Lord Finesse-Return Of The Funky Man

An argument can certainly be made that Finesse's finest opus is The Awakening. The production is far more complex and the rhymes have far more substance than Finesse's sophomore effort Return Of The Funky Man. At the same time, sample driven boom-bap production was nothing new for the mid-90's, and battle rapps were getting tired with the quickness. Instead of cashing in on the mafioso styles that were dominating hip-hop at the time, Lord Finesse adhered to his boom-bap, punchline-laden rapps, and probably missed out on props and profit.
With all that in mind, Return Of The Funky Man was a very innovative album for it's time. In early 92, very few people were familiar with Show & AG, Diamond D, L and the rest of the DITC crew that made rare breaks and posse cuts fashionable in the underground. Far from just being innovative, Return Of The Funky Man is one of those records that sounds 10x gullier and more raw just because of the simplistic production and lighthearted rapps.
In the above review, Matty C provides a fairly succinct synopsis of Return Of The Funky Man with: "Finesse never steers too far away from how funky he is, and how people that used to dis him are catching the vapors these days".

Choice Cuts:

Fat For The 90's


Show 'Em How We Do Things


Praise The Lord


Isn't He Something


Hey, Look At Shorty


Where To Cop From:
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Will Vill-The Arrival

I copped this album on a nondescript note a year or so back. Definitely did not do so because of the album art, believe that. Still, beneath the two-second Photoshop, you'll find one of the truest opuses of the '2000's. Will Vill has an special ability to articulate his thoughts with numerous literary devices that 'intellectuals' deem valuable in prose. Will Vill brings these techniques onto wax, and introduces the listener to various forms of alliteration and complex rhyme schemes. Like the first time older heads heard Rakim rhyme.
Anyway, this album is on an strong underground tip, and the production somewhat shows that it wasn't recorded on an large budget. However, Will Vill will drown out all those problems as soon as he starts putting words to the beat. This album might be a grower, but once you recognize The Arrival for the classic that it is, you'll regret that Mr. Vill hasn't done much since.

Choice Cuts:

Outshine The Sun/Dreams Of Getting Murdered


When I Come Home


Front Page


Headlock On Satan (starts 4:20 in)


Where To Cop From:
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Word, shit's somewhat hard to find. Hopefully this link doesn't die.

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Coop MC-Home Of The Killers

Not many people know about this album, which is a damn shame, since this shit is straight classic from intro to outro. Coop MC was a Texas based rapp slanger, who used a great deal of G-Funk among his gangsta-derived rhymes.
I can imagine there's countless TX classics from the mid-90's, but what makes Home Of The Killers so special is the adaptation of so many styles. Shit's laid-back in an almost indescribable manner, and is accompanied by the funkiest breaks one will ever lay ears on. Most importantly, Coop MC stays consistent for 12 straight jawns, and never duplicates the previous song, always bringing something new to the table.
Although the R&B hooks are type trite, this shit is easily worth the download, and probably worth your monies if you can find it at a reasonable price.

Choice Cuts:

Hangin' At 2


Real


Home Of The Killers


Where To Cop From:
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Yeah, shit's somewhat hard to find.

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Main Source-Fuck What You Think

For all the recognition that Breaking Atoms attains, Main Source crafted their true opus in the oft-uttered Fuck What You Think. Although there are no classic cuts like Live At The Barbeque or metaphor-based street tales like Just A Friendly Game Of Baseball, Fuck What You Think is by far the more cohesive and succinct album, one might even call it 'doper'. Due to group conflict, Main Source's second album was stocked and subsequently shelved within the same year. Large Pro re-released it in '99, and it had the same effect as when Xtra P re-released his own The LP this year, or when Q-Tip liberated Kamaal The Abstract. If an album is not released within it's proper time frame it loses value to the majority of it's consumers. The LP was kind of weak sauce, but if Kamaal The Abstract were to be released in '96 by Geffen, it would have provided an medium between his ATCQ work and Amplified.
The same can be said for Fuck What You Think, and almost every other album. Can you imagine if Illmatic or Ready To Die were shelved and released in '99? Would they still achieve the same level of adoration? It's hard to say, but I believe it's worth the 40 some minutes to hear an album that probably should be mentioned alongside the other '94 classics. You think not? Fuck What You Think.

