and misogynism bars, spitted with an aggressive hardcore style by this group. Energetic, solid and compact project, many strong tracks, several classics, excellent offensive effort: if you are a fan of the gangsta genre, this album is fantastic and the cleanliness of its sound gives it a high replay value. If you are looking for a rougher sound, buy the original.

Rating: 9/10.

Cool Nutz — Dis Nigga Nutz

Debut album by Terrance "Cool Nutz" Scott, a rapper from Portland, Oregon, later part of the West Coast group D.B.A. The music is provided by Kool Genius aka Bosko, also a member of D.B.A., while there are no credited guests to support Cool Nutz's rapping on this tape. The boy delivers twelve tracks in battle with a good flow on a production inspired by the West Coast sounds of the time, g-funk and with some jazz influences, robust rhythms a little cheap, but that manage to support the contribution of the emcee. Released by the Los Angeles label Nutty Block Records, the tape is now physically unobtainable and notable for historical merits, being among the first releases in the Oregon hip-hop scene. 6/10.

Fat Joe — Jealous Ones Still Envy 2 (J.O.S.E. 2)

For his ninth LP, Fat Joe deals with Capitol Records still tied with Caroline Records/EMI, nevertheless, his effort is delayed several times due to a lack of promotion, according the same emcee. The production credits DJ Infamous, RonBrowz, The Inkredibles, Rico Love, Earl & E, Schife & OhZee, Eric Hudson, Jim Jonsin, T-Weed, Andrews "Drew" Correa, G-Bi, Laurent "Slick" Cohen and DJ J-Buttah. The guests are Lil' Kim, Chef Raekwon, Lil Wayne, Ron Browz, Akon, Pleasure P, Rico Love, T-Pain, OZ, TA, Benisour, Swizz Baetz, Rob Cash of KAR and Cherlise.

The Professional — Pro's Laboratory 2: The Next Installment

In 2005, The Professional aka Pro the Leader released the second installment of his "Pro Laboratory" series, two years after his collaborative effort with Wu-Tang Clan affiliated rapper Warcloud. This time, Warcloud has no input on the project, which is almost entirely produced by Monstar Mob beatmaker Skarekrow, while three beats are crafted by Pro the Leader. The group also features guests Leviathan and Onslawt, as well as Skarekrow himself and Vulgar.

TRU — Who's da Killer?

Album number two for TRU (The Real Untouchable), a collective led by Master P. Within the group, in addition to the relatives of the leader Miller, there are also King George, Challi G, Milk Man and Big Ed. The disk is produced by Spoonie, Master P, Charles, CMT & EA-Ski.

Geto Boys — Grip It! On That Other Level

Bushwick Bill goes from background dancer to rapper alongside Scarface and Willie D and, inspired by NWA, the renewed Texan group decides to put Houston on the map dropping a sophomore who has nothing at all of jinx: he presents one of the most harsh performances of the period, vulgar, misogynist and overly gangsta lyrics up to the annoyance, with some socio-conscious/political shots scattered around.

Maccabeez — The Spooks Who Kicked Down Tha Doorz [bootleg]

Around 1997, Walter "Killah Priest" Reed had the first idea for Maccabeez. The young emcee boasts collaborations with RZA, Masta Killa, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Dreddy Kruger, Buddha Monk, Brooklyn Zu, Smooth B, Chuck D, Ice-T and Mobb Deep, among others. He's the main guest of Gravediggaz on their debut album ("6 Feet Deep", 1994), ODB's debut ("Dirty Version", 1995) and GZA's second album ("Liquid Swords", 1995), album on which he boasts his own solo track, a rare event for a normal album, let alone for a Wu-Tang Clan album.

Shinehead — Unity

Edmund "Shinehead" Aiken starts by performing for several reggae dancehall sound systems — a sound system is a group of disc jockeys, emcees and engineers playing ska, rocksteady or reggae music; it's an important part of Jamaican popular culture and history, nda — in The Bronx, New York, in the eighties. Born in Kent, England, in 1986 he releases his first studio album, "Rough & Rugged" with the independent label African Love Records, then after two season Shinehead signs with Elektra Records, publishing a second LP.

