Theory Hazit "The Fall of the Light Bearer" (Album Stream)

"Fall of the Light Bearer" is the 4th official studio album from Portland MC/producer Theory Hazit. Another solid release in his well-established catalog, the 13-track offering features LMNO, Johaz of Dag Savage, his screw the Scribbling Idiots, the good homie Jon Corbin, Alessandra Rose; production from J57 and of course, his own production. Do yourself a favor and listen to it below...

Black Rob "Life's Story" (Vibe, June 1999)

"Black Rob's debut, Life Story, is a grimy adventure that'll probably make him a feared man in corporate America, but revered in the hip hop world. He's incredibly adept at constructing graphic, autobiographical episodes and intricate tales. With his adamantine gaze, raspy-voice, and stormy aura, Black Rob is the closest thing to the late, great Notorious B.I.G. Replete with fluid production from the Hitmen, Life Story is an emotional ride full of hardship and pain, especially the haunting title track, on which Rob recalls growing up with an alcoholic mother. He seeks to avenge a friend's murder on the thunderous "Lookin' At Us," featuring Cee-Lo, and dreams of a better life on the intense "Can I Live," featuring the Lox. And the rowdy hit single "I Dare You," which first appeared on the 1998 soundtrack for the movie Slam (Immortal/Epic), sounds just as good on the hundredth listen as it did on the first. However, Life Story does have its occasional detractions, like Puffy's irritating ad-libs on "Make It Hot" and Puffs wanna-be rough rhymes on "Down The Line." Also, "Spanish Fly" is a little too light and fluffy to suit Rob's hardcore style. But that doesn't change the fact that although the album gets down and dirty, Life Story is a breath of fresh air." - Vibe, 6/99.

If you'd like a copy of the full Vibe review, check below...

Mello Music Group "Persona" (Album Stream)

"If the soul of hip-hop belongs to the culture, the skeleton belongs to the independent label. From Sugar Hill to Def Jam, Tommy Boy to Rawkus, Fondle Em to Def Jux, the genre’s best music has been birthed by imprints that brazenly defy the status quo, those who champion fearless artists and always prize quality over commerce. For the last eight years, Mello Music Group has lived by that ethos. If you’re reading these words, you’re inevitably well aware of its ascendance and growing legacy. But more importantly, you know the artists—those singular voices channeling the spirits of the past and spitting premonitions of the future. Boom-bap at its best: evolving and expanding the art form, capturing stories of the struggle, upholding the tradition, and keeping the crooked honest. Persona unveils the murderer’s row that is the Mello roster of 2015. Oddisee, Apollo Brown, yU, L'Orange, Red Pill, Open Mike Eagle, Rapper Big Pooh, Quelle Chris. The stars of the present teamed with timeless innovators like Phonte (Little Brother), Blockhead, Ras Kass, Gift of Gab (Blackalicious), Oh No, Masta Ace, and Bilal Salaam. The result is something that binds current greats with the pioneers who paved the asphalt. It’s both a historical moment and hard as hell." Listen to it below...

The Fab 5 "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka" (Review, 1995)

The Fab 5 was a super-group that consisted of Heltah Skeltah (Sean Price & Rockness Monstah) and O.G.C. (Starang Wondah, Louisville Sluggah and Top Dog). As part of the Boot Camp Clik and signed to Duck Down Records, they released their debut 12", "Blah" and "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka" in 1995. The Source covered the single, saying: "When Black Moon first hit the streets, they paved the way for one of the strongest crews ever to come out of Brooklyn. Next up, Smif-N-Wessun. Recently, the names Heltah Skeltah & O.G.C. have been popping up. The two groups represented lovely on "Heads Ain't Ready." Now they've joined forces on a double single - just to let heads know what the future holds. "Leflah Leflour Eskoshka" is unadulterated dope. Don't let the name fool you, the track consists of straight-up, rugged lyrics over a butter-smooth beat. The MCs interact in a way that reminds the listener of a freestyle session where amped heads jump in without allowing the last man to finish his verse. The lyrics are so phat, it's almost impossible to pick out the best ones.... Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C. have definitely brought more props to the Boot Camp Clik and Bucktown USA. Can't wait to hear the album." Well, there was no group album ... with the charting success of the single, O.G.C went on to release "Da Storm" and Heltah Skeltah released "Nocturnal" in 1996. 

Awon "Matte Black Soul" (Album Stream)

"...Sometimes I feel like my flesh

Is now speaking to my soul

I understand my purpose

And as long as the earth twist

I'm here to tell the truth

Until I'm underneath the surface

On whatever medium

The antithesis of skinny jeans and shirts that's smedium

Awon bout as real as they come..."

