Presents the Carnival Featuring the Refugee Allstars
Artist: Wyclef Jean
Community Score: 7.84
Poly Sci
Artist: John Forté

As a protegé of hip-hop supergroup the Fugees, and a member of adjunct group the Refugee All Stars, John Forte exhibits the same intriguing mix of street and mainstream culture that helped the band rise above all prescribed boundaries. Poly Sci displays the same pumpin' beats blended with pop elements and articulate lyrics, that made... Read More

Greatest Hits
Artist: DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
Community Score: 7.50

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince actually turned out better albums than many of their pop-rap contemporaries, but like their peers, they excelled at singles, not albums. That's what makes the appearance of Greatest Hits welcome. Although it has its flaws -- the sublime "Summertime" is here twice, but only as an "Extended Club Mix" and a "'98... Read More

Still Standing
Artist: Goodie Mob
Community Score: 8.00

Goodie Mob's debut album was a production masterpiece that ranks as perhaps the most Southern-sounding Southern rap album ever recorded; similarly, lead rapper Cee-Lo is one of the most Southern MCs on record, with a raspy, nasal, rural-sounding drawl that's utterly distinctive. The follow-up album, Still Standing, is mostly more of the same... Read More

Welcome to Our World
Artist: Timbaland & Magoo
Community Score: 8.84

Welcome to Our World is one of the better rap debuts of 1997, establishing Timbaland & Magoo as gifted hip-hop musicians in their own right. The pair had previously written or produced tracks for such stars as Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott and Ginuwine, and the spare, kinetic beats of "Supa Dupa Fly" and "Pony" are a good indication of what's... Read More

In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
Artist: Jay-Z
Community Score: 7.20

After the death of friend and compatriot the Notorious B.I.G. in early 1997, Jay-Z made his claim for the title of best rapper on the East Coast (or anywhere) with his sophomore shot, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. Though the productions are just a bit flashier and more commercial than on his debut, Jay-Z remained the tough street rapper, and even... Read More

The Journey
Artist: Immature
Community Score: 7.50

When Immature debuted in 1992 with On Our Worst Behavior, there were those who compared the preteen urban contemporary trio to the Jackson Five and early New Edition...By the time The Journey came out in 1997, the members of Immature were 15 and had improved somewhat. Lead vocalist Marques "Batman" Houston hadn't turned into a great singer by... Read More

No Way Out - CLEAN
Artist: Puff Daddy & the Family
Community Score: 10.00

Before releasing his first solo album, Puff Daddy (aka Sean "Puffy" Combs) was famous as the producer of the Notorious B.I.G., Junior Mafia, Craig Mack, Lil' Kim, and many other rappers. As he was making his solo debut, the Notorious B.I.G. was murdered, and that loss weighs heavily on Puff's mind throughout No Way Out. Even though the album has... Read More

The Flip Squad All-Star DJs
Artist: The Flip Squad All-Star DJs

Employing eight hip-hop DJs (including Funkmaster Flex, DJ Hollywood and Mister Cee) and various East Coast rappers (most notably, Luvbug Starski and the goofy Biz Markie), the Flipsquad All Star DJs are the rap equivalent of a hard bop jam session. Just as jazz saxmen and trumpeters would tend to be especially extroverted at a jam session show... Read More