"War and Peace, Vol. 2: The Peace Disc"
Ice Cube
On Sale here!
At its most "peaceful," the second half of the "War and
Peace" pair finds Cube relaxing enough to party on the likes
of "You Can Do It." The refrain "Keep it gangsta" recurs
throughout, though, and makes it clear that Cube isn't ready
to rest just yet.
"Romeo Must Die: The Album"
Various artists
On Sale here!
Another soundtrack, this one sitting at the intersection of
hip-hop and R&B. In addition to great new cuts by movie
costar Aaliyah--including the hit "Try Again" and a
thoughtful duet with DMX, "Come Home in One Piece"--"Romeo
Must Die" also sparkles with music by Mack 10, Chante Moore,
and Dave Bing.
"Yeeeah Baby"
Big Punisher
On Sale here!
The pain of Big Pun's February death (due to a heart
condition) is somewhat eased by this triumphant final
statement. Mixing straightforward gangsta stuff with more
reflective moments, sometimes within the same cut, "Yeeeah
Baby" assures that this great Latino rapper won't be
forgotten.
"Like Water for Chocolate"
Common
On Sale here!
How can such a self-righteous rapper make a record that's so
much fun? This leader of the "alternative" hip-hop posse
offers everything from the strikingly cinematic "Payback Is
a Grandmother" to the casual homophobia that litters at
least two cuts. Get beyond his faults, though, and Common is
really saying something--something funky.
EDITOR'S CHOICE: DR.DRE
***********************
"2001"
Dr. Dre
On Sale here!
Instrumental Version:
On Sale here!
Dr. Dre's "2001" seals the master producer-rapper's
comeback, as it continues to sell in high quantities months
after its release. Despite the disc's tough tone, it also
displays Dre's more reflective state of mind. And the
music's so inventive that an instrumental version of the
entire disc is also available.
"Vol. 3. . .The Life and Times of S. Carter"
Jay-Z
On Sale here!
One of the prime reasons for Jay-Z's popularity may be the
fact that his prolific ways don't get in the way of the
quality; faced with bootlegs of "Vol. 3" before the album's
release, he added several tracks at the last moment. His
inventiveness is best reflected here on cuts such as the
truly defiant Dr. Dre collaboration "Watch Me" and the
Latin-tinged "Big Pimpin'."
"And Then There Was X"
DMX
On Sale here!
"On 'And Then There Was X,'" writes Amazon.com contributor
Celine Wong, "the multiplatinum-selling Dark Man X uses his
signature fragmented flow with its singsongy vocal
inflections to preach, teach, and reveal." Behind the fast
times and hard beats is one man's pain.
"Still I Rise"
2Pac & Outlawz
On Sale here!
While some of "Still I Rise" is fairly standard--if
immaculately produced and performed--stuff, this third
posthumous offering from 2Pac occasionally hits the
heights. Check out the daringly political "Letter to the
President" and "The Good Die Young"--some of his best work.
"Born Again"
The Notorious B.I.G.
On Sale here!
Puff Daddy's tribute to friend Biggie includes
studio-engineered duets between the likes of Eminem and the
Cash Money Clique. Would B.I.G. have approved? His fans,
who've leaped to grab this CD, certainly do.
"Tha Block is Hot"
Lil Wayne
On Sale here!
The block is indeed hot when Lil Wayne rides. One of the
kings of the Cash Money stable, Wayne doesn't waste
time--even the album intro rocks the box. A full slate of
fellow posse members (Juvenile, B.G.) are on hand for solid
support.
"Kaleidoscope"
Kelis
On Sale here!
New arrival Kelis is just 20, but her debut disc has already
marked her as a highly original talent. An airwaves staple
for months with her vocal chorus on ODB's "Got Your Money,"
her own "Caught Out There" ("I hate you so much right now!")
is gaining listeners and admirers through its eye-popping
video. Fans of Macy Gray, Erykah Badu, and Angie Stone are
bound to love Kelis, too.
GRAMMY NOMINATIONS: DRE, TLC, EMINEM, AND MORE
**********************************************
As hip-hop has gained more and more ground in the world of
mainstream music, it's been harder for the Grammy Awards to
ignore. This year's rap and hip-hop related categories
feature nominees such as Dr. Dre, 2Pac, TLC, the Roots,
Busta Rhymes, and Eminem. See the list of nominees in
Amazon.com's Music Store.
On Sale here!
