This is pure, raw, classic hip hop goodness right here that was released during the height of the golden era. Taking it back to the days when east-coast ruled all in the hip hop scene (sorry west-coast but you know its true). Diamond D was one of the greatest producers of this time period lending his skills to albums like ATCQ – ‘The Low End Theory’ & Fugee’s – ‘The Score’. Clearly homeboy has a talent for capturing the essence of that raw, unpolished yet bangin hip hop sound. This album is FULL of dope rhymes and the type of beats that are just complex enough to keep you interested but not overwhelming to the point where you can’t take it all in after one listen. For me this definitely makes the top ten list for best golden-era hip hop albums which is saying a lot seeming that most of the best hip hop albums overall come from this time period. I’m gonna go ahead and say it’s impossible not to like this album so you really can’t go wrong here.
Production: 45 King, Diamond D, Lakim Shabazz, Large Professor, Q-Tip, Showbiz
Features: Big L, Brand Nubian, Fat Joe, Jasmine, Lord Jamar, Maestro, Michelle Sweeting, Mike G.Q., Sadat X, Showbiz, Whiz One
Label: PolyGram Records
Full Preview: Stunts, Blunts & Hip Hop
Website: http://www.myspace.com/therealdiamondd
Diamond & The Pyschotic Neurotics – ‘Sally Got a One Track Mind’
. Thanks to hip hop producer Marco Polo we have that dreamteam roster put together over raw beats. Marco Polo spends half his time in New York and half in Toronto so he has the east-coast vibe down pat. If you just saw a picture of him you wouldn’t think he would have the hip hop “street cred” but then you hear his music and it all makes sense. This is pretty much as close as you get to that old golden-era type shit in the present day. And obviously the line-up on this album is insane and all the emcees come correct. If you like any of the emcees on this album you will be diggin the whole thing through and through.
