Cool Nutz - Verbal Porn LP. Coming out of the Northwest Cool Nutz is reppin' the 5-0-3. My favorite track is "Portland Life II" and "Major Pain". The production by Torry Ward is nice with the heavy stab bass lines and synth cords. Guest appearances include Mac Dre and Jay Tee of N2Deep (remember "Back to the Hotel" - Beep Beep.) Gotta peep funked out track "Portland Life II" and its catchy hook "We mash on the block, That's Portland Life/ Get cash on the block, that's Portland Life/ Hold a pocket full of rock's, that's Portland Life/ We keep the beat on knock, that's Portland Life/". Track 7 brings me back to ol' Killa Kali days - "My Heata" - My Nine Milla Me-He-He-ter - Definite Thug shit for the G'd up homies. . Real Audio Clip of "Enuff" | "Freq" (Jus Family Records)

Underground Airplay Version 1.0 - Brought to you by Ecko Unltd. and Lyricist Lounge. I remember back around 1994 when I bought an Ecko t-shirt in NYC, I got an Lyricist Lounge promo tape and it had Red Rum, Bahamadia and some other underground cats on it. I played the hell out of the tape and couldn't wait to get another tshirt to get the new compilation. The tradition continues with the release of the freshest compilation/mixtape out on the streets. The CD is mixed by DJ Spinbad (Moby's touring DJ) and his cuts and blends are tight. The first single released from the CD is the old school classic, "Jam On It," featuring Mos Def. This is the first release in a series of three annual releases and I can hardly wait for the next one to drop. The list of artists is too large to include them all but here is a sampling: Pharoahe Monch, Xzibit, Inspectah Deck, Rah Diggah, Bahamadia/Planet Asia/Rasco, Kardinal Offishall, Mystic, Casual, Masta Ace, Phil Da Agony, Rise & Shine, Self Scientific, and many more. (C. Zawadi Morris - Original Media Group)

Click Tha Supah-Latin - "Squarewon" LP. This album is refreshing. Hot tracks on the album are: "Jaw Jabbin feat. Akil (J5) and Derek Strong (the L.K.)," "The Park," and "Sandstorm feat. Medusa." Click demonstrates his beatboxing skillz on joints such as "The Fifth I.E. feat. Reignman" and "Beatbox Break." Jurassic 5 also makes an appearance on the album and rhymes over Click's beatbox on the track "Lunchtime." There was one thing that stood out in this album - Click's love for family and parenting. On this album, he collaborates and rhymes with his ten-year old son, Click 44, on "Squarewon" and "Diferente." In addition, Click Tha Supah-Latin engages in a cipher with his three children and wife on "Family Freestyle." The inclusion of his family in his work makes his album avant-garde in the hip-hop world. This is totally contrary to the desires of MTV video and commercial radio programming that has a knack of promoting unhealthy bullshit to our children. contributed by m. madriaga (Trevor/Score - Wildwest Recordings)

Lexicon - "It's the L!" LP. If I were to have a chance to see a Lexicon show, I would be at the front row yelling, "It's the L!" I can't think of any other superlatives to describe this album other than DOPE! There is a grip of tasty joints that needs to be peeped out such as: "It's the L," "Charismatic Rapper," "Nightfall," "The OfficiaL," "Years and Years (feat. Takbir of SOB)," and "Nikehead." I was definitely feeling "Charismatic Rapper." This track took me back in the day. It took me to a time "Before Jive focused only on boy bands." This joint made me reminisce about my youth and the days before hip-hop was marketed and bastardized by corporate greed. When I heard the following lyrics - "…lying in bed with my walkman on, listening to mix shows to the break of dawn," I got teary-eyed. contributed by m. madriaga (Trevor/Score - Spy Tech Records)

