The true icons of the genre, still releasing music today in Jay, Nas and KRS provide the best moments here. Nas d***rides Kid Capri a bit in his lyrics for the title track but I've always liked the song, 'Like That' can of course be heard on Vol 2 and KRS spits fire on 'Do or Die'. There are other solid songs, but also a few really weak songs. Best Tracks: Like That, Soundtrack to the Streets, Do or Die

Some great lyricism and songs, but compared to the giants of the '90s, Ras doesn't have a truly captivating mic presence or natural flow and more to the point is that the beats aren't good enough for me to love this either. It's probably one of those albums that requires lots of listens to really grow on you. Best Tracks: On Earth as It Is..., Anything Goes, Drama

A solid album which had been on my 'to listen to' list for a long time, but nothing blows me away including the beats and the rappers. They don't have the presence, distinction, and real originality of say Outkast's two emcees for example, and a distinctive original voice is a fairly important part of enjoying a rap album for me. Lyrically, it is fairly distinctive particularly for southern rap, but if I'm not loving the beats and rappers they are the last focus and not the reason you listen to an album. Best Tracks: Thought Process, I Didn't Ask to Come, The Day After

Up to the release of this album, I think this is Paris' weakest. Many of the beats are a lil lackluster, lacking the funk or 'bump-ness' of his previous material. The beats are possibly closer to his earlier stuff than the funk-influenced last couple of albums. It's still all solid with meaningful lyrics as Paris always spits but there is less breathtaking stuff here. Best Tracks: Field Nigga Boogie, Freedom, Ain't No Love, What Would You Do?, Freedom [the Last Cell Remix]

This album starts off pretty well with the first few tracks making for a good listen. The production is good and B-Real's unique voice flows well. From there, there is nothing brilliant or too poor but it does drop off in the second half with many of them just being okay songs. I can't say I will play this too often after a listen or two and fans can probably find some better Cypress Hill material if they are in the need for B-Real vocals. Best Tracks: Smoke N Mirrors, Gangsta Music, Don't Ya Dare Laugh, Stack'n Paper