Classic Material: Black Star|Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star [1998]

In looking at the past Classic Material entries I was very surprised to see that this album wasn’t included in the listing. An album that did more for Hip-Hop’s reconstruction on the eve of the deaths of 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. in the late 1990’s Read more

Big L|Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous [1995]

While going through my computer the other day and waiting for Skyzoo’s debut album The Salvation to be released next Tuesday, I came across a Rewind Review that I had started writing three months ago but never finished. The selected album was one of my Read more

Mobb Deep|The Infamous [1995]

Just as H2O mentioned in his Classic Material write up for De La Soul’s classic De La Soul Is Dead album in that no De La Soul album had been previously selected for the column, the same can be said about Mobb Deep Read more

De La Soul|De La Soul Is Dead [1991]

I noticed that none of De La Soul’s records have made in our Classic Material page, and I immediately decided to change that. A lot of you fans are gonna say: “What! De La Soul is Dead?!? Why didn’t 3 Feet High and Rising get any love?” We’ll get to 3 Feet High and Rising in time Read more

Ol’ Dirty Bastard|Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version [1995]

I was listening to this album as I was preparing for my final exams coming up this week, and in many ways, Ol’ Dirty Bastard was the Lil’ Wayne of today. That comparison definitely doesn’t do ODB any justice at all; he was one of the originators of what we call Hip-Hop today Read more

Makaveli|The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory [1996]

Back in the day, I would do all I could to not co-sign any music by 2Pac. Let me explain. I was, and still am, a huge Notorious B.I.G. fan; especially in 1996. It’s seems stupid now, but in the battle between Biggie and Tupac, I clearly went with the King of NY Read more

Eminem|The Marshall Mathers LP [2000]

The other day I realized something. After all the hype over Eminem’s latest album Relapse, I’m still not sure if I like it. Not to say it’s bad album; Slim Shady still has arguably the best flow on the planet. There’s just something that doesn’t grab me Read more

Warren G|Regulate…G Funk Era [1994]

In the 90’s, when the West Coast was dominant in rap music, I think the majority people only remember Death Row. While Suge & company did run Hip-Hop at the time, I think people forget about a Warren G Read more

Blackalicious|Nia [1999]

Nia. It’s been you the whole time. Nia is the girl in high school who was the complete package, but got overlooked by the head cheerleader. Nia is the advice you didn’t take; later appreciated when it’s too late to apply it Read more

Outkast|ATLiens [1996]

Have you ever listened to an album that was so good that every time you listened to the album your favorite song from the album would change? Okay, let me explain better: One day it’s this song and then the next day it’s another? Read more

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