It has gotta be said yun-gun is one of the most hardcore West Coast acts out there. Comin straight outta Sac Town this cat has got pure thunder. His album entitled '16 Shots Bloc 2 Bloc' is a raw document of the life what he faces. It features the infamous X-Raided (free X-Raided) and legendary Carlito's Way as well as some talented up and coming West Coast acts. Favourite tracks include the gang banging anthem 'Home Invasion' and the street banger 'Bloc Monsters'. If you are a fan of the West Coast I don't even have to say anything else but buy it and buy it now!!! Big album.  

 

The next release on Roc-A-Fella is the second album by Young Gunz entitled 'Brother From Another'.  You may of heard the Swizz Beats produced jump off 'Set It Off' or the Kayne West produced 'Grown Man Part Two' which also features Kayne and John Legend on additional vocals.  Its tough powerful music and the production is top notch as expected.  Peep Memphis Bleek on the 'We Still there' collobo and fans of the more mainstream Hip-Hop / R'n'B sound will die for the 112 collobo entitled 'Don't Keep Me Waiting (Come Back Soon). Swiss Beatz also kills it on the track 'Beef' but most the production is handled by Chad 'Wes' Hamilton from Day One Entertainment.  It's a good follow-up album and the tracks do hit the spot, although my only criticism is that it's not quite long enough!! Twelve tracks ain't quite enough!! I suppose it keeps us waiting though!!

 

After his banging mixtape '13 Shots To Da Face' Soloman has been doing big things in New York City. With a vocal tone reminiscent of Biggie, Solomon flys the flag for Brooklyn once again. Fourteen tracks deep the album has some real highlights including 'Dirty Bitch' which comes in two versions (original and remix) and the banging collobo with Mic Geronimo & Tragedy Khadafi entitled 'Get It Together'. The best track on the album for us is though is the up-tempo anthem 'Let It Out' which features old skool veteran Royal Flush. On the whole this album really does impress and some of the concepts for the songs are really on-point. BUT that's not it; you also get a bonus CD too! Not an instrumental mix, not radio versions, not chopped & screwed, not a DVD BUT a FREE mixtape '13 Shots To Da Face – Volume Two'! That's full of bangers too! Listen stop what ya doing now – log on to www.self-maderecords.com NOW, support and purchase!

MR. BILISTIC
'You Ain't Ready'
(New Life Records)
www.mrbilistic.com

 

This cat has been sending us music for years now and the way he keeps getting better and better is so inspirational man! Fair play, album after album he brings heat for the streets. Things get sik from the off where his double-tempo flow on 'The Anthem' sounds so tight. Moods and sounds keep changing throughout and the deeper 'Still 187 Gifted' hits hard (big up Wyshmaster on production), and shows the diversity of this recording artist. Feeling the musicality on 'Why Do we Cry?' and 'Lyrix' gets the 'best track of the album' award! There's deep, up-tempo, laid back, funky tunes, bangers – EVERYTHING! It's a big album and an artist you need to check out. Peep www.mrbilistic.com for more information.

 

 

Whether you're into Snoop Dizzle or just classic West Coast rap you need this CD in your collection. A lot of the songs on here come from the golden era of Death Row Records and it also has some classic West Coast jems on there like Ice T, Dr Dre and DJ Yella's 'I Need A Rolex'. Besides the big Snoop Dogg it features some heavy tracks featuring The Dogg Pound, Rass Kass, 2 Pac, Daz Dillinger, K- Dee, Kurrupt, Nate Dogg, Rappin 4 Tay and Sanyika Shakur (2 Pac's sister) to name a few. It's a well put together mix and it is 40 tracks deep! There is quite a few tracks on there I've never heard before and the whole way it's been together is superb. Its definitely one for the car this summer! Purchase recommended.

 

When we got this cd we got excited, thinking wicked, more 50Cent and G unit classic freestyle tracks to get a proper release, but what you got on this cd is all the tracks from "50 CENT IS THE FUTURE" mixed by 2 different djs. Each dj mixes the 16 tracks from the 50 CENT IS THE FUTURE cd, the one mix by Martin Verlaan is 28 minutes long, and the other mix is done by Jerry Beke is 45 minutes long, but its all on one cd. So if you read the track listing you think your getting 32 tracks but on closer inspection your only getting 16 tracks. Its put together well, If you're a total 50 Cent fan you will proberley have to have it in your collection, But if you want the tracks in there original form pick up the 50 Cent is the future.

