10 Of Hip Hop’s Most Criminally Slept-On Albums

    In 2010 we reviewed 252 albums, in 2009 we covered 260. Staggering numbers, I know. But believe me when I tell you that those numbers could easily be over 1000 each year if we had the time and resources to cover everything that was sent our way. With such a ridiculous amount of albums coming out each year you’re bound to miss some good albums. Scratch that, you’re bound to miss dozens of good albums. Even some great ones.

    Diamonds in the rough are nothing new though. Even when far, far fewer albums were coming out, even the most hardcore listeners were bound to miss something they’d later smack themselves for sleeping on.

    So here are 10 albums from the 90’s that you may have missed, but better late than never.

    Threat – Sickinnahead (1993)

    For fans of: Ice Cube, King Tee, Ice-T, Compton’s Most Wanted

    Before the G-Funk sound completely took over the West Coast the likes of Sir Jinx, DJ Pooh, Bobcat, DJ Slip and DJ Quik were producing funky, uptempo beats that blended the best of both coasts. Threat’s one and only album dropped in the midst of Death Row’s takeover and went completely unnoticed. Which is a shame because the album is a classic. Pooh and Bobcat, (better know as the Boogiemen who produced most of Cube’s Death Certificate among many others), manned the boards here. Threat had appeared on tracks with Cube, Pac and King T, and it was no mystery why. Good lyrics and delivery and great mic presence.

    PDK

    I.M.P. – Back In The Days (1993)

    For fans of: Bay Area gangsta rap

    Cougnut and C-Fresh were the Ill Mannered Players, a Bay Area duo slept on even by aficionados of the region. The brothers are nearly impossible to tell apart, as so many fraternal rappers are, but that is a good thing when they sound like this. The term gully may not have been the parlance of their time, though it may have been coined just for them. They both sound like the father of Keak Da Sneak’s gravel-throat delivery while spitting rhymes every bit as hard. The content may not have been anything new, but what this album lacks in originality it makes up for in sheer awesomeness.

    Goin Out Like A Gangsta

    Hi-C – Skanless (1991)

    For fans of: DJ Quik, Eazy E

    Eazy E and Ice Cube may have Hip Hop’s most iconic jheri curls, but without question Hi-C made the official anthem. “Leave My Curl Alone” is also a prime example of what you get from Skanless. Before gangsta rap began taking itself too seriously, a funny ass album like this didn’t seem out of place. Backed by DJ Quik and early Cali mixtape legend Tony A, the album was both funky and fun.

    Leave My Curl Alone

    The Goats – Tricks Of The Shade (1992)

    For fans of: Public Enemy, KMD, Masta Ace

    Tricks Of The Shade remains one of Hip Hop’s best concept album, even if so few people have heard it. The album follows two orphaned children lured into Uncle Scam’s Federally funded Freak Show where they take “Columbus’ Boat Ride,” visit “Noriega’s Coke Stand” and visit Georgie Bush’s kids. The awesome satire is executed perfectly by the Phili crew and done over boom bap from the legendary Joe “The Butcher” Nicolo.

    Typical American

    I.N.I. – Center Of Attention (1996)

    For fans of: Pete Rock and that golden-era sound

    This album nearly doesn’t qualify as its status as a shelved classic made it heavily bootlegged and sought after in the early days of the Internet. Nevertheless, Center Of Attention still isn’t held in the esteem it should be considering it was produced by Pete Rock (all but two songs) at the tail end of his prime. The five man crew included PR’s younger brother Grap Luva and frequent collaborator Rob-O. Due to drop in ‘96 on Soul Brother Records/Elektra, it was shelved for seven years until Rapster unleashed it. The album is vintage Pete Rock and the bridge between his glory years and the producers who would go on to carry on his legacy (think 9th Wonder, Kev Brown, Marco Polo, Khyrsis, Oddissee, etc).

    The Life I Live

    Rumpletilskinz – What Is A Rumpletilskin? (1993)

    For fans of: Onyx, Leaders of the New School, M.O.P.

