MC Trouble — Gotta Get a Grip

LaTasha Rogers leaves the world at 20 years old due to an epileptic seizure brought on from complications from a brain tumor, which resulted in heart failure. Rogers, aka MC Trouble, wasn't your generic rapper or a random artist: first female rapper to sign with Motown, means that her career was addressed well and had a single in the charts.

Marley Marl — In Control, Volume 1

Marlon "Marley Marl" Williams grew up in Queensbridge, Queens. Passionate about electronic music, he had the opportunity to experiment with different sampler as a young intern at Unique Recording Studios in the early eighties. One day, while he was in the studio with an artist, trying to extract a riff from a record, he made a mistake with the sampler and accidentally discovered what would later become known as sampling. Shortly after, radio DJ Mr. Magic heard Marley Marl's remix of Malcolm McLaren's "Buffalo Gals" and Marl became Mr. Magic's DJ. The two formed the hip-hop crew Juice Crew in 1983.

Ice-T — O.G. Original Gangster

In 1991, Ice-T reaches his fourth album. Until now he has released exclusively classics and "OG" is no different, it's his fourth and last good album.

Naughty by Nature — 19 Naughty III

Second album by Naughty by Nature, released two years after the debut and distributed worldwide by Tommy Boy and Warner Bros. The album is well received by critics and fans, managing to hit first place in the rap album chart and third on the Billboard 200, certified platinum in three months.

Blac Monks — Secrets of the Hidden Temple

The hip-hop duo Convicts, formed by Big Mike and Mr. 3-2, disbanded around the early nineties: in the following years, Big Mike joins the Geto Boys before pursuing a solo career, while Mr. 3-2 forms another group, the Blac Monks. The group was originally formed together with D.A. and AWOL, later Raheem (sometimes credited as a guest; he's one of the founders of the Geto Boys and one of the first Houston rappers to release an LP in the late 1980s) and Storm also joined. The group gets a contract with Rap-A-Lot, which places its producers to make the rhythms for the record: John Bido, Reddy Redd, Pedewestra and the Blac Monks are credited behind the keyboards. The guests of the album are Big Low, Phaetra Raney, 5th Ward Juvenilez, Goldie Don, Ophtrac and Makesha.

The Roots — From the Ground Up EP

Second project released by the Roots after the independent debut the year before. Composed of six long tracks (four later included in the second studio album, released in 1995), for a total of almost 33 minutes of listening, the record features the rapping of Black Thought supported by the band and some scattered vocal contributions performed by the other members of the group, including Malik B, MC Ni and B.R.O.THER.?, one of the first names of Questlove. The tape boasts excellent jazzy rhythms, boom bap, slow and solid drums and a generally simple soundscape in order to highlight the slow, smooth, syncopated and calm delivery of the major performer, at times dope. To note the contributions of guests Steve Coleman, Graham Haynes, Josh Roseman and Rusuf Harley, who respectively provide sax, trumpet, trombone and bagpipes, while the sax in "Worldwide (London Groove)" is that of Steve Williamson. Some songs are better than others, however, it's not an essential release. Recommended for jazz rap fans. 7/10.

Convicts — Convicts

Michael "Big Mike" Barnett (Geto Boys from 1992 to 1995) and Christopher "Mr. 3-2" Barriere form the Houston duo named Convicts.

Natural Elements — The EP

Debut extended play for Natural Elements, a New York hip-hop group formed in 1993 and composed of Henri Charlemagne, Agu "Mr. Voodoo" Obiakor, Len "L Swift" Lesmond, Kaseem "Ka" Ryan, G Blass, Howie Smalls and The InTimidator.

Seagram — Reality Check

Second album in two years for Seagram, an Oakland rapper under Houston's Rap-A-Lot. The production is done entirely by Jeff Gray, Troy White and Seagram himself, while Too Short is the only guest on the CD.