EDITOR'S CHOICE: EVE
********************
"Ruff Ryders' First Lady," the debut solo disc by Eve,
sometimes seems as much a follow-up to the "Ryde or Die"
posse album as a full-length statement by an intriguing new
female voice. Good spirits abound, though, and Eve shows she
has plenty to say on tracks such as "Love is Blind" and
"Heaven Only Knows." Read more about "Ruff Ryders' First
Lady" at
On Sale here!
See "Ryde or Die, Vol. 1," featuring Eve's "What Ya Want," at
On Sale here!
ESSENTIALS BY ARTIST: BEASTIE BOYS AND MORE
*******************************************
The evolution of the Beastie Boys has been incredible to
watch--and even more fun to listen to. From the bratty kids
who made "Fight for Your Right" to the politically conscious
guys who started the Tibetan Freedom concerts, the Beasties
have managed to survive immaturity, celebrity, and even
their roles as tastemakers and trendsetters for a
generation. Dig our list of their essential recordings at
On Sale here!
1. "Things Fall Apart"
The Roots
REVIEW
Long hip-hop's greatest live act, the Roots have finally
accomplished in the studio what they've always been able to
do on stage: seamlessly blend their forward-looking,
intellectual, and instrument-challenging flow with a sense
of history, responsibility, and melody.
2. "A 2 G EP"
Blackalicious
REVIEW
Northern California has been the home of some of hip-hop's
most innovative acts over the past few years, thanks largely
to the Solesides/Quannum collective of DJ Shadow, Latryx,
and Blackalicious. New-school funky with old-school flavor,
it's just as great as Jurassic 5's 1998, self-titled EP.
3. "Nigga Please"
Ol Dirty Bastard
REVIEW
Other artists occasionally act crazy; few have the record of
public spectacle that make you actually doubt their sanity.
Biz Markie and Kool Keith play the class clown and play with
identities, respectively, but, for better or worse, the ODB
lives the life--and on "Nigga Please," it translates into a
devastatingly entertaining album.
4. "A Prince Among Thieves"
Prince Paul
REVIEW
Long one of hip-hop's most respected men behind the boards
(with De La Soul, Stetsasonic, and the Gravediggaz), Prince
Paul goes high-profile on his first concept album. A street
opera, "A Prince Among Thieves" is more than a collection of
songs with great guest slots; it's a strong story with a
killer soundtrack.
5. "Laid in Full"
M-Boogie
REVIEW
Left Coast DJ and producer M-boogie isn't the world's
greatest mixer, scratcher, or producer, but he's got one
hell of a Rolodex and great taste. His mix album, "Laid in
Full," includes top contributions from the cream of the
increasingly visible underground, including Peanut Butter
Wolf, DJ Babu, and Mos Def.
6. "You Can't Stop the Bum Rush"
Len
REVIEW
Some might consider Len too pop to be hip-hop, but with
contributions from Biz Markie, Kool G Rap, and
Mr. Dibbs--not to mention their own indisputably funky
flavor--there's no doubt in our minds that they
belong. Their first hit, "Steal My Sunshine," came via the
"Go" soundtrack, but the rest of their debut album is just
as much fun, and far more diverse than you'd expect.
7. "Blackout"
Method Man & Redman
REVIEW
Method Man and Redman spent the better part of a year on the
road together before releasing "Blackout," and it shows--
it's been a long time since two such commanding rappers
developed a rapport as vibrant as theirs. Though they're
standout stars on their own and with their respective groups
(Wu-Tang Clan and Def Squad), this is no mere side project.
8. "As The World Burns"
The Arsonists
REVIEW
Another group with an old-school bent--they've got ties to
the Rock Steady Crew and incorporate dance routines into
their live show--the Arsonists may be the most flat-out
entertaining group since the young De La Soul. Few other
artists plunder pop culture as well as this Brooklyn-based
quintet, who make the best use of the theme from "F-Troop"
heard in years.
9. "Full Clip"
Gang Starr
REVIEW
There's a bias against including hits packages on
best-of-the-year lists, but Gang Starr have always been more
about the exception than the rule. The duo of laconic
truthspeaker Guru and megaproducer DJ Premier pack this
retrospective with alternate takes, B-sides, and remixes,
making it a must-have for any fan.