    The east coast Hip Hop head was treated to timeless albums from Wu-Tang, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, KRS-One and Black Moon in 1993. Not to mention all the great albums from Fat Joe to Onyx and Ultramag to Masta Ace. And that is to say nothing about what was going on out west. Needless to say it was easy to get lost in the shuffle when some of the greatest albums ever made were being pumped out month after month. Rumpletilskinz were among the many victims in 1993. In 1991 they appeared on “Sound Of The Zeekers @#ˆ**?!” from Leaders Of The New School, scored a deal with RCA in 1992, released this album in 1993 and were never heard from again. That doesn’t speak to the quality of this album though, it is must have material for anyone who loved gritty, rah rah shit of the early 90’s.

    Attitudes

    Scientifik – Criminal (1994)

    For fans of: D.I.T.C., Rakim, Ed O.G.

    This album may be most notable for featuring the first outside production from RZA (credited as Prince Rakeem), on “As Long As You Know” featuring Ed O.G. The song was featured the year before on the unofficial white label vinyl version of Ed O.G’s Roxbury 02119. The Boston emcee’s debut also boasted production from Buckwild, Diamond and the aforementioned Edo. Scientifik, an emcee clearly influenced by Rakim, was killed two years later in a double homocide. His album lives on as a hidden gem in one of Hip Hop’s best years.

    As Long As You Know

    DMG – Rigormortiz (1993)

    For fans of: Early 90’s Rap-A-Lot, Geto Boys, Scarface, South Park Colalition

    DMG’s criminally slept-on debut is truly one of the best albums ever released by Rap-A-Lot. Legend has it the Minnesota native followed Scarface back to his hotel after a show and bumrushed Face’s room and rapped himself into a deal. Rigormortiz is harder than concrete from front to back, produced by in house legends Mike Dean and N.O. Joe. For his part, DMG sounds a lot like Scarface pre-Diary. I implore you not to sleep on this one.

    Pure Dope, No Cut

    Poison Clan – 2 Low Life Muthas (1990)

    For fans of: 2 Live Crew, J-Zone, Suga Free, Devin The Dude

    They were billed as the Baby 2 Live Crew once they were signed to Luke Records, but their debut they largely constructed before signing was a hodge podge of east coast breaks, west coast funk and of course, Miami bass. Before the group expanded for the second and third album, Poison Clan was just JT Money and Debonaire. 2 Low Life Muthas boasts fantastic production and hilarious, over-the-top, ignorant rhymes. Sadly, the album was largely ignored outside of Miami and JT Money became famous for “Who Dat.”

    Spoiled Rotton

    Big Mello – Bone Hard Zaggin (1992)

    For fans of: Geto Boys, Scarface, Screwed Up Click, South Park Colalition

    Another slept-on gem from Rap-A-Lot, the label that could fill all 10 spots on this editorial. Big Mello was a member of Houston’s legendary Screwed Up Click who passed away in 2002 in a car accident. Not before releasing 5 albums, including his seminal debut. Mello was cool as a fan, his charisma was undeniable even on his most rugged offerings. Plus he had H-town legend Crazy C on the panels, who produced pretty much all the great Rap-A-Lot albums that Mike Dean and N.O. Joe didn’t do back then. Houston may have had a resurgence in 2005, but it didn’t come close to the oil they were striking back in the day.

    Bone Hard Niggaz

    110 thoughts on “10 Of Hip Hop’s Most Criminally Slept-On Albums

    1. Probably the reason why people slept on these albums is because no one really heard of these people. Underground artist, I’m pretty sure they’re talented, thats why they were slep on. No promotion, no buzz, no recognition.

      1. If you like Rumpletilskinz, then check ‘Trendz’ by Trends of Culture.
        Nice post DX! I’m going to look for The Goats…

    2. I was in Oregon @ the time and I was bangin out that Poison clan on tha regular. “Activator, Activator….”

    3. Record sales don’t reflect talent and never will and this article justifies that. I’m definitely guna fuck with these albums.

    4. dmg was a pretty cool album — not criminally slept on tho. If I’m going down south, same era, same label, I’d go with the Convicts (Big Mike and 3-2).

    5. i’ve only ever heard of big mello but of course i was a child in the 90s and only know mostly mainstream rappers from those days. i’ll have to scrounge around and find these. great post DX really enjoyed it.

    6. if you were alive in the 90’s and don’t know dmg or big mello. please go shoot yourself b4 i have to do it.