 

After 50 Cent got shot 9 times record label Columbia dropped him, 50 decided to go down the mixtape route he dropped a 3 or 4 mixtapes at the start and the rest is history, 50 is responsible for the whole mixtape revolution. Now in 2005 one of the original mixtapes has been released in the UK thanks to the Pickwick music group, so if you didn't cop this when hit the streets a few years ago now's your chance to own a piece of history, it includes classic freestyle tracks like "You Should Be There" "G Unit Soldiers" "Surrounded By Hoe's" and "Bad News" This is one of the first ever mixtapes ive seen get a proper release I hope this is first of many.

 

With such a wide range of quality Hip-Hop compilations out and about, Ramshorn and Pickwick are rapidly becoming a vital player in the European Hip-Hop market. Past releases include mixes and compilations from the likes of 2Pac, Snoop and Dre. Now we get an excellent twelve track CD from Biggie's click Junior M.A.F.I.A. Unlike 2Pac, Biggie didn't have many unreleased gems when he sadly passed away, but on this CD you get a collection of classics, features and unreleased freestyles. It contains the original version of 'Runnin' that features 2Pac, which is so much better than the version that Eminem ruined. This CD also features bad Boy CEO Mr. Sean Puff Daddy Combes, as well Jay Z, Lil Kim, Lil Cease, Chico Del Vec and the rest of the Mafia. If you like Biggie then its kind of simple, you NEED TO BUY THIS because those rare tracks are fully sik. Check the websites above to make your purchase!

 

Listening to this album reminded me of how universal hip-hop can be. Everyday you have 'I'm gonna shoot this, I'm gonna that' after a while it all becomes too much for anyone. This album is an example of hip-hop in a skilful way.  It has an old Skool feel so anyone who has bought this album needs to check 'UK Runnings Old Skool'. To be honest this album is a good album with a lot of creativity and scratching elements in the production. Tracks to check are 'can't do this' and scratch sensation 'itchiban monk'. On the whole this is a solid album from a solid crew.

BLACKMARKET
'The Wall'
(Strong Quality Music)
www.strong-quality.com
 
We love independent hip-hop at RAGO Magazine that no secret! So when we jammed this it just gave us even more faith in this independent game.  Full of energy, flava, creativeness and originality, Blackmarket delivers on point rhymes and diversifies enough to keep the album bouncing.  Our favourite track has to be the funk-fuelled 'for All Y'all which features 'Black Kat'.  The way this album has been put together you do have to listen to is as a whole listening experience.  Definitely peep for this is ya like ya hip-hop proper!

 

Timmy Grins, JB, Malprak & DJ JE are Arcane and 'Groundwork' is the latest offering for this authentic sounding Hip-Hop crew. Proving once again that New Jersey is a main leader in the East Coast underground Hip-Hop scene, Arcane smash it up with a selection of bangers. 'Into Broken Glass' produced by JB hits the spot with a classic sample and 'For Fathers That Bothered' tells it as it is. On the whole the album is well produced and a good insight to the world of Arcance. Make sure you check out these cats and support at www.arcanemusic.com.

 

G-heff hails from the almighty West Coast and he really is a force to be reckoned with. From start to finish the album is nothing but west coast banging music. It features the likes of the Jacka from the legendary Cali group Mob Figgaz, the rising star San Quinn and Rated R from the bonfide leaders of the West Coast Thug Life. Favourite tracks include the menacing 'Here We Go', the summer club banger 'Opened Eyes', the uplifting 'I've Really' and the brilliant title track 'Love To Be Hated'. This is an album for all real hip-hop fans trust me - purchase is essential. West Coast stand up you have a new champion. Super sick biznizz.

 

Straight out of Houston this MC has been making noise in the South and the West Coast. Twelve tracks deep the album features a diverse range of production techniques and has enlisted the help of some of the scenes heaviest producers; P. Moore (Scarface, Z-Ro), J Denise (ESG, Botany Boys), Kojak (Lil Flip, Slim Thug). 'There It Goes' and 'That Knock' are the standout joints here we think, but I am sure you'll have your own favourites when you go on to www.willotahwizz.com and make your purchase. Good stuff.

