Picture This
Artist: Do or Die
Community Score: 10.00

Do or Die's 1996 full-length debut Picture This followed the success of their single "Po Pimp" with more bass-heavy gangsta grooves and more of Tung Twista's smooth, rapid-fire rapping. Along with "Po Pimp," "Money Flow," "Kill or Be Killed," "Shut 'Em Down," and "Paperchase" are some of the album's best examples of the group's soul-inflected... Read More

The Master - CLEAN
Artist: Rakim

When you've been named the best rapper ever in countless readers' and critics' polls, it must be easy to get a bit complacent. And as a veteran who's been on the mic since 1985 (yes, there are several rappers who weren't even on the earth back then), it also must be easy to make a few concessions to all the rappers and delivery styles that have... Read More

Rap Life
Artist: Tash
Community Score: 9.00

As one-third of the California rap trio, (Tha Alkaholiks), (Tash) has been responsible for some of the most raucous and rowdy lyrical gems ever laid down by any West Coast crew. But in 1999, (Tash) branched out on his own for a solo debut, and committed his talents towards broadening the hip hop audience with his own brand of smooth, yet... Read More

Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryder's First Lady
Artist: Eve
Community Score: 7.32

The full title of Eve's full-length debut is Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady for a reason. The Philadelphia rapper sets out to prove she's earned her place in the Ruff Ryders crew, matching rhymes, raunch, and rounds with the hardest hardass. Minimal beats laced with synthesized strings and keyboards back traditional hip-hop brag... Read More

Classic 220
Artist: 2nd II None
Community Score: 10.00

Thanks to the success of Arista's hip-hop reissue compilation Profilin' the Hits, the duo 2nd II None earned a contract with the label and recorded a second album, eight full years after their debut. Produced by long-time friend DJ Quik as well as 2nd II None themselves, Classic 220 keeps the vibe old-school. Even though the production and beats... Read More

The RZA Hits
Artist: RZA
Community Score: 8.75

Perhaps the best overall introduction to the dauntingly large Wu-Tang universe, RZA Hits is an excellent singles compilation covering the first round of Wu projects -- their debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and the five solo albums recorded in its wake. The material here traces the Wu's rise from underground heroes to full-fledged stardom... Read More

In Our Lifetime, Vol. 1
Artist: Eightball & MJG
Community Score: 9.43

Aging does not become most hip-hop artists, nor do reunions. However, there are always exceptions that prove the rule and, apparently, In Our Lifetime, Vol. 1 is one of those cases. Eightball & MJG went on hiatus in 1998, and they both released solo albums that weren't bad but weren't particularly noteworthy, either. Their reunion on In Our... Read More

A Prince Among Thieves
Artist: Prince Paul
Community Score: 8.32

The concept album has been something of a rare beast in hip-hop. There have been plenty of rap albums with a cinematic feel, but very few actually tie things together with a coherent narrative throughout. Leave it to Prince Paul, long one of hip-hop's most imaginative producers, to assemble the first successful rap opera in A Prince Among... Read More

Da Next Level
Artist: Mr. Serv-On

The phrase "taking it to the next level" is one of the perennial rap cliches, nearly as ubiquitous as "throw your hands in the air" or calling out for everyone in the house to say "yo." That alone would make an album called Da Next Level something of a joke, but it seems especially funny coming from a No Limit soldier, since Master P's posse is... Read More

Militia
Artist: Militia
Community Score: 10.00

Militia's eponymous debut album is a skillful fusion of hardcore East Coast hip-hop and funky West Coast gangsta rap that manages to be distinctive. From time to time, they fall back on both lyrical and musical clichés, but that happens only occasionally. More frequently, the Bay Area crew pulls everything together. The members of the crew come... Read More

Kaleidoscope
Artist: Kelis
Community Score: 8.36

This release showcases the development of a great talent. The album's flaws stem from steps taken backward toward what one could call "mainstream" R&B. It's when Kelis and her production team create tracks that best fit her voice and uniqueness that the end results are outstanding. Although comparisons to Neneh Cherry are inevitable, she does... Read More