Luniz — Operation Stackola

Luniz's debut album is structurally similar to that of Coolio released in the same year: just over fifteen tracks, over the listening hour, several guests joining the party, and everything revolves around a hit.

 

The Nonce — World Ultimate

There was a period, at some point in the early part of the 1990s, when everyone thought they knew how to do jazz rap / alt rap, after seeing and / or listening De La Soul and other dull East Coast acts that they were improvised rappers.

Young Gangstas — Pre-Meditated Gangstarism

Unique act of the New Orleans hip-hop group Young Gangstas, composed by rappers Charles "K-Syco" Conway and Crandall "Ghetto Red" Jones. Production is entirely handled by local producer Money Mike, with guests being Mr. Sleep, Feast, Bossman and the Blakjak.

AAVV — Dr. Dre Presents... The Aftermath

In March 1996, in dispute with Suge Knight, Dr. Dre left Death Row to found his own label, Aftermath Entertainment. Until that moment, only three people have been lucky enough to leave the label and survive to tell it: co-founder The D.O.C., RBX and 2nd II None, if you don't also count Lil Bow Wow at seven years-old.

Lil' Kim — Hard Core

Debut album by Kimberly "Lil' Kim" Jones, rapper from Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The production is handled by Ski Beatz, Stretch Armstrong, Puff Daddy, Fabian Hamilton, Faraoh, Minnesota, Armando Colon, Jermaine Dupri, Cornbread and The Hitmen (Carlos Broady, Fanatic, Nashiem Myrick, Prestige, Rashad Smith, Stevie J). Accredited guests are Lil Cease, Puff Daddy, Jermaine Dupri, Jay-Z, in addition to the uncredited Notorious B.I.G., Big Troy, Fela, Adilah, and Junior MAFIA, represented by Trife and Larceny.

Ill Al Skratch — Creep Wit' Me

Debut album for New York hip-hop duo Ill Al Skratch aka Brooklyn / Uptown Connection, consisting of Brooklyn rapper Lorenzo "Big Ill" Glooms and Uptown, Harlem rapper Alphonso "Al Skratch" Constant. The production is entirely made by LoRider & The LG Experience, which also deal with live instrumentation: LoRider plays bass, guitar and keyboards, The LG Experience plays bass and percussion, Mike Tyler plays guitar, and Loris Holland plays organ. Guests are LRC, Mark Sparks, Zoundwavez and Brian McKnight, as well as several backing singers.

Nems — Gorilla Monsoon

In mid-2019, Coney Island battle rapper Travis "Nems" Doyle collaborates with Brooklyn producer Frank "Jazzsoon" Sassoon, and releases a project destined to shake the heart and soul of the underground circuit.

E.S.G. — Sailin' da South

The second studio album by Houston-based rapper E.S.G., born in Bogalusa, LA, is a typical sophomore jinx.

The Legion — Theme + Echo = Krill

Debut record of the Bronx hip-hop group formed by Sean "Cee-Low" Jennings, M. "Molecules" Leonard and J. "Chucky Smash" Samuels, discovered by Black Sheep and affiliated with DITC duo Show & AG. The Legion produces most of the record, the other two groups mentioned above provide the remaining rhythms, as well as being guests of the edition, together with Orlando Magic basketball player Dennis Scott aka 3D, Chi-Ali, The World Famous Brucie B, Emage, Chapito Mike, Raio, Brother Elliott, Diana Roman and The Legioneers, an affiliate group consisting of Droopy Dog, major guest of the edition with five appearances, CME, E-Dub and Smiley.

M.O.P. — To the Death

"Calm" debut by MOP, acronym for Mash Out Posse, hip-hop duo from Brownsville formed by Eric "Billy Danze" Murray and Jamal "Lil' Fame" Grinnage. Entirely produced by DR Period, with the last rhythm left to Silver D, the album features no guests and is a raw record made of dirty beats and a simple lyric tissue, thug, gangsterism, braggadocio and various violence. The two MCs produce these bars reciting them with a slow and regular hardcore style, not exaggerated neither in the speed of execution nor in the power, supported by a simple boom bap, hard midtempo drums (also downtempo), and honest and cheerful, often jazzy samples, with the only exception in the dark vibes of choice number twelve. Distributed by Select Street, the tape enters the rap chart and launches the career of one of the hardest acts of the hip-hop genre, in a short, accessible and cohesive document that's good and not even damaged by the numerous skits-lightning (the last one is almost classic).

Highlights: "Blue Steel", "F.A.G. (Fake Ass Gangsta)", "How About Some Hardcore", "Guns N Roses".

Rating: 7/10.

