- Pop Culture Corner! Menace II Society...30 Years Later
In a bonus segment of "Pop Culture Corner", B. Cox & J. Owe look back at Menace II Society as it turns 30.
The film starred Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, Jada Pinkett Smith, Charles S. Dutton and rapper MC Eiht among others, It was directed by brothers Allen and Albert Hughes. The cult classic, whose story about young black men struggling to overcome their environment, became an instant hit within the young black, urban and hip-hop communities. Featuring a raw, violent and gripping tale of hood life in Watts, the movie is referenced alongside Boyz N The Hood some of the best movies in black cinema in the 90s.
The soundtrack, featuring many artists such Ant Banks, UGK, Brand Nubian, DJ., Quik, Pete Rock & CL Smooth Spice 1 and Too $hort, featured the Billboard Top 100 singles "Trigga Gots No Heart" (Spice 1) and "Streiht Up Menace" by movie co-star MC Eiht. The soundtrack was certified platinum and is recognized as one of the best hip-hop based soundtracks of the decade.
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Show Notes
Yahoo: "Menace II Society" At 30: The racial reason the street drama was modeled after Goodfellas.
RockTheBells: Menace II Society Turns 30-6 Dope Songs From The Soundtrack
https://rockthebells.com/articles/rtb-rewind-menace-ii-society-turns-30/
'Menace II Society': The Relevance of The Gangsta Movie 30 Years Later
https://fanfare.pub/menace-ii-society-and-the-gangsta-film-30-years-later-b2c84c9d21ae
MXDWN: Life In The Hood. Looking Back at 'Menace II Society'
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy36m | May 29, 2023 - DMX: It's Dark And Hell Is Hot (1998). The Dark Man Cometh
B. Cox and J. Owe review DMX's classic debut album It's Dark And Hell It's Hot as it turns 25. After spending years in the underground and paying his dues on the scene, the late Yonkers emcee burst onto the public scene in 1997 with a string of high profile and powerful feature verses for the likes of LL Cool J, the LOX and Ma$e. Signed to Def Jam as a part of their "revival", he sought to bring a street edge back to hip-hop, which was trending fully into the commercial and corporate era.
Produced mostly by Dame Grease, but assited by the likes of Irv Gotti, PK, Swizz Beatz and Waah, the album featured dark and menacing production that was also featured anthem worthy music. Lyrically, DMX provided us a glimpse into his soul; crafting a perfect kaleidoscope of his world: street and hardcore songs, party anthems, dark and menacing tracks, candid and introspective moments as well as the occasional dose of spirituality-which would be his hallmark. While not described as lyrically adept, this combination as well his superior flow, voice and command of his audience's emotions is what made him an instant success. It featured the likes of his Yonkers compatriots The LOX, Kasino, Ma$e, Faith Evans and Ruff Ryders emcee Drag-On.
The album feature four singles: "Get At Me Dog","Stop Being Greedy", "Ruff Ryders Anthem" and "How It's Going Down" with all of them having the rare distinction of charting in the Billboard Top 100. The album was certified four times platinum and began an 18-month period where he stood on top of hip-hop as the biggest and most successful star in the game.
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Show Notes
Albumism: DMX's Debut Album "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/dmx-debut-album-its-dark-and-hell-is-hot-album-anniversary
Time: How DMX's "It's Dark And Hell Is Hot" Changed The Course of Hip-Hop Forever
https://time.com/5952926/dmx-legacy-hip-hop/
HotNewHipHop: DMX's "Its Dark and Hell Is Hot" Turns 25
https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/675227-dmx-its-dark-and-hell-is-hot
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy32m | May 16, 2023 - BONUS EPISODE: "Cards, Dominoes, Drinks & Smoke" Albums That Defined A Generation
In a bonus episode of "Cards, Dominoes, Drinks & Smoke", B. Cox muses on the albums from 1993, 1998 and 2003 that could qualify as albums that "defined a generation". On the heels of the announcement of WMX's inaugural season of the visual podcast "Iconic Records: Albums That Defined A Generation" covering the Notorious B.I.G's classic album Life After Death, he wonders if there were albums in the aforementioned year that would be deserving of it's own series chronicling how it shifted the culture for a generation.
