Black Milk "If There's A Hell Below" (Instrumental Album)

Detroit's Black Milk's 6th solo LP, "If There's A Hell Below," painted pictures from a first person perspective of someone raised and living in one of America's toughest cities, and the ups and downs of pursuing a career in the arts. The stories reflect how he and the people where he's from feel or have felt - if there's a hell below, maybe we're already in it. This limited edition Record Store Day double LP features the previously unreleased instrumentals showcasing the versatility and impact of Black Milk's production. I recommend coppin' the vinyl release, but give it a listen below, too...

Death Row Records "Press Kit" (1997)

"Death Row Records is an independently owned, African-American record company founded approximately four years ago by Suge Knight, chief executive officer and former president, Andre "Dr. Dre" Young. The label's artists are among the most popular in the music industry. Its success as an independent record company is virtually unparalleled. Since its inception, Death Row Records has sold approximately 26 million records accounting for gross receipts in excess of $170 million. Although Death Row Records' artist roster includes significant talent in the rap game, it also releases rhythm and blues music. Rap is a style wherein a combination of talking, as well as singing, is set to hip-hop music. Death Row Records' principal artists, most notably Snoop Doggy Dogg, 2Pac and MC Hammer have "crossed over" from appearing regularly on the rap charts to noticeable appearances on the rhythm and blues charts as well. The charts are an expression of the sales and popularity of various forms of recorded music." The company overview and more, cont'd below...

"Much of Death Row Records' music chronicles the observations and experiences of young African-America, often describing situations which occur in the urban ghettos of this country. These observations and experiences represent a part of life in America that is non-mainstream and that the government, prior to the popularity of rap, was able to control, list and keep from the middle class. The current appeal of this music to suburban America has caused great concern to the government, politicians and others, looking to benefit from and capitalize on these events."  - 1997.

Lord Finesse "Return Of The Funky Man" (The Source, 1991)

"Lord Finesse made a name for himself in New York the hard way - stepping on stage and ripping up the mic for stubborn audiences that never heard of him. Needless to say, the crowds loved him. After about two years of underground fame, it's time for Finesse to get his props and blow up. Finesse is still at his best rhyming to that 'ole slow tempo, soul clap type of groove. He continues to flow with smooth rhymes and powerful punch lines... Typically, Finesse never steers too far away from how funky he is, and how people that used to dis him are catching the vapors these days. But few other MCs can boast with the skills and conviction of Lord Finesse. Peep it: "When it comes to rhymes I give ya more than ya asked for / bring a whole task force / I rhyme my fuckin' ass off."

"The production line-up includes DJ Alladin, formerly of Low Profile, and two of Finesse's Uptown homeys, Showbiz and Diamond D, while Finesse goes for self on six cuts to create a nice variety of ill flavors. The track that stands out the most by far is the posse cut, "Yes You May," produced by Showbiz. Homeboys Percee P (watch out for him in '92) and Andre The Giant (Finesse's 5'3" freestyle accomplice) each get ill respectively. Suffice to say, Lord Finesse's long awaited second album lives up to its title." - The Source, 1991. Check out the full album review below if you wanna save a copy.

Union Blak "Street English" (Album Stream)

The Union Blak duo of Sir Williams and Kimba return with their new album 'Street English' on Effiscienz Records. Following on from the underground success of 'Union Blak Friday,' this new body of work continues the legacy of golden era legends such as Gang Starr, Pete Rock, CL Smooth and De La Soul. With 11 more great cuts featuring the signature chemistry of Kimba's witty, intelligent rhymes and the soulful grit of Sir Williams production, listeners will certainly not be disappointed! Update: it seems their music was taken down from streaming sites, so enjoy their single, "The Truth."

