Organized Konfusion is an alternative Hip Hop duo from New York. Starting their careers as “Simply II Positive MCs, they were convinced by Russell Simmons from Def Jam that the name was whack and changed it to “Organized Konfusion”. They released their self-titled album in 1991 – a debut with great use of samples and an overall very positive vibe to it. Recommended greatly, one of the most underappreciated Hip Hop records of the 90’s.
Dred Scott is an American Hip Hopper who was early on influenced by Jazz music but chose to be a rapper thanks to Run D.M.C. Nonetheless Jazz Music is an essiantial element in his music, combined with the Boom Bap Beats and his dope delivery it was something new compared to the rather smooth sounding Jazz Rap released up to 1994. An underrated and underappreciated record, don’t skip on this one!
The Artifacts are a Hip Hop Duo from Newark, New Jersey. Between A Rock And A Hard Place was released in 1994 and is regarded as a classic today. The album is consistent from start to finish and features Boom Bap that wants you to bob your head all day! Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.
In 1993, out of nowhere, a Hardcore Hip Hop group released “Bacdafucup” and won the Soul Train Award even acing out Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic”! The group was founded in a small barber shop in Queens where Fredro Starr and Stinky Fingaz were working at the time. After they presented a demo to Jam Master Jay at Def Jam they were promised an album – and what an album it is! Their rap style was unique back then – shouting & screaming to put it in a nutshell. Atak of da Bal-Hedz!
This is their forth album and my favourite one. Why? It is highly consistent and features some dope tracks like “Can’t truss it” or “Shut’em down”. They continue to be very political even though they already lost one member due to antisemitic remarks. Racism towards the black community is the main topic. In combinance with the hard beats those political messages need to be played out loud. So turn up the volume!
Hailing from Oakland, CA, Souls of Mischief released a classic with their debut “93 til Infinity”. They are not your typical west coast rap group. Characteristic is the heavy use of internal rhymes which makes their style unique but at the same time just doesn’t sound as smooth as most rappers. Nonetheless the whole record is dope – 93 til Infinity!
This album is a true classic. Released in 1990, it features some dope conscious rap. The leading MC Wise Intelligent has a great flow thanks to his jamaican roots. Characteristic is the rolling R and melodic rhyming in general which is unique. The whole record is very consistent. I highly recommend it to anyone who’s addicted to early 90’s Hip Hop. Ah by the way – it ain’t out of print anymore…
This album contains a variety of songs recorded in the late 80’s. After recording “It’s a demo” in one night Marley Marl was so impressed that he instantly embraced Kool G Rap and DJ Polo as Juice Crew members. Kool G Rap’s delivery, flow and wordplay are incredible. Released in 1989 on Cold Chillin’ Records “Road To The Riches” became a Hip Hop classic.
One of the most influential East Coast albums of the early 90’s. The production stands out with its original use of jazz and soul samples. Released on Wild Pitch Records the album was out of print for many years but is now available again so get it if you ain’t got it! As a side note: Nas made his first appearance on the track “Live at the barbeque”.
Two white rappers & a black DJ? That gotta be whack, right? Hell no! As their successful debut “The Cactus Album” their second real release is a long album with some skits that draw direct influences to De la Soul’s debut “3 Feet High & Rising”. Overall it’s very consistent and still sounds fresh today. Not only the rapping is great but most of all the production is outstanding and ahead of its time.