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AllHipHop: 1993 Hip-Hop: The 10 Best Hip-Hop Albums from 20 Years Ago
https://allhiphop.com/features/1993-hip-hop-the-10-best-rap-albums-from-20-years-ago/
Complex: September 1998: Celebrating Hip-Hop's Real Golden Era
https://www.complex.com/music/2013/09/celebrating-hip-hops-real-golden-era
DefineARevolution: The Year In Hip-Hop: 2003
http://www.definearevolution.com/2016/03/the-year-in-hip-hop-2003.html
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy27m | May 1, 2023 - Big Pun: Capital Punishment (1998). Big Dreams To Big Things
The crew talks the late Big Pun's debut classic Capital Punishment as it turns 25. After making waves in the underground and on the Beatnuts "Off the Books" the previous year, the Bronx-bred Puerto Rican emcee lead off with this massive debut. Touting a ferocious multisyllabic rhyme still dressed with punchlines, humor and swagger, he sought to achieve a first: become the first Latino rapper with an album sporting a platinum plaque.
The album was produced by a capable committee producers including JuJu and V.I.C from the Beatnuts, Young Lord, Frank Nitty, Rocwilder, dead prez, RZA, Showbiz and others. The album had a healthy feature lineup including the likes of Black Thought, Prodigy, Inspectah Deck, R&B singers Miss Jones and Joe, Busta Rhymes, Noreaga and fellow Terror Squad members Fat Joe, Cuban Linx, Triple Seis and Armageddon.
Powered by the three singles, including the crossover smash hit "Still Not A Player" featuring Joe, the album was certified platinum. It is often credited as the best hip-hop album produced by a Latino rapper and also noted as one of the best lyrical performances by an emcee on an album of the 1990s.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Big Pun's Debut Album 'Capital Punishment Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective
TheBoomBox: How Big Pun's 'Capital Punishment' Established Him As A Cultural Icon
https://theboombox.com/big-pun-capital-punishment-established-cultural-icon/
RockTheBells-Classic Albums: Big Pun "Capital Punishment"
https://rockthebells.com/articles/classic-albums-capital-punishment-big-pun/
Define A Revolution: Retrospective: Big Pun's "Capital Punishment"
http://www.definearevolution.com/2016/04/retrospective-big-puns-capital.html
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy30m | Apr 24, 2023 - Onyx: Bacdafucup (1993). Hoodies, Timbs and Bald Heads
B. Cox reviews Onyx's classic debut album Bacdafucup as it turns 30. After linking up with the late Jam Master Jay of Run DMC fame, the Queens group signed to his label JMJ Records. Under his watchful eye and tutelage, they recorded their debut album. The then-quartet made up of Fredro Starr, the late Big DS, Sonsee (aka Sonny Seeza or Suave) and Sticky Fingaz sought to bring their style of rugged hardcore hip-hop to the forefront. Punctuated by a high energy, rambunctious and in your face style with aesthetics marked by their trademark street look: hoodies, fatigues, Timberland boots and bald heads, they ushered in a musical and fashion style that gave them their unique selling proposition.
Produced mostly by Queens producer Chyskillz and his converted jazz notes to rugged out to meet the group's style, the album featured two hit singles: the hardcore anthem "Throw Your Guns" and the crossover classic "Slam" an high energy anthem that reached No. 4 on the Billboard 100 and has become a staple in popular culture, advertisements and campaigns in the 30 years since its release.
