When people are getting into Hip Hop they go through different stages. The first stage is what’s available to them: who their friends are listening to, what’s been recommended, who they’ve heard and liked, etc. Then if people are trying to learn more about Hip Hop and its history they study the classics. They’ll go back and pick up all the albums that are considered must have such as Illmatic or Midnight Marauders. After that they go through a second round of near classics such as Fantastic Vol. 2 or Soul Food. These are albums that are still top notch, but just didn’t make the cut for classics. After that people sometimes get lost. They don’t know who to listen to and feel like they’ve already explored all of Hip Hop. That’s where this mix comes in. There are so many overlooked Hip Hop albums from the 90s. The 90s is the best decade of Hip Hop…where there were at least 5 classics being made every year and then 20 or so near classics. Because this is such a huge number of amazing albums, there are still many albums that are great but just got overlooked and lost in the shuffle. That’s where this mix comes in. I learned about most of this music through other blogs (check WYDU & WTR for thorough writeups…and links to these albums) and it’s just taken my love of Hip Hop to the next level. There’s nothing like finding that jewel in the rough. I tried to narrow it down but in my small collection of slept on albums, I made a playlist of 45 songs from different artists. That’s why this will be a three part series (that’s if ya’ll are digging this mix). So if you like some of the songs definitely check the albums out or holla at me for some suggestions. As always, lemme know what you think.
Dig Deeper Vol. 1 Mix
16 songs, 59 minutes DOWNLOAD/STREAMING LINKS BELOW
1. Intro
2. Wrong Side Of Da Tracks by Artifacts: Outta Newark, NJ, Artifacts is a duo composed of El Da Sensei & Tame One. They came on the scene in ’94 with their debut album Between A Rock & A Hard Place. The album’s got funky samples (mainly courtesy of Buckwild) with clever lyrics on topics ranging from graffiti, marijuana, and graffiti.
3. Get Funky by The Beatnuts: The Beatnuts are from Queens, and they started getting attention around ’94 with their self titled album. Before listening, realize these guys aren’t called the Lyricistnuts. Their lyrics are funny as hell usually, but its their production that makes them stand out. Definitely check out their self titled album which is criminally slept on and considered a classic by many.
4. 9 Little Millameta Boys by Eightball & M.J.G.: While New York was controlling the game, Southern emcees were slowly starting to get some recognition. The south had a completely different sound, with simplistic beats that simply bumped in the whip. The best example of this is 8Ball & M.J.G., a duo from Memphis. They’re real consistent dropping dope album after dope album, and their debut album Comin’ Out Hard let the rest of the world know that the South had something to say.
5. Crews Pop by Da Youngsta’s: Even the shorties were making music back in the day. I’m not talking about Lil Romeo, Lil Bow Wow, or Soulja Boy…these kids could actually hold their own. Da Youngsta’s were unique because they actually wrote their own records. I don’t know how the hell they did it, but in ’93 they somehow got heavyweights like The Beatnuts, Pete Rock, Marley Marl, & DJ Premier to produce their second album The Aftermath. I’m not gonna lie, the lyrics could be better, but all the production on this album is simply amazing, and really foreshadowed the direction Hip Hop was going in.
6. ’85 South (Remix) by Ya’ll So Stupid: I don’t know much about this group, and they do sound like Pharcyde knockoffs…but nevertheless, they dropped a dope album called Van Full Of Pakistans (don’t ask me) in 1993.
7. N**** For Hire by Hard Knocks: Not many people know about this group here. In 1992 they came out with their debut album School Of Hard Knocks. It had great production and real political and thought provoking lyrics. They never got much recognition, but looking back…they made a real thorough album.
8. Next Level (Nyte Tyme Mix) by Showbiz & A.G.: Before you ask, you recognize this beat from 8 Mile. Now that that’s out of the way, Showbiz & A.G. were getting mad respect in the underground for a while. They came amazing (and most would consider classic) albums such as Runaway Slave and Goodfellas. This song is a Hip Hop classic off of Goodfellas. They later hooked up with DITC.