      1. I’m hip hop all day and never heard of them niggaz so go wft YOU talking about. You probably never heard Scientifik

    7. good choices. ya’ll just forgetting 1 album: BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY’S BTNHRESURRECTION.Real shit from start to finish.

    8. I heard some I.N.I. stuff a while back on some compilation discs, but never knew of the album. I love how almost 15 years, I can still hear new classic material from the mid 90s.

      GOOD JOB HHDX!

    9. thank u for putting up big mellos bone hard zaggin i remember i found that hoe at a pimps house on the floor all scratch the fuck up but i got it to play in my gs hahaha miss the 90’s

    10. I really appreciate HHDX for this. To compile this list the staff at hip hop dx had to go over several thousand hours of music, that alone speaks for itself. Especially to shed light on groups and artist that hardly got any recognition. Thank you as well for picking artist that reminded us of certain generations/movements of hip hop music (every album was symbolic in its own right). These type of peices bring meaning to a form of hip hop we loved and adored as youths. btw im only 25. one love.

    11. 100% agree with:
      Big Mello – Bone Hard Zaggin
      DMG – Rigormortiz

      Add
      Convicts, 5th Ward Boyz, 2-Low,etc, infact most of the old rap-a-lot records is crazy slept on.

      I also think you should have mentioned Above The Law, Tim Dog and Hijack.

      1. After hearing ‘Doomsday of Rap’, ‘Style Wars’ and a couple of other Hijack singles, I was pumped for ‘The Horns Of Jericho.’
        When it finally came out, I was a little disappointed (‘Don’t Go With Strangers’ was a little embarrassing for such a hardcore act).

    12. You guys need to do a part 2 of this although I got 9 out of 10 in my collection (hard to keep up with the bay). Mykill Myers “It’s been a long time coming” and “the second coming” now that’s criminally slept on.

    13. crucial conflict’s first album wuz classic too! The Final Tic! one of the first albums i eva bought and my life and i wuz 10 years old jammin dat shit lol! u kno wut 10 year olds are jammin now in hip hop????? bullshit!!!!

    14. I dont know, theres a lot of gangsta shit on here. I can see why some of this was slept on. If u r going to name some u gotta do a whole article for each region. There is some criminally slept-on artisits up here in Maine. Check out Saylove of Zulu Nation and Educated Advocates for some classic shit! http://www.reverbnation.com/saylovemusic

    15. First the DOC interview and now this, Props to dx for coming with dope reading. This should be a series btw. pz.

    16. alll in my era .. in fact i had most of these cassettes , still got a few of them .. the early 90’s, the best time for hip hop. word’ … funk witcha mind’

    17. Thanks for all the kind words, glad you guys like the piece. Don’t be mislead, there are really only 3 or 4 gangsta rap albums on that list. Albums like Hi-C and Poison Clan are not gangsta rap. The Goats and Scientifik are definitely on the “conscious” tip and Rumpletilskinz is really just a hardcore record in sound, not so much the rhymes. They sound more likely to punch you than shoot you.

      Regardless, mid 90’s gangsta rap was awesome..

      A Rap-A-Lot list will likely be next, as I could’ve added a lot more to here…some of which y’all mentioned

      1. Props for giving credtid where credit is due. Can’t wait for the rap-a-lot list, they had their own golden age!

      2. when that rap-a-lot list comes out dont sleep on that do or die- heads or tailz.. one of my all time favs!!!

    18. I always thought that CPO – “To Hell And Black” should have gotten WAY more props than it did. But it was produced by MC Ren just before the whole NWA falling apart drama, and they got lost in the shuffle.

      1. Ballad of a Menace (which, for the don’t-knows, features one of Ren’s coldest verses ever, is one of my all-time favorite joints.., but I’d argue that CPO’s actual album wasnt deep enough to warrant the label criminally slept on. I really only bumped 3-4 songs on the album — mind you though, i bumped the hell out of those 3-4!!

