When Hip Hop was Hip Hop !!

Rare freestyle with Fat Joe, Percee P. and Eminem. Why is eminem and percee P. rhyming in a restroom??? *scratches head* Either way this is hot!

This is one of my all time favorite songs, I remember repeating the hook through out the day after I heard it. Coming out of Los Angeles, California, Aceyalone released his debut album, " All Balls Don't Bounce," in 1995. His lyrical performance established him as one of the more popular underground rappers in Los Angeles. At a time most California Hip Hop artists were focusing on Gangsta rap, he instead focused on innovative lyricism. He made a name for himself in the underground hip hop scene in Cali.

Mad Skillz, debut album, From Where???, and its single, "The Nod Factor", were released in 1996, but neither received much commercial or critical attention. Skillz is more known for his yearly wrap ups and his classic single "Ghostwriter," where he mentions the rappers he wrote for. This record bring back memories when I hear it. Hopefully he will release the unedited version one day, even though this song 10 years old!!! (wishful thinking) Download link:  Ghostwriter

Another classic track from  Missin Linx , off of their debut album, "Exhibit A" which was released back in 1998. This is a hot record! Notice something here??? I do.. Dr. Dre jacked the beat for his "Chronic 2001" album which is actually a sample from David McCallum's song "The Edge." Either way there both great records. Download link:  Missin Linx- M.I.A.

This record was a street banger back in 1997, Royal Flush released his debut album "Ghetto Millionaire" which is another classic in my opinion with tight productions from E.Z. Elpee, Hi-Tek, and Buckwild. Before his debut album, he had various features on  Mic Geronimo's , " The Natural," another classic album. Download link:  Iced Down Medallions

This brings back memories when I hear this, I first heard this on a DJ SNS mixtape back in 1995 actually that's the year the song was leaked, it currently unreleased meaning it's not found on any of Rakim's albums. With smooth production by DJ Clark Kent, this was the summer jam !!

From The Bronx, New York City, New York. He also been known as 9MM or Nine Double M. Known for his harsh, gravelly flow and distinctive voice before DMX, "Nine Livez" was released by Profile Records. Nine Livez generated hits "Whutcha Want?" and "Any Emcee" The album is considered to be a classic underground hip-hop album. Download link:  Nine- Whutcha Want Here is another underground classic from Nine with Smoothe da Hustler on the hook. Download link:  Make or Take

This record was big in 1995, The song became an instant classic in the hip-hop community for both rappers trading verses for almost four minutes with no hook and innovative wordplay, which earned them a Hip Hop Quotable in the November 1995 issue of The Source. Til this day there's various artists making the own versions of "Broken Language" Download link:  Broken Language

From St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, consisting of V. Callwood, M. Gumbs, E. Simmonds, Jr., the crew relocated to New York City from where they recorded and released a couple of singles, most notably "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Feel No Guilt" which featured a guest appearance by Nine. Download link:  Feel No Guilt

Off of Funkmaster Flex's Volume 4 mixtape, Jadakiss is always representing and he definitely doing his thing on the record. Top 5 dead or alive yaaa heard!!! Download link :  Jadakiss I Don't Care

Missin Linx consists of Black Attack, Problemz, & Al Tariq, They were featured on  DJ Honda's  album back in 1995. This record is a rare one, Family ties remix features Prodigy of Mobb Deep on the hook and Alchemist on the beat. Circla 1999/2000, If you was in the underground hip hop scene around that year, most of ya'll should remember this record. Download link : Family Ties remix

This is the original version of Mos Def's song "Brooklyn." The album version is found on his debut "Black on Both Sides." On the original version, Mos Def is rhyming over "Incarcerated Scarfaces" by Raekwon as well as "Give Up the Goods (Just Step)" by Mobb Deep, and "Who Shot Ya?" by The Late Great Notorious B.I.G. This is definitely a rare song. Download link: Brookyln (Original Version)

Affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan, Killarmy consisted of 9th Prince (RZA's younger brother), Islord, Dom Pachino, Killa Sin, 4th Disciple and ShoGun Assassin. They released their classic album in 1997, "Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars" which is one of my favorite albums til this day. Download link: Killarmy- Fair, Love & War

One of my favorite tracks off of EPMD's debut album "Strictly Business." Yea the beat may sound familiar, Jay-Z had his hit single with this beat on "Reasonable Doubt" with the song, "Ain't No..."

