 | To the East, Blackwards by X Clan
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $5.05 This funk-inflicted masterpiece showcases Brother J's superb political rhyming complimented by Professor X's wrenching spoken word commentary for one of the most unique sounding hip-hop records of the golden age. 100% classic. (Al's rating: 5 out of 5)
|
 | Take a Look Around by Masta Ace
Buy used from: $69.99 The young Juice Crew member Master Ace (now known as Masta Ace) dropped his classic debut in 1990, and proved he's a major force to be reckoned with. Top notch production, his finest rhyming ever, and nice concepts and message. (Al's rating: 5 out of 5)
|
 | Step in the Arena by Gang Starr
Buy new: $9.93 / Used from: $4.30 This is my favorite album from Guru & Premier. Guru's storytelling is top notch, and Premier laces him with some of his best. (Al's rating: 5 out of 5)
|
 | Sex Packets by Digital Underground
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $3.17 The funk don't stop! Shock-G was the visionary of this excellent group that classically utilized the Parliament-Funkadelic as a base for their extremely dope (and long) funk-filled jams. (Al's rating: 5 out of 5)
|
 | One for All by Brand Nubian
Buy new: $13.96 / Used from: $5.71 Brand Nubian flipped alternative rap on it's head with this NYC classic. Grand Puba, Sadat X, Lord Jamar, and Alamo brought some serious heat - dope beats, incredible flows, and impeccable content. (Al's rating: 5 out of 5)
|
 | AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted by Ice Cube
Buy new: $11.94 / Used from: $7.99 This was a classic east meets west masterpiece. PE's The Bomb Squad along with De Lench Mob lace Ice Cube with superb production that Cube just sounds perfect over. (Al's rating: 5 out of 5)
|
 | Edutainment
Buy new: $9.99 Classic KRS-One here. He really came into his own as "The Teacher". His commentary and rhyme style is very gripping. One of BDP's best! (Al's rating: 5 out of 5)
|
 | Funky Technician by Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $6.37 Just a killer debut from the DITC founder. This duo, along with some heavy-hitters on the production side, were all about displaying ill skills. Lord Finesse is second to none with those punch-lines. (Al's rating: 5 out of 5)
|
 | The Devil Made Me Do It by Paris
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $4.95 Pure political dopeness. Paris turns out a classic funk-filled debut full of socially gripping commentary on par with PE & X-Clan, among others. (Al's rating: 5 out of 5)
|
 | The Geto Boys by Geto Boys
Buy new: $16.98 / Used from: $6.80 This is the original version of "Grip It!" which only changed a couple of minor details. Face, Willie D, & Bushwick all come correct here with a hardcore southern classic. Dope in every way. (Al's rating: 5 out of 5)
|
 | Fear of a Black Planet by Public Enemy
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $2.10 The classic PE formula was in full swing, and this album followed the same rough and rugged formula. The production was a nice re-imagining, and boasted a few new ideas. (Al's rating: 5 out of 5)
|
 | Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J
Buy new: $13.98 / Used from: $1.00 LL came with his finest work to date here, as he balanced all those elements that made his presence excellent, perfectly here. Not one of my favorites, but a classic nonetheless. (Al's rating: 5 out of 5)
|
 | People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm by A Tribe Called Quest
Buy new: $8.98 / Used from: $5.35 Along with De La Soul, this album helped define the alternative rap scene. Excellent production, standouts, and rapping from Q-Tip and Phife. They would go onto truly define their sound after this. (Al's rating: 4.5 out of 5)
|
 | Righteous but Ruthless by King Sun
Buy used from: $22.00 King Sun's sophomore album matches all the heat of his debut and is actually a hair nicer. Grade A political hip-hop. (Al's rating: 4.5 out of 5)
|
 | Business as Usual by EPMD