Insane Clown Posse — Riddle Box

Third LP for Insane Clown Posse, a Detroit rap group that gets an agreement with Battery Records, a branch of Jive, to release the album together with their own label. Mike E Clark and ICP produce the entire project, aided by Rich Murrell on guitar: the rhythms play repetitively throughout the record, they're quite monotonous and boring, soulless, as these dudes mumble about death, murder, thug and misogynist themes with poor rapping. With 68-70 minutes of listening, it's a grueling and far too long tape, most of the tracks are over four and five minutes long, stretched by useless skits at the beginning and end of tracks. There's absolutely nothing noteworthy and Jive doesn't promote the record, forcing the trio to tour US to sell copies. Not recommended. 3/10.

The Real Untouchables — Understanding the Criminal Mind

Debut for the group founded by Master P and including the Miller brothers, aka C-Murder and Sillk the Shocker. In the TRU, acronym of the original name The Real Untouchables, there are also Sonya C (later wife of Master P), Big Ed, King George, Milkman, Chilee Powdah and Cali G.

Warcloud & The Professional — Pro's Laboratory

In 2003, this collaborative effort between Californian rappers Warcloud and The Professional bka Pro the Leader was released. The production was split equally between The Professional, who wrote six tracks, and beatmaker Skarekrow of Warcloud's group Da Monstar Mob, who came up with the other seven beats. Guests included Vulgar (affiliated with Warcloud), Leviathan & Onslot of Da Monstar Mob, Bootface, and Road Block.

PHD — Without Warning

Debut album for PHD, acronym for Poet & Hot Day. Wilbur "Blaq Poet" Bass is an old-school veteran from Queensbridge who's around the hip-hop circuit since the Bridge Wars, dropping "Beat You Down", dissing towards KRS-One and his Boogie Down Productions. The comparisons with KRS could go on for a long time, like the Bronx emcee Poet also decides to place himself on the cover with firearms in his hands four years after Lawrence Parker's debut album with BDP.

Salt 'n' Pepa — Hot, Cool, Vicious

In the mid-1980s, Cheryl "Salt" James met Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and the two young students became friends and co-workers. Another co-worker, Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor, James's boyfriend and a recording production student at the Center of Media Arts, asked James and Denton to record a song for him as a class project.

Big Noyd — Episodes of a Hustla EP

TaJuan "Big Noyd" Perry made his debut in 1993 on Mobb Deep's debut album "Juvenile Hell", on the track "Stomp 'Em Out". Two years later, the boy is again a guest of the duo that becomes legendary right after the release of their second work, "The Infamous": Big Noyd is the main guest of the project, appearing on "Give Up the Goods (Just Step)", alongside Wu-Tang Clan emcees Raekwon & Ghostface Killah on "Right Back at You" and together with Ty Nitty on the closing "Party Over". Touring with Mobb Deep, he performs his verse of "Give Up the Goods" and attracts the attention of Tommy Boy executives, who offer him a $ 300,000 contract.

In 1996, Big Noyd, who takes his moniker from the Domino's Pizza ad character, released his first solo effort, a lengthy eleven-track EP with nearly forty minutes of material. Prodigy is the main guest and appears on almost the entire record, while Havoc provides most of the beats. Se'kou guested on one track, Charlemagne provided a rhythm, and After Six Entertainment and Stretch Armstrong were each credited with one remix.

AAVV — West Coast Bad Boyz: Anotha Level of the Game

Compilation organized by the founder of No Limit Master P, which features Bay Area artists, especially emerging ones: the performers are Herm, JT the Bigga Figga, Seff the Gaffla, Brotha Moe, The Dangla, San Quinn, Rack Skerz, Master P, RBL, Delinquents, DT, 4-Tay, Totally Insane, Dre Dog, Pee, Dangerous Dame, TRU, Ray Luv, Tha Link, C-Bo, Cougniut, Lil Ric, Mr. Brainy, Young Cellski, UNLV, King George, Keylo, EZSD and West Coast Bad Boyz, in a final posse with some of the artists already mentioned above in added to Toby T, The Perk, Erase E and Keylo. The production is provided by different guys, including Master P, JT the Bigga Figga, Dangerous Dame, Lil Ric, Mike D, Keylo, Young Cellski, Cyrus Esteban, Fanky J, TC, Kie, Young Biz, Silk, Larry Dee and Mobboss.

