When Hip Hop was Hip Hop !!

From Jersey City, New Jersey. Heather B is most well known for being a cast member on The Real World: New York, the first season of MTV's reality show The Real World. In 1996 she released her first album, "Takin' Mine" and all I can say is her album is a banger from beginning to the end, no fillers just straight up hip hop music. I first heard of her on a DJ SNS mixtape and I thought to myself "who is this chick, she's hot." When the album came out you better believe I was first to cop it. Download link : Da Heartbreaka

Straight head nodding, tim boot wearing, champion hoodie music right here. Hailing out of Brooklyn, Jemini dropped this record back in 1994 if my memory serves me correct. I remember hearing this track on a Stretch Armstrong mix-tape and had this track on repeat. Some argue that this is just one of the many greatest underground joints !! Download link: Brooklyn Kid

This is one of my all time favorite records, off of the 1992 "Business Never Personal" album, EPMD featured verses from K-Solo and Redman, both members of EPMD's rap collective, The Hit Squad. The song was later sampled itself by the Ruff Ryders on "Ryde or Die", which served as the opening song on their debut album, Ryde or Die Vol. 1

Yo I remember this freestyle like it was yesterday off of DJ Clue's "Show Me the Money" mixtape and you better believe I still have the tape in my collection. "You must be chinese they way you duck sauce,"  that line single handily generated his buzz in the streets. As one of the original members of Rocafella, he released one album entitled " Middle Finger U" Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/?9t9sfdw341vq3ev Oh by the way Sauce Money won a Grammy for writing Puff Daddy's tribute to The Notorious B.I.G., "I'll Be Missing You". Download link : http://www.mediafire.com/?1d3565x1m2f331b

"Funkorama" is a 1995 single by Redman. It was produced by Redman and co-produced by Erick Sermon for Sermon's "Insomnia" a compilation album. This is the Redman i'm used to listening to before he became comical with his style.

Originally off of Fat Joe's single "Envy" there was a b-side single called "Fire Water" which was released in 1996. This record help put Pun's name out in the mainstream and garnered his buzz. I remember this record being played on a lot of mixtapes at the time.

R.I.P. to Party Arty and BIG L (The Original PLK - Punch Line King) Shout outs to D.I.T.C.

I had this track on repeat when I had it on a one of my many mixtapes, it's sad that now Beanie is no longer cool with Jay-Z however while on The Roc, beanie made a few banging records. Oh by the way that's Kanye West who made this beat.

I love this group, Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth, hailing from Mount Vernon N.Y. always brought that soulful and Jazz sound into Hip Hop and they did it very well. "The Main Ingredient" is the second album by Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Released in late 1994 where this track is from. Download link : Take You There As I'm blogging about Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth, Pete Rock's 1997 solo album came to mind, "Soul Survivor." In my opinion it's more of a compilation CD featuring various artist and exclusive production from Pete Rock. It's a tightly put together album none the less and to my surprise since albums following this type of format usually has one or two songs worth listening to but this wasn't the case with Pete Rock's album, solid production and tight lyrics from the likes of Method Man, Large Professor, Prodigy of Mobb Deep and Sticky Fingas to name a few made this a classic album. Just one of the many favorite tracks off of the

This is a rare remix to get your hands on. This single from New Jersey group, Real Live. Consisting of K-Def (Producer/DJ) and Larry-O. They released one album in 1996 titled The Turnaround: A Long Awaited Drama on Big Beat/Atlantic Record. This album had a little underground buzz at the time. If the name K-Def sounds familiar then it should. He produced for a lot artists ranging from Monie Love in 1993 to Mr. P.Diddy himself in 2006. Download link : Real Live Ft Capone of Capone and Noreaga and Tragedy khadafi

By popular demand, here is another track off of Charli's debut album " Cold as Ice" featuring none other than the ghostface killa!!! Download link: http://www.mediafire.com/?17iti3cvigp1erw

Debuted as Tung Twista in 1991 with Runnin' Off at da Mouth, he dropped "Tung" from his stage name in 1996. Twista once held the title of fastest rapper in the world: according to the Guinness World Records in 1992. In 1997, Twista arguably released one of his best albums to date called "Adrenaline Rush" his third studio album with very little airplay outside of the midwest with no surprise it went gold. At one point Dame Dash was looking to sign him to Rocafella records in 2003, but the deal didn't go through. Download link : Adrenaline Rush (Original)

The year is 1991, before he formed the Wu-Tang Clan and went by the name RZA, he was known as Prince Rakeem signed to Tommy Boy records he released this single, obviously the single didn't do so well so he had to go back to Staten Island to regroup and the rest well is history.