K-Salaam - The Hands of Time. First and foremost this is a turntablist mix CD. It should not be considered 'just' a mixtape. I don't want K-Salaam's work to be confused with the average bootleg DJ mixtape full of joints distributed by record pools. The CD serves as a vehicle to which K-Salaam can exhibit his skillz on the 1's and 2's and feature choice joints from the grimy underground - Born Allah, Juice, Micranots, Deltron 3030, DJ Vadim, Encore, etc. There is a statement written in the inside jacket of the CD that is worth repeating here: "This tape is a representation of hip-hop. The backbone of hip-hop is the deejay. The three elements of deejaying are mixing (blending), scratching, and backspinning (bouncing, flipping). All three elements are represented lovely on this CD, and all these elements are conducted by none other than K-Salaam." I couldn't agree more. Nuff said. contributed by m. madriaga (Scholar-Warrior Records)

K-Otix - Universal LP. When I was in Brooklyn a couple of months ago, I remember being at a party hovering around a cipher that included cats from Texas flipping skillz. After witnessing this cipher, I threw all my preconceived notions of Texans out the window. Texas hip-hop is DEFINITELY much more than Rap-A-Lot. Now, at the present time, I got this new K-Otix album in my CD player. K-Otix hails from Houston and they GOT SKILLZ. Not only is the album carved with intelligent rhymes, the beat production is tight. After listening to tracks such as "Legendary," "Untitled (ft. HeadKrack)," and "U Know the Name," I know that I need to get their shit on vinyl. A potential hip-hop anthem for hip-hop headz after the release of the K-Otix album could be the 'My Life' track.

The lyrics on this track are dope:

This is my life
This is my life on wax
Before there was CD or MP3
Before BET or MTV
Before the Internet gave it away for free.

Other joints on the album that I enjoyed peeping out were "Front Row" and "World Renown." This album from end-to-end is solid. contributed by m. madriaga (Colton - Bronx Science Records) Release Date: August 21, 2001

BeatMinerz - Brace 4 Impak LP. Yo! I have to state that I've been looking forward to this LP for a few months already. Now, since I have listened to this album thoroughly, I have to say it went beyond my expectations. Brace 4 Impak got joints for everyone. Hot joints such as 'Open' feat. Caron Wheeler and Pete Rock and 'The Anti-Love Movement' feat. Talib Kweli and Total are smoothed out tracks that should please the ladies and the B-Girls around the world. This is mad important! Hip-hop without B-Girls sucks! Of course, this album got some Ra-Ra B-Boy shits too. 'Hell, Oh Yeah' joint featuring Billy Flames and 'Drama' feat. Shadez of Brooklyn definitely got me hyped. Some other joints I liked were 'Extreme Situation' feat. Cocoa Brovaz & Blackhearted Skavangers, 'Let's Talk About It' (T.R.O.Y. remix) feat. Krumsnatcha, David Banks, and Nay Nay, and 'Ghetto 2 Ghetto' featuring Tefelar Cordell. All in all, this album is solid - dope MCs and dope beats. contributed by m. madriaga (Jesse - Rawkus) Release Date: July 31, 2001

DJ Serg - Golden State of Mind Bay Area circa 92-97. I feel so lucky to have a copy of this mixtape CD. There are not many mixtapes that I know of that focuses on the skillz and artistry of Bay Area MCs and DJs. Isn't that fucked-up? The Bay Area has so many talented hip-hop DJs and only one, DJ Serg, gave time to conjure a mixtape to give proper recognition to cats out in Oakland and San Francisco. This mixtape includes classic cuts from Bay Area's finest such as Rasco, Encore, Saafir, and DJ Shadow. The hot joints that got me reminiscing and feeling love for Northern California were Blackalicious's "Swan Lake", Charizma and Peanutbutter Wolf's "My World Premier", and Peanut Butter Wolf's "Lunar Props." The Bay Area got flava and this mixtape CD can attest to it. contributed by m. madriaga (Insiduous Urban Records)