    19. 10 Underrated Albums:

      1. Scarface-Untouchable
      2. Foxy brown-Broken Silence
      3. Don’t Sweat The Technique-Rakim and Eric B.
      4. Nas-It Was Written
      5. DJ Quik-Balance and Options
      6. Black Eyed Peas-Behind The Front
      7. DOC_Nobody Does It Better
      8. Busta Rhymes-Big Bang
      9. Q-Tip-Renaissance
      10. Little brother/Listening/Minstral Show

    20. here’s my most slept on albums from 90’s list

      1. Da youngsta’s – The Aftermath
      2. ILLEGAL – The Untold Truth
      3. Jamal – Last Chance No Breaks
      4. Casual – Fear It Self
      5. Kool G Rap – Wanted Dead or Alive
      6. Keith Murray – Enigma
      7. Anotha Level – On Anotha Level
      8. Prim Minister Pete Nice & Daddy Rich –
      Dust To Dust.
      9. Twinz – Conversation
      10. U.M.C. – Fruits Of Nature

    21. What about The Terrorist “Terror Strikes: Always Bizness, Never Personal”! That album had some hot tracks on it! Check it out.

    22. i think that ini album was slighlty overrated. the beats on the baby Pa album were better but he couldn’t rap. lol

    23. Sure Ras and OC’s albums are slept on to a degree. But they’re both well known rappers with debuts people talk about all the time. Most of the guys on this list people haven’t even heard of. I was going for more obscure albums

    24. so would elzhi’s Europass count? he’s gettin a lil attention here and there but nothin close to what i think he deserves

    25. Dope piece, seriously brought me back to the days where every release got a good listen! Being from Miami that Poison Clan album is a classic! I still have my Hi-C cassette! and Rumpelstiltskin was the shit! I would add albums by Da King & I, Coup, Rough House survivors, South Central Cartel, Bangin on Wax, and the list can continue!

      1. Yeah that Da King & I is a nice CD. I also have that Roughouse Survivors,…..shit i cant remember the name f the group that has a cd titled..VAN FULL OF PAKISTANS! SHIT I have it but cant remember their name.

    26. I’ll add a few to this list….

      *Blahzay BlahZay- Blah Blah Blah…SOLID ALbum
      * Channel Live – Station Identification
      *Mood-Doom
      *Bahamadia-Kollage
      *Pharcyde-Labcabincalifornia
      *Akinyele-vigina Diner
      *Diamond D – Hatred, Passion & Infidelity
      *Fat Joe-Represent
      *UN-U in or U out

      Co sign that OC -Word …Life album!

    27. Yo they forgot jeru the damaja the sun rises in the east and wrath of the math…if u like wu tang clan,Nas,Mobb deep,A tribe called quest,Big L,Gang starr.Biggie,KRS-one etc…u should enjoy those two classic albums from jeru..c’mon who would pass up two albums fully produced by the great DJ premier..possibly the greatest hip hop producer ever

      1. Maybe by todays fans Jeru is slept on, but not by anyone who was listening to Hip Hop in the mid 90s. Both his albums were top 5 on the hip hop billboard charts and he got quite a bit of radio and video play. I agree that his debut isn’t held in the regard it should be now, cause Nas went on to be Nas and Jeru disappeared. But if we were listing albums like that this list would be 1000 deep

      1. Yeah, remember “Playa Playa”? Big Mike’s shit was ill. I still want all his shit cause I only had the aforementioned track on a video cassette, another one I can’t remember but he was on Rap City that day promoting an album after ‘Something Serious’. I think its called ‘Still Serious’.

      2. Sorry people. the big Mike album was far from slept on. it went gold (Big for the time) and he was nominated for rapper/lyricist of the year at source awards. im from australia and anyone into hip hop had that album in 94.

    28. That Poison Clan album was one of the tightest of its day. “Spoiled Rotten” “Dance All Night”,
      “2 Low Life Muthafuckas”, just to name a few. If y’all can recall, it was JT rapping with Luke on “Cowards In Compton”, when they dissed Dre and Snoop

    29. Digable Planets- Blowout Comb

      Ice T’s Rhyme Syndicate Album,there’s a guy named Kid Jazz on that album,can’t remember the name of the song but son just spazzes out for like 4 minutes straight..please check that song out..hungriest dude ever on a mic!

      Just Ice- Back to the Old School

      J.V.C Force- 1st Album

      Tuff Crew-Back to wreck shop

      Mantronix- Music Madness

      PRT-Holy Intellect

      1. Just-ice. Yessir! Rhyme Syndicate, Mantronix, Tuff Crew, Poor Righteous Teachers. You’re taking me back, homeboy. That’s classic hip-hop. Not sure if I’d call it slept-on or just old school. But i would certainly call it dope.