 

Breeze — The Young Son of No One

In his only album, Morgan "Breeze" Rodriguez (L.A. Posse) offers thirty cheerful and joyful minutes, after appearing in King T album "Act a Fool" (1988). The cover shows how the title is a backronym to Tyson. LA Posse produces the whole record, DJ Pooh is the beatmaker of "Goin' Through a Phase". The set is based on simplistic beats, decent and minimal funky rhythms and guessed samples (Zapp, James Brown, George Clinton, Temptation, Earth, Wind & Fyre, JBs, Lyn Collins), while Breeze's rapping is clean, regular, with some acceleration ("Pull a Fast One", "Watch the Hook"). The opening cut is seasoned by a crazy festive intro, Breeze starts with an excellent and pleasant cheerful mood and immediately delivers hardcore and fast above a minimal funky rhythm with skeletal and vibrant drum machine: it's one of the best tracks on the record. A couple of singles lead the LP, "Great Big Freak" and "LA Posse" (#8 in the rap chart, later hailed as one of the best Los Angeles rap songs by Complex), released by Atlantic, it doesn't have a particularly happy trajectory in the charts and this anticipates the end of his career in the recording industry earlier than expected. Listening recommended, don't pay too much attention to the lyrics.

London Posse — Gangster Chronicle

This effort reflects a typical case on the scene of European hip hop albums, which present almost all the same problems: they have a huge influence at national level, and sometimes even internationally with a little luck (as in this case), but, often the general material isn't that excellent/good, so the value historical is downsized when you the album leaves the national relief. Rodney P and MC Bionic do nothing wrong, dropping gangsta and braggadocio lyrics: they sound fresh thanks to a velvet, raw and hardcore reggae rapping on simple, minimal, tight and hard funky rhythms that help to shape the mood of the project. In the end, the effort is energetic and worthy of listening (that tight blues interlude is dope), but elevating it to the best record in the history of the UK is exaggerated and misleading, although at the time there were still few contenders for this title. 7/10.

Akinyele — Vagina Diner

The magic of Main Source's debut is inexplicable, "Live At The Barbeque" in particular has given us one of the greatest hip-hop artists in history. And Akinyele Adams, Queens, from the same school as Large Professor, Nasir Jones and Kool G Rap.

 

The New Style — Independent Leaders

In 1986, Anthony "Double T. Treachery" Criss formed the East Orange, New Jersey group The New Style with Vincent "Vinnie Rock" Brown and Keir "DJ Kay-Gee" Gist. Through the acquaintance of DJ Cee Justice — Lakim Shabazz DJ, part of a The 45 King crew and one of Flavor Unit original members — the group was put in contact with Bon Ami Records, the first label founded by Sylvia Robinson after taking a break from a now in free fall Sugar Hill Records in every respect and which would close in the same period.

Geto Boys — The Resurrection

After a three-year hiatus, the Geto Boys return to the scene with their original line-up, Willie D replaces Big Mike for LP number five. The production is mainly created by Mike Dean, along with Scarface, Uncle Eddie, Derick Edwards and N.O. Joe. The guests are Flaj, DMG, Facemob and Menace Clan.

AAVV — Think Differently Music: Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture

In 2005, Wu-Tang affiliate James "Dreddy Kruger" Dockery, a member of the Royal Fam, decided to bring hip-hop back to its most original essence. This is a phrase used by practically all underground artists to promote their new albums, but for once, someone did it, this guy had enough courage and luck to pull this thing off in the best possible way, releasing an independent project through his own label Think Differently Music, which before then had only released the first self-titled album by the Four Horsemen, the group composed of Killah Priest, Kurupt, Ras Kass and Canibus.

Del the Funky Homosapien — No Need for Alarm

Second album for Teren Jones, better known as Del the Funky Homosapien. Two years after his debut, Jones distances himself from the Lench Mob and the Boogiemen with whom he had collaborated until then and starts working with his personal team, the Hieroglyphics, an Oakland collective founded by Jones himself: as part of this crew, A-Plus, Casual, Snupe, Domino and Jay-Biz do most of the production, A-Plus, Jay-Biz and DJ Toure do some scratches and the rest of the rhythms are provided by Del himself and SD50's, production team not related to the rapper.

Yo-Yo — You Better Ask Somebody

Third studio album in three years for Yo-Yo, Los Angeles rapper protegé of Ice Cube, here as author, producer (with QD III, mainly) and guest. There are no particular variations from her previous albums, the MC provides hardcore bars that also come close to thug / gangsta, with its feminist touch and some scattered political lines, focusing in particular on braggadocio.

Ultramagnetic MCs — Critical Beatdown

In 1984 Keith "Kool Keith" Thornton founded The Bronx hip-hop group Ultramagnetic MC's, composed by himself, Cedric "Ced Gee" Miller, Trevor "TR Love" Randolph and Maurice "DJ Moe Love" Smith. The four are part of some of the most important crews of break dancers in New York.

