Prince Rakeem (RZA) "Ooh I Love You Rakeem" (1991)

Prince Rakeem's first record in 1991, "Ooh I Love You Rakeem," was marketed in the typical way that Tommy Boy Music handled new artists' projects. Commit only to a single. Put some money into a relatively inexpensive video. See how it does. If it pops, pick up the album option. If it doesn't, consider dropping the artist. Monica Lynch liked Prince Rakeem. After his first single tanked, she wanted to hear something that made her believe a second release would be worth the investment. But after Rakeem dropped off the charts, he dropped out of sight. She heard that he was somewhere in Ohio. She didn't know why. The truth was that, after the long buildup and quick evaporation of his record, Robert Diggs was desperate. Broke and angry, he began dealing drugs and plotting petty capers. But Diggs was a small-time player in a game with established contenders. Faced with too much competition in New York, Diggs and a friend, Dennis Coles (Ghostface Killah), decided that they would set up shop instead in Steubenville, Ohio. For a time, Diggs made money. But then he got into a shoot-out after being ambushed by a local crew. One of the bullets from his gun ripped into the leg of a kid named Willie Walters. Diggs ended up in jail, charged with felonious assault and attempted murder. At the trial in the spring of 1991... only Digg's frank testimony saved him from 8 years as the jury acquitted Diggs (Prince Rakeem/RZA) - The Big Payback, Dan Charnas.

The promo was a disaster, it's no wonder RZA went full gold-fang'd Gravedigga on 'em...

Killer Mike "Anger & Ambition" (Mixtape, 2009)

Originally released in August 2009, Trackstar The DJ and Smoking Section collaborated once again on their release of Killer Mike's Anger & Ambition mixtape. Hosted by Killer Mike, they run through what they feel are some of the best records in Mike's collection up to that point. With the rise of Killer Mike's presence in the mainstream through Run The Jewels, his community outreach, TV shows and activism, it may do you well to go back through some of Killer Mike's earlier material. His catalog is DEEP! He's never wavered in his message, nor his skill on the mic. Dig into the mix below...

DJ Sandman "Tape #120" (Mixtape, 1996)

Props to DJ E-Freezy for hittin' us off with some mix tapes from DJ Sandman. This is Tape #120 aka Mission Impossible, released around 1996. As I said before, the freestyles with Big L, Masta Ace, Method Man, RA the Rugged Man & others are what caught my attention, but I'd heard them before the mix tapes and never owned personal copies of the tapes. This particular tape kicks off with exclusive freestyles from Method Man, Q-Tip, Smoothe The Hustler & Trigger The Gambler, Channel Live, and then tracks from Nas, Heltah Skeltah, RZA, Cypress Hill & Fugees, Artifacts, De La Soul, Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg, Def Squad, Junior M.A.F.I.A., 2Pac, Nas, Mobb Deep, Akinyele, The Roots, Bahamadia, M.O.P., Skin Deep & Keith Murray, SWV, Ill Al Skratch, LL Cool J, and more! Dig in...

AG & Cuns "Bronck's Kill" (EP Stream)

Over the last couple of years, legendary Bronx lyricist and D.I.T.C. immortal A.G., and Roman producer Cuns have been working on the low, creating and shaping the 5 tracks featured on their brand new EP entitled "Bronck's Kill". On this new body of work, Cuns has managed to create the perfect soundscape for A.G.'s unique style, intricate rhymes and seamless storytelling. The EP features verses from Recognize Ali and Sage Infinite. Dig into the EP below via Tuff Kong Records.

Lyric Jones & Nameless "GA$ MONEY" (Album Stream)

Emcee, singer, songwriter and drummer, Lyric Jones teams up with producer Nameless to bring the world a solid well-rounded project titled, "GA$ MONEY." The duo found common ground as they both were creating this project long distance while she drove Lyft & Uber majority of the time as he was a truck driver. The title came about while joking about "Gas money" being the bare minimum required for their presence or services in the music business - often times people wanting their gifts for free, this tying in how they both drive all day to make ends meet. Dig into their LP below...

Mastermind "Tape 22: No Gimmicks '96" (Mixtape, 1996)

This is Tape 22 aka No Gimmicks from Canada's DJ Mastermind in 1996. The tape features tracks from Special Ed, Busta Rhymes, Jamal, the Fugees, Mic Geronimo, Masta Ace, Bahamadia, GZA, Group Home, Triflicts, Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Big Noyd, 2Pac, LL Cool J, Blahzay Blahzay, Broadway, Erick Sermon, J-Live, Saukrates and more! Another fine mix tape from DJ Mastermind, dig into it below...

Awon "Soulapowa" (Album Stream)

I woke up to the incredible sounds of soul pumpin' through my speakers today. Yup, I stretched my arms at 6:15am, saw an e-mail that the new Awon album was released and 'popped' it in to get my day started. Some jazzy keys, a nice break... my eyes are opening... then the bars come in - "...the first amendment, exercised with a criminal vision..." - my day is off to a great start! Peace to my brother from Philly, Dread Solo, on the production for "Dark Roast," which ends with a proper applause. MZ Boom Bap is up next, and when the cuts come in after Awon's first verse, it levels up. This is feeling like Awon's sharpest and most concise effort thus far. "Keep it real, that's that..." (Peace to N.O.R.E.) By the time the soulful chop from Phoniks bleeds through the speakers, I'm floating through my morning rituals. I had to pause the album to cop the CD and show support...

The LP's AZ-like feature comes from Houston, TX's Anti-Lilly on two cuts. His message is always on point and breathes added life into the project. All in all, if you've been a fan from day one or this is the first time hearing Awon's music, this project has a timeless feel to it and while I must sit with it to break down and digest the lyrics properly, I'm standing firm that this may be his best project released to date. I'm gonna fire off a text to let him know how I appreciated his album as the sun starts to peak through. I hope the rest of the world is waking up with me, as Awon ironically says "...sleep while you alive and wake up in a coffin..." lol. I hear you, brother. Listen to Soulapowa below...

DJ Crossphader "The Basement Experience" (Mixtape, 2000)

These double-cassette mix tapes from DL and DJ Crossphader are still hella niche, but who can't appreciate some dope indie backpack hip-hop shit from 2000? lol. They kicked the year off strong with The Basement Experience... the double mix features a ton of joints from artists like Common, Ran Reed, Reflection Eternal, De La Soul, Large Professor, Mass Influence, Dilated Peoples, Slum Village, L-Fudge, Freddie Foxxx, Black Thought, A.G., Cella Dwellas, Rascalz, Jigmastas, Mr. Complex, The Unspoken Heard, Mad Skillz, Gauge, I.G. Off & Hazardous, Louis Logic, Pharoahe Monch, Masta Ace, Screwball, B-1, Lone Catalysts and more. Dig into the archives for more, and listen below...