The First Tru Criminal

AK Skills
-Check The Flava
-Nights Of Fear

1996 Tru Criminal Records

From the label that brought us Metal Thangz, a platter that features production from a couple of guys called Lord Finesse and Buckwild plus cuts by Tru Criminal vet and NY underground mainstay DJ KO. This one was destined to wallow in relative obscurity since it was released the same year as the hot-selling (and still available) underground classic Metal Thangz, but I'm not sure it would've made all that much noise, anyway. I mean, AK is ok, but few would argue that it'd be much nicer to hear The Funky Man himself over the Check The Flava beat. And Nights Of Fear is cool, but we've all heard far better from big Buckwild.

In any case, we do have here a solid, high-quality release from the era that deserves props, especially for Finesse and DITC fans. Enjoy.

Blame Canada

Saukrates & friends
-Rollin' feat. Masta Ace & OC
-Play Dis feat. Common
-P's and Q's

1997 Serious Entertainment Inc.

Once again, Toronto represent. Most of you know a little something about Saukrates, or at least have heard his production behind acts such as Choclair, Masta Ace, Kardinal Offishall, Swollen Members, Pharaoh Monch, Nas, etc. or heard him rap alongside Method Man, Redman, Xzibit, and others. His 1996 single "Father Time" b/w "21 Years" on Knee Deep Records earned him plenty of attention, and next thing you know he's got a trio of hip-hop legends on his plate.

Funny as it may sound, at the time, OC was the biggest name of the three thanks to a little ditty called "Time's Up,", and if you ask me, he touches the nicest song here, along with Masta Ace (who I still agree had his style stolen by Eminem). Not to take anything away from "Play Dis" or Common (then still known as Common Sense), but "Rollin'" has a good enough combo of unique and funky to give it the nod. To me, it just stands out. Also of note here is that Sauk more than holds his own next to the heavyweights, and in a case or two may even outshine them.

These songs are all taken from the "Brick House EP," which also featured remixes of "Play Dis" (by NoID) and "Rollin'" along with a remix of "Father Time" that didn't really need to happen.

Slum It Up

Slum Brothers
-The Sure Shot
-6 Million MC's

1995 Suicide Records



-Stop Fronting

1996 Michu Records

Like any other skill, MC-ing takes practice. Nobody is born an MC. There are, however, a good handful of folks who just seem to have a gift... like they were destined to do it. The kind that just seem so effortless on the mic, it becomes apparent that the bulk of what you're hearing is due to raw, natural talent, plain and simple. Reggie Reg, to me, is one of those. His 1995 release is one my favorite 12"s of all time. Sure, you've probably heard the 6 Million MC's bassline before (Gasface), not to mention the sample in the hook. And yes, the follow-up wasn't nearly as strong. But hey, the guy can flat-out rap. That's what really matters here.