Run-DMC — Back from Hell

Their debut had destroyed the old school by sweeping it into another space-time dimension. However, staying relevant six years later had not been easy and in fact, the same Run-D.M.C. that had changed the game at the time, did not succeed. The boys arrive on the eve of the album in unfavorable conditions: Run has entered a depressive phase and is unable to go on stage, DMC begins an alcohol addiction and Jam Master Jay is in debt to the IRS for almost half a million dollars in taxes to pay.

Mavi — Let the Sun Talk

Debut studio album by the rapper from Charlotte, North Carolina Omavi Ammu Minder bka Mavi, whose name should be written in all caps in homage to one of the greatest in the history of the genre. Most listeners consider this to be one of the hip-hop albums of the year. The lyrics prove this thesis right, there are some of the best writings of the season. The young author, who recorded this material around the age of 19, juggles through personal, introspective, heavy, socio-conscious and political themes, writing coherent, deep and complex texts, proving that every line is thought out and is intelligent.

The Pharcyde — Labcabincalifornia

When you go to the professional critics' reviews for this album, you don't know if they really listened to The Pharcyde, one of the best groups of the nineties to appear on the West Coast, or the new Marky Mark LP. Q-Tip, who is behind some of the best albums of 1995, plays the group a tape of the young up and coming J Dilla's production, and the Detroit guy starts working with Pharcyde. Jay Dee is often considered to be the only producer, however, he's credited only six times behind the keyboards, while the rest is made by Bootie Brown, SlimKid3, Fat Lip, Mr. Walk, and Diamond D. The guests are Big Boy, Randy Mack, Schmooche Cat and Ian Kamau.

Celph TItled & Buckwild — Nineteen Ninety Now

Collaborative studio album between The Bronx-born hip-hop producer Anthony "Buckwild" Best and the Tampa, Florida-born, New York City-based rapper Victor "Celph Titled" Mercer.

 

Playa Posse — Bigga and Betta Thangs

The only cassette credited to Playa Posse, a Memphis group made up of producer Blackout and rappers Lil Coop, Lil E, Lil Nut, Lil Slim, Lil Steel and Lil Terror. Lil Wako is credited among the interpreters. The tape, about 34 minutes of material divided into 6 tracks, is produced by Blackout whose soundscape is an excellent support for the velvety, clear and energetic flows of the young rappers. Even when the tracks go on longer than necessary, like "Slang Yo Dope", the tape continues to flow smoothly, thanks to deep and powerful bass, dry downtempo and midtempo drums, and a series of dark loops between strings, pianos, guitars and organs. The first track boasts an excellent rhythms, built around an echoing and disturbing ethereal sample, solid even "Murda Case". Recommended for Blackout fans.

Rating: 7/10.

Lord Infamous — Scarecrow & Da Roc-a-Fellaz

Album? It's an extended play of five tracks and eighteen minutes. More skits than songs. The positive side is that Lord Infamous, T-Rock and C-Rock are really committed to creating respectable hardcore / horrorcore cuts on trap rhythms that an esthete could define simple, average, and who perhaps has already listened to somewhere. The hooks aren't only functional, they're an integral part of the tracks, however, it's always worth waiting for the smooth and lively delivery of the rappers. It's a shame that in this effort there are only five songs and are always interspersed with skits, this breaks the rhythm of a good EP. 7/10.

Hard Knocks — School of Hard Knocks

After having tried under the name of 3'Da Hard Way, MC Hardhead and DJ Stoneface make up the New York hip-hop duo Hard Knocks, who somehow have a contract with Wild Pitch (and a distribution from EMI), now famous among fans as a source of hip-hop hidden and dark gems.

Lady B — (Part 3) Strictly for That Nigga

Third and last tape credited to the name Lady Bee and performed entirely by Derrick "Kingpin Skinny Pimp" Hill, self-produced and self-published through his own label. Just under half an hour and nine songs (one skit) in a journey that has few thematic differences compared to what Biggie wrote for Lil Kim, while musically, he breathes deeply in the dark air of Memphis. The boy chooses minimal rhythms, downtempo drums, sublime, light and dark samples, often managing to create a good atmosphere on which he performs with the high-pitched voice as Lady Bee with a slow, flowing, dusty style. Cassette brilliant in its simplicity, practically devoid of weaknesses, there are many good moments, the best by far is the title track aka "Bust Ass Nigga": drum downtempo and perfect samples, fantastic mood, ethereal and nostalgic, Skinny Pimp realizes one of his best works ever, classic tune. 7/10.

Lady B — (Part 2) Something for the Streets 2

Hip-hop gangsterism has always feels a bit at home in Memphis, guest and tenant of horrorcore, but it has never had too many female performers: Lady Bee tries her best to fill this gap and, in this tape, she succeeds with wide margins. So it appears, however, in reality Lady Bee left the musical world shortly before, unable to complete her previous cassette, but Skinny Pimp continues to credit with her name and uses a high-pitched voice to make the tapes.