10. "Venni Vetti Vecci"
Ja Rule
REVIEW
Call him the nouveau thug. Ja Rule owes a lot to the likes
of DMX, but his debut album exhibits a flow, melody, and
turn of lyric that shows there's more than just an idle
boast or three knocking around in his shaved head.
Honorable Mentions:
"Ruff Ryders' First Lady"
Eve
"Black on Both Sides"
Mos Def
REVIEW
"The Slim Shady LP"
Eminem
REVIEW
"So... How's Your Girl?"
Handsome Boy Modeling School
REVIEW
"Make the Music 2000"
Rahzel
REVIEW
"Blackout!"
Method Man and Redman
REVIEW
One of the year's most anticipated releases, "Blackout!" is
packed with explosive power. With production input by the
RZA, Erick Sermon, and others, this sprawling work gets its
wit and wordplay across with maximum impact.
"Uncontrolled Substance"
Inspectah Deck
REVIEW
Our survey of new Wu-related releases continues with the
solo debut by Inspectah Deck. Despite the absence of the
RZA's production style, Deck still shines. "Few other MCs,"
writes Amazon.com contributor Oliver Wang, "are more
effective than Deck at creating evocative street-level
images with single line strokes from his lyrical stylus."
"Nigga Please"
Ol' Dirty Bastard
REVIEW
Scour the hip-hop bins--and those of any other genre--and
you're likely to find nothing quite like Dirty's second solo
joint. Collision-course rapping, outbursts of song,
convincing if contradictory proclamations, and beats by the
Neptunes, Irv Gotti, and the RZA come together in a
hilarious, unhinged trek through one man's altered reality.
"So... How's Your Girl?"
Handsome Boy Modeling School
REVIEW
Rap, turntablism, trip-hop, and Prince Paul's trademark
offbeat humor meld on this ingenious collaboration with Dan
the Automator and a dozen or so of their best friends. Too
much of a good thing? Not when the likes of Mike D, DJ
Shadow, Money Mark, and Grand Puba are in the house, along
with samples from Three Dog Night and Chris "Get a Life"
Elliott.
"Fight Club: Original Motion Picture Score"
The Dust Brothers
REVIEW
Much sparser than their mixing-board work for the likes of
the Beasties and Beck, "Fight Club" nonetheless is an
intriguing glimpse of the Dust Brothers at work in another
idiom. A bleak though interesting listen, "Fight Club" leans
heavily toward techno and industrial sounds; don't be
surprised to find this sample-happy disc a source for
samples itself in the not-too-distant future.
"People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm"
A Tribe Called Quest
REVIEW
"People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" is a
mouthful of a title, but its acknowledgment of movement as a
basic human endeavor suits A Tribe Called Quest's 1990 debut
perfectly. In conjunction with some of hip-hop's most
sublime grooves, its rhymes capture countless small and
large moments, from hunting down a fish sandwich in the wee
small hours to subtle expressions of the group's
spirituality.
"The RZA Hits"
RZA
REVIEW
For those who aren't really into the gangsta-hardcore side
of hip-hop, it's always been tough to understand the
phenomenon of the Wu-Tang Clan. Fear not: The Wu's legacy is
made clear on "The RZA Hits," a collection that pulls
together the best tracks from an assortment of extended Clan
releases. Presented side by side, they cement RZA's
reputation as one of the best producers around.
"Mary"
Mary J. Blige
REVIEW
After a three-year break, the stone-cold Queen of Hip-Hop
Soul is back in the fray with a new set of musical grooves.
From the slow-burn slink of the opening "All That I Can Say"
to the riffed-over "Bennie and the Jets" sample on "Deep
Inside," these tracks are perfect matches for Blige's update
of classic R&B values.
"Juxtapose"
Tricky
REVIEW
Trip-hop's grandmaster brings his ravished basso rumbling
and spacious mixes to another slab of wax. Only 10 cuts
here, but his collaboration with DJ Muggs and Grease adds
new color to his dark-hued musical palette.
"Philadelphonic"
G. Love and Special Sauce
REVIEW
G. Love lays it low on "Philadelphonic," a sprawling
panorama of laid-back beats, slinky urban vibes, sexy sparse
grooves, and G.'s nonstop patter of self-deprecating jibes
and wry observations. Can you dance to it? Kinda--but do it
horizontally.
