Author Archives: deedub77

Murs – F’Real (March 10, 1997)

Posted on 06/16/2026 by deedub77

After well over a year and a half of working through the 1997 portion of my hip-hop vinyl and CD collection, an end is in sight. The next six reviews will be recent ‘97 additions to my collection. Then I … Continue reading →

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Various Artists – In Tha Beginning… There Was Rap (November 25, 1997)

Posted on 06/02/2026 by deedub77

Priority Records was a distribution company and record label founded by Bryan Turner, Mark Cerami, and Steve Drath in 1985. The Los Angeles-based label dealt with several genres of music, but it was a cornerstone in bringing West Coast Gangsta … Continue reading →

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Will Smith – Big Willie Style (November 25, 1997)

Posted on 05/26/2026 by deedub77

Will Smith is easily one of the most recognizable faces and names on the planet. After launching his acting career as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for six seasons, he became a mega successful film actor with leading roles in … Continue reading →

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MGJ – No More Glory (November 18, 1997)

Posted on 05/12/2026 by deedub77

The main reason I started this blog was as a way to work through my ever-growing hip-hop vinyl and CD collection. I have thousands of vinyl and CDs, and have only listened to about a fourth of them to date. … Continue reading →

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Timbaland And Magoo – Welcome To Our World (November 11, 1997)

Posted on 04/28/2026 by deedub77

By 1997, Timbaland was already an established music producer. He’d produced records for Jodeci, Usher, 702, and had production credits on the Above The Rim and Dangerous Minds soundtracks. He produced Ginuwine’s debut album, The Bachelor, and a large chunk … Continue reading →

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Mic Geronimo – Vendetta (November 4, 1997)

Posted on 04/14/2026 by deedub77

The last time we checked in with Mic Geronimo here at TimeIsIllmatic was back in November of 1995 with the release of his debut album, The Natural. I was excited to finally review the album, thanks largely to his majestical … Continue reading →

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Rakim – The 18th Letter (November 4, 1997)

Posted on 04/07/2026 by deedub77

Between 1987 and 1992, Eric B & Rakim released four celebrated albums (two of which earned gold plaques, and one would reach platinum status), which included numerous hit records and several memorable quotables from Rakim. The duo’s work would cement … Continue reading →

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Domino – The World Of Dominology (November 4, 1997)

Posted on 03/31/2026 by deedub77

My introduction to Domino came from his blue contribution to the innovative 1993 Bloods & Crips compilation album, Bangin’ On Wax (he spat the first bars on the album’s self-titled lead single, and he appeared on one of my personal … Continue reading →

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Jay-Z – In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (November 4, 1997)

Posted on 03/24/2026 by deedub77

Revisionist history might lead you to believe that Reasonable Doubt was an immediate breakout smash when it was released in 1996, but it wasn’t (and ironically, it’s about to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary in June). Unlike Illmatic, which came with … Continue reading →

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Mase – Harlem World (October 28, 1997)

Posted on 03/17/2026 by deedub77

Bad Boy Records was founded by Sean “Puffy” Combs in 1993, but the label’s foundation was laid on Craig Mack’s (RIP) platinum-selling debut single, “Flava In Ya Ear,” and the building was erected on the back of The Notorious B.I.G. … Continue reading →

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