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  Classic Album: Raekwon’s “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx” (Review & Video)

  Posted by Matt Juss on 03/14/11 |
  Filed under Top Stories, Features, Raekwon, Classic Albums

  Raekwon's debut album "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..." was released in 1995 to great critical acclaim and is considered one of the most creative and inventive hip-hop albums out there. The album is structured in a cinematic style and features Wu-Tang members Ghostface Killah as the "guest-star," and producer RZA as the "director."See more...

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  Classic Album: Scarface’s “The Diary” (Review & Video)

  Posted by Matt Juss on 03/02/11 |
  Filed under Features, Classic Albums, Scarface

  As time went on all the members of the group started working on solo careers. While the group didn't break-up exactly, once Scarface started working on his solo material, it was clear he was meant for some bigger things than just the Geto Boys. Simply put, his third album "The Diary" is a classic. See more...See more...

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  Classic Album: The Roots, “Do You Want More?!!!??!” (Review & Video)

  Posted by Matt Juss on 02/23/11 |
  Filed under Top Stories, Features, The Roots, Classic Albums

  After releasing "From the Ground Up" EP in 1994, the group went to work on their first official studio album, which showed off how truly skilled they were at combining elements of hip-hop, jazz, and live instruments. Unlike some other artists, the group didn't use the combination as a commercial gimmick, instead they fuse the two together to great a new genre in itself and a sound that is truly intoxicating. See more...See more...

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  Classic Album: Ghostface Killah’s “Supreme Clientele” (Review & Video)

  Posted by Matt Juss on 02/16/11 |
  Filed under Features, Ghostface Killah, Classic Albums

  While albums from RZA, GZA, Method Man, and Raekwon were all commercially successful, they were not quite as close to critically acclaimed as their debuts. But one member of the group bucked this trend, emphatically improving on his second effort, the album "Supreme Clientele" from Ghostface Killah. See more...See more...

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  Classic Album: Mobb Deep’s “The Infamous” (Review & Video)

  Posted by Matt Juss on 02/11/11 |
  Filed under Features, Classic Album, Mobb Deep

  When the group Mobb Deep first landed on the hip-hop scene they didn't make much of an impression. But two years after releasing an album critics deemed basically meaningless to the hip-hop genre, the group released "The Infamous" to widespread acclaim and helped fuel the reemergence of East Coast rap. See more...See more...

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  Classic Album: Common’s “Be” (Review & Video)

  Posted by Matt Juss on 12/21/10 |
  Filed under Features, Classic Album

  Way back in the year 2000, Common released his fourth album "Like Water for Chocolate" and received great reviews as well as solid sales results. The recognition from the album elevated Common to a point where he was on the cusp of mainstream success and stardom. So two years later when he was set to release his next album, anticipation and expectations were very high. See more...See more...

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  Classic Album: Big Pun’s “Capital Punishment” (Review & Video)

  Posted by Matt Juss on 12/14/10 |
  Filed under Top Stories, Features, Big Pun, Classic Albums

  The most significant moment of Big Pun's early career came when he met rapper Fat Joe, who gave him his first chance to be a star, a move that paid off in ways neither of the two could have imagined. Although he passed away only two years after releasing his debut, Big Pun left a huge impact on the industry, becoming the first solo Latino rapper to have his album go platinum. That album was the 1998 release "Capital Punishment". See more...See more...

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  Classic Album: Busta Rhymes’ “When Disaster Strikes” (Review & Video)

  Posted by Matt Juss on 12/09/10 |
  Filed under Features, Busta Rhymes, Classic Albums

  Bursting on the scene as a solo artist in 1996, Busta rose to the status of hip-hop superstar on the strength of his debut album "The Coming", which was a huge commercial and critical success. The album peaked at number 6 on the Billboard 200 and one of the tracks was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. See more...See more...

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  Classic Album: DMX’s “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot” (Review & Video)

  Posted by Matt Juss on 11/23/10 |
  Filed under Top Stories, Features, Classic Albums, DMX

  In the mid-90s the hip-hop community was reeling. Everyone was still dealing with the tragic deaths of both 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. Hip-hop was waiting for something to happen, for someone to take the flag from those fallen stars and continue to bring hardcore rap into the new century. Whether it was out of anger, frustration or timing, DMX was that man. See more...See more...

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  Classic Album: Boogie Down Production’s “Criminal Minded” (Review & Video)

  Posted by Matt Juss on 11/09/10 |
  Filed under Features, Classic Albums, KRS-ONE

  When Kris Parker (KRS-One) met social worker Scott Sterling (Scott La Rock) while homeless and staying at a group home, neither could have known how far their collaboration would go, and the impact on the game they would leave. Originally comprised of the trio (KRS-One, D-Nice and DJ Scott La Rock), Boogie Down Productions helped lay down the foundation of what would become true gangsta rap on their debut album, "Criminal Minded". See more...See more...

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  Classic Album: Notorious B.I.G.‘s “Ready to Die” (Review & Video)

  Posted by Matt Juss on 11/02/10 |
  Filed under Features, Classic Album, Notorious B.I.G.

  When writing about such an iconic album and artist it's hard to remember that there was a time that Notorious B.I.G. was at one time an up-and-coming rapper, unsure of how successful he'd become. Biggie was only a kid, 21 years old when he started recording his debut album, "Ready to Die". At the time no one knew that album would change the course of hip-hop history. See more...See more...

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  Classic Album: Ice Cube’s “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted” (Review & Video)

  Posted by Matt Juss on 10/19/10 |
  Filed under Top Stories, Features, Classic Album, Ice Cube

  Using notebooks full of songs he had planned to use for N.W.A, Ice Cube brought on a fierce, determined attitude to his solo debut, crafting an album that is considered to be one of the most defining hip-hop records of the '90s. Released in May 1990, "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" was filled with social and cultural commentary, along with Cube's fierce and determined raps. See more...See more...