Yesterdays New Quintet - Angles Without Edges. This LP that is produced by MadLib is downright beautiful. Using the words of Common, I would say it is 'music for the soul.' On the jazzy instrumental tip, the LP inspires one to reflect, meditate, and maybe even ponder the world around us. The joints I really like are "Papa," "Paladium," and "Broken Dreams." However, singling out joints does not do this album justice. "Angles Without Edges" is one of those albums that you just place on your turntable or insert in your CD player and let it play. It deserves a listening to. Inspiration music most definitely! The boundaries of hip-hop have expanded with this LP. contributed by m. madriaga (Score - Stonesthrow)

The Numbs - The Word LP. Hip-hop out of Utah? Whaaaat? The Numbs is a five-man crew composed of two deejays and three MCs based out of Utah. (This crew should not be confused with The Numbskullz from the UK.) I would imagine being from Utah would be an obstacle for any rap group trying to break out and gain recognition. But, The Numbs overcame this obstacle by utilizing the Internet to share their music. Like Chuck D. from Public Enemy, I am a hardcore proponent of this process. For harnessing the Internet and bringing hip-hop to the masses, I have to give mad props to The Numbs. Their album deserves props as well! On their LP, they pay homage to the old school with their joint "Recognition" which I was definitely feeling. I couldn't get enough of the melodic, string-orchestrated, looped joint - "Physko Reality." Some other hot joints were "Numbs the Word" and "No Mas." (Score - Guapo Records)

Pep Love - Ascension LP. The evolution of Hieroglyphics continues and we finally have the solo LP from Pep Love. This album has been in heavy rotation since I got it. Back in the day, we had Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions, X-Clan, and Paris who all promoted a higher consciousness in hip-hop. This tradition continues on today with Black Star, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, and…. Pep Love. The track "Living is Beautiful" is an exhibition and summation of Pep Love's artistry and poetry. It is also a vehicle that puts forth a positive message which hip-hop headz worldwide desperately need in this day and age. Other hot joints on the album include "The Grind," "The Fight Club," "TAMI," and "Ascension." The latter track, "Ascension," has a nice, heavenly guitar lick that appropriately accompanies the question he recites in the hook, "Where do we go from here?" Pep Love indicates his love for California and the entire west coast from British Colombia to L.A. on "Pacific Heights" which hit me in the heart. He shared some thoughts on this joint that only west coast, Cali cats can feel like "driving down 101." My highlight of the album is the head-nodding track "Act-Phenom." He displays his lyrical skillz over a phat-ass track. I need to get this joint on vinyl. (contributed by m. madriaga). You can peep out the RAM file of his first single "Fight Club" featuring the entire Dilated crew. (Score - Colton)

Tha Liks - XO Experience - "It's the L-I-K-S, what makes the mutha fuka so damn fresh". X.O. Experience LP is yet another top shelf premium release from the LA based group consisting of E-Swift (Eric Brooks) MC and producer, Tash (Rico Smith) aka CaTASHtrophe MC and J-Ro (James Robinson) - MC. I just heard that Tash's solo album release Rap Life went Gold and here comes the Liks with there 4th album after taking a little time off to Tour internationally and here in the states. The production on the album was on point as expected from E-Swift, who to me is quite a perfectionist. I have heard many albums lately that have beats that don't go well with the people rhyming over them. E-Swift has engineered these beats perfectly for his crew and the guest appearances of Defari, Busta Rhymes, Xzibit, and Kurrupt. I got hooked on the sick ass bouncy B-line on "My Dear" track with Defari. The first single released on the album "The Best U Can" is already getting play on BET and MTV. I can't wait to cop this on wax so I can bump it in the club. Be on the lookout for the exclusive interview with Tha Liks. (Veronica - Loud)

Tunsi - The Omen. As a student, I think it is beautiful to hear music that inspires one to pick up a book, study, and reflect. This is what Tunsi’s ‘Omen’ does for me. This album is essentially a social critique on the world we live in today that I find to be very necessary to confront the jiggy, oochie-wally bullshit. Utilizing his raw lyrical skillz, he conveys his frustration eloquently. For instance, the hook on the track ‘Me and Sam’ is indicative of Tunsi’s angst:

Mr. Sam,
You ain’t my uncle
Stop lying!
My so-called relative just got my people dying
Deception got my brain frying
But, I guess it’s a plan to keep our minds in the can

The synthesis of his intelligent, positive lyrics and phat, head-nodding beats on tracks such as "Captain," "Artifacts," "Noise," and "Lost" is refreshing to the mind and the ear. The presence of Tunsi in the rap game is a definite plus for the hip-hop underground. I wish we had more MCs like him – original and skillful! Also, check out the "Behold a King" LP which was Tunsi’s first solo release a couple of years ago. This piece is off the hook and should be recognized as an underground hard-hitting album. It includes several head-nodding joints that must be definitely peeped out – such as: "What have I got?", "Technology", and "Can’t stop hip-hop." contributed by m. madriaga (Parana Records)

Hive - The Raw Uncut EP. "People still listen to that, mate? Drum & Bass is out." A notable quote from a W. Londoner working at Label, NYC. After listening to this album, I beg to differ. It may be dead across the pond, but here in the states, it is still surviving. DJ Hive is making sure of that with this new set of releases.

This EP is really bass heavy and beat oriented. There are a couple of tracks on this album that caught my attention. The first one that got me was Soul Power featuring T.C. Islam. This track brought me back to the good ol' days ragga. There are not too many cats out there that can flow over a fast pounding track, and here comes T.C. Islam with his unique style. Surreal Killer is another good track that wants to get you out of your seat. There are also a couple of remixes on this as well. Dillinja did a really good job on Ultrasonic Sound remix and DJ Hive a number on the Defcon remix. This album offers an eclectic sound that can't be matched. contributed by jules (Score - Colton)

Scratch Vol. 1 - Various Artists (Rawkus UK – Available in the US only on import). This LP is a compilation of classic ‘impossible to find’ hip-hop joints that has rocked London’s most popular hip-hop club, Scratch, for the past 5 years. This is a beautiful compilation of the joints that I grew up with in Northern California. It is definitely off the hook and should be a part of anyone’s music library.

The compilation includes classic joints from Main Source, Original Flavor, Freestyle Fellowship, KMD, Souls of Mischief, and a host of others. Although I love the fact that Rawkus and London’s Scratch have joined forces to put out this compilation, I wish they could hook-up again for another volume that includes joints ONLY from MCs, DJs, and producers from the UK. Hip-hop is worldwide! UK hip-hop deserves to be recognized! I would love to see Rawkus and Scratch manufacture a compilation that is marketed stateside which includes joints from Roots Manuva, Mark B. and Blade, Black Twang, Task Force, and Phi Life Cypher. That compilation would be hot! contributed by m. madriaga (Rawkus)

Daddy Kev - Lost Angels EP. LA's in the house on this one with the Guestline of Mikah 9, Busdriver, P.E.A.C.E., Circus and Awol One. For those of you that might have slept on LA these past few years and haven't heard about the Freestyle Fellowship or Project Blowed this is a good wake up call. They are easily the illest freestyle MCs on the left coast. The LA underground has been very fortunate to have venues like "The Good Life" to cultivate many under rated MC talents.