Mobb Deep's second single off of their 1993 debut album "Juvenile Hell" at the ages of 15, theses dude were telling people which position they preferred lol.

In 1995, Group Home released its debut album, Livin' Proof. The album was very well received, mainly due to DJ Premier's advanced production work. By now if you been following my posts you will notice a pattern that DJ Premier had major influences in hip hop in the early to mid 90's, he practically produced for every artist at the time. Well here is another gem that's off of the album," Supa Star" which appeared on tons of mixtapes as well.

The year was 97, when O.C. released his second album "Jewelz" — another critically acclaimed effort that kept O.C. headed in the right direction and featured collaborations with DJ Premier, Da Beatminerz and Freddie Foxxx. Down with the D.I.T.C. (Diggin in the Crates) crew which consisted of Lord Finesse, Showbiz & A.G., Diamond D, Buckwild, Fat Joe and Big L, O.C. made a name for himself. Download link: My World This is where it started back in 94. "Time's Up" went hard at the time.(matter a fact, this record is just as relevant now as it was back then) A classic indeed, off of the debut underground album titled "Word..Life." For the young bucks out there the instrumental to this track was used for a battle scene in Eminem's movie 8 Mile. Download link: Time's Up

One of Irv's first artists back when Irv went by DJ Irv minus the gotti. He helped put on Mic Geronimo in 94 and made the classic album, "The Natural" The album also featured a young Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule on a track called "Time to Buiild" It's crazy how all these artists blew up and became superstars in their own right except for Mic Geronimo smh

Man this is Fat Joe at his finest in my opinion when he went by Fat Joe Da Gangsta but I have to admit a lot of artists at the time especially in '94 and '95 had songs along the lines expressing how real sh!t was. lol This is off of his debut album "Represent" which can be considered an underground classic.

I thought I would continue in the Bay Area with Spice 1. This record goes hard man and It was one of those tracks that featured an east coast artist, Mr. Method Man. Who said there was an east coast, west coast beef at the time?? This is off of "Amerikkka's Nightmare" arguably one of the best west coast albums in 94, followed up after Dr Dre's "The Chronic" and Snoop Doggs "Doggystyle"

Let take it to the Bay Area with E-40 for a minute. This was one of my favorite tracks off of E-40's official debut album in 95 "In a major way." This track features none other than Spice 1 and 2pac. Three influential west coast artists repping it hard.

Ahhhh man this is my sh!t!!!! Large P is one of those underrated artists/producers. He made some classic records for Nas, Busta Rhymes, Masta Ace, Mobb Deep and other artists in the 90's. He was even a mentor to a young Havoc of Mobb Deep when it came to the beat making. He even help discover Nas with with his group Main Source with the Hip Hop classic " Live at the bbq." Download link : Stay Chisel ft Nas "Street's disciple/ my raps are trifle/ I shoot slugs from my brain just like a rifle" - Nas. I will never forget that line. Download link : Live at the BBQ

Off of the second album "The Lost Generation" Shyheim came back with a strong single, holding it down for the Wu. Matter of fact he was the youngest Wu member who shared the stage in Madison Square Garden with the like of Big, Pac, and Big Daddy Kane in '95 just to name a few. Here is another classic song from '93, "One's 4 the money" (Clean Version)

Damn, I can't believe that he's gone. When he appeared on Snoop's "Doggystyle" album - "It ain't no fun" ah man I was a young dude singing along to his verse, I had that song on repeat for quite sometime. Even though it was very explicit I felt he was a good story teller but when he broke through with Warren G with "Regulators," that song propelled his career from there on out. You will be missed homie.

Nice track off of Run Dmc's final album "Crown Royal" featuring Nas Esco and Prodigy of Mobb Deep. This track just popped up in my head, I haven't heard it in awhile besides I am down with the king... This was my sh*t in 1993, the video has various hip hop artists who showed up on set to show Run Dmc love. Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth definitely represented on this one with their features y'all!! (peep Eazy- E, Kris kross, Redman, Treach from Naughty by Nature and Onyx in the video just to name a few.)

