In the early 90’s hip-hop became a major force in the market and by the mid-90’s every rapper and their mother were signed to a major label. The result was an increasing amount of shitty music that all sounded the same. As labels were less and less willing to take risks on anyone who strayed from the status quo, some individuals decided to take the independent route. A small upstart label in NYC was there to help and by 1999 Rawkus Records was THE independent label putting out some of the best music in the world and boasting one of the most talented rosters.
But all good things must come to an end, Rawkus soon got a deal with a major and began putting out records that alienated the fanbase that brought them to that point. Or worse yet, they put out no records at all. With the label closing its doors for good, we get one last album (?), and a fitting one; Classic Cuts: The Best of a Decade. 15 songs of the dopest tracks to come out of the legendary label sounds like a can’t miss album. In some ways it is, but in reality, it is about a tenth of how good it could be.
As big a part as Mos Def was to the movement, his contributions are a bit lopsided here with him appearing on 9 of the albums 15 songs. Not only is “Beef” not a classic Rawkus song, it isn’t near being one of Mos’ best tracks. While “Oh No” with Pharoahe and Nate Dogg may be one of the most commercially successful songs, there are at least two dozen that are far better tracks. The label we loved was about the music first, the songs should represent that. Where is Company Flow? The group did perhaps more than anyone to put Rawkus on the map.
It is ironic, or maybe just appropriate, that this compilation is largely full of the music that was put out during the fall of the label rather than the early work that built the label. There is dope music here, but Reflection Eternals“The Blast” instead of “The Manifesto” or “Fortified Live”? Where is “Brooklyn Hard Rock,” “Ghostwriter” or “5 Star Generals”? If you’re gonna go for star power then why not include “Any Man” from Eminem? Drawing power and a song which happens to be incredible, seems to make sense. Classic Cuts: The Best of a Decade. is a dope album, no doubt about that. But don’t mistake it for being the best of what the label has to offer.
