This mix in Chris Read's 2011 Classic Material series pays tribute to the hip hop of 1996, a year which marks a turning point for the genre with a divide growing between the popular RnB influenced sound and the underground ‘independent’ sound blossoming in reaction to it. Whilst many established artists including De La Soul openly attacked the emerging commercial sound of the day, artists such as Busta Rhymes managed to retain underground credibility and deliver more chart friendly offerings for major labels. Notable album releases include the Fugees’ commercially successful yet credible ‘The Score’, Tribe Called Quest’s Ummah produced 4th album, ‘Beats Rhymes and Life’, Jay Z’s ‘Reasonable Doubt’ and Jeru’s ‘Wrath of the Math’ in stark contrast to it. Debut releases from Kool Keith alias Dr Octagon and newcomers Company Flow set the tone for a new breed of leftfield acts. Dig into the archives for more Classic Material mixes and listen below...