Another femcee out of brooklyn made her break through on a few mixtapes building her underground buzz. Look 4 Tha Name’ produced by Dj Premier was a smash hit. (I love how the beat switches). It introduced Ms. Blade to the entire world and Dj’s such as Kay Slay, Dj Absolut, Kid Capri and many others took notice of the single and started to give it serious airplay. Download link: Look For Tha Name

A member of Masta Ace's I.N.C. (The original Inc). The Queen of Fort Greene made some noise in the early to late 90's. She had the underground buzzing with this record. Paula is no joke on the mic, I wish she had the machine behind her to push her career further but either way she have a few classics under her belt. Download link : Paula's Jam

I heard this song when my cousin made me a copy of a DJ SNS mixtape back in 1995, I don't remember the name of the actual tape however I do remember voice samples through out the tape saying " hit me over the head n*&&a." This was one of the songs on the tape and I had this on repeat for months. Eminem mentions Masta Ace as one of his influences in his book "The Way I Am", saying, “Masta Ace had amazing storytelling skills – his thoughts were so vivid” Download link : Ya' Hardcore

Straight of out Philly, Last Emperor was one of the early acts that signed to Dre's label Aftermath Records, releasing his underground hit Secret Wars 1 and 2. This was a very creative song at the time, being that I am hip hop fanatic and I love Marvel comics (yeah I am a nerd) This is for those hip hop/comic book lovers out there. Download link: Secret War pt 1 Download link : Secret Wars pt 2 Here is a link to a cool interview with Last Emperor dated a few years back in 2003.... Last Emperor - "Rhyme Wars: The Emperor Strikes Back"

These two make good music together, it came out at a good time when a lot of bulls*t was flooding the airwaves. The Blast is of off "Train of Thought" the debut album. I love the vibe on the album. With Kweli's deep thoughts and Hi-Teks high tempo, neo soul sound they made an instant classic.

Still the man!!!

Here is another rare freestyle from the B.I.G. Circla 93

"The Greatest rapper of all time..." My boy Canibus said it best. I wish BIG was still here man. He single handily change the course of hip hop with the "Ready to Die" album. (Lord have mercy, Jesus Christ He's just nice, he just slice Like a ginzu...Nas used the line by the way as a hook on a track called "Last Real Ni@@a Alive" from the "God Son" album, it's a hot record)

Meth on Biggie and Pac from Gasface on Vimeo .

This is a personal favorite of mines, the track is so smooth and gutter at the same time. Of course Alchemist is behind the boards with this one. This is off of Alchemist first compilation album called "1st Infantry." Nas and Prodigy on the same track, certified street banger !!!

The Return of the Mac is one of those slept on albums that was fully produced by The Alchemist. Prodigy resolidified the Mobb after the G-Unit debacle, bringing that gritty NY sound back. Download link: Nickel and Nail

Welcome home "P." Good to see him back on the streets, this classic joint is off of the H.N.I.C. album. "heavy airplay all day with no chorus"

This song had me hyped when I first heard it and it still does whenever I listen to it. Rah Rah like a dungeon dragon busta killed this one as well. (Nicki Minaj did't invent that line, don't get it twisted people)

1994 was a great year for hip hop, here we have a very young Jay-Z kiliing with flow which he was known for at the time. Jay-Z definitely earned his spot as a major figure in hip hop. Below is another classic which was found on a lot of mixtapes circulating in 95.

Boot Camp Click is still doing it til this day, It all started in 92 with Blackmoon when they debut with the album "Enta Da Stage" and introduced the world to Smif N Wessun, followed by Heltah Skeltah, and then finally O.G.C. (Originoo Gun Clappaz). I always considered them the Brooklyn equivalent of The Wu. Here is the original version to the 1993 underground classic, "Headz Ain't Redee" which is actually 9 mins long!!!! (Doesn't the beat sound familiar, well Mr. P. Diddy and his Hitmen at the time sampled it and made the 1995 hit song, "Can't You See" - Total ft. The Notorious B.I.G.) Download link:  Headz Ain't Redee (Original Version)

I love this song man, it bring back memories. This is the remix version off of their debut album "Dah Shinin" which is an underground classic. Smif N Wessun reppin Bucktown all day!!!!

What more can I say about this song, yo this is a classic off of Common's "Be" album matter of fact, the entire album is a classic, the sixth studio album released back in 2005. Man I remember when the album came out. I heard a few cuts of the album from mixtapes and I liked what I heard so I took the chance and bought the album, however before I bought it, I noticed the CD only had 11 songs on it. I thought to myself like this better be worth it. (no pun intended) especially at the time when a lot of artists released CD's that had 20 songs on it and you may end up listening to only 5 songs. Anyway, after I purchased the CD, I popped it into my player and instantly I said to myself, Common got another classic under his belt.

A Naughty by Nature discovery, dude was one of the few white rappers who seemed to have any credibility and had the respect at the time. I love this beat til this day, especially when a young Jay-z and Big L made that classic 7 minute freestyle over the exact same beat back in 95. See below Download link: Milkbone -Keep It Real