GZA/Genius "Liquid Swords" (November 7, 1995)

Genius/GZA (say "gizz-uh") is the fourth, and last, member of the mighty Wu-Tang Clan to demonstrate his talents in a solo format (not counting a poorly marketed pre-Wu-Tang album in the early '90s). But, like Method Man, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Raekwon's albums, these offshoots aren't typical solo records; Wu-Tang side projects never fly far from the nest. Each one, including Genius' Liquid Swords, is created with the same ingredients: rock-solid, devastatingly sparse beats and dirty hooks that infect like slow poison on the brain. It's all part of the Wu-Tang empire, which contains everything from its own line of merchandise to an amazing World Wide Web site. With all of the familiar earmarks in place, like tales about head-hunting Ninja warriors, GZA shows us his well-disciplined flow: it's unlike the double-edged rhymes of Raekwon, but more akin to Method Man's lyrical precision. "Labels" may be the most creative, as it incorporates nearly every rap label into the lyrics, while "Duel of the Iron Mic" is a lyrical showcase of Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, and others. Also be sure to hear Meth take over "Shadowboxin'." - CMJ New Music Monthly (February 1996). Still one of the greatest winter albums of all-time and some consider to be the greatest solo album from the Wu-Tang Clan... I'll leave that to y'all to debate (still). I share something from this album almost every year, so dig into the archives for rare press kits, promotional items (stickers, postcards, posters), + more! Revisit GZA's classic sophomore album, Liquid Swords, below...

"My Priority is that I'm First Priority..." - Labels.

Ransom & Rom Streetz "Coup de Grace" (Album Stream)

Ransom and Rome Streetz show no mercy on their new album, Coup De Grace. Executive produced by 38 Spesh and Coach Bombay 3000, Jersey’s and New York’s finest pair up for 11 tracks, including the merciless banger “No Remorse” and the unapologetic collaboration with The Game, Pray For The Weak“. Guests include Che Noir who’s featured on “Claudine” and both Lou From Paradise and Tyran who appear on “Bandoleros”. Prior to Coup De Grace, Ransom dropped his Heavy Is The Head album with Big Ghost LTD, while Rome Streetz linked with DJ Muggs for their Death & The Magician... both fantastic albums. - via Rap Radar. Peep their collaborative LP, Coup de Grace, below...

Makaveli "The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory" (November 5, 1996)

Over the years I've posted about hundreds of albums. For various reasons, they are projects that spoke to me at the time of their release - whether specific songs, the album as a whole; some cultural significance or just a reminder of specific moment(s) that project was the soundtrack to at the time. Enter nostalgia... sometimes when we look back at projects, we realize they were not looked at favorably at the time, lol. I can understand why journalists consider it a cheat code and think in some ways it misrepresents the real history... it's a fairytale version. Well, "Hail Mary" was a tremendous song at the time, and sure, I remember "To Live & Die In L.A." and "Toss It Up," too. 2Pac's "The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory" was released just two months after his death, so the hype was at peak levels. In November 1996, David Browne of Entertainment Weekly reviewed the album and had these choice words to say about it: "The Don Killuminati/The 7 Day Theory," was credited not to 2Pac but to an alter ego, Makaveli. In this regard, Death Row has done right by him: If Shakur were alive to hear this mess, he wouldn't want his name on it, either... Posthumous records are old news in the music business, but The Don Killuminati truly feels like a work in progress... if Shakur had been planning an album playing off Machiavelli's theories on power, he neither thought it through nor completed it. The songs have only fleeting references to "Makaveli" and occasional bits of Machiavellian advice ("Keep your enemies close/N!%%a, watch your homies").... Cont'd below...

Dr. Dre and his posse livened up Shakur's previous album, All Eyez on Me, but with Dre gone from Death Row, lesser-known producers were called in. The results are plodding, amateurish gangsta rap. The album is top-heavy with cameos from second-rate rappers, and the depths of absurdity are reached on "Toss It Up," which grafts a vitriolic Shakur rap onto a standard new-jack strut. The Don Killuminati isn't just a mop-up operation; it's a disgraceful exploitation that dishonors Shakur's music and legacy... it's important to remember that Shakur had a cultural legacy. In the world of hip-hop, success comes with a price: Acquire too much fame and wealth and your friends start wondering if you've lost touch with the streets. The only remedy is to act harder... Put-downs have always played an important role in rap. But on this shameful cash-in, Tupac Shakur is the only one truly being dissed. - EW. However you see this album, it's still a part of Pac's legacy. Revisit it up above...

Take It Personal Podcast "Tribute to Blu"

Fourteen years ago, Blu took hip-hop by storm. Along with Exile, he gave us the modern-day classic Below The Heavens and we've all been hooked ever since. On episode 97, the Take It Personal crew sits down with Blu to discuss his lengthy catalog and career. Blu shares stories about rapping for Suge Knight, almost signing to Death Row Records and signing with Warner Brothers. He breaks down some of their favorite tracks off Below The Heavens, working with so many great producers over the years and the making of his latest album, The Color Blue. This is one of their best interviews, ever. You'll definitely wanna check out the Take It Personal tribute with our boy, Blu: absolutely one of my favorite MCs of all time! Props to Philaflava, DJ 360 and Kevlar. Listen below...