The album was certified platinum and is recognized as one of the best albums of 1993 and an album that is known for popularizing a particular style of rapping and performing as well as rugged street fashion.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Onyx's Debut Album 'Bacdafucup' turns 30
https://albumism.com/features/onyx-debut-album-bacdafucup-album-anniversary
EverythingIsNoise: A Scene In Retrospect: Onyx - Bacdafucup
https://everythingisnoise.net/features/a-scene-in-retrospect-onyx-bacdafucup/
Rock The Bells: Bacdafucup: Onyx, Jam Master Jay and the Bald Head Invasion
https://rockthebells.com/articles/onyx-jam-master-jay-and-the-bald-head-invasion/
HipHopDX: Onyx Announce 'Bacdafucup' 30th Anniversary Tour with R.A. The Rugged Man
https://hiphopdx.com/news/onyx-bacdafucup-anniversary-tour-ra-rugged-man-tickets
Rock The Bells: Onyx Talks 30 Years of 'Slam': 1993 Was Definitely The Best Year For Hip-Hop
https://rockthebells.com/articles/onyx-slam-30-year-anniversary-interview/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy17m | Apr 17, 2023 - Goodie Mob: Still Standing (1998). Born and True to Atlanta
B. Cox and J. Owe take a look back at Goodie Mob's sophomore album Still Standing as it turns 25. Three years after their landmark classic debut album Soul Food, the Atlanta quartet of Big Gipp, Khujo, T-Mo and CeeLo Green was still on a mission to let the world know about life in the "Dirty South". Despite releasing their album in a southern hip-hop arena that was dominated at the time by their New Orleans counterparts from No Limit, the Mob was ready to show the world that they were a testament to their album title.
The album was again produced by the production trio and their Dungeon Family mentors Organized Noize, with CeeLo and T-Mo providing produciton assistance as well of the likes of Mr. DJ, DJ Muggs, Craig Love and Dave Whild. The album also featured fellow Dungeon family members and affliates in Withdoctor, Lil Will, Chiefton and Backbone.
The album spawned two singles: "They Don't Dance No Mo" and "Black Ice" featuring OutKast. Despite the decreased attention and hoopla as compared to their debut, the album was fairly successful being certified gold and stands as one of hip-hop's strongest sophomore albums following a classic debut.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Goodie Mob's 'Still Standing' Turns 25 | Annivesary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/goodie-mob-still-standing-album-anniversary
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy24m | Apr 10, 2023 - Gang Starr: Moment of Truth (1998). Holding The Torch High
B. Cox reviews hip-hop duo Gang Starr's fifth album Moment of Truth as it turns 25. After a four year hiatus from their acclaimed 4th album 1994's Hard To Earn, Guru and DJ Premier returned to to the lab to craft their latest album among a changing landscape. Hip-hop, once thought to be a fringe fad when they debuted and when they first left, was now starting to explode commercially and was being sought after beyond the urban communities and into corporate America. In between albums, the two had their share of work and turmoil. Guru recorded another installment of his famed Jazzmatazz series and also faced two different pending legal charges and battled some personal demons, while Premier became a recognized as one of the top producers in the game by producing for multiple acts during the break, but suffered some losses of loved ones during this time as well.
The break and the adversity both men during it faced fueled their latest effort; crafting a well balanced and rounded out piece that reflected everything which made Gang Starr one of the best groups of their time. Guru's lyrics and emceeing rose to yet another level with his wisdom and experiences of the past few years driving his narrative to sights not seen before with Premier's beats meeting his mate's effort to a cinematic, with a Premier-type grit that served the soundtrack well. They were joined by a wide variety of featured guests such Inspectah Deck, M.O.P, Scarface, Freddie Fox, Big Shug, Shiggy Sha, a young G-Dep and singers K-Ci and JoJo. The combination led to arguably the group's most candid and complete work to date.