This isn't stir fried hip-hop, Daddy Kev is serving up home brewed beats and just the right amount of lyrical content with a dash of Awol One beats. No gun clapping - no oochie wally-wally, just crunchy spits from LA's finest. Track 2 "First Things Last" has this falling piano melody with Mikah's vocals sitting right on top of the melody almost as if he's playing it live. His breath control is sick, the piano actually sounds like it needs a break and not him. (Score - Colton)

Mission One - Mission One LP. This CD was one of the most refreshing pieces I have received lately. I don't really have a number rating but this one hits close to 9 out of 10 on my scale of flavor and production. I loved the little skits between the tracks. I find myself playing the same games with my homies. To many artists are sitting in studios right now making albums without any focus or message. The Mission crew is bringing hip hop back into FOCUS, through knowledge of self and the culture that hip hop represents. The organic vocals on "Now: I Shine" will either put a chill down your spine or have your head and shoulders in a slow bouncy nod. To all you upcoming MCs out there, get out and do some shows and maybe your shit will sound as refined as the Mission. Misson One = True Hip Hop. (Score - Colton)

Hi Tek - Hi Teknology LP. This album is destined to be my pick of the year. "Hi-Tek? Isn't he the DJ?" - He not only shows that he can hold the mic but his production is just lovely. The album is packed with joints from beginning to end, my favorites being - "All I need is you" feat Cormega, "Round & Round" feat. Jonell, "Suddenly" feat. Mood. You can hear his signature beat production but he has pulled some new cards too, the Dre sample on "Suddenly" is addictive with this spanish melody laced over this simple drum kit - it is simply brilliant! Other guest appearances include the Mighty Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Slum Village, and Buck Shot to name a few. Remember getting the Slick Rick tape back in the day and being able to listen to the whole thing without jumping tracks, well Hi-Tek has outdown "The Ruler" hands down. Let's put a star next to Cincinatti, OH on the map and thank the Lord for bringing us Hi-Tek. Release Date: May 8, 2001 (Rawkus - Devin)

KRS-ONE - The Sneak Attack LP. This KRS-ONE album is Hot! Get it as soon as possible! The T' Cha has dropped another album which will do two essential things for hip-hop today: (1) It will re-energize hip-hop headz worldwide to battle against the 'jiggy,' 'bling-bling,' misogynous, materialistic bullshit that we are bombarded with everyday in this consumer-driven global culture (ex. MTV, Viacom). (2) It will recruit younger generations of b-girls and b-boys to 'think' and 'reflect' on the world they currently live in today and maybe inspire them to promote change. I can write an essay about the benefits of another KRS-ONE album and a book about the significance of KRS-ONE's presence in the rap game. The thing is that I am supposed to be writing a short album review.

It is brain food and healthy for the soul. Listening to the first several joints on the album such as 'Attendance,' 'Hot,' 'Why,' and 'The Lessin,' I am reminded of the energy KRS brings to his shows and his control of the crowd. (If you never seen KRS rock a show, then you have not lived. His shows are the hottest... No doubt!) Once the needle drops on the 'Intro' of the album, the energy of his stage presence is felt. This energy continues to the tight hook on 'The Lessin' joint. At the end of this joint, he reminds his listeners that the 3rd week of May is Hip-Hop Appreciation week and every November is Hip-Hop history month.

KRS-ONE's album should be thought of as a book with each joint being a chapter. In the joint 'The Mind,' a hip-hop head will get the picture that KRS is on another level of hip-hop. For instance, he cites Michael Eric Dyson and Cornel West in his lyrics. Dyson and West are two of the most prominent black thinkers in our time. They are university professors who give mad props to the 'Real' and true essence of hip-hop culture. On another joint, 'Hip-Hop Knowledge,' KRS-ONE broadcasts his life experience with hip-hop accompanied with a timeline. This track reminds me of his old school joint 'Outta Here' on the 'Return of the Boom Bap' album. On this track, KRS gives us an update of his own life and explains why he moved from New York to LA in 1999. And, he explains why he returned to the New York land.

