At HipHopDX,
we are some certified, dust-under-the-fingernails diggers. While
there’s a lot of folks talking about samples and breaks, and plenty of
deejays focusing on exclusives and lost verses, we wanted to profile
some of the releases that aren’t ever discussed, videos played or songs
aired. These are the discs and albums that you’ll often see at swap
meets, pawn shops and in lots on eBay.
We’re simply here to reminisce, revisit and remind those of you who may care, that these are actually…pretty damn good. Bargain Bin Classics live on!
187 He Wrote by Spice-1 (1993, Jive)
Currently on Amazon for $4.93
The Texas-born and Bay-bred Spice 1 was one of the early ’90s finest gangsta rappers. With his unmistakable style (flipping to rapid fire Reggae at any moment), he made some noise with his self-titled Jive debut in ’92. But after his show stealing “Trigga Gots No Heart” fueled the Menace II Society OST, 187 He Wrote dropped soon after and went gold in less than two months. With titles like “Dumpin’ Em In Ditches,” “Gas Chamber,” “Trigga Happy,” “The Murda Show,” and “I’m the Fuckin’ Murderer” (among several other death related songs), there is no telling how many were killed on wax here. It may be a bit one-dimensional, but it was – and remains – must have material. – J-23
1st Class by Large Professor (2002, Matador)
Currently on Amazon for $5.15
I truly admire and love the work of Diamond D, but to me, Large Professor will forever be the best producer on the mic. Although Main Source