The first two tracks are funkalicious and one of the aspects I love most about hip hop. It then gets more mellow before the energy comes back with 'U Don't Have to Take It'. This is just another mid-'90s consistent funky hip hop album. There isn't a g-funk classic here, but the hooks are contagious, and I can play this on repeat enjoying the vibes. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★☆ Hooks: ★★★★ Best Tracks: Drive Me Crazy, Bounce Ta Dis, Raw Deal

Hurricane Chris' second album begins okay, but it doesn't take long to feel mostly like a collection of generic average pop rap from the era this is from. 'Secret Lover', 'Last Call', and 'Headboard' are all examples of R&B/rap crossover tracks that work okay but aren't anything unique by any stretch. 'Secret Lover' would be better without Chris sounding off beat on his part of the hook. While I don't dislike Chris as a rapper, and he spits well on tracks like 'I Want It' and the opener, there's nothing fresh. At under 40 minutes, it's not a chore to get through, but there is nothing worth keeping. Beats: ★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★☆ Hooks: ★★★ Best Tracks: I'm Back, Last Call, Secret Lover

This is extremely consistent and the most well-rounded project Dark Cappa has put out. His albums are usually T-Rock collaborations, or have his features, but Rock is missing here which does allow him to do his thing as opposed to being compared to the better rapper that is T-Rock. As I always say, Cappa's gravelly voice won't be for everyone, but there's some catchy stuff here. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★ Hooks: ★★★★ Best Tracks: Momma Save Me, Ride With Me, Gettin Lit

At only 30 minutes in length, this is a cohesive jazz rap project from Lupe, BUT there is nothing wowing me. His rapping on albums like 'Tetsuo & Youth' is more noteworthy and he has many more rounded, well written songs with more replay value throughout his discography. Some of the sounds here feel somewhat like songs from 'The Cool' and 'Food & Liquor' with the title track most feeling like 'The Cool' era. I like everything, but for me to give an album a rating nearing 4/5, I need some songs that I'm going to play on repeat. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★☆ Hooks: ★★☆ Best Tracks: Samurai, Mumble Rap, Cake, No. 1 Headband, Til Eternity

There is some okay stuff here, but listening to it for the first time in 2024, topically a lot just doesn't hit. It takes you back to a depressing time where what they're rapping about is all we heard for 2 years, that limits the appeal of the album. The beats are mostly above average and the rapping, particularly from B-Real and Xzibit is enjoyable. Best Tracks: White Power, Summer of Sam, Triggered, Powder Keg, War in the Streets,