KRS-ONE represents what hip-hop should be. He is definitely one of a kind. Since 'Criminal Minded,' he has been cultivating the hip-hop landscape with knowledge and empowerment. His efforts should be supported, especially by those who claim to be hip-hop headz. contributed by m. madriaga. (Koch - Veronica)

Game Over II - Game Over Vol. II Compilation LP. Game Over II Compilation LP - Pretty thorough compilation with a mix of underground artists, old school heads like Big Daddy Kane, K Solo and Craig Mack along with the always consistent heads like KRS-1, Heltah Skeltah and Mobb Deep. Even with all the heavy hitters on this CD, my favorite track was the Royal Flush "Do it" cut. It has this funky ass TV track loop. Punchline & Wordsworth bust on "Things on my Mind" over a nice basic synthed out beat on track 21. I jumped over a few cuts but with 24 tracks you can't really lose. (Interscope Records)

Moka Only - Lime Green LP. I had to listen to this CD a couple of times before giving it a proper review. I have been listening to so much hardcore hip hop this last year that I forgot what other styles were out there. Moka, Vancouver, BC based MC, has a strolling jazzy, lounge / pool party vibe in his rhyme style. I wasn't really sure why he had the five guest spots from Abstract Rude, Sunspot Jonz, Perfect Strangers, LMNO, and Swollen Members when there lyrical styles didn't flow well over his piano, bouncy bass line production. Overall, I enjoyed the solo tracks the most on the album like "August Asphalt", it reminded me of songs like Heavy D's "Now That We Found Love" that used to bump at Barbeques and you got to love the harmonica at the end. (BattleAxe - Score)

Mr. Dibbs - Live in Memphis LP. Sometimes I just like to listen to breaks and beats while I am working and I found great satisfaction from this 5 track live mix tape CD. The Live in Memphis Part 1 track is 28:46 long with intrumentals, melodies and scratches. I don't think I could sit through a show watching him do this but I definetely enjoyed the head music. (Nu Gruv - Score)

Beatnuts - Take It Or Squeeze It LP. 12" Single - No Escapin' This. Beanuts fourth album is full of club hits including the catchy beats on this single. There is definite nod factor on single and I am already hearing a lot of airplay in the clubs. Release Date: March 20, 2001 (Sony - Ryan)

CappaDonna - The Yin And The Yang LP. This solo release by Cappadonna caught me a little by suprise since the Wu camp usually has a lot of hype surrounding their albums. Cappa has come along way since his Cappuccino days and this album captivates the Wu essence but lets him shine like on the track "SuperModel" which was also the first single off the album. The production on the "Revenge" track is tight and Timbo King compliments Cappa's whole style. (Sony - Ryan)

Smut Peddlers - Porn Again LP. Do you remember those hip-hop debut albums back the day like Eric B. and Rakim's 'Paid in Full' or EPMD's 'Strictly Business?' Remember playing those albums all the way through. There was no need to worry about skipping over wack tracks because no tracks were wack. These albums are considered hip-hop classics. I am not going to place Smut Peddlers' 'Porn Again' in this executive list of debut albums. But, it definitely does deserve to be heard for its raw edge. This album is a shot of adrenalin for those sleeping on the underground. The intermingling of dope beats and well-placed cuts by DJ Mighty Mi and the lyrical spit from Cage and Mr. Eon got me bouncing off the walls. The two MCs are true 'lyrical technicians.' Both can rip with the best of them. I could only imagine what their cypher sessions would be like. I would probably be laughing my ass off and nodding my head in approval like I was when listening to this album. The highlight of the album is the 'Bottom Feeders' joint which features R.A. the Rugged Man. It is one of several tracks on the LP that I consider to fit within the boundaries of vintage Rawkus 12" singles - art over commerce. The 'Josie' track is another joint that I was feeling. It is a pornographic tale narrated by the two featured MCs. The single 'That Smut' has that testerone-laden intensity which got me all hype. In this joint, the Smut Peddlers expands the meaning of the term 'smut' in their hook to include politicians and popular culture. It is an impressive attempt. The combination of Mr. Eon's rhyme flow over DJ mighty Mighty Mi's production on the 'Diseases' joint is also off-the-hook. The whole album is choice and deserves to be recognized. contributed by m. madriaga. (Rawkus Entertainment)