Choice Cuts:
Down Low


Set It Off (feat. Shaqueen, Sheek Louch, & Jadakiss)


What You Need


Where To Cop From:
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AZ-Doe Or Die

One of my favorite emcees, and of the most underrated lyricists to ever clutch a mic, released two albums in '09; G.O.D. and Legendary. For some reason, every single review I read in regards to either album had a reference to Doe Or Die. 14 years later, every reviewer expects Anthony Cruz to match/upscale his legendary mafioso manifesto.
Doe Or Die, upon first listen, is a good album undeserving of the hype given to young AZ after his (un)godly performance on Illmatic. When you drop one of hip hop's most cherished verses, anything short of Illmatic Vol.2 is a dissapointment. However, AZ went his own route for this album, developing a mafioso persona (that would later be adopted by Nas for It Was Written) and achieving an upbeat sound due to the Pete Rock/L.E.S./Buckwild/DR Period.... instrumentals. The rhymes he kicks are far more, how would you say, downbeat, minimal optimism and a full dose of rawness.

Choice Cuts:
Uncut Raw


Gimme Yours feat. Nas


Rather Unique


Doe Or Die


Where To Cop From:
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Cannibal Ox- The Cold Vein

When I heard this a few years ago, I completely abhorred it. It sounded like some weak-ass anticon shit or the garbage that El-P has a tendency of cosigning. After giving it a little time, I listened to The Cold Vein again, and I found a foreign world hidden inside the intricate El-P instrumentals. Vast Aire and Vordul Mega illustrate imaginative stories that are unlike any of the hip hop lore you have heard before.
Imagine Deltron 3030 from an east-coast perspective equipped with a strong undercurrent of Def Jux. Futuristic doesn't begin to describe it, there's a labyrinth of obscurity and nerd rap on this album that's nearly impossible to find elsewhere. If that's your thing, you should give this one a listen, for the purer heads, you might want to listen with a grain of salt, or not listen at all.

Choice Cuts:

A B-Boy's Alpha


Scream Phoenix


Stress Rap


Where To Cop From:
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Tragedy Khadafi- Thug Matrix

If you couldn't already tell I was a Tragedy Khadafi stan. Not to stay on dude's dick but he's easily one of the nicest to ever come out of NYC, if not the whole world. That said, his albums are continually remarkably unremarkable. Half the jawns are ill beyond measure and the other half sound like leftovers from The War Report.
Inexplicably, Thug Matrix delivers where most Trag albums fail. Rather than go for a coastal sound or an album that would reach multiple audiences, Tragedy went for the rugged-est sound he could find. Look at the production credits for this album. Havoc, Alchemist, Scram Jones, Ayatollah. Admittedly, there are quite a few no-names but their productions are illin' too.
Real talk, this is easily one of the best releases of the '00's in the genre of raw NYC boom-bap. You'd be doing yourself a large disfavor by sleepin' on this one. Trust.

Not choice cuts, but rather the only cuts I could find on YouTube. So take this dopeness with a grain of salt, knowing Thug Matrix has even better shits:
No Equivalent (feat. Cormega)


Aura


Blinded By Science (feat. Havoc)


Stay Free (Feat. Littles)


Where To Cop From:
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Xzibit- At The Speed Of Life

It's funny how most people know X to the Z as the charismatic Pimp My Ride host rather than a lyrical-lasher who traded verses with the best on the left coast. There was an ill-fated group called the Golden State Warriors which would have combined Saafir, Ras Kass, and Xzibit into one. Saafir was never my favorite rhymer, but Rassy and X together would/could have been deadly.
On that point, it was At The Speed Of Life which established Xzibit's lyrical presence and his need for speed. Another classic from the mid-90's, for the solid production and Xzibit's willingness to throw savage flows all over the mostly unknown beats that grace his solo debut. It's not the most entertaining album you'll ever hear, nor is it the most lovable or memorable, but once you hear At The Speed Of Life, you'll want to hear it again.