The album featured three singles: "You Know My Steez" "Royalty" and "The Militia". Despite with no major charting singles, the album was certified gold and stands as a contender for the crown jewel of the legendary duo's catalog.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Gang Starr's 'Moment of Truth' Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/gang-starr-moment-of-truth-album-anniversary
RockTheBells: Gang Starr's 'Moment of Truth' at 25
https://rockthebells.com/articles/gang-starr-moment-of-truth-turns-25/
Glide Magazine: 25 Years Later: Revisiting Gang Starr's Locked In "Moment of Truth"
https://glidemagazine.com/289978/25-years-later-revisiting-gang-starrs-locked-in-moment-of-truth/
Ambrosia For Heads: DJ Premier speaks About How Real Moment of Truth was Hip-Hop and Gang Starr
https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2018/04/gang-starr-moment-of-truth-making-of-interview-video/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy27m | Apr 3, 2023 - BONUS EPISODE!!! Favorite 90's Hip-Hop Posse Cuts
In a bonus episode, B. Cox sorts through some of his favorite and memorable hip-hop posse cuts of the 1990s.
*We did not include Wu-Tang Clan and its individual members' albums that could have memorable posse cuts as we determined that they could warrant a standalone bonus episode in the future. Stay tuned!*
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Show Notes
High Snobiety: The 25 Best Rap Posse Cuts of All-Time https://www.highsnobiety.com › 25-best-rap-posse-cuts
Pitchfork: The History of Posse Cuts in 5 Songs https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/1302-the-history-of-the-posse-cut-in-5-songs/
Trapital: Why Rappers Stopped Making Remixes and Posse Cuts https://trapital.co/2019/05/03/why-rappers-stopped-making-remixes-and-posse-cuts/
RockTheBells: A History Of The Posse Cut https://rockthebells.com/articles/best-posse-cuts/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy23m | Mar 13, 2023 - Little Brother: The Listening (2003). They Called Next... (feat. Chris "Kinetik" Mitchell)
B. Cox is joined by Chris Mitchell (Kinetik) of the Breaking Atoms Podcast to review Little Brother's classic debut studio album The Listening as it turns 20. The group, which was formerly made up of the trio of emcees Phonte and Big Pooh and producer 9th Wonder, met as students on the campus of North Carolina Central University. They bonded over their shared love and passion of hip-hop and formed a collective with other North Carolina college students who were hip-hop artists and producers which would become known as the Justus League.
Pooling together their resources and creativity, the trio started recording their debut album. After working their local hip-hop scene and the college radio circle in their home state of North Carolina, the group signed its record deal with ABB Records and gained a sizable fanbase, following and a community online though forums such as their own Justus League The LAWN, OkayPlayer and other hip-hop sites. Boosting the groups popularity was the skills and creativity Phonte and Pooh and the soulful sample based production of 9th Wonder that drew comparisons in tenor and tone to predecessors such as groups from the collectives the Native Tongues and Soulquarians. Over 65 minutes and utilizing a concept used frequently in hip-hop, the album is presented through the lens of a radio station broadcast schedule, WJLR, presenting all of the tropes of terrestrial radio complete with skits and fictional disc jockeys which accompanied the album's tracks.
While the album had no major singles or sales numbers to report, its legend has been boosted by their niche, but loyal fanbase that has followed them since the beginning. The album has been deemed an underground and indie hip-hop classic and the launching pad of a group that has had a successful, yet complicated two decades in the industry.
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Show Notes
Passion Weiss: The Oral History of The Lawn (by Chris "Kinetik" Mitchell)
https://www.passionweiss.com/2022/03/24/the-oral-history-of-the-lawn/
Albumism: Little Brother's Debut Album "The Listening" Turns 20 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/little-brother-debut-album-the-listening-album-anniversary
Pitchfork: Little Brother "The Listening" Review
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/little-brother-the-listening/
GQ: Little Brother Looks Back On 20 Years Of "The Listening"
https://www.gq.com/story/little-brother-the-listening-album-20-years
HipHopDX: Little Brother on 'The Listening' at 20 & Marauding For Ears
https://hiphopdx.com/news/little-brother-the-listening-20-year-intervew
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy1h 2m | Feb 27, 2023 - Digable Planets: Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) (1993). Slick Reborn...