Wooo, catch that 21st Century sample of "Remember The Rain;" it's nicely flipped by Phoniks, and featured on Awon's "Matte Black Soul" LP. Lord knows ... I been old, lol, so I know it's not uncommon to feel like our best days are behind us. Yet, Awon was something of a seasoned vet even before his name caught on, now making waves in the underground bringing maturity, messages with purpose, and lots of soul & jazzy hip-hop with his projects. The blueprint over at Don't Sleep Records is not new, it's just too many artists got jaded or abused by time and veered off course - Phoniks and Awon, however, keep the focus on the music, complementing it with strong visuals, products and packaging + they get themselves overseas where the love is. The industry might be slow to catch on: doing it the right way does work! But then, you can't copy authenticity. (Updated).

Smif-N-Wessun "Dah Shinin" (Rap Pages, 3/95)

"The generals of Bucktown's Boot Camp Clik, Smif-N-Wessun are no one-hit wonders. Ever since debuting on Black Moon's seminal Enta Da Stage, and following their "Bucktown" anthem (easily one  of the biggest crowd-movers in recent memory), Steele and Tek's full-length joint has been eagerly awaited by roughnecks everywhere. Dah Shinin' doesn't disappoint, lightening up the spot from beginning to end with solid cut after cut. The 1-2-3 combination punch of "Wrektime," "Wontime," and "Wreckonize" gets the album going, but it's the ragga-flavored "Sound Bwoy Buriel," featuring Black Moon's Buckshot, that delivers the knockout blow. Relentless grooves wallop ears in this threatening testament to all those suckas at the show. The album's other posse cut, "Cession at the Doghouse," features O.G.C. (Originl Gun Clappaz) and Heltah Skeltah, with Buckshot delivering the chorus like Method Man on the Wu's Da Mystery of Chessboxin'." Peep the Dah Shinin' album, cont'd below...

"Hellucination," which freaks a fly Minnie Riperton bassline sample and the infamous "Bucktown" drum track, is lyrically the strongest track on the album. "Home Sweet Home" uses the same "We Live In Brooklyn" Roy Ayers classic that's on Digable Planets' latest, but Steele and Tek give it a decisively more hardcore touch. "P.N.C. (Partners 'N' Crime)," the album's finale, is Smif-N-Wessun's "together forever" tribute to fallen friend Sean Grady. Produced exclusively by Da Beatminerz (Mr. Walt, Evil Dee and newcomer Baby Paul), Dah Shinin' establishes Smif-N-Wessun as legitimate artists who took the lead of mentors Black Moon and pushed a distinct New York sound to new heights." - Rap Pages, March 1995. You can save a copy of the Rap Pages album review below... Peace to the BCC.

Mister Cee "That Freestyle Shit" (Vinyl EP, 1995)

Before it was released with Tape Kingz in a clear blue cassette, the vinyl for Mister Cee's "That Freestyle Shit" was self-released by Mister Cee in 1994. The classic release - in both formats - kicks off with "The Wickedest;" the infamous freestyle from Biggie, live at Mister Cee's crib. It also has Ol' Dirty Bastard's freestyle live at Big Daddy Kane's video shoot in Lafayette Gardens Projects in Brooklyn; Masta Ace Incorporate live at Firehouse Studios; Finsta Bundy live at Mister Cee's crib, and more freestyles with Keith Murray, Biz Markie & Brand Nubian. Perhaps the most historic freestyle on the release, however, is 2Pac, Big Daddy Kane, Big Scoob, Biggie Smalls and Shyheim, Live at The Garden! Need I say more? I think not, so dig into That Mister Cee Freestyle Sh!t below...

Blu & MED "Bad Neighbor Tour" (Mixtape Stream)

If 25 minutes of choice, tasteful hip-hop is what your morning needs, then Blu and MED are your humble, happy suppliers. The two West Coast MCs combined their dynamic flows and tastes for last year’s Bad Neighbor Tour, and now some of the best material from both artists back catalogs have been seamlessly sewn into a brand new mixtape. Composed by Stones Throw Records affiliate DJ Romes, Bad Neighbor Tour CD, Part 1 is a half hour-long set is a trip through old school soul samples, dusty drums, airtight claps and (of course) both artists top-tier rhyme skills. The set opens with a remix of the duo’s cut “Peroxide” and rolls on through gems like Oh No‘s “Jones’s” and the Mayer Hawthorne/Madlib collab “The Buzz.” - via OKP. Dig into their dope tour exclusive below...