For those who missed this in 1988, you’ve got to give credit where it’s due—BDK’s rapping was a game-changer in terms of originality and impact. Personally, I’m not a big fan of ’80s hip-hop production, and a lot of these tracks reinforce why. The corny love songs, like 'The Day You’re Mine', and some cringeworthy bars—mostly from Biz Markie on 'Just Rhymin’ With Biz'—don’t hold up well. Speaking of that track, I assume it’s a live recording, but while Biz’s mic sounds fine, BDK’s is distorted and rough limited the appeal of the song. The content is almost entirely battle/brag rap, but there are still standout moments that I’d gladly replay even in 2025. 'Set It Off' (Kane's favourite song of his) and 'Ain’t No Half-Steppin’' are the standout tracks, bursting with energy and aging better than the rest. Beats: ★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★ Hooks: ★★☆ Best Tracks: Set It Off, Ain't No Half-Steppin', Word to the Mother (Land)

Although this is a No Limit album, it predates the Beats by the Pound era, so it has a distinct sound from much of the label’s catalog. The production is handled by Master P, J.T. The Bigga Figga, Larry D, and Lil Ric himself, bringing a bouncier feel to the instrumentation compared to typical No Limit releases. At just 50 minutes, it avoids the bloated runtime that many of the label’s albums became known for. The result is a consistently solid blend of funky mobb music. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★ Hooks: ★★★☆ Best Tracks: Ride Wid Me, Rivalry, Real 2 Reel, Fuck a Bitch, Peace 2 Dem Bustas

This album faced multiple delays, and it's unfortunate that it didn’t receive the recognition it deserves. Like Mark's debut, it's a strong R&B record that proves he's more than just 'Return of the Mack'. Packed with enjoyable tracks and standout moments, it’s well worth a listen. The Deluxe Edition, which I checked out, offers some great variations of the best songs and is worth exploring. Best Tracks: Innocent Man, Blackstabbers (Panjabi MC Remix), Friday, Just a Man, Wanna Be Your Man 2.0, Just a Man (Duet Version), Blackstabbers (Daz Dillinger Remix), Wanna Be Your Man

Silkk, Master P's brother, has a reputation for being a joke of a rapper, but I don't hear anything that terrible. He fits right in with most of No Limit’s roster—mostly forgettable, just like the albums themselves. The common complaint about his offbeat flow (which Silkk claims was intentional) doesn’t really bother me. He doesn’t glide from one bar to the next like the best of them, but the bigger issues here are the average production and content, or lack thereof, rather than Silkk's delivery. Some of the keyboard work sounds especially cheap and unpolished—just listen to 'No Limit Party' and the title track for proof. That said, 'No Limit Party' does have some enjoyable instrumentation switches. The transition from '1 Morning' to 'How We Mobb' even makes it feel like one long track. Meanwhile, 'Why My Homie' sounds like it had trouble ripping from a CD—there’s a weird whirling sound... There are a few decent moments. 'Free Loaders' has a nice funkiness, and 'If My 9 Could Talk' carries a dark, menacing vibe. But overall, there isn’t much here that stands out. While the weaker moments maybe aren’t as bad as some of No Limit’s worst projects, there’s nothing worth revisiting either. Beats: ★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★ Hooks: ★★☆ Best Tracks: I Ain't Takin No Shorts, Free Loaders, If My 9 Could Talk

For most artists, creating a concise project can be a smart move, but it’s especially true for a veteran who might not have much left to prove. This project is a tight seven-track collection. Poohh kicks things off with 'Prayed', which leans heavily into brag rap, reflecting on his 16-year career and how he’s still standing. It’s a solid bangin' opener. On 'Expose', Poohh calls out fake rappers, seemingly channeling Mack 10’s flow with lines like, "Be careful of the pictures you paint, pretending to be something you ain't." 'Oakland' pays homage to the people he still rides with. The title track revisits his classic 'Fuckin With Dank', featuring Yukmouth, Keak Da Sneak, and Dru Down. 'Better Wayz' shifts the tone, encouraging youth to follow the right path. The most emotional moment comes with 'No More Tears', where a heartfelt sung hook underscores Poohh’s plea for unity and his lament over the loss of young lives and the hypocrisy of certain movements: "They say the children are our future, well our future looks bleak, cause all I see is the blood of our future in the streets. All I hear is black lives matter, but do black lives matter when it's your kid holding the clapper?" It’s an easy listen, and while there’s nothing groundbreaking here, the stronger moments come when he’s more opinionated, delving into social issues on tracks like 'No More Tears'. Pooh remains an enjoyable rapper to hear, but the production and subject matter on much of the project won’t leave a lasting impression on most listeners. Beats: ★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★ Hooks: ★★★ Best Tracks: Exposed, Cookies N' Drank, No More Tears 1. Prayed 56 2. Exposed 60 3. Oakland 60 4. Cookies N' Drank 70 5. Better Wayz 70 6. Watt You Smokin 44 7. No More Tears 74