Del tha Funkeé Homosapien — I Wish My Brother George Was Here

Teren Delvon Jones aka Del tha Funkeé Homosapien (then Del the Funky Homosapien) was born in Oaktown, California, and he's the cousin of the rapper and producer Ice Cube, beginning his artistic career writing lyrics for Ice Cube's group Da Lench Mob. After signing with Street Knowledge Records, a label associated with Ice Cube, with the help of his cousin, Jones realizes his debut album in 1991.

Wu-Tang Killa Beez — Soundtracks from the Shaolin Temple

2008 compilation featuring most of the major Wu-Tang Clan affiliates. Bronze Nazareth, a Wu-Tang affiliate and member of the affiliated group Wisemen, is the main producer on the record. Additional beats are provided by Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, Hi-Tek, RZA, Mathematics, Preservation, Scram Jones, and Blue Sky Black Death. Participating on the album are GZA, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, RZA, Masta Killa and Inspectah Deck of Wu-Tang Clan, Wu-Tang affiliates Almighty, Ras Kass of The Four Horsemen, Bronze Nazareth of Wisemen, Timbo King of Royal Fam, Killah Priest & Prodigal Sunn of Sunz of Man, Trife da God of TMF, T.H.U.G. Angelz, Killa Sin of Killarmy, Icewater, C-Rayz Walz, Warcloud of Black Knights, Solomon Childs of Theodore Unit. Non-Wu-Tang guests include MF DOOM, Hi-Tek, Jedi Mind Tricks, Vast Aire, Dion, The Willie Cottrell Band, Lord Jamar, Kasim Allah, Sean Price, and Blue Sky Black Death.

Schooly D — Welcome to America

Schoolly D's sixth studio album, ten years after his debut, the Philadelphia pioneer continues his musical career in rap. The guest-free record boasts a production mostly done by the rapper himself, while DJ Code Money performs a couple of beats and scratches, alongside DJ T-Ski Flash and DJ Eric. There are several live instrumentalists to enrich the rhythms: Scott Storch on keyboards with Schoolly D, Chuck Treece and Doug Grigsby on bass, Andy Kravitz and Mary Harris on drums and Mike Tyler on guitar and keyboards.

WuMusicGroup Presents: Killa Bees — Pollen: The Swarm Part Three

Wu-Tang Killa Bees compilation that emerged out of nowhere in 2010. Production is realized by Allah Mathematics, RZA, Tommy Tee, Tyrone Fyffe, 4th Disciple, Phantom of the Beats, IzReal, Falling Down and Godz Wrath. This is a compilation of internal material from Wu-Tang Killa Beez and Clan members only, with no external Wu-Universe rappers featured.

C.P.O. — To Hell and Black

This hip-hop group is formed in 1989 in Compton, California. Vincent "Boss Hogg" Edwards aka Lil Nation, Clarence "DJ Train" Lars, Granville "The Chip" Moton and Daron "Young D" Sapp are the Capital Punishment Organization (C.P.O.) in this 1990 debut signed by MC Ren aka The Ruthless Villain, author of the lyrics and producer of the music that also lends itself to some cuts without being credited. To create the beats are used samples from NWA, Isaac Hayes, James Brown, Cameo, Ennio Morricone, Herbie Hancock, Funkadelic, Bobby Byrd and Billy Squier among others. The simple, minimal, skeletal and tight funky production is faced with a determined, smooth and decent delivery and with some surprising hooks in the first part. The album is mainly gangsta, with smart lines by MC Ren who is still at his best in career: overall, the project is solid and well-made even if irregular, quite curious that it's so shamefully ignored by the insiders. Released by Capitol Records, promoted by two singles ("Ballad of a Menace" and "This Beat is Funky"), the LP enters rnb chart, but is panned by critics.

Rating: 7/10.

Killa Beez — The Sting

Compilation of Wu-Tang Clan affiliated artists Wu-Tang Killa Beez. Most of the beats are performed by RZA, with the rest provided by 4th Disciple, John the Baptiste, Six Mill, Doc Doom, F1, PC and True Master. There are tracks from Wu-Tang Clan, Sunz of Man, Killarmy, Royal Fam, Black Knights, North Star and CCF Division, among others.