B. Cox looks back at hip-hop trio Digable Planet's debut album Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) as it turns 30. The Brooklyn-based group made up of emcees Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler, Mariana "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira and Craig "Doodlebug" Irving met through what seemed to be fate in the late 80s. After signing to Pendulum Records in 1992, they began crafting their debut album under the production supervision of Butterfly and the likes of Shane "The Doctor" Faber and Mike "Lanching An Attack" Mangini.
Using the resources available to them in two makeshift studios in apartments, Butterfly and his cohorts utilized samples from jazz records exclusively, gleaning from Butler's father's collection of jazz records. What followed suit was a project filled with lively jazz notes and deep bass complimented by crisp drum patterns and percussion. This provided the landscape for the three emcees to spit lyrics based around politics, freedom, explorations of expression, black culture and fringe philosophical views with dexterity.
Over 57 smooth, yet captivating minutes, the trio developed a unique sound in a hip-hop year full of groundbreaking material. The album's lead single "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" became a top 15 Billboard Hot 100 hit and is the group's signature song. It garnered the group a Grammy in 1994 for Best Rap Performance by A Duo or Group. The album was certified gold and served as the introduction to this unique trio that would have a successful, yet brief time in the spotlight.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Digable Planets Reachin' ( A New Refutation of Time and Space) Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
Pitchfork: Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)
https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/digable-planets-reachin-a-new-refutation-of-time-and-space/
ClassicAlbumSundays: Forgetting Classic: Digable Planets (A New Refutation of Time and Space).
RiotFest: Cool Like Dat? Check Out Where the Digable Planets Samples Came From
https://riotfest.org/2018/08/17/digable-planets-reachin-samples/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy32m | Feb 20, 2023 - 50 Cent: Get Rich Or Die Tryin'. Hip-Hop's Lazarus Comes Forth...
B. Cox & J. Owe review 50 Cent's explosive debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin' as it turns 20. After a successful run as a protege of Run DMC's Jam Master Jay, the Queens youth turned drug dealer turned emcee was set to make his mark after series of setbacks including being shot multiple times, being dropped by his label while having his debut album scrapped and being blacklisted from the industry. After getting back on his feet and releasing several independent mixtapes, his free agency prompted one of the rap game's most competitive bidding wars. Dr. Dre and Eminem emerged victorious, signing him to a $1 million deal to Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment and prepared to record his debut album.
Working under the masterful guidance and tutelage of Dre and Eminem, the album was also boosted by production from the likes of several standout producers such as Sha Money XL, J-Praize, Rockwilder, Megahertz, Dirty Swift, Mike Elizondo, Darrell "Digga" Branch and others. The multi-layered, multi faceted production approach was the perfect soundtrack behind 50s trademark voice that laced the tracks with a mix of wittty bars and gritty street tales. He was also assisted with features from the likes of Eminem, Nate Dogg and his fellow G-Unit comrades Lloyd Banks, Young Buck and Tony Yayo.
The debut week was massive, selling over 870,000 copies, becoming at the time the biggest debut for a hip-hop album ever. the album was boosted by many singles, including the Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles "In the Club" and "21 Questions" along with the Top 10 hit "P.I.M.P". "In the Club" became one of the most successful hip-hop and crossover singles in the 2000s. The album would also become RIAA-certified 9x platinum. It has led to 50 Cent being one of the most successful hip-hop artists of all time and led to his additional successes in branding, entertainment and liquor manufacturing among many other ventures.
