The Large Professor "The LP" (Vinyl Reissue + Stream)

“The LP” is Legendary Hip Hop Producer and Emcee Large Professor’s highly anticipated 1st solo debut album that was originally slated to come out on Geffen Records in 1995/1996. Due to label politics at the time, the album unfortunately was never released. 14 Years later in 2009 the official version of “The LP” became available on CD & Double Vinyl LP. For almost 10 years this Vinyl has been out of print and in high demand. It is now being offered again as a special limited transparent blue colored reissue. “The LP” includes bonus unreleased songs and a few rare unearthed alternate demo versions of classic tracks such as the “Mad Scientist”. It also includes “I Juswanna Chill”, “That Bullsh*t”, the title track “The LP”, “Hard”, “One Plus One” featuring NAS, the newly polished up “Queens Lounge” and many more including the unreleased single “Amaman” b/w “Bowne” that was available on the now out of print 12” vinyl. All songs are produced by The Large Professor except “Large Pro:Verbs” produced by Vandamator & “Spacey” produced by Toney Rome. This album is officially sanctioned by The Large Professor and being released through Paul Sea Productions. As Large Professor states “This album represents a time in the 1990s when Hip Hop was more about the good times, when artists were rich in music and rich in talent and it wasn’t about how much money you had.” This will definitely sell out quickly, so order a copy HERE now. Listen below.

Group Home "Livin' Proof" (The Source, 12/95)

"We first heard Dap back in '92, when he represented on "I'm The Man" off Gang Starr's Daily Operation. Then Group Home itself emerged with the banging "Supa Star." Much like that first single, their full-length debut, Livin' Proof, is a throwback to the days when MCs actually had something to say. "Inna Citi Life," the album's first cut, does exhibit some of the generic gun talk that has run rampant in the industry. But Livin' Proof has a distinct theme: revealing the nuances of East New York ghetto life. "Serious Rap Shit," "Sacrifice" and "Suspended In Time" display Group Home's love for hip-hop and their desire to use it as a vehicle for elevation. On tracks like "2 Thousand" and "4 Give My Sins," they actually show remorse for the dirt done to survive. The former's chorus -- "95 is yours but 2000 is mine" -- paints an optimistic vision of the future. One of the brighter spots on the album comes from Jeru The Damaja on an interlude: "When you have the voice to say something, say something / 'Cause this is for the seeds / The seeds are what grow into the flowers / So shine light and water seeds." This is advice every MC should heed." Cont'd after the video below...

"From a production standpoint, Livin' Proof comes tighter than Adina Howard's spandex. DJ Premier brings the steelo heads have been in love with for years -- butter loops over hard hittin' drums. It's the same flava the group brought on "Supa Star" and it's the same style that has made Premier one of the best producers in hip-hop. The only downside to the album are the at-times simplistic verbals of Lil Dap and Melachi The Nutcracker. Lyrical enthusiasts will not be blown away. Nevertheless, Livin' Proof packs enough punch and flava to keep a party live. All true heads should give this one a listen." - The Source, 12/95. Is this DJ Premier's best produced album? Listen HERE.

Jay Royale "The Ivory Soap" (Album Stream)

Jay Royale, the East Baltimore emcee delivers his debut LP, The Ivory Stoop, full of crafty lyrics over minimalist, boombap production. He features some of the finest MCs in the underground on the project, enlisting Ill Conscious, Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine, Westside Gunn & more.  The dusty beats & minimal loops maintain the feel of the peak-era sound from the early/mid 90’s. If you're unfamiliar with Jay Royale, then the features should tip you off as to what to expect, do give it a listen and trust it's on par with some of the best releases from the underground.