Pete Rock and CL Smooth
The Main Ingredient
REVIEW
Long before RZA introduced pianos and string sections into
hip-hop, Pete Rock was digging deeper in the crates than
anyone around him. On "The Main Ingredient," Rock's second
album with smooth-pattered partner C.L. Smooth, he mines
grooves from Cannonball Adderly, Earth Wind and Fire, Donald
Byrd, Stan Getz, and Chef... er, Isaac Hayes to sublime
effect.
"Da Real World"
Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott
REVIEW
That she's only rarely compared to Lauryn Hill--that it's
seen as matter-of-fact that there are such people as
multitalented, successful female hip-hop moguls--is a
testament to how far public perception has come. But "Da
Real World" stands on its own: Funky, inventive, and fun,
it's the album of the summer by one of the great talents of
the decade.
"Make the Music 2000"
Rahzel
REVIEW
Rahzel is the secret weapon in hip-hop's most accomplished musical force, the Roots. As the greatest human beatbox around, he draws on the legacy of Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh, the Fat Boys, and that guy from the Police Academy movies, but Rahzel's got rhythm, soul, and a little something extra. And that's not even including the best moment on the album, when the one-man studio re-creates RZA's wizardry by busting out "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F With."
"Full Clip"
Gang Starr
REVIEW
Guru once rapped "Here's how it goes / I am a genius / I mean this," but no one ever accused him of boasting. On "Full Clip," we're invited into a decade-long retrospective of Gang Starr, one of hip-hop's brainiest outfits. It's a great chance to relive the journey of DJ Premier--one of the most sought-after producers around, regardless of current fads--and Guru, as they dived headfirst into the worlds of jazz and philosophy, dragging the rest of the hip-hop world along behind them.
BRIT-HOP
It's always been a strange contradiction--Americans love British accents, but only rarely does a British MC capture our attention. Here's a look at some of the best British hip-hop--past, present, and future.
"Uptown Saturday Night"
Camp Lo
REVIEW
Released in 1997, Camp Lo reached back to the old school before doing so came into vogue. It's a shame, because "Uptown Saturday Night" is a solid, funky album that references pop culture and blaxploitation in a way that should probably garner much more attention in 1999.
"Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1"
Brand New Heavies
REVIEW
'Round about the time that the Roots were getting started, the Brand New Heavies came out with this classic album, on which they played house band for 10 of their favorite MCs. Though they later got more soulful, while N'Dea Davenport briefly fronted the group, this album was an early classic for those who believed in live hip-hop.
"The Great Adventures of Slick Rick"
Slick Rick
REVIEW
Though some of rap's roots are in the oral storytelling tradition, few MCs did more than boast or make a pretty rhyme before Ricky Walters came along. Though the album boasts a number of inventive tracks, it was "Children's Story"--which has been covered, reworked, and referenced on countless occasions--that opened up an entire new world for rappers. Few, however, have ever come close to the original.
"Very Mercenary"
The Herbaliser
REVIEW
DJ Ollie Teeba and bassist-programmer Jake Wherry don't rap themselves, they have plenty of friends who do. On their latest album, the club-jazz-trip-hop-noir duo work their magic with a bevy of talented microphone jockeys, including the Dream Warriors, Natural Resources' What What, and Brit favorites Blade and Roots Manuva. Plus they record for Ninja Tune, the label headed by Coldcut--the producers whose remix of Eric B & Rakim's "Seven Minutes of Madness" brought hip- hop onto the dance floor in the first place.
"Northern Sulphoric Soul"
Rae & Christian
REVIEW
Like the Herbaliser, Mark Rae (DJ, programmer, label head) and Steve Christian (guitar, production) don't personally work the mic--but they, too, have lots of talented friends. Though YZ, Veba, Qball, and Curt Cazal aren't big names, they hold their own with the other guests here, including the Jungle Brothers, Jeru the Damaja, and--strangely-- Scottish rockers Texas.
THE LATEST AND GREATEST
Some more new favorites to watch out for:
"Spectrum"
Quannum
REVIEW
A new collaborative CD from DJ Shadow, Latryx, Blackalicious, and their friends from the former Solesides crew. Not as good as each group's own albums, but still a must for fans.
"Sure Shot Redemption"
Dres
REVIEW
The latest from one-half of Black Sheep, the fondly remembered, oft-missed junior members of the Native Tongues family.
"Chunka-Luv"
Hurculeez & Big Tyme
REVIEW
Remember the dinner table scene in Eddie Murphy's remake of "The Nutty Professor"? This is the same Herculeez, back with a similarly girthed friend. God save us, every one.