Marco Polo "Mp on the MP, Volume 2" (Beat Tape)

This is Volume 2 in the Marco Polo MP on the MP series, inspired by Marco's YouTube series of the same name. The Toronto producer releases this beat tapes to highlight some unreleased beats and joints left on the cutting room floor. I feel Marco is one of the most important producers as he's the perfect blend of that nostalgic sound that we grew up on, mixed by the hardest drums and a fresh new twist. Aside from that, his sensibilities and ear for MCs is always top tier, working with some of the best lyricist in underground and mainstream hip-hop. Here are another dozen fine instrumentals from Marco, straight from the MP to your ears. I'm hearing it may be a trilogy so stay tuned for more. Now, tap into it below and hit the archives for lots more from Marco Polo...

DJ DS & Jimmy Green "Original Soundtrack: Hip Hop at the Movies"

DJ DS drops off his latest mix with Jimmy Green, The Original Soundtrack: Hip Hop From The Movies, and includes the following message: "I’ve been really excited to put this out! I'm a huge fan of Jimmy Green’s mixes and have become good fiends with him over the last year. When we agreed to do a collaborative mix, I was honored but a little nervous too. Jimmy has been amazing and it’s been great to bounce ideas around! We split the mix equally and created it together. I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out! The Original Soundtrack: Hip Hop at the Movies celebrates the film soundtracks that hip hop artists graced in the 90’s, along with more recent editions to add to the mix! Huge thanks Jimmy for being such a legend and to everyone who provided a drop for the mix. Special shout outs to Bob Bell & Rosie, who hooked us up with the intro, intermission and movie skit... You’re in for a treat!" The mix features tracks from Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Sam Sneed, The Lady of Rage, The Dogg Pound and lots more! The 90s had some incredible soundtracks, I remember those days very fondly!

Prodigy "My Infamous Life" (Happy Born Day, P!)

The back cover of Prodigy's autobiography, says "Recently released from prison, Prodigy--half of Mobb Deep, one of the most influential hip hop groups of all time--reveals his story of fighting to survive on the mean streets of New York City and ultimately making it big, in his intimate autobiography, My Infamous Life. Catapulted from the Queensbridge Projects to the heights of fame at age sixteen, Prodigy toured the world while struggling with drugs, violent crime, and a disease he would spend a lifetime fighting. My Infamous Life is an unblinking account of Prodigy's beefs, brawls, and wild times with Mobb Deep--a duo that changed the musical landscape, leading hip hop into its golden era with their unapologetic portrayals of street life. Taking readers behind the smoke-and-mirrors glamour of the hip hop world, Prodigy lays down the unsparing truth about the intoxicating powers of fame and fortune, his brutal climb to the top, and his unexpected detour to prison in this raw and utterly--sometimes unnerving--frank memoir." After his passing, Nas shared in his song "Queensbridge Politics": "On behalf of me and Queens and all of the Gs / Bandana P will always stand as tall as a tree" ... "It's QueensBridge over everything and everybody / I wish the book never came out / And everything got straightened out / Before you left, I saw you, it was all love / Except we needed to build more and get things correct / Now I gotta accept it, 'cause there's honor in death / Wish you was here with us P...." Hip-hop still mourns the loss of Prodigy but we celebrate him today on his born day. R.I.P., Bandana P! Get a copy of the book HERE!

Slick Rick "The Great Adventures Of..." (November 1, 1988)

Slick Rick's reputation as hip-hop's greatest storyteller hangs on his classic debut, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, one of the most influential rap records of the late '80s -- for better and worse. Most of the production is standard early Def Jam, but Rick's style on the mic is like no one else's. His half-British accent and odd, singsong cadences often overshadow the smoothness of his delivery, but there's no overlooking the cleverness of his lyrics. His carefully constructed narratives are filled with vivid detail and witty asides, and his cartoonish sense of humor influenced countless other rappers. He'll adopt a high voice for his female characters, and even duets with his old alter ego MC Ricky D on "Mona Lisa." But there's also a dark side to The Great Adventures -- namely its vulgarity and off-handed misogyny. No MC had ever dared go as far on record as Rick, and the tracks in question haven't really lost much of their power to offend, or at least raise eyebrows. The notorious "Treat Her Like a Prostitute" is the prime suspect, undermining well-intentioned advice (don't trust too quickly) with cynical, often degrading portrayals of women. "Indian Girl (Adult Story)," meanwhile, is an X-rated yarn with a barely comprehensible payoff. Yet this material is as much a part of Rick's legacy as his more admirable traits, and he was far from the last MC to put seemingly contradictory sides of his personality on the same record. And it's worth noting that most of his Great Adventures, no matter how dubious, end up as cautionary tales with definite consequences. That's especially true on the tragic "Children's Story," in which a teenage robber's increasingly desperate blunders lead to his destruction. In the end, The Great Adventures is simply too good not to deserve the countless samples and homages by everyone from Snoop Dogg to Black Star. - AllMusic. This always felt like a greatest hits album to me, simply incredible storytelling...

I remember days upon days listening to this tape in my walkman. What a time...