Nine "Nine Livez" (March 7, 1995)

Whutcha Want, Nine? For hardcore rap music in '95, this was the buzzword on everyone's lips. With a catchy video, a swinging bassline, and a gruff voice that sounded like he just smoked a whole box of Phillies, the rapper whose abbreviated name was once synonymous with a popular pistol bumrushed the rap scene. To many people, the hardcore hip-hop appeal of "Whutcha Want?" may have seemed like a flash in the pan, but Nine had been wrecking the underground for years and doing joints with Funkmaster Flex strictly for the DJ's. With that much unbridled talent, Nine was not about to go away with one single. The debut album "Nine Livez" is all of that pent-up energy released, and it spills out of every track. Rob Lewis and Tony Stoute split the production duties on this album. Unlike some albums that only have one hot beat that you have to know who did, the tracks here are consistently crispy throughout. Picking standouts on an album this well executed is no easy task. The snappy drums and bass of "Peel" are set off by a nice horn stab in the chorus with all of the elements showing a near perfect balance. "The Cypha" uses a clever MC Shan sample in construction of the chorus, but wins even more for the hi-hats and pianos that construct Nine's rapping backdrop. Speaking of piano, the ominous chords of "Everybody Won Heaven (Redrum Remix)" make the original version earlier on the CD seem positively giddy by comparison. Mood makes the man, and the man sounds menacing on this cut - just as he does on the braggadocios "Who U Won Test" where he dismisses half-assed rappers in English and Spanish. Even these examples scarcely do justice to the impeccable music found throughout this LP - from the Rakim laced "Any Emcee" to the stomping attack of "Da Fundamentalz" the music is as Nine would say "like spandex, mad tight (right right)." And the beats wouldn't work unless Nine was not such an intriguing rapper. You continually get the feeling he'll hock up a loogie at any minute, but yet he just keeps on flowing. This gimmick wouldn't work if Nine's rhymes weren't well constructed, but every song here is a manifesto of the kind of hip-hop skills that 9 out of 10 crossover rappers wish they had... Clearly this album was one of the best releases of 1995. - Rap Reviews. Revisit Nine's cult-classic, Nine Livez, below...

Dig into the archives for more music/content from the Bronx's Nine...

Mark 563 "Hip-Hop Coloring Book" (East Coast Edition)

After the overwhelmingly popular Hip Hop Coloring Book, Mark 563 is back with Hip Hop Coloring Book: East Coast Edition. It’s a fun activity book for kids and adults. The book features a selection of Mark 563’s own illustrative takes on some of Hip Hop’s most important figures – from early pioneers like Busy Bee, to 90s NYC profiles like Nine and newer stars like Cardi B – all ready to be colored in. The 50 pages are packed with illustrations of legendary East Coast rappers, spanning from the Golden Era through to today’s rap superstars. A perfect gift for anyone interested in Hip Hop and popular culture! Hip Hop Coloring Book: East Coast Edition is marker friendly! Use your favorite markers without the risk of ruining the illustration on the other side of the paper. Hip Hop Coloring Book: East Coast Edition is the latest in Dokument Press' popular coloring book series, with themes such as graffiti, skateboarding and low-riders. You can/should order your copy HERE!

Kut One "The Icon Series Vol. 1-2" (Nine & Neek The Exotic)

Australian producer and turntablist Kut One showcases not only his own talents but those of two living New York rap legends on The Icons Series, Volume 1 & 2. On the first EP, he’s joined by Queens tough-talker Neek The Exotic, who brought along a few like-minded guests for the ride like Kool G Rap, Royal Flush and Large Professor. And for the second EP, you’ll hear Kut’s intricate productions complemented by the gravelly and gully rhymes of the BX’s Nine. And for the second half, Nine kicks things off with a bang on “Basquiat,” which boasts a hilarious shot at notorious loudmouth Stephen A. Smith over Kut One’s menacing production. That vibe continues on the criminal-minded lead single, “When Ah Pull Up,” the paranoia-heavy “Might Get Show,” and on the raw closing track, “Welcome to N.Y.C.” Taken as a whole, the first two installments of The Icons Series are a thrilling celebration of the grimier side of underground rap. They’re also a reminder that this style of rap has not—and will never—go out of style. It’s a timeless example of the culture’s underbelly, where sample-flipping Boom bap production sets the stage for emcees to talk their shit. Give The Icons a listen below...