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Show Notes
Crack Magazine: The undeniable impact of 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin'" https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/retrospective-get-rich-die-tryin/
OkayPlayer: The secret history of 50 Cent's "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'" https://www.okayplayer.com/originals/secret-history-50-cent-get-rich-or-die-tryin-lp.html
PassionWeiss: The Diamond In The Dirt-50 Cent's 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin' Turns 20 https://www.passionweiss.com/2023/01/31/the-diamond-in-the-dirt-50-cents-get-rich-or-dyin-turns-20/
HipHopXXIV: 50 Cent Responds to Jay-Z's 20 Year Old Warning https://hiphopxxiv.com/50-cent-responds-to-jay-zs-20-year-old-warning/
Rock The Bells: Classic Albums: 50 Cent 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin'' https://rockthebells.com/articles/classic-albums-get-rich-or-die-tryin-by-50-cent/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy35m | Feb 6, 2023 - BONUS EPISODE: "Pop Culture Corner" Hip-Hop Fashion In The 90s
In a special bonus edition of Pop Culture Corner, B.Cox explores the dynamics of the many layers and styles of hip-hop and urban fashion in the 90s. After experiencing a very colorful and avant garde fashion sense in the 80s, the hip-hop and urban music scene in the 1990s was defined by three segments: (1) The elite and luxury fashion brands that dominated the fashion world whose status symbols found its niche among artists and their fans (2) the mainstream brands that the hip-hop community embraced a small, but popular segment of the culture overall; and (3) the upstart hip-hop based brands that were created by the culture for the culture, while fully embracing all it had to offer.
B. Cox takes a look at most memorable brands that defined the 90s hip-hop and R&B fashion scene and the impact it had on other fashion brands willing to compete and the consumers who sought them.
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Show Notes
High Snobiety: The Trends and Brands that Defined 90s Hip-Hop Fashion
https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/90s-hip-hop-fashion/
Culture Vulturez: Top 20 Urban Fashion Brands of the 1990s and 2000s
https://www.kulturevulturez.com/top-hip-hop-clothing-brands/
Complex: From NIke To Nautica, Here are the 90s Brands that Defined The Decade
https://www.complex.com/style/the-best-brands-of-the-90s/
BET: 25 Hip-Hop Clothing Brands that you may have forgotten about
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy29m | Jan 30, 2023 - The Year That Was...2003
B. Cox reflects on the year that was 2003. In a year that saw Western Powers kick their war against dictatorships in the Middle East into full gear and saw the U.S. biggest state in political turmoil, the music scene was successfully and commercially thriving.
It was highlighted by the emergence of the unlikeliest of superstars in 50 Cent, who served as triumphant comeback story: from underground sensation to on his death bed to global music superstar in the span of two years. Meanwhile, the biggest star in hip-hop, Jay-Z, was planning his exit with his supposed final studio album and farewell tour which was planned to lead to his new life as a record label executive and businessman.
2003 marked a year of great commercial success with tons of hits topping the charts from a multitude of artists over a number of genres. It was the year that the South, namely Atlanta's hip-hop and R&B scene made its strong push towards being the major player it had been threatening to be almost a decade and when international acts and songs from reggae, soca and reggaeton made a huge impression on the American listening public and in the clubs.
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Show Notes
AllHipHop: The REAL REcap-The Best of 2003 News
https://allhiphop.com/features/the-real-rap-recap-the-best-of-2003-news/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy23m | Jan 16, 2023 - The Year That Was...1998
B. Cox looks back at the year that was 1998. As the United States and the world had the new millennium within eye sight, there were uncertain times in the world politically and socially. Admist all the turmoil and uncertainty, the year delivered one of the best combined critical and commercial years for both hip-hop and R&B.
Musically, the year succeed on many fronts as far as radio hits and explosive sales numbers as well as underground success and notoriety beyond the fringes. It also marked a year of balance that hardcore and rugged rap, feel good and luxury rap, and soulful and thought rendering rap all excelled and were recognized.
In R&B, industry veterans coupled with promising upstarts marked a banner year for the genre and as a number of classic and essential albums would shape its direction going into the turn of the century.
