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Fugees – The Score [1996]

Rollie September 15, 2011 29

We look at the 1996 classic from L-Boogie, Wyclef, & Pras

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper [1988]

Saule Wright September 9, 2011 9

Don't sleep on Jazz & The Prince

Jay-Z – Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life [1998]

DuB September 2, 2011 31

We take a look at Jigga's 1998 classic

Blu & Exile – Below The Heavens [2007]

Arkitekt August 11, 2011 5

Arkitekt takes a look at Blu & Exile's 2007 classic

DMX – It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot [1998]

Saule Wright May 23, 2011 7

Damn shame what happened to flip

Fabolous – Ghetto Fabolous [2001]

DuB November 2, 2010 14

2001 was the year that I recognized how head over heels in love with Hip-Hop I was. This may seem odd knowing some of the adversities we as American people had to overcome during

DJ Quik – Quik Is the Name [1991]

Saule Wright October 19, 2010 7

The big homie SBK and myself were having a good discussion on twitter during BET’s Top 10 Rappers show. The subject of classic material came up, to which I stated that there are 2

Lil’ Wayne – Tha Carter II [2005]

DuB October 4, 2010 18

Many people have made the point that Lil’ Wayne has no business being considered a top tier rapper because he has no classic album. People just like those once said the same thing about

Cam’ron had a gold debut album, Confessions Of Fire. He had a platinum third album, the Rock-a-Fella debut, Come Home With Me. Both records were successful but his sophmore album S.D.E. (Sex, Drugs, & Entertainment)

Slick Rick – The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick [1988]

Saule Wright June 29, 2010 9

Without this album, a lot of rappers would never have come to be. Albums went from party jams and braggadocios delusions of grandeur (shout out to Rick James) to the artistry of storytelling and

Gang Starr – Moment Of Truth [1998]

Arkitekt April 28, 2010 2

Guru a.k.a Keith Elam passed away last week (April 19th, 2010) from myeloma cancer. Guru was an inspiration to several rappers with his witty lyrics and fresh laid-back style. Some people underrate Guru as

The Pharcyde – Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde [1992]

Arkitekt March 22, 2010 3

Another 90’s west coast album gets the Classic Material nod this time around. Similar to 93 ‘Til Infinity, this record was released way ahead of its time. When the “gangsta rap” image was starting

Kanye West – Graduation [2007]

B-Easy March 12, 2010 23

Too soon to call Kanye West’s Graduation a classic album? Not at all. A few years ago when we first opened up the doors here at nappyafro, Graduation was one of the first albums

Souls Of Mischief – 93 ‘Til Infinity [1993]

Arkitekt December 11, 2009 5

In 1991, the group Souls of Mischief was formed out of Oakland, California. The group was created in High School, and consisted of A-Plus, Opio, Phesto D, and Tajai. Two years later

Black Star – Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star [1998]

SBK October 22, 2009 5

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

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

SBK September 25, 2009 16

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

Mobb Deep – The Infamous [1995]

SBK July 21, 2009 25

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

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

H20 July 17, 2009 2

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

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

H20 June 19, 2009 2

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

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

B-Easy June 16, 2009 21

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

Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP [2000]

B-Easy June 9, 2009 13

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

Warren G – Regulate…G Funk Era [1994]

B-Easy May 25, 2009 4

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

Blackalicious – Nia [1999]

Kareem Abdul Jamar April 3, 2009 5

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

Outkast – ATLiens [1996]

B-Easy February 27, 2009 13

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

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