Nine x Snowgoons "King" (Album Stream)

Bronx veteran Nine is back with another boombap-inspired release, teaming up with German production team, Snowgoons on their collaborative effort entitled King. Snowgoons consists of DJ Illegal, Det, Sicknature and J.S. Kuster. Having toured overseas myself, I know how the Snowgoons have held it down for US artists traveling to Europe, DJ Illegal has been a road manager for many of your favorite artists. Establishing himself and his crew with banging production opened the doors for lots of production albums and collaborative LPs. Tapping Nine for their latest, it's got that same vintage sound you've grown to appreciate, so check it out below. Much respect to Nine & DJ Illegal.

Nine "Lyin King" + "The 9 Commandments"

The only thing worse than listening to an entire album and learning ZERO about an artist, is listening to an entire album and not believing a goddamn word of it. Props to Nine, who released 'Lyin' King' on his sophomore album "Cloud 9" in 1996. I believe there was a reissue not too long ago and it recently celebrated it's 22nd anniversary earlier this month. Ironically, Nine is back with a new project called "The 9 Commandments" that I'm eager to check out ... Allegedly, it's material that was recorded around the time of "Cloud 9" so I trust it has a real vintage, boombap sound. I've also heard some of his new-new work with the overseas fam, the Snowgoons, and that sounds tight, too! I can remember driving from NYC up to Livingston Manor, which is upstate NY, and the only CD we had was "Cloud 9;" there wasn't a single complaint the entire trip, lol. In the era of car systems, the Rob Lewis-produced joint "Lyin' King" was knockin' out the trunk. If you're feeling nostalgic, click below and peep the visuals. "Even I exaggerate when I create / But I don't perpetrate and illustrate / To sound great, cause it's fake!" Salute to the OG, Nine; been in the industry long before the mid-90s and glad he's still releasing music today... support it and expect more music soon...

Nine "When The Shit Hits The Fan" (12", 1996)

"Boogie Down major like Nine..." This is a white label 12" from '96 by one of the Bronx's most vocally recognizable MCs, Nine. Born on 9/19/1969, Nine played a big role in the sound of the 90s - his certified classic 'Nine Livez' and the people's choice 'Cloud Nine' were played until the tapes popped. Getting an early start on records with The Masters of Funk and Funkmaster Flex, his voice was destined be heard as a solo artist. It's a shame that label issues at Profile/Arista got a hold of him, because new artists were ushered in sporting his style ('A lot of rappers wore my style like an overcoat') and we started to hear Nine less and less. That said, his latest project, '1999,' was released last year on Smoke On Records, so he's still out here making strong moves! Taking it back to 1996, the full 12" for 'When The Shit Hits The Fan' is available to stream below, def give it a listen...

Nine "Whutcha Want?" (Press Release + Video, 1995)

"Coming from the core of hip-hop, the Boogie Down Bronx, Nine delivers his long awaited solo debut single. Formerly known as Nine Double M, he has since dropped the Double M and is now known as Nine. "I was born in the ninth month on the nineteenth day on the year sixty nine, so nine is my cipher," he says. Nine is being billed as "The Number One Contender" since he is going for the hip-hop title with his champion style. Nine has the deepest and grungiest vocals in rap. He first flexed his skills to a national audience for Nervous Records on the underground classic "Six Million Ways To Die" with his then partner Funk Master Flex. Now he has teamed up with his long time producer Rob Lewis of Fed Productions to make his current singe "Whutcha Want?" as well as a debut album coming out in early '95. "Whucha Want?" is a lethal combination of a smooth track with plenty of strings which compliments Nine's rough and raspy vocals. Nine's vocals are rough but he has also has a hilarious sense of humor that comes through in his lyrics. The B-Side of the single, "Redrum" uses a hook from Steven Segal's "Marked For Death" where the dread says "Everybody want heaven but them nah want dead." The track was produced by Tony Stoute for Dead Presidents." - Press Kit, '95.