Mobb Deep "Hell On Earth" (Press Release, Enhanced CD)

"After hitting gold with their last album, Mobb Deep is right back in it with the album "Hell On Earth." The act's street infamy is taken to the next level by the album's musical reflections on life and death, which spring largely out of mixed events: Havoc's reunion with his prison-released young brother, Prodigy become a father, and a horrible car crash that left two friends dead. The album title refers to the simple fact that violence in our culture isn't created from words on a CD or images on a screen, but rather is a grim reality that art can only reflect. The opening track, "Animal Instinct," testifies to the cut-throat competition in rap and denounces the genre's pervasive "thug" mentality. The set offers guest appearances by Nas, Rapper Noyd and Wu-Tang's Chef Raekwon and Method Man." - Billboard, November 15, 1997. Below is a brief video running through some of the enhanced CD features that came with the album, and below that is the original press release for it.

The press release regarding the enhanced CD features on "Hell On Earth" says that the enhanced CD is included at no additional cost. It included 30-day internet access, a hidden song (using a password), as well as the the full LP, exclusive video footage, bio and photos and access to snippets from other albums on Loud Records. I mostly remember the home-screen cycling over and over, but I was not computer savvy back in the winter of 1996 ... I almost forgot about these bonus features.

J.Period "The Live Mixtape" (Top 5 MCs Edition)

"J.PERIOD’s Live Mixtape is a first-of-its-kind Hip Hop mixtape, performed and recorded live onstage - in one take - by some of Hip Hop’s most celebrated MCs, and one of its most groundbreaking DJs. Recorded LIVE in New York City, The Live Mixtape [#Top5MCs Edition] features three legendary MCs—Rakim, Pharoahe Monch & Black Thought of The Roots—in an epic display of microphone mastery, seamlessly mixed by J.PERIOD, and re-igniting the timeless Hip Hop debate: Who’s your Top 5 MCs? Guest appearances include: Smif N Wessun, Black Sheep, Stro Elliot and Mumu Fresh." (Updated, 2020: the original audio I posted below was removed, then a new project with a similar title was released on Spotify. Hopefully it's the same project? Either way, I've updated the link).

Big Ghost Ltd "The Black Album Revisited" (Album Stream)

"Ayo the purpose of this project was to hop in the DeLorean n transport the listener back to 11-14-03 to this alternate reality where another Black Album exists... Not the Prince or Metallica ones.. The Hov one still.. but a different Hov one. One where A-List celebrity producers played no part...n it was no politics involved nahmean. No hype or pitches to the artist from whoever whoever... Just the feel of that early 00s shit when the R.O.C. had established itself as the pinnacle n the heartbeat of the culture n the greatest rapper of all time pump faked his retirement." - Big Ghost

Boog Brown "Boog Brown" (Album Stream)

Currently based in Atlanta, Detroit native Brown is not only an emcee, poet and publisher; but she describes herself as a “lover, fighter and artist.” This is reflected in her personal style, lyrical approach and unique perspective. After some mixtape success and her collaborative album "The Brown Study" with Apollo Brown, she's back again with her self-titled release, Boog Brown. The 13-track effort offers production entirely handled by Tom Caruana, as well as features from Nolan The Ninja, Big REC, yU, Dillon, and Flo. The artwork was done by Curse273. I met Boog at SXSW years ago and I've been a fan since. Listen to another solid, introspective release from Boog Brown below...

Featurecast "Queensbridge" (Queen vs. Nas Blend Tape)

Queen vs. Nas?? Ever wondered how it would sound if two of the most incredible music icons actually worked together? Maybe in a alternative universe, Queensbridge rapper Nas teamed up with UK rock legends QUEEN and created something totally unique together? Well... thankfully what I imagine that session would have sounded like is now available. Featurecast presents - Queensbridge. Listen to those endless hours in the studio as the genius of Queen and Nas bring a totally new take on 15 tracks with up until now, lost interviews of Freddie Mercury and Nas discussing the process of working on such a rare project together. This is an extremely ambitious project, but several of the tracks actually turned out incredible! Mind-blowing shit, I hope the audio stays online. Listen while you can! (Update: the download has unfortunately been taken down).