July 10, 2022

Funkmaster Flex / Cipha Sounds "Big Dawg Vol.1" (Mixtape, 1998)


Another Tape Kingz release, from 1998, with Funkmaster Flex presents Cipha Sounds, Big Dawg Vol.1. Nothing exceptionally rare or anything, but a nice mix of East Coast flavors from the late 90s. Joints from Busta Rhymes, DMX, Cam'ron, Smif-N-Wessun, The LOX, The Notorious B.I.G., Mad Skillz, Charlie Baltimore, Gang Starr, Jay-Z, Black Rob, Mase, The Firm, and more. I've been feeling a lot more lately how nostalgia is a true mindf#ck, because it's not necessarily fond memories of the music itself, but those Tunnel days were just so important to what was happening on the streets and in the mixtape culture. Flex and Ciph were tearing it down and these are just some of the records that were blasting off. Noreaga credits "I'm Leaving" -- off The Firm Album -- as the track that jumpstarted his entire solo career. "All For The Love" by Jadakiss (The Lox) was so serious, not to mention "Stop Being Greedy" by DMX and "Black Trump" by Smif-N-Wessun and Raekwon. When you listen to these tracks through that lens, it adds another layer to the music/memories. Dig in...