Geto Boys — Till Death Do Us Part

Fourth studio album made by the Geto Boys, which for the second time revolutionizes their lineup: Willie D decides to pursue a solo career and leaves the group in 1992. His place is taken by Big Mike, rapper already present in the ranks of Rap-A-Lot as half of the duo Convicts, a Houston group, while DJ Domination replaces DJ Ready Red, also out of the Geto Boys.

AAVV — Wu Chronicles Chapter II

This compilation of Wu-Tang Clan is realized inserting tracks previously released by the Staten Island supergroup members or tracks with their collaborations. The music is created by Wu-Elements, GZA, The Arabian Knight, DJ Premier, Ravi Rason, Marcus Logan, Fatal Son, Junior, DJ Spooky, Q-Tip, D'Angelo and King Tech. The guests outside Wu-universe are Gang Starr, Sic, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, DJ Spooky, D'Angelo, Bounty Killer and Spice 1.

Yomo & Maulkie — Are U Experienced?

The duo Yomo and Maulkie (Da Lench Mob affiliated) are produced by Eazy-E's Ruthless for their unique album. The lyrics are quite mediocre, they come from your generic emcees, and the production is made entirely by Yella, without Dr. Dre. On often political issues poorly recited and delivered with a syncopated style, a tight, minimal, inaccessible sound comes out, caused by a raw and hard drum machine, syncopated, sometimes heavy and grumpy, accompanied by annoying sounds horribly looped in the background. Fortunately, the instrumental that closes the record is pretty decent, it's one of the rare highlights here. The rest is avoidable, 4/10.

AAVV — Wu-Chronicles

In 1999, this compilation of tracks by Wu-Tang Clan and artists affiliated with the Staten Island group was released in order to create a promotional showcase for as many Wu-Tang artists as possible. The production was handled almost entirely by RZA, with the rest of the beats being made by Easy Mo Bee, E-Swift, Smokin' Joe, Self Service, Havoc and Smoke. Guests outside the Wu universe include The Notorious BIG, Mobb Deep, Big Noyd, AZ, D'Angelo, Cocoa Brovaz aka Smif-n-Wessun, Tha Alkaholiks, Heltah Skeltah and Ras Kass.

Ice-T — The Iceberg: Freedom of Speech...Just Watch What You Say

Third album for the gangsta pioneer Ice-T. During the tour preceding this album, the rapper is censored and forced to revise his lyrics excluding dirty words and obscenities. The answer comes with this record.

RZA Presents Wu-Tang Killa Bees — The Swarm (Volume 1)

First album from the crew Wu Tang Killa Bees aka Killa Bees (or with the z as a variant). Also known as "The Swarm, Volume 1" or simply as "The Swarm". The cover features RZA PRESENTS at the top, the name of the crew below, a bee in the center of the cover with the Wu-Tang symbol and other bees on the rest of the cover; below is the title of the tape and a rectangle that promises new songs from the Wu in this compilation.

K-Dee — Ass, Gas or Cash (No One Rides for Free)

Debut album for Darrell Johnson aka K-Dee (Kid Disaster), Los Angeles rapper linked to Ice Cube, with whom he was part of the Stereo Crew, The C.I.A. and Da Lench Mob groups. Ice Cube is the only accredited guest of the edition and the main producer, providing seven beats, the rest of the rhythms are made by D-Mac, Lay Law, Madness 4 Real, Shaquille, Vic C and 88 X Unit.

Ant Banks — The Big Badass

Master P has been trying for a few years but hasn't yet found the right formula, so it's up to Ant Banks to make the first full-blown No Limit Records cover: central artist's name in evidence at the top covering the entire space, figure of the author in the center, title beside him.

 

Young MC — Stone Cold Rhymin'

Here, well, here we have a small example of how far the single of life can launch a whole career. Of one-hit wonders, in the history of music, you can find as many as you want. But, in hip hop, they still hadn't arrived, not at this level, and Young MC from Wimbledon, London, is the first of its musical genre.

Young "D" Boyz — Straight Game

Unique studio album released by the gangsta hip-hop group from Vallejo, California, Young "D" Boyz, composed by Tony "Matty Wack" Cardassius aka King of the Jews, Thomas "Khadaffi" Young aka Doff Kapone and Marlon "B-Bop" Brown aka Master Splinter. The production is provided by John Dillinger, Khayree, Amos Carter, Brotha Luv, Tony Duane and Matt Thurston. River-T is the guest of the record.