Choice Cuts:
At The Speed Of Life


Paparazzi


The Foundation


Carry The Weight


Where To Cop From:
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Nas- Illmatic

Despite the fact everyone's heard this album, that doesn't make it any worse for audio. Illmatic defines the hip hop bucket list. Bible, holy grail, whatever you want to call it, go ahead.

Choice Cuts:
The whole fuggin' thing. Stream here.

Cop it here:
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Goodies:
The homie Ivan went all out on Illmatic b-sides, remixes and the like. Check it here.
The legendary DL of FDB threw together this crazy deconstruction of Illmatic samples and whatnot. Peep it here.
An extremely unheralded write-up from what an incredibly knowledgeable individual. Here.
And the god Guy Fawkes did this intrinsic review a while back. Shit's major here.
FWMJ's breakdown on the making of Illmatic, here.

There's more, click here.

Blu & Exile- Below The Heavens

There's something inside me that really wants to hate this album. Something that says there's no possible way any album released in the last few years could ever be considered 'classic'.
But Below The Heavens is on par with the greats. A classic? Not just yet, but an quality auditory experience? Sure.
Upon hearing this album, few people knew the introspective rapper who claims to be 'your girlfriend's favorite color (minus the e)', and even fewer people knew of the supremely gifted and innovative DJ Exile. Exile has to be one of the illest in the business right now, Radio made sure of that. Whereas Blu has always made dope records. Even his newer material is solid, but it lacks that extra snare or kick that you could find on BTH.
Most importantly, is the consistency. Too many records these days are half-filler, half-listenable. That's where Below The Heavens' greatness lies. It's an incredibly cohesive album, which renders the feat doubly impressive. And even though I hate this line, Below The Heavens truly takes you on a journey through the life of Blu, while surrounded by Exile's beautiful soundscapes.

Choice Cuts:
The World is (Below the Heavens)


So(ul)Amazing


In Remembrance of Me


The Narrow Path


Where To Cop From:
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Brand Nubian- Everything Is Everything

Brand Nubian is easily one of the most slept-on groups of the 90's. Go down the list, and you won't find one subpar album. Not one. They started off as a politically conscious group preaching a disciple of Islam. After that album they became increasingly volatile and hateful, especially towards the ghey's (see Punks Jump Up To Get Beat Down). Even though sounds like a bad thing, the edgy rhymes proved to be a good thing, because it led to Everything Is Everything.
This was the third Brand Nubian album, and it consisted only of Sadat X, Lord Jamar, and DJ Sincere. Without Grand Puba and DJ Alamo, Brand Nub perfected the slow-flowin' gangsta. The production was phenomenal, and the vibe was one of thorough death rap.
Admittedly, this album is an acquired taste, much like the Gravediggaz or other feigned not-soft acts. Once you get a feel for Everything Is Everything, you will easily see it for the opus that it is.

Choice Cuts:

Gang Bang


Step Into Da Cipher


Claimin' I'm A Criminal


Down For The Real


Where To Cop From:
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Kool G Rap- 4,5,6

For such a significantly impactful genre as mafioso rap, there are surprisingly few records that can definitely be classified as mafioso. IWW, Doe Or Die, Cuban Linx, CNN, The Firm, Reasonable Doubt, and of course Kool G Rap. The fucking kool genius of rap.
True heads know that KGR is an unsung god among puny mortals, but there's a general disarray in ranking his top efforts. We can all agree that his work with Whoo Kid wasn't exactly classic, but still a solid effort. But what's better, his shits with DJ Polo? Or maybe when he was on his Giancana tip?
Personally, 4,5,6 is untouchable. There's a certain element of raw that only KGR can explore. Over minimalistic beats he tells stories of ghetto depravity that can really resonate in your soul and bang on your eardrums. Add that to the fact that 4,5,6 is succinct and a practically skip-less album that speaks volumes about the state of hip hop in the mid-90's and really foreshadows the great underground NYC scene in the late 90's/early '00's. Lastly, you need to check this album if only for MF Grimm who tears the mic to shreds on his two guest spots.

Choice Cuts:

Executioner Style


Take 'Em To War (Feat. MF Grimm & B1)


Blowin' Up In The World


Ghetto Knows


Where To Cop From:

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More goodies:

A review I did on this album quite a while back. My views have changed... significantly.
Original samples from K-Nott.