9. The Big East by Masta Ace Incorporated: Masta Ace is one of my favorite emcees of all time. It’s crazy to think that he’s been releasing music for 20 years now. Although he’s one of the most consistent rappers of all time, he is still criminally slept on. I hope one day he finally gets the respect he deserves.
10. Funky Child by Lords Of The Underground: LOTUG hit the scene around ’93 with their debut album Here Come The Lords. This was around the time when the whole “underground” scene was starting to form. They created a name for the underground and quickly gained respect as one of the best groups in it.
11. Tears by Da King & I: What a fucking good album. Not many have heard it, but Contemporary Jeep Music is just fucking good. The production shows you exactly what Hip Hop was about in the early nineties. I don’t even know where these guys came from, and they vanished as quickly as they appeared, but they still dropped a fucking good album.
12. Attitudes by Rumpletilskinz: Groups really thrived in the early nineties. It seemed like a whole crew would get together and release an album. Some turned out weak, others really worked. Rumpletilskinz’s What Is A Rumpletilskin? is an example of the latter.
13. Wopbabbalupop (feat. B-Real) by Funkdoobiest: West Coast was starting to make noise too. They were trying to find their identity in the game, and like NY, they birthed a lot of new styles. DJ Muggs was in his prime at this time. Everybody knows about Cypress Hill, but Muggs also executively produced Funkdoobiest’s Which Doobie You Be? which is in my opinion on par with some of Cypress Hill’s work.
14. Only When I’m Drunk by Tha Alkaholiks: Yup…another style of that West Coast Rap. Tha Alkaholiks became known as some of LA’s finest on the underground scene when they released 21 & Over in ’93. Real good production, with funny rhymes about drinking, smoking, more drinking, and more smoking.
15. Generals by Fu-Schnickens: When you got the Native Tongues running shit…it’s kinda hard to get recognized. Nevertheless, Fu-Schnickens were dope, and get more respect nowadays as people are starting to rediscover them.
16. Recognized Thresholds Of Negative Stress by Boogiemonsters: Awww shit. I love saving the best for last. I don’t know much about Boogiemonsters. I’d be lying if I said their debut album, Riders Of The Storm was a near classic or anything…but this song? JUST LISTEN TO THIS SONG!!!!!!!!! Out of all the slept on groups, albums, and songs who I’ve been discovering lately, this is probably my favorite song.
Download Links
One song, mixed:
.zip file, unmixed, full & separate tracks (I finally figured it out though, should work)
If you enjoyed the mix, let me know…I got plenty more of this to come if ya’ll are digging it. There are some blogs dedicated solely to this type of Hip Hop.
Notes Of Life 
Finally got around to listening to this episode today Schorsch. Another gem. I hadn’t heard of like 1/2 of the artists on here. Really good stuff all around. Have you ever really thought about being a DJ, either for the radio or for the club? Either way, I think you should share this blog w/ Pnut, he’d really dig it and could probably give you some good insight about production, segueing + whatnot. Good stuff hombre.
Thanks…this mix didn’t get the feedback I was suspecting, but I still think I’ll do some more installments of Dig Deeper. A lot of what I been listening to lately falls under this category of music, so expect some more gems like these.
I have thought of being a DJ for a radio station. I cohosted a show at WNUR once, and I will probably look into getting some airtime at whatever college I end up at (looking like Lewis & Clark right now by the way). As for really DJing on the ones and twos, who knows…maybe one day my passion will take me in that direction. And yo, can you hook me up with Pnut’s email? I been meaning to catch up with him. Thanks for the comments as always, peace.
Definitely look into getting a college radio show. You’ve got a knack for it, especially w/ your conceptual themes and whatnot. Makes for interesting listening. That’s tight you cohosted on WNUR before. I remember I’d always listen to their indie hip hop program when I was in high school, late Thursday nights if I remember right correctly. Can’t even remember what it is/was called these days…
Lewis and Clark could use a bit of Schorsch flavor. Beautiful campus, and I have a very good friend that goes there, but it’s always struck me as a place that’s really white, really rich and really into drugs. Unfortunately this is true for too much of the college scene in general these days, but L+C has always struck me as especially fitting that stereotype. Portland, however, is about as rad as cities get.
Pnut’s email is jstern99@hotmail.com.