    30. for fans of: drug rap, dope beats

      The Jacka & Ampichino-Devilz Rejectz:36 zipz

      two niggas still makin dope shit while everyone else fallin off

    31. Saw a comment that Jeru was slept on. That is funny and ridiculous.

      It’s funny that I see the albums from DMG and Big Mello (RIP) are on here. We were heavy Rap-A-Lot dudes back then and DMG’s album was one of the most anticipated releases in life. Very fierce album. And like the homie states, you can fill this 10 most slept on albums with all of Rap-A-Lot releases. Klondike Kat. Pointblank. Odd Squad. 5th Ward Boyz. Ganksta NIP. K-Rino.

      Cool list. Much respect.

    32. Love topics like these, im still amazed of how much quality music one can find when digging deeper into hiphop catalogues, anyway, here are some more albums that I think deserved more attention:

      Tim Dog – Penicillin on Wax
      Hijack – The Horns of Jericho
      5th Ward Boyz – Ghetto Dope
      Convicts – Convicts
      Sho featurng Willie D – Troubleman
      TRU – True
      Blac Monks – Secrets Of The Hidden Temple
      Above The Law – Black Mafia Life
      Kokane – Funk Upon a Rhyme
      Murder Squad – Murder Squad Nationwide
      Tweedy Bird Loc – 187 Ride By

    33. Oh lord! How could you guys not include: MAC MALL, SIR MIX-A-LOT, K-DEE, KING T & THE LIKS, AND SOME FROM MY CITY (FLINT,MI) LIKE THE DAYTON FAMILY, TOP AUTHORITY, AND ESHAM!?

    34. THIS IS TO EACH FRIEND OR FAM MEMBER ON FB:I’m not posting this on my wall right now in honor of a friend who was hit by a drunk driver and is now in a coma. Before I say anything else I do ask that you pray for her recovery.

      I was recently interviewed by a west coast magazine, and just had the interview published to the mag site. If I get enough FB likes my interview will go into the actual magazine. The link is http://wwsmag.com/updates/bryant-c-caught-up-20-10/

      I just ask that you take a look, and press like for me. I made it an honest interview so I’m sure that you will like it.

      http://wwsmag.com/updates/bryant-c-caught-up-20-10/

    35. Lets not forget about FAT PAT! The man who influenced UGK and the whole southern scene, where they got that slang.

    36. I’ve been bumping that INI album for 3 years now. Fakin’ Jax pulled me in and the rest of it keeps me listening. Pete Rock is definitely up there with Premo as far as great producers in my opinion. This is a gem from the 90’s.

      I also nominate Da Bush Babees – Gravity. 1996 was a hard year to get noticed.

    37. what about Black Ops – First Strike???

      for anyone loving that old school queens vibe this album was disgusting!!!!

    38. Skyzoo- The Salvation
      Blu – Below the Heavens
      Tanya Morgan – Brooklynati

      Those 3 were highly slept on as well.

    39. Digable Planets – Blowout Comb
      Camp Lo – Uptown Saturday Nite
      Saafir – Boxcar Sessions
      Cadence Weapon – Breaking Kayfabe

    40. Center of attention….hands down the best on the list. “Tail end of
      his prime”? I couldn’t tell.

      Honorable mention…. Scientifik….R.I.P.

    41. Some great albums on here! And enjoyed reading the comments. I am a certified hip hop head but found a few I never heard of in the comments. I have been in the process of getting some boom bap on wax to add to my vinyl collection and ran across some gems.
      Nine was a criminally underrated MC. Both Nine Livez & Cloud Nine are ill. Some others I haven’t seen mentioned to check out; Kurious – A Cosntipated Monkey, Real Live – The Turnaround, Mad Kap – Look Ma Duke No Hands, WC & Maad Circle – Curb Servin, King Tee – IV Life, A+ The Latch Key Child, Arsonists – As the World Burns

    42. I feel like nobody has ever heard of the I’ll biskits -chronicles of two losers it got shelved and is easily one of the most slept on albums ever

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