Lady B — Something for the Streets

Entirely produced by Skinny Pimp, who released it with his label Gimisum Productions, this is the first cassette realized by the Memphis rapper Lady Bee, also affiliated with the Triple 6 Mafia, like almost all native Memphis rappers, practically.

Big Daddy Kane — Daddy's Home

Studio album number six in seven years for Big Daddy Kane, who for the first time in his career leaves Cold Chillin' and signs with MCA. Production is mainly done by Big Daddy Kane and Easy Mo Bee, as well as LG, DJ Premier, Da Rock, Crush, Kool T, and several instrumentalists. Big Scoob is the main guest of the edition, also present in the famous posse "Show & Prove" together with Sauce Money, Shyheim, Jay-Z and Ol' Dirty Bastard.

Lords of the Underground — Keepers of the Funk

Marley Marl and K-Def also produce the second album of Lords of the Underground, a year after their brilliant debut. The group from Raleigh, North Carolina, co-produces the project and brings Supreme C and Sah-B as the only guests of the edition.

Racionais MC's — Raio X Brasil

First studio album by Brazilian hip-hop group Racionais MC's, on their third effort in four years after two EPs. Mano Brown, Edi Rock and Ice Blue perform the lyrics over DJ KL Jay's beats.

Playa Fly — Just Gettin It On

Second tape by Ibn Young aka Playa Fly, already Lil Fly shortly before (not to confuse with another rapper called Lil Fly, aka Gary Hudson, rapper from San Francisco, California). Controversially dropped by the Triple Six Mafia, he releases all his frustration through this cassette that focuses mainly on dissing the group. The material is concentrated in just over forty minutes and seven tracks (+ two skits): the rap is quick, honest, good most of the time, on a production of irregular quality, sometimes difficult, not accessible, due to elements that are too rough, squeaky or bad. Other rhythms, made by Playa Fly aka Mr. I-B-N and Tallo, are more melodic, with jazz samples, and Fly spits better, as in the title track, the best track. In rapping there are some solid performers such as Gangsta Blac, Terror, Lil Ced and a very young Yo Gotti aka Lil Yo on his debut in rap.

Rating: 6/10.

Da Koopsta Knicca — The Devil's Playground

Debut cassette of Robert "Koopsta Knicca" Phillips, rapper from Memphis and member of the Three 6 Mafia from 1994 to 2000.

Lil Fly — From da Darkness of da Kut EP

Ibn Young debuted in hip-hop in 1993 with this EP, released by independent under the name of Lil Fly (later known as Playa Fly; not to confuse with another rapper called Lil Fly, aka Gary Hudson, rapper from San Francisco, California), affiliated with the Three 6 Mafia and part of the group until 1995, when he left the group due to some disputes with the other members.

Al Kapone — Sinista Funk

Third, probably third studio album by Memphis rapper Al Kapone, who in the crowded city cassette scene managed to stand out from all the others thanks to his original sound.

IAM — ... de la planète Mars

Second album by IAM, it has an excellent production and a good lyricism, one of the first political rap documents in French hip hop. It's a great LP with a fair replay value despite its twenty-three tracks and one hour of listening.

LUVNY — The Snake Tape EP

Two years after their first album, hip-hop supergroup LUV NY returns with a new lineup featuring AG, Kool Keith, Dave Dar, Kurious, Lord Tariq, and L Fudge. Roc Marciano and OC are no longer present. Ray West produces the entire album. Additional beats are provided by Menocal, Cresstal, Billy Gomez, Phil Motta, and King of Chill.

Shanté — The Bitch is Back

Three years after her debut, Shanté renounces her name and publishes her sophomore. The excellent team of producers, including Kool G Rap, Mister Cee, Large Professor, Grand Daddy IU, Grandmaster Flash and yes, even the Trakmasterz can't build a cohesive and good soundscape: the music is just decent, with simple, light, lo-fi funky-jazzy rhythms. The Queensbridge legend's lyricism is aggressive, spitting bars with a decent slow syncopated style, and attacking her female rivals for the title of best MC in the game. There's some commercial attempt (the soulful chorus in "Gotta Be Free", the extravagant reggae-sque hook in "Dance to This") badly done, and in the finale Shanté accelerates the delivery on frantic rhythms. The only track that stands out from the others is the initial one, with G Rap opening the record to a frenetic, lean and simple production, with a lean tight syncopated and minimal drum: the back and forth delivery of Kool G Rap and Shanté is smooth and good, but the rest of the project suffers from this initial supremacy. 6/10.