 

Well here it is the album every UK hip-hop fan of the last 5 years has been waiting for. It comes from the infamous Poisonous poet's front man Doc Brown. His album defiantly doesn't let down any fans. From start to finish Doc Brown comes hard lyrically. The production comes courtesy of some of the best producers in Europe including Nutty P, Makani, C-Swing, Budgie and the untouchable DJ Snips (defiantly one to watch for this year). It also features Luc Skyz, singer Antoine Stone and Poisonous Poets who come extremely hard on the street banger 'What We Came Here 4'. This is a definitive UK hip-hop classic and it defiantly is setting the standard for many to follow. Mind blowing!!!!

 

 

Bwoy!!! What can I say here it is the album that everybody who is into hip-hop should have in their collection. The album comes from Swiss who is a member of the legendary so solid crew. It comes with excellent precision on every track and is an all out UK hip-hop classic. Production comes courtesy of Dr Zeus, shabz and parra amongst others. The beats are well architected and Swiss rides them with ease. Favourite tracks include the uplifting emotional smash 'my life (ooh child)' and the street anthem of the year 'street life' which features the untouchable Cassius Henry. Like other London MC's such as Akala and Klashnekoff this man has got plans of taking ova and from this album he defiantly is fulfilling his objective. All I can say is manz need to stop hating and support this cat. With excellent beats, toxic flows, cold lyrics and enough energy to light the whole of London. This album is defiantly a shoe in for album of the year; it is a genuine hip-hop classic that needs to be in your collection. Listen and be amazed. Sheer brilliance!!!!!

 

Little Brother's Big Pooh has really excelled himself with a debut solo album that goes up against the best of them! If you like the more 'authentic Hip-Hop sound' this is a must-have purchase. 9th Wonder produces most of the killer tracks like the awesome 'Strongest Man' and 'Every Block' which features a hefty verse by Phonte. All through the album there is a real uplifting vibe running through-out and the tracks just all bang! Big up producer Khrysis for the sickness on the last track 'The Fever'. Big album for real headz.

 

Trends has been doing his thing since 1999 and now he drops the underground classic 'This Is Not My World'. Packed full of various highlights this long player lyrically touches various subjects and musically goes through a diverse range of sounds. The big tracks on here 'Itakks Anthem', 'Scholla' Featuring Black America (the next crew to bust on Itakks Entertainment) and the Steelwaterz collaboration 'Catch 22'. All in all there are fifteen tracks on this album so you know you're getting value for money. Make sure you go and cop this.

 

Thank f**k for artists like Sev Statik. I mean with so much 'independent underground' Hip-Hop getting a little tired and boring, this emcee unleashes a barrage of killer cuts. From the off you know you are involved in something big. The proceedings start with 'Slow Burn' which kicks the album off nicely. The next track 'Son Come Down' reminds us of the type of vibe that artists OC and Lord Finesse used to have. Other standout joints include the Joey Beats produced 'Love You Anyway' where Sev spits hard with such a precise clear flow over a reggae-tinged groove. This album is so phat, if ya feeling cats like DL Incognito, Freddie Foxxx, Masta Ace and Talib this is for you.

CLASSIFIED
'Boy-cott-in The Industry'
(HalfLife Records)
www.classifiedlive.net

 

Classified is definitely one of the better emcees to come from Canada and this brand new full-length album proves this. Featuring collobo's with Choclair, Royce 5' 9, Jay Bizzy, J-Bru, Spesh K and Mic Boyd, this album needs your attention. The whole album oozes of what's missing in the game, and real props go out to Classified for rapping and producing all the beats. Killer joints on this CD include '5th Element', 'No Mistakes' and the 'What's Real' track that uses live guitars and violin. It's so good to see the quality on this album remaining through-out, and to see Hip-Hop music is alive and kicking in Canada. Make sure you and grab this at your first opportunity.

 

Slaughterhouse Records is a lable to watch out for, especially if you're a fan of horror core rap and the earlier Triple 6 Mafia sound. The main rapper is Evil Pimp; this cd is a collection of some of his underground material 13 tracks in total. All the tracks are real dirty and grimy soundin, the sort of music that makes you wanna smack the sh*t outta someone for no reason.  My favourite tracks are "Ni***z Ain't Barrin Dat Bullsh*t" and "Stangin Like a Bumble Bee".  If you're feeling Koopsta Knicka's "Devil's Playground,"  Juicy J's "Chronicles of the Juice Man" and DJ Paul's "Underground Vol 16 for da Summa", you will love this album and every other release on Slaughterhouse Records, I see this lable doing big things in the future as not many people are making hardcore records like this at the moment, because everyone is aiming for the mainstream. Pick it up if you're hardcore enough.