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $3.56 EPMD's third album stuck to the formula of their first two. Not quite as classic as their first two. Mostly because the production was a little nicer on those. But this is still a skip free gem. (Al's rating: 4.5 out of 5)
|
 | Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em by Eric B. & Rakim
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $4.11 For their third album, they stick to the classic formula that they had pioneered. Both members are still in nice form and execute a near flawless album. (Al's rating: 4.5 out of 5)
|
![Wanted: Dead Or Alive (Deluxe Edition) [Explicit]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hLGH644oL._SL75_.jpg) | Wanted: Dead Or Alive (Deluxe Edition) [Explicit]
Great album from the Juice Crew affiliates, which expanded the formula of their breakthrough debut. Dopeness from front to back. (Al's rating: 4.5 out of 5)
|
 | Intelligent Hoodlum by Intelligent Hoodlum
Buy used from: $5.93 Intelligent Hoodlum (aka Tragedy Khadafi) was easily one of my favorite members of the Juice Crew. He flipped his rhymes on the protest/political tip, and there isn't a commercial crumb to his music. Straight ether! (Al's rating: 4.5 out of 5)
|
 | Holy Intellect by Poor Righteous Teachers
Buy used from: $28.95 A highly under-appreciated debut, and one of PRT's best. The had a nice blend of political and conscious messages mixed with appealing and memorable production. (Al's rating: 4.5 out of 5)
|
 | Ride the Rhythm by Chill Rob G
Buy new: $11.98 / Used from: $26.59 This is a near classic album from the Flavor Unit emcee. The 45 King creates nice soundscapes for Chill to flex his excellent flow over. The only skipper here is "The Power" - which nearly ruins his credibility. (Al's rating: 4.5 out of 5)
|
 | Legal by Special Ed
Buy used from: $24.90 Special Ed's sophomore album was nearly as potent as his classic debut. Great lyricism and concepts all around. Very underrated. (Al's rating: 4.5 out of 5)
|
 | Brown & Proud by Lighter Shade of Brown
Buy used from: $3.29 Easily my favorite album from ODM (One Dope Mexican) & DTTX (Don't Try To Xerox). A couple of the best Latinos in the game back in the golden age. (Al's rating: 4 out of 5)
|
![A Day In The Life: A Pokadelick Adventure [Explicit]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GvIl1NV3L._SL75_.jpg) | A Day In The Life: A Pokadelick Adventure [Explicit]
Buy new: $9.99 Kwame is best known for the polka-dot craze this album brought. The production and rapping here was unique among his peers, and this album remains a daisy-age flavored gem. (Al's rating: 4 out of 5)
|
 | Kickin' Afrolistics by Afros
Buy used from: $25.99 This trio consisted of Koot Tee, DJ Kippy O and Hurricane (of Beastie Boys fame). This album is fun and often times hilarious in it's satire. Musically, it's an excellent and very engaging album, despite it's gimmicky status. (Al's rating: 4 out of 5)
|
 | Lost Tribe of Shabazz by Lakim Shabazz
Buy used from: $28.69 Another Flavor Unit gem from Lakim Shabazz. Nice album with some excellent political messages. (Al's rating: 4 out of 5)
|
 | Livin' Like Hustlers by Above the Law
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $4.97 Cold 187um, DJ K-oss, Go Mack, & KMG muscle through an excellent G-funk west coast gem. Many consider this a classic and it's easy to see why. (Al's rating: 4 out of 5)
|
 | The 45 King Presents The Fabulous Flavor Unit
Dope album from The 45 King and The Flavor Unit. Great collabs and solo cuts from Apache, Double J, Lakim Shabazz, Lord Alibaski & Queen Latifah. Dope and often ignored material. (Al's rating: 4 out of 5)
|
 | Tell the World My Name by K-Solo
Buy used from: $10.72 Nice debut and perhaps K-Solo's best album. Dope east coast boom bap from this Hit Squad member. (Al's rating: 4 out of 5)
|
 | Taste of Chocolate by Big Daddy Kane
Buy new: $43.98 / Used from: $21.19 I believe this to be one of the more consistent efforts by BDK. There's some different material here, but still very good. (Al's rating: 4 out of 5)
|
Listmania!