Natas — Doubelievengod

Third studio album by Detroit-based group Natas, consisting of Esham, his cousin TNT and his friend Mastamind.

Madd Hatta — All About Me

In 1995, Houston, Texas rapper Ben "Madd Hatta" Thompson aka Dat Mad Hatta (later known as Mista Madd) released one of his first hip-hop albums, a twelve-track cassette.

Big L — Devil's Son EP (From the Vaults)

EP formed by tracks already heard by Big L, five plus an instrumental one. After the infamous "Devil's Son", a classic from Lamont Coleman, the masterpiece "I Shoulda Used a Rubba", Buckwild's excellent dark rhythm in which Big L speeds up the flow, and "School Dayz" that has a heavy jazzy boom bap dropped by Showbiz, then straight discarded from his debut, we've "Times Iz Hard". This piece boasts a production jazzy (Buckwild) and funky (Lord Finesse), great smooth flawless delivery by Big L with some quote to "In the Ghetto" by Eric B. & Rakim. Last but not least track here, "Da Unexpected Flava", Big L runs smoothly on a production signed by Lord Finesse and Large Professor that seems pays tribute to Buckwild with those xmas bells in background. Released by Columbia and Legacy (Sony's sub-label), distributed by Sony Music, this must be a pretty excellent EP if it weren't a series of cuts taken and placed here randomly. 7.5/10.

Menace Clan — Da Hood

Unique album by the South Central Los Angeles duo Menace Clan, formed by Walter "Assassin" Adams and Dante "D. Miller" Miller. The rhythms are provided by N.O. Joe, Big Jessie, Mike Dean, Scarface, Swift, D. Miller, Freddie Young and Michael Banks. Bushwick Bill is present twice as the only guest on the LP.

 

Pete Rock — Underground Classics

In the fall of 2006, BBE Records released this compilation via Rapster, without permission from Pete Rock.

Silkk — The Shocker

In August 1996, Vyshonn "Silkk" Miller, the younger brother of Master P and C-Murder and the one thought to be the least talented member of TRU, released his debut album. It's produced by Carlos Stephens, Mo B. Dick, KLC, DJ Daryl, Craig B, Ken Franklin and T-Bone. Guests are Master P, credited eight times, C-Murder, Mo B. Dick, Mia X, Pure Passion and Big Ed.

Big L — L Corleone

This tape is a mixed bag, there are some legitimate Big L hits on it like "American Dream", "Devil Son", "Furious Anger", "Ebonics" and his freestyle with Jay-Z, tracks already heard in previous tapes and discarded songs that are lifted and placed here to fill holes and lengthen the disc.

T.H.U.G. Angelz — Welcome to Red Hook Houses

In 2008, Sunz of Man rappers Hell Razah and Shabazz the Disciple released their first and, at the time of writing, only collaborative album under the duo name T.H.U.G. Angelz. The former is on his fifth studio album and comes directly from his two best albums of his career released the year before, while the latter, after a troubled artistic career, in 2006 released his second LP, considered to be a street album, and this is his third official effort.

The boys take the monikers of Razah Rubiez and Safiyah Shabazz for this project, Razah plays the part of the angel “El Raziel” and Shabazz plays the part of “Seraphim Shabazz”. The production is done by Bronze Nazareth, Jordan River Banks, Shroom, Vanderslice, Bond, Shawneci, RNS, Blue Sky Black Death, Smoke Shop Productionz, DJ Rated R, Hell Razah and Spell. 7th Ambassador is the only guest on the album.