For the People
Artist: Boot Camp Clik
Community Score: 5.33
Doc's Da Name 2000
Artist: Redman
Community Score: 7.39

In 1998, rap music experienced a high level of commercial acceptance and exploitation, the magnitude of which had scarcely been seen before. Most major record labels embraced artists whose images and portrayals revolved around financial decadence, violence, and substance abuse. These are issues that have always been somewhere in the mix of... Read More

Tical 2000: Judgement Day
Artist: Method Man
Community Score: 7.34

Method Man's second solo recording is a harder album than his debut, much more focused on rap than the frequent R&B excursions that hit the pop charts on the original Tical. Though the emphasis on the hardcore makes for a better album, Method Man's own raps are often diluted by the staggering number of collaborations; as usual, almost all of the... Read More

Aquemini
Artist: OutKast
Community Score: 7.61

Even compared to their already excellent and forward-looking catalog, OutKast's sprawling third album Aquemini was a stroke of brilliance. The chilled-out space-funk of ATLiens had already thrown some fans for a loop, and Aquemini made it clear that its predecessor was no detour, but a stepping stone for even greater ambitions. Some of ATLiens'... Read More

Dirty Weaponry
Artist: Killarmy
Community Score: 7.96

With their second album, Dirty Weaponry, Killarmy makes great strides toward distinguishing themselves as an individual crew, not just a third-generation Wu-Tang relative. There's still traces of RZA and the Wu, to be sure, but the 4th Disciple's production has begun to develop its own identity, particularly in that his beats are fleshier and... Read More

Capital Punishment
Artist: Big Punisher
Community Score: 8.25

Big Punisher's debut album, Capital Punishment, established him as one of the stronger New York natives working hardcore territory toward the end of the '90s. He's a terrific lyricist with microphone technique to spare, and actually rhymes faster than his clear influence, the Notorious B.I.G.. He's also quite versatile, aiming for the dance... 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

First Family 4 Life
Artist: M.O.P.
Community Score: 8.25

Mash Out Posse return with another dose of that strictly underground N.Y. flavor. M.O.P. rely on no gimmicks, as Lil' Fame and Billy Danzenie continue to lick shots upside your head with reckless abandon. Sticking to their guns, M.O.P. refuse to soften their product in search of platinum plates. DJ Premier executive-produced this album and... Read More

Heavy Mental
Artist: Killah Priest
Community Score: 8.97

As one of the late-arriving members of the Wu-Tang Clan, perhaps it isn't surprising that Killah Priest doesn't follow the RZA blueprint as strictly as his peers. His debut record, Heavy Mental, uses the signature Wu sound as a foundation, stretching out RZA's impressionistic soundscapes with weird samples and drum loops. Nevertheless, Killah... Read More

The 18th Letter
Artist: Rakim
Community Score: 8.75

It took Rakim five years to begin his solo career, but the wait was worth it -- The 18th Letter is one of the strongest records a veteran rapper released in the late '90s. Working with a variety of producers (Pete Rock, Clark Kent, Father Shaheed, DJ Premier), Rakim sounds sharp, focused, and strong, rapping with a force unheard of on his... Read More

The Psycho Realm
Artist: The Psycho Realm
Community Score: 9.70

The Psycho Realm's eponymous debut album is an impressive collection of hardcore West Coast gangsta rap. Led by B Real, one of the masterminds behind Cypress Hill, the trio is a dark hardcore outfit -- there's genuine menace in their rhymes and music, which is why it hits so hard. Where other crews deal with cartoonish violence, the Psycho... Read More

Da Dirty 30
Artist: Cru

Although it runs a little long and is lacking in imagination, Cru's Da Dirty 30 is a solid debut from the hardcore rappers. Musically, Da Dirty 30 works the standard post-gangsta, hardcore territory -- there are deep bass grooves, but also menacing, skeletal soundscapes in the vein of the Wu-Tang Clan. Lyrically, Cru can be a little weak, but... Read More

RZA as Bobby Digital in Stereo
Artist: RZA
Community Score: 7.37

RZA's first solo album, the soundtrack to a film involving experimental self-transformation, has many of the same fractured strings and crisp, staccato beats he made trademarks on Wu-Tang Clan recordings. In fact, this could well be a Wu-Tang album, even more so than the legion of other related albums. The only contributors to the project... Read More