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Fonetiks- Sky Is Falling

I've had this one in the vaults for a good minute now, and it's worth unearthing. From my limited understanding, the Fonetiks are a group from Ottawa, Canada, and released Sky Is Falling back in '04.
First time I heard it, I immediately dismissed it as a cliche backpacker record with solid production. Luckily, I gave it a second listen and fell in love with Sky Is Falling. It's a great indie record that provides a consistent listen front to back. Most importantly, the anti-mainstream tirades are only prevalent on The Product, and the rest is a healthy blend of b-boy'isms and mid-90's samples. That's what I like most about the Fonetiks, you don't know exactly what to expect. These guys go from old Don Cartagena samples to a sound nearly identical to PUTS (People Under The Stairs). It's not a spectacular album by any means, but it's incredibly consistent, which should merit a place in your collection.

Choice Cuts:

Days And Nights


The Product


Sky Is Falling


Where To Cop From:
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Ghetto Philharmonic- Rhythm That We Give 'Em

I've been needing to write on Hip-Hop Be-Bop for so long, that it feels like each word for this post is a giant weight taken off of my back. No exaggeration, this album changed my perspective and my livelihood as a listener of all types of music.
Look at the cover. Remarkably simplistic if nothing else, and simplicity is always the true sign of an lost opus. And the cover speaks volumes about the music inside. Ghetto Philharmonic is officially recognized as an 'obscure jazz-rap duo' that released one album and a few 12 inchers and subsequently disbanded.
Now imagine a cross between a hard-spittin' Kool G Rap, a jazz-tinged Digable Planets & ATCQ, and the live instrumentation of The Roots. That was the Ghetto Philharmonic! The rhymes were 'funkier than an African cab-driver' and the beats would make Miles Davis proud. To add, G-Clef would switch from rapping to playing sax, while Sledge would do the same with trumpet.
The music they made is just half of the allure. The other half is the enigma. Hip-Hop Be-Bop sounds far ahead of it's time, even for '94, and consider the fact that this album had been pushed back for years due to delays. It would have simply sounded revolutionary back in '90 or '91, and the jazzy inclinations would have been groundbreaking for the late '80's. Also consider the stigma of only releasing one album in your whole career. Imagine if Nas would have only released Illmatic, or if Rae would have retired after Cuban Linx.
That's looking at it with 15 years of insight. Back in '94, Hip-Hop Be-Bop was a dope record with little promotion and less word-of-mouth, and in those 15 years, it became lost in the matrix.


Choice Cuts:
Don't Bite The Concept



The Man With The Gift Of Heft



Something 2 Funk About



Rhythm That We Give 'Em



Where To Cop From:
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You can stream most of the album om their Last.FM page.

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Prince Ali- I Miss 1994

I've been meaning to do this write-up for a good two months now, in fact I Miss 1994 was supposed to be the first induction for our bucket list. Not that it matters to anyone.
Anyway, this is an album by a Toronto based artist named Prince Ali. Someone I was completely unaware about until I heard a little ditty called Righteous Scrolls which featured Tragedy Khadafi. If you haven't yet heard it, click that link, it's one of the finest jazz-rap productions that will ever bless your ears. So, off the brute strength of that one record, I was compelled to dig further and see what type of other goodies Prince Ali might have recorded earlier in his career. And the most heralded was an jazzy ode to 1994, which was a must-cop and a free download from my understanding.
The most impressive part of this tape was the interludes. Instead of skits or talking about this and that, Ali takes an interlude as an opportunity to play some mellow jazz and lead right into the next jawn.
And when Prince Ali does handle the mic, he rips it to shreds in an old school manner. In the process, he sets an undeniable vibe that has been so far gone in years past. If you miss '94, you need this in your life. Trust.