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Show Notes
Billboard: Why 1998 Was The Greatest Year of My Hip-Hop Lifetime
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/1998-greatest-year-hip-hop-essay-datwon-thomas-8458855/
Medium: Revisiting the Hip-Hop Class of '98
https://medium.com/the-passion-of-christopher-pierznik-books-rhymes/revisiting-the-hip-hop-class-of-1998-1955b6e974e3
OkayPlayer: September 29, 1998 was Rap Music's Last Greatest Release Date
https://www.okayplayer.com/originals/september-29th-1998-greastest-day-rap-music-outkast-jay-z-black-star.html
SoulInStereo: Why 1998 Was A Game Changing Year for Hip-Hop and R&B
http://www.soulinstereo.com/2018/04/why-1998-was-a-game-changing-year-for-hip-hop-rb.html
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy26m | Jan 9, 2023 - The Year That Was...1993
B. Cox reflects on the year that was 1993; a year that saw the election of a generational U.S. president, two sports dynasties repeating their excellence, a unthinkable terrorist attack that shook the nation as well as a monumental year in hip-hop and R&B with a number of classics that would leave their marks on not just music, but pop culture overall.
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Show Notes
Vibe: 1993: The Year That Hip-Hop and R&B Conquered The World
https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/1993-the-year-hip-hop-and-rb-conquered-the-world-397576/
Medium: November 9th, 1993: Hip-Hop's Creative Apex
https://keithdevlin.medium.com/november-9th-1993-hip-hops-creative-apex-7118a55df362
NPR: Eight Million Stories: Hip-Hop in 1993
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy20m | Jan 2, 2023 - 2022 Year-End Review & Wrap Up: '92, '97 & '02
In the last episode of the year, B. Cox gives The Vault's rankings for the top hip-hop & R&B albums reviewed from 1992, 1997 and 2002 to put a bow on what has been another busy and memorable year for the podcast.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy20m | Dec 26, 2022 - Dr. Dre: The Chronic (1992). "Welcome To Death Row..."
B. Cox and J. Owe look back at Dr. Dre's transcendent debut album The Chronic as it turns 30. After spending half a decade as the architect and chief producer for both NWA and Ruthless Records, Dr. Dre split in 1991 to help co-found Death Row Records with Marion "Suge" Knight with the backing of Interscope Records. As their prime producer and executive, the record label would become a symbol of power and success in the 1990s, starting with his debut album.
Using techniques of producing beats over sampled funk records, deep bass and transformative melodies, the album is credited by many as not originating, but popularizing the "G-Funk" sound that became the label and southern California's hip-hop's identity.
Assisted by the likes of a young rap phenom Snoop Doggy Dog, RBX, Daz and Kurupt of the Dogg Pound and Lady of Rage among others, the Dr. also lent his own vocals as a signature defining moment for his career assisted by the pen of Snoop and also the legendary D.O.C., who was relegated to writing after his traffic accident prematurely ended his promising career on the mic. The result was an album full of legendary bars and quotables that would become a part of hip-hop and pop culture lexicon.
The album was backed by three Billboard top ten singles : the classics "Nuthin But a G Thang", "Dre Day" and "Let Me Ride". Certified triple platinum, The Chronic has been universally acclaimed as both a foundational album of West Coast hip-hop, the hip-hop genre overall and a culture-shifting supernova that few albums have been able to match in terms of quality and impact since.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Dr. Dre's 'The Chronic' Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/dr-dre-the-chronic-album-anniversary
EurWeb: Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" Turns 30
https://eurweb.com/2022/dr-dres-the-chronic-turns-30/
HipHopHero: 30 years of 'The Chronic': Dr. Dre's exceptional debut album
https://hiphophero.com/30-years-of-dr-dre-album-the-chronic/
MusicMusingsAndSuch: Celebrating An Iconic and Complex Debut Album: Dr. Dre's "The Chronic"
Billboard: Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" Turns 30. Every Song Ranked From Worst To Best.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy35m | Dec 19, 2022 - Nas: God's Son (2002). "It Get's Personal..."
