Smoothe Da Hustler "Brooklyn Representer" (The Source, 1996)

'Once Upon A Time In America' was released on this day in 1996 via Profile Records. The production by D.R. Period and the undeniable chemistry that blood brothers Smoothe Da Hustler & Trigger Tha Gambler had on record made this a gem of an album out of Brooklyn. Whether it was Smoothe & Trigg going back to back with innovative rhyme patterns on 'Broken Language,' rhyming backwards on 'My Brother My Ace' or on the would-be single, 'Only Human,' they delivered great tracks along with D.V. Alias Khryst. Maybe some of you remember it from my old website, but Smoothe and I did an interview over 10 years ago, where he spoke about his time away from music raising his son after his baby mother died from a brain aneurysm, some of the artists who ran with his style in his absence, his album with Ice-T and lots more to do with his SMG label. The one thing I know for sure, go to any party & throw on 'Broken Language,' Brooklyn will take over that whole party, lol. After that interview, I remember catching a show he was on at the old Knitting Factory and then side-stage at Rock The Bells the year Nas & DJ Premier headlined. His energy was good, we chopped it up briefly & crossed paths one more time at Fat Beats, where he did a quick drop for a mix I was working on at the time. 'Broken Language' video below, and The Source interview is up above. 

Blahzay Blahzay "Danger II" (Review, 1996)

"Quick, name the two joints that had Brooklyn hard-rocks puffing and posturing with pride over the last few months of '95. Give up? Does the phrase "When the East is in the house" ring any bells? How 'bout, "Your death threater, sender / Head spinner / Rap beginner / Light dimmer / Three knock-out winner?" If the names Blahzay Blahzay and Smoothe Da Hutler, along with his brother Trigga, haven't popped into yo cerebrum as yet, you need to go to the back of the class and stick your face in the wall. Well, to the delight of the fates and lyric-lovers all over, these two acts have joined forces to revisit Blahzay's "Danger." You'll wanna click play below and then continue reading ...

"Blahzay's Outloud opens things up in his strident, straightforward baritone. "Medina animals eat you like purina / Cat chow I never bow still I aim to please / Drain what you got as if I was your main squeeze / Wack MCs ease / The end is here at last / Jet real fast with your tail between your ass." But it's the presence of Smoothe and Trigga that significantly ups the lyrical ante on this joint, particularly Trigga, who delivers a razor sharp piece of vocal ass-whip: "The misdemeanor / dreamer / money schemer / slip the clip in the infrared beamer." More dangerous indeed." All verses go!

Smoothe The Hustler "Broken Language" (1995)

"Here comes that Brooklyn aesthetic again - slang talk, crook walk and glock cock attitude. Smoothe Da Hustler, a product of the mean streets of Brownsville, Brooklyn, is poised to big-up the borough lovely with his debut release ... "Broken Language" is the real jewel here. Smoothe pairs up with his brother Trigga to deliver one of the most jaw dropping performances by a duo in some time. The two engage in vintage hip-hop, switching back and forth in an endless series of self-aggrandizing descriptions. As the sinister, sting-adorned track pulses in the background, Trigga and Smoothe strive to metaphorically outdo each other. Trigga: "Your death threater, sender, head spinner, rap beginner, light dimmer, three-knock out count winner / Your gun reacher, bustin' shot teacher, your funeral service church preacher / Your black hearse coffin' seeker." Smoothe: "Camera, the beer guzzler, the slug to your mug tussler, the drug juggler, the crazy thug hustler / The lexus wanter, the chain, ring and bracelet flaunter." Undoubtedly - as summed up quite succinctly by Smoothe - the "hottest n!gga out this winta." - The Source, 11/95. Prod. by DR Period, check it out below...