Choice Cuts:

Drift


Incistroduction


Movements


Rap Author


Where to Cop From:
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Del Tha Funkee Homosapien-No Need For Alarm

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien is easily one of the most creative west-coast hip hop artists to ever touch a mic. As an lyricist he has styles upon styles. From unleashing his versatile flow upon jaw-shattering Dan The Automator instrumentals, to his slightly commercialized O'Shea Jackson influenced I Wish My Brother George Was Here, to the jazzy undercurrents of No Need For Alarm.
Although Del has an album for everyone and every mood, No Need For Alarm is my hands-down favorite. Commonly, artists reach their plateau on the debut and begin the steady decline on the sophomore album. No Need For Alarm is an opposite case study. Now, I Wish My Brother George Was Here is a certified west-coast classic, full of those bangin' funk-filled beats that were custom to California in the early 90's. And if that's your thing then by all means do what you need to track that album down.
No Need For Alarm marks the entrance of Del Tha flow magician. And those battle raps are great. Almost on some light-hearted, left-coast Big L shit. And did I mention the beats?

Choice Cuts:

You're In Shambles


No Need For Alarm


Boo Boo Heads


Wrong Place


Where To Cop From:
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Big L-Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous

Is it possible that a self-respecting hip hop listener (presumably, one that might visit this site) doesn't have this album? Big L's debut album solidified him alongside the other greats who shared the first part of his moniker.
One album was all it took. And you can hear why.
Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous is a definite east-coast record that has it's roots in horrorcore. Sounding like a cross between Brotha Lynch Hung and Boot Camp/Wu Tang. Whereas most classic albums depend equally on production as they do lyrics, this album features predictable instrumentals and is heavily dependent on L's battle rhymes. And while the production tends to be bland, it is still sufficient for L to kick all sorts of flows and punchlines. And if Showbiz, Finesse and Buckwild had thought to throw Lamont Coleman some of their better beats, this would be an album even more heavily ingrained in the tumulescence of the 90's.

Choice Cuts:

MVP


All Black


Street Struck


Where To Cop From:
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Count Bass D - Dwight Spitz

So i was trying to think of a track from dwight spitz to post, but i couldn't pick just one. Taking one and extracting it from the whole seems to makes it lose substance. So instead, i decided to post the whole album, along with a preview of one song. Count Bass D who also goes by the name Dwight Farrel, is quite an oddity in the hip hop world as he is one of the few who not only produce and rap, but he is classically trained in a few instruments. He took this knowledge of music and applied it to rap, which allows him to structure his songs in such a way that it stands out from most. He is also in the elite league of MPC freakers (think along the lines of exile). This album is probably my favorite of his and definitely worth your time. I present to you, count bass d - dwight spitz.



Count Bass D - Dwight Spitz

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Big Daddy Kane- Long Live The Kane

I feel it needs to be emphasized that although I'm an old-school head, I rarely enjoy anything recorded before 1988. Obviously there are exceptions, but for the most part, that's my statement and I'm sticking to it.
Big Daddy Kane's Long Live The Kane is cutting it close with an 1988 release date, but I can't even think of fronting on this album. This should be in everyone's top 10.
What lacks from most early releases is production. Beats often consisted of a bare bassline and a simple drum pattern looped together. Sorry, but I just can't listen to that, no matter how complex or witty the rhymes are. However, Long Live The Kane is not plagued by any production problems, in fact, it's probably one of the best-produced albums of the 80's period.
And on the topic of lyricism, well there is no debate. BDK was a fuggin' beast! The only possible complaint anyone could have is that Long Live The Kane is only 10 tracks long.

Raw (Remix)


Set It Off


Ain't No Half-Steppin'


Places To Cop From:
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The Roots- Illadelph Halflife

Where to start with this one?
For those unfortunately inexperienced with The Roots discography, this will be an eye-opener. Sure, the boys from Illadelph have always been known for experimenting in a multitude of different genres. Illadelph Halflife was the one and only album where The Roots captured a vibrant image of Philadelphia hip hop.
The production is superb on this album, not enough can be said about the vast range of emotions each instrumental conveys. But the unsung hero (if there is one), would have to be Black Thought. He delivered on an unprecedented lyrical scale, with eye-opening, skull-shattering verbal dexterity.
There are many reasons why you need this album, a holy recommendation from me should only be one. Cuts and links below:

Concerto Desparado


Clones


Episodes


Where To Cop From:

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