I.G.T. “Word To Life” 12” (Vinyl, 2001)

I.G.T stands for Ill Gotten Team; a 4-member group established in 1997 in Roosevelt, Long Island. They were signed to Loud Records from 1998 to 2001 & had joints with a wide range of artists on and off the Loud Records label. This 12” in particular has production from The Large Professor and a feature from R&B singer Horace Brown. The track has a sample from “Don’t Say Goodnight” by The Isley Brothers. The song was released on “Street Music - The Preview,” a sampler from Loud Records, which also included a track with Inspectah Deck & production from the Alchemist, as well as the note “selections from the forthcoming Loud Records release The Alpha & The Omega in stores fall 2001.” I don’t believe the album was ever officially released, however you can listen to it via DatPiff if you’re interested. In the meantime, dig into the full 12" to I.G.T.'s "Word To Life" below...

Mobb Deep "The Infamous" (4/25/95) / The Source Review

Picking up where we left off, Mobb Deep returned with their sophomore classic, 'The Infamous' on this day (April 25) in 1995 via Loud Records. Looking back, I consider it one of the rawest moments in Hip-Hop; Mobb Deep's sound on 'The Infamous' caused another shift and resurgence in music coming out of Queens. The lead single 'Shook Ones Pt.II' quickly established itself as a classic NY record and connected so well through clubs like The Tunnel that it carried the album through its release in April. In May, they dropped the second single 'Survival of the Fittest' and by late June, the album was certified Gold. On July 8th, Loud Records set up a paintball competition on Long Island with Mobb Deep, Cella Dwellas, a couple members of the Wu-Tang Clan (Rae & Ghost), the staff and local-celebrity DJs. Of course, the DJs took the W! The following day Mobb Deep was presented with their Gold plaque and the Wu-Tang received their platinum plaque for '36 Chambers.' While the bulk of production on the album was handled by Havoc & Prodigy themselves, Q-Tip contributed production and played a highly influential role in mixing and helping to shape the sound. Along with Nas, Raekwon, Ghostface, and Big Noyd, Q-Tip was also one of the few features selected for the album. Credit to Steve Rifkind and Loud Records for being able to find and sign a group that could deliver again after the success of Wu-Tang's debut. Most publications were not willing to stamp 'The Infamous' as a classic at the time, but 20 years later, 'The Infamous' is celebrated for taking fans on a raw journey through Queens with street narratives and some of the grittiest production of the 90s. In 2014, Mobb Deep dropped 'The Infamous Mobb Deep,' a double album with one disc of original music and another with unreleased tracks from the recording sessions from 'The Infamous,' you'll want to check that version out too. Revisit Mobb Deep's The Infamous below...

The Combat Jack Show "Black Rob Episode"

The latest episode of the Combat Jack Show features one of the least spoken members of the Bad Boy Record family, despite having a classic album with "Life Story." Seriously, go back and listen, he came widdit. 20 years later, Black Rob shares early life stories again: from being a motherless child, being a day one in the early days of the Bad Boy conglomerate, his stint in jail, as well as his health, and a timely comeback to the music game. This may be one of only a few interviews I've heard with Black Rob, as I'm sure it is for you too - maybe? - so dig in and learn more about Black Rob below...

Slum Village "Fantastic Vol.2" (Vibe Magazine, 8/00)

It's funny how something can fare so poorly in one place and so well in another. Take, for instance, the production of the Ummah's Jay Dee. His sublime melodies contributed to two terribly disappointing A Tribe Called Quest albums. However, his beats match perfectly with Detroit-based group Slum Village (composed of Jay Dee, Baatin, and T3). Why? Because where Tribe was once punchy and attention-grabbing, SV is subtle and understated. Walkman rap versus living room rap, plain and simple. But what is perhaps most puzzling yet amazing about SV's debut, Fantastic Vol.2, is the way the music meshes with the lyrics. Songs such as "Fall In Love," with its serene loops over shuffling, danceable drums, and, of course, Jay Dee's MO of extra-knocking snares, typify the LP's sound. The clear stand-out is the clever "I Don't Know." The trio creates an amusing aural montage by using James Brown's vocal samples to finish the lines. All in all, Slum Village delivers an entertaining LP that's relaxed without being boring. Put your headphones down, lower the volume on your stereo, and prepare for a Zen-like experience. - Vibe Magazine, August 2000. Classic sh!t!

You can save a copy of the full review in Vibe, below...