In 2010 we reviewed 252 albums, in 2009 we covered 260. Staggering numbers, I know. But believe me when I tell you that those numbers could easily be over 1000 each year if we had the time and resources to cover everything that was sent our way. With such a ridiculous amount of albums coming out each year you’re bound to miss some good albums. Scratch that, you’re bound to miss dozens of good albums. Even some great ones.
Diamonds in the rough are nothing new though. Even when far, far fewer albums were coming out, even the most hardcore listeners were bound to miss something they’d later smack themselves for sleeping on.
So here are 10 albums from the 90’s that you may have missed, but better late than never.
Threat – Sickinnahead (1993)
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For fans of: Ice Cube, King Tee, Ice-T, Compton’s Most Wanted
Before the G-Funk sound completely took over the West Coast the likes of Sir Jinx, DJ Pooh, Bobcat, DJ Slip and DJ Quik were producing funky, uptempo beats that blended the best of both coasts. Threat’s one and only album dropped in the midst of Death Row’s takeover and went completely unnoticed. Which is a shame because the album is a classic. Pooh and Bobcat, (better know as the Boogiemen who produced most of Cube’s Death Certificate among many others), manned the boards here. Threat had appeared on tracks with Cube, Pac and King T, and it was no mystery why. Good lyrics and delivery and great mic presence.
“PDK
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I.M.P. – Back In The Days (1993)
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For fans of: Bay Area gangsta rap
Cougnut and C-Fresh were the Ill Mannered Players, a Bay Area duo slept on even by aficionados of the region. The brothers are nearly impossible to tell apart, as so many fraternal rappers are, but that is a good thing when they sound like this. The term gully may not have been the parlance of their time, though it may have been coined just for them. They both sound like the father of Keak Da Sneak’s gravel-throat delivery while spitting rhymes every bit as hard. The content may not have been anything new, but what this album lacks in originality it makes up for in sheer awesomeness.
Hi-C – Skanless (1991)
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For fans of: DJ Quik, Eazy E
Eazy E and Ice Cube may have Hip Hop’s most iconic jheri curls, but without question Hi-C made the official anthem. “Leave My Curl Alone” is also a prime example of what you get from Skanless. Before gangsta rap began taking itself too seriously, a funny ass album like this didn’t seem out of place. Backed by DJ Quik and early Cali mixtape legend Tony A, the album was both funky and fun.
The Goats – Tricks Of The Shade (1992)
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For fans of: Public Enemy, KMD, Masta Ace
Tricks Of The Shade remains one of Hip Hop’s best concept album, even if so few people have heard it. The album follows two orphaned children lured into Uncle Scam’s Federally funded Freak Show where they take “Columbus’ Boat Ride,” visit “Noriega’s Coke Stand” and visit Georgie Bush’s kids. The awesome satire is executed perfectly by the Phili crew and done over boom bap from the legendary Joe “The Butcher” Nicolo.
I.N.I. – Center Of Attention (1996)
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For fans of: Pete Rock and that golden-era sound
This album nearly doesn’t qualify as its status as a shelved classic made it heavily bootlegged and sought after in the early days of the Internet. Nevertheless, Center Of Attention still isn’t held in the esteem it should be considering it was produced by Pete Rock (all but two songs) at the tail end of his prime. The five man crew included PR’s younger brother Grap Luva and frequent collaborator Rob-O. Due to drop in ‘96 on Soul Brother Records/Elektra, it was shelved for seven years until Rapster unleashed it. The album is vintage Pete Rock and the bridge between his glory years and the producers who would go on to carry on his legacy (think 9th Wonder, Kev Brown, Marco Polo, Khyrsis, Oddissee, etc).
Rumpletilskinz – What Is A Rumpletilskin? (1993)
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For fans of: Onyx, Leaders of the New School, M.O.P.
The east coast Hip Hop head was treated to timeless albums from Wu-Tang, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, KRS-One and Black Moon in 1993. Not to mention all the great albums from Fat Joe to Onyx and Ultramag to Masta Ace. And that is to say nothing about what was going on out west. Needless to say it was easy to get lost in the shuffle when some of the greatest albums ever made were being pumped out month after month. Rumpletilskinz were among the many victims in 1993. In 1991 they appeared on “Sound Of The Zeekers @#ˆ**?!” from Leaders Of The New School, scored a deal with RCA in 1992, released this album in 1993 and were never heard from again. That doesn’t speak to the quality of this album though, it is must have material for anyone who loved gritty, rah rah shit of the early 90’s.
Scientifik – Criminal (1994)
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For fans of: D.I.T.C., Rakim, Ed O.G.
This album may be most notable for featuring the first outside production from RZA (credited as Prince Rakeem), on “As Long As You Know” featuring Ed O.G. The song was featured the year before on the unofficial white label vinyl version of Ed O.G’s Roxbury 02119. The Boston emcee’s debut also boasted production from Buckwild, Diamond and the aforementioned Edo. Scientifik, an emcee clearly influenced by Rakim, was killed two years later in a double homocide. His album lives on as a hidden gem in one of Hip Hop’s best years.
DMG – Rigormortiz (1993)
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For fans of: Early 90’s Rap-A-Lot, Geto Boys, Scarface, South Park Colalition
DMG’s criminally slept-on debut is truly one of the best albums ever released by Rap-A-Lot. Legend has it the Minnesota native followed Scarface back to his hotel after a show and bumrushed Face’s room and rapped himself into a deal. Rigormortiz is harder than concrete from front to back, produced by in house legends Mike Dean and N.O. Joe. For his part, DMG sounds a lot like Scarface pre-Diary. I implore you not to sleep on this one.
Poison Clan – 2 Low Life Muthas (1990)
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For fans of: 2 Live Crew, J-Zone, Suga Free, Devin The Dude
They were billed as the Baby 2 Live Crew once they were signed to Luke Records, but their debut they largely constructed before signing was a hodge podge of east coast breaks, west coast funk and of course, Miami bass. Before the group expanded for the second and third album, Poison Clan was just JT Money and Debonaire. 2 Low Life Muthas boasts fantastic production and hilarious, over-the-top, ignorant rhymes. Sadly, the album was largely ignored outside of Miami and JT Money became famous for “Who Dat.”
Big Mello – Bone Hard Zaggin (1992)
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For fans of: Geto Boys, Scarface, Screwed Up Click, South Park Colalition
Another slept-on gem from Rap-A-Lot, the label that could fill all 10 spots on this editorial. Big Mello was a member of Houston’s legendary Screwed Up Click who passed away in 2002 in a car accident. Not before releasing 5 albums, including his seminal debut. Mello was cool as a fan, his charisma was undeniable even on his most rugged offerings. Plus he had H-town legend Crazy C on the panels, who produced pretty much all the great Rap-A-Lot albums that Mike Dean and N.O. Joe didn’t do back then. Houston may have had a resurgence in 2005, but it didn’t come close to the oil they were striking back in the day.