This is a dope record by Funkdoobiest, "Rock On" produced by DJ Muggs, affiliated with Cypress Hill and other Soul Assassins members, Funkdoobiest released "Brothas Doobie" in 1995 and had a few underground hits including the controversial track "Superhoes," which also appeared the soundtrack to the blockbuster hit film Friday. Download link : Rock On (Album Version)

A philadelphia-born hip hop artist who was a member of Gang Starr Foundation, Bahamadia released her critically acclaimed debut album entitled "Kollage" in 1996. A respected lyricist in hip hop, she is known for her silky, subdued monotone delivery, she has crazy word-play on top that. "Da Jawn" is one of those rare classics featuring Black Thought and Malik from The Roots. Download link: Da Jawn This is where it all started with Bahamadia around 1993/1994 with this single "Total Wreck" produced by the late Guru of Gang Starr. This track is a head banger. Download link: Total Wreck

Beats, Rhymes and Life is the fourth album of the hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, released in 1996. The album also features Consequence, cousin of rapper Q-Tip. This is the remix to the original version "Mind Power." I personally like the version better because the vibe is real smooth and laid back. Download link: Mind Power remix

Speaking of the Sole in the Hole soundtrack, I just remembered this track from Mobb Deep that's on the soundtrack, "Rare Species." There is another version of this song floating around. The other version is on a darker sounding beat. I have that version on tape. If I can covert it to a mp3, I will post up that version as well. Download link : Mobb Deep - Rare Species

Off of Smif-n-Wessun's (aka Cocoa Brovaz) 1997 album, "Rude Awaking" I loved this record at the time. This song was originally on the "Sole in the Hole soundtrack." Do anybody remember that movie??

"Home sweet Home" was supposed to be the lead single for Ras Kass's 1999 unreleased Album "Von Gogh." The Alchemist produced the beat for Ras Kass but only received the first half of the payment for the beat, Ras Kass' record label was ignoring him when Alchemist was asking for the second half of the payment. Alchemist later informed Ras Kass that he sold the beat to Jadakiss because Alchemist couldn't get a hold of Ras Kass or his label. Jadakiss would then go on to record "We Gonna Make It" over the same beat, on his 2001 release, "Kiss Tha Game Goodbye" Download link: Ras Kass- Home Sweet Home Now the question I have for ya'll out there is which version in your opinion is better?

I remember when heard this on DJ Clue's mix-tape, DMX was at his prime and had the street buzzing along with Big Pun and Canibus. They were the 3 kings at the time. This was around 1998. I wish this type of energy was here nowadays.

The Outsidaz was a hip hop group from Newark, New Jersey. Along with Pace Won, D.U. and Young Zee, The Outsidaz consisted of Axe, Az Izz, DJ Muhammed, Denzy, Loon One, DJ Spunk, S. Coop, Nawshis, Rah Digga, the late Slang Ton, B.skills and Yah Yah. The Outsidaz are affiliated with the Refugee Camp, and made their first commercial appearance as guest artists on the song "Cowboys" off the Fugees multi-platinum sophomore LP "The Score." Eminem was also affiliated with the group early in his career he gave them a few shout outs on the "Slim Shady LP" Download link : Outsidaz-Don't Look Now

Original Flavor was a hip hop group from the mid 90's. The group originally consisted of Ski and Suave Lover. They released "This Is How It Is" in 1992. The group had a hit with the song "Can I get Open" featuring a young Jay-Z. Ski went on to produce a few tracks for Jay-z first album "Reasonable Doubt" and produce for The Outsidaz, Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown, Ras Kass and Proof just to name a few.

From the 2000 album, "Supreme Clientele," this one of my favorite tracks. Ghostface at his finest.