Mo Thugs Family Scriptures
Artist: Mo Thugs Family
Community Score: 8.63
The Collection, Vol. 1
Artist: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Community Score: 8.49

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony had only released two albums and an EP, plus a handful of side projects, when they released Collection, Vol. 1 in the fall of 1998. Usually, that would be the sign of a rip-off, but since their albums have been notoriously uneven, this functions as a useful summary for both casual and hardcore fans alike, since it contains... Read More

The Collection, Vol. 1 - CLEAN
Artist: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

Bone Thugs-n-Harmony had only released two albums and an EP, plus a handful of side projects, when they released Collection, Vol. 1 in the fall of 1998. Usually, that would be the sign of a rip-off, but since their albums have been notoriously uneven, this functions as a useful summary for both casual and hardcore fans alike, since it contains... Read More

Stupid Doo Doo Dumb
Artist: Mac Dre
Community Score: 9.50

Due to various legal troubles, Mac Dre didn't have the opportuntity to deliver a full-fledged follow-up to his second album, Young Black Brotha, until 1998 -- five years after YBB was released. The resulting record, Stupid Doo Doo Dumb, doesn't quite live up to its predecessor, mainly because it's missing the production of Khayree. His... Read More

The Shadiest One
Artist: WC
Community Score: 5.73

As his first solo release since Westside Connection's hit effort, The Shadiest One was positioned as WC's breakthrough to the major league of rap superstars. The hardcore edge that dominated his earlier releases with the Maad Circle has been tamed somewhat, so he can reach a wider audience. Of course, he still retains his gangsta image, relying... Read More

Life After Death - CLEAN
Artist: The Notorious B.I.G.
Community Score: 5.00

It may have taken the Notorious B.I.G. a few years to follow up his milestone debut, Ready to Die (1994), with another album, but when he did return with Life After Death in 1997, he did so in a huge way. The ambitious album, intended as somewhat of a sequel to Ready to Die, picking up where its predecessor left off, sprawled across the span of... Read More

Lunitik Muzik
Artist: The Luniz

The Luniz' name is pronounced "loonies," and the Oakland rap duo lives up to that name on Lunitik Muzik, one of the most memorable rap releases of 1997. This eccentric effort must be taken for exactly what it is -- wild, nutty, outrageous fun. When Yukmouth and Numskull (whose guests on the CD range from the 2 Live Crew, Too Short and Redman to... Read More

Based on a True Story
Artist: Mack 10
Community Score: 5.67

When Mack 10 returned in 1997 with his second album, Based on a True Story, the West Coast gangsta movement had began to simmer in the aftermath of Death Row's dissolution, 2Pac's death, Too Short's retirement, Dr. Dre's confusion, and Ice Cube's move to Hollywood. Mack gladly fills the void with a spirited album that's proudly Cali and proudly... Read More

My Soul
Artist: Coolio
Community Score: 6.40

Coolio's third album, My Soul, follows the same formula as its two predecessors, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Where others have failed as pop-rappers, Coolio succeeds because of his love of melody, message, and funky beats. My Soul lacks anything as monolithic as "Gangsta's Paradise," yet it has a more elaborate production, boasting... Read More

Collections: Bootlegs & G-Sides
Artist: 11/5
Life After Death
Artist: The Notorious B.I.G.
Community Score: 7.93

It may have taken the Notorious B.I.G. a few years to follow up his milestone debut, Ready to Die (1994), with another album, but when he did return with Life After Death in 1997, he did so in a huge way. The ambitious album, intended as somewhat of a sequel to Ready to Die, picking up where its predecessor left off, sprawled across the span of... Read More