Nine "Cloud 9" (Rap Pages, October 1996)

"The skinny on Cloud 9 is that Nine's comical voice and throughly down-to-earth writing are almost an engaging enough combo to overcome most of the questionable choices that infiltrate his music. Almost, if nothing here matches the flowing grace of his own hit single from two years ago, "Whatcha Want?," at least a handful of songs provide their own winning moments. The LP's first single, "Lyin' King," takes dead aim at studio hustlers and strikes a bull's-eye from its hilarious opening sentiment. "I heard your album and I don't believe a word of it." The survival-driven "Make Or Take," featuring Nine's equally ruff-voiced labelmate Smoothe Da Hustler, may make your throat sore from just hearing it, but remains listenable thanks to thoughts like "Six million ways to die, but only one to live / I need enough money to spend, enough money to give." Meanwhile, Cloud 9's introspective closer, "4 Chicken Wings and Rice," recounts meager days gone past with a dope down-tempo groove and an affecting eye for detail: "Thirty cents away from a dollar / Goin' to the store for a 40 of water." Of course, check the visuals to the underground gem, "Lyin' King," cont'd below...

"Production-wise, much of the LP retains the string-concerto characteristics of producer Rob Lewis's work on "Whatchu Want," only the result is not quite so memorable. Complicating matters is an unappetizing menu of guests. In addition to the downright annoying King Just, 3rd Eye and female MC Uneek display similarly overbearing tendencies on "Richman Poorman" and "The Product," respectively. Dancehall don Bounty Killer also makes an unnecessary appearance on "Warriors," in light of Nine's own charming off-key patois, crooning on the last LP's "Redrum." While in the end the rap veteran's passion for his profession is convincing enough, these pitfalls make for an occasionally frustrating package. On the suitably dark "Every Man 4 Himself" Nine advises, "Don't chase dreams, chase paper." Cloud 9's inconsistencies suggest the chase is not yet over." - Rap Pages: October, '96.

Nine "Nine Livez" (The Source, 1995)

"The combination of hip-hop with reggae/dancehall has been responsible for some of the most original flavas in recent memory: Mad Lion, Shabba, KRS and Latifah are just a few examples that come to mind. Charging into this territory now comes Nine, an MC representing the Boogie Down Bronx who first licked shots on the remix to Funkmaster Flex's jam "Six Million Ways To Die." Nine's debut long-playa combines a raspy ruffneck rhyme flow with top-notch hip-hop production that will have both banjees and hardcore heads bobbin' alongside each other. "Redrum" is a sinister jam that mixes Nine's rude boy flow with a Premier-style piano-and-horn loop ("Everybody wan' Heaven / dem no want dead / redrum!"). On cuts like "Who U Won Test" and "Ta Rasss," Nine serves wannabe MC's with some battle-tested hardcore lyrics ripped over tight reggae grooves.... There are also some moments of deep lyrical intelligence: "Fo Ever Blunted" is not your obligatory tribute to the cheeba-cheeba, but a wisdom-dropper about the many reasons why young brothers nowadays feel the need hit the weed: "Mad stress / thank God for the buddha blessed / now it's off my chest / until tomorrow it'll happen again / I'll still be hunted / I'll still be wanted / so I'm so fo' ever blunted." Things do fall off a bit on side two: "Tha Cipha" ironically disaplys some of the tiredest lyrics on the LP. The "Redrum" remix, entitled "Everybody Whon Heaven," also starts to drag and reveals more lyrical deficiencies. But overall, Nine Livez is a strong debut by an MC with an original style who beats are 90% on  point." - The Source (April, 1995). Revisit Nine's debut LP below...

The Source's review of Nine's Nine Livez (4/95) is below...