Relative to Paris’ first two politically charged albums, ‘Guerrilla Funk’ finds the Bay Area emcee taking lyrical aim at less high-profile targets, but with his vitriol and passion fully intact.
Read morePMD’s Debut Solo Album ‘Shadē Business’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
The burden of having years of legacy and a lot of bad blood was weighing down on Parrish Smith when he recorded his solo debut, and the pressure suits his solid voice and flow.
Read moreUGK’s ‘Super Tight…’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
If UGK’s third album ‘Ridin’ Dirty’ found the duo on the cusp of national stardom, ‘Super Tight’ feels and sounds like it comes from a more honest and down-to-earth place.
Read moreMobb Deep’s ‘Murda Muzik’ Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
Commercial rap music had changed a lot by 1999, but Mobb Deep was able to evolve with the times and score the biggest-selling album of their career without compromising their legacy.
Read moreMasta Ace’s ‘A Long Hot Summer’ Turns 20 | Album Anniversary
Noticeably lite on the guest artist features, ‘A Long Hot Summer’ allows Masta Ace to focus fully on his narrative strengths without much distraction.
Read moreMC Eiht’s Debut Solo Album ‘We Come Strapped’ Featuring CMW Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
MC Eiht’s acting gig in ‘Menace II Society’ (1993) included a spot on the soundtrack and the resulting single “Streiht Up Menace” ensured that anticipation for his debut solo LP was sky high.
Read moreBig Mike’s Debut Album ‘Somethin’ Serious’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
Big Mike’s debut solo album ‘Somethin’ Serious’ makes for a seriously good listen and remains a key recording in the evolution of Houston-based rap and more broadly, southern hip-hop.
Read moreThe Beatnuts’ Debut Album ‘The Beatnuts: Street Level’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
The group’s first full-length album picked up where their debut ‘Intoxicated Demons’ EP left off, offering more of the bully-rap style The Beatnuts were perfecting at the time.
Read moreWarren G’s Debut Album ‘Regulate… G Funk Era’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
Warren G took the G-funk sound that Above The Law birthed and Dr. Dre then perfected, and made it his own on ‘Regulate... G Funk Era.’
Read moreGang Starr’s Debut Album ‘No More Mr. Nice Guy’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
Arguably not the strongest of Gang Starr’s seven studio albums, but ‘No More Mr. Nice Guy’ is essential listening for those wishing to understand the genesis of one of hip-hop’s all-time greatest duos.
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