B. Cox reviews Nas' sixth studio album God's Son as it turns 20. Capping off a productive year, the Queens emcee released his third project in 12 months following up the classic album Stillmatic and the compilation of unreleased tracks The Lost Tapes. It was seen as a continuation of his "comeback". He dealt with problems and distractions during the recording of the album, including his continued beef with Jay-Z and the death of his mother earlier in the year due to cancer. Despite the setbacks, he released an album that was largely critically acclaimed with production from the likes of Salaam Remi, Alchemist, Ron Brows, Chucky Thompson, Agile, Eminem and Alicia Keys.
The album featured three singles: the street anthem "Made You Look", the children inspired "I Can" and "Get Down". It was certified platinum and is often cited as Nas' most personal and candid album.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Nas' God's Son turns 20 | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/nas-gods-son-album-anniversary
BBC: 16 Albums That Define 2002
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3ClfdFXPBSnc7s4cMBrjl4G/16-albums-that-define-2002
FocusOnHipHop: Album Review | Nas - God's Son
https://focushiphop.com/2016/06/26/album-review-nas-gods-son/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy30m | Dec 12, 2022 - The Pharcyde: Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde. "California Dreamin..."
B. Cox looks back at The Pharcyde's debut classic album Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde as it turns 30. In the midst of a genre shift of power over their home base of California, the former dancers turns emcees and producers released their debut album to little fanfare, but would become recognized in the industry for their easy going and humorous style.
Produced entirely by group member J-Swift, the group (also made up of members Slimkid3, Bootie Brown, Fatlip and Imani) provided audiences of a view of living in Southern California that was noticeably different in tenor and landscape than most of their counterparts in 1992.Using humor, witty banter, clever bars with bravado laced with references of sex, weed and female entanglements catered to an audience seeking an alternative to the party and gangster rap that made West Coast hip-hop popular.
The album released two notable singles: the wise-crack song "Ya Mama" and the classic single "Passin' Me By", which has become their more recognizable track to date. While not a commercial success, the album was critically acclaimed and largely credited along Freestyle Fellowship's To Whom It May Concern and Del the Funky Homospaien's I Wish My Brother George Was Here with helping to popularize the West Coast alternative hip-hop scene which helped lead to the success and visibility of later acts such as Hieroglyphics, Jurassic 5, Blackalicious, Dilated Peoples and more.
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Show Notes
Albumism: The Pharcyde's "Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde" Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective
Medium: BackSpin- Pharcyde "Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde"
Anywhere The Dope Go: The Pharcyde: Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde-Throwback Thursday Review
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy28m | Nov 28, 2022 - Ice Cube: The Predator (1992). Behind Enemy Lines...
B. Cox reviews Ice Cube's third album The Predator as it turns 30. In the midst of the one most prolific and successful runs in hip-hop history stretching back his days as with NWA, the soon-to-be West Coast icon created and released his album in the time of transition of turmoil. Hip-Hop acclaim and recognition was beginning to spread its sphere of influence out to the West Coast. to mirror this rise in the commercial success of West Coast hip-hop was great angst. The album was completed in the heat of the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict, which sparked the now infamous 1992 L.A. riots, further fueling political and racial tensions.
Not to be dismayed, Cube pressed on to continue his holy trinity of LPs, combining yet again with longtime collaborator Sir Jinx and also new production teammates in DJ Pooh and DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill. Over hard hitting and consistent production filled in with cuts of news footage and commentary that reflected times, he packaged the perfect combination of lyrics that reflected his political mindstate amidst the turmoil, told gangsta tales and told stories of what life like was in like in black Los Angeles.
The album was critically acclaimed and was certified double platinum and featured two Cube standout singles: "Check Yourself" and the classic "It Was A Good Day", which has garnered the respect and adulation of hip-hop fans 30 years after its release.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Ice Cube's 'The Predator' Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/ice-cube-the-predator-album-anniversary
Brooklyn Radio: #30thAnniversary: Ice Cube "The Predator"
http://brooklynradio.com/30thanniversary-ice-cube-the-predator/
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy28m | Nov 21, 2022
