Author Archives: deedub77

Ant Banks – Big Thangs (July 8, 1997)

Posted on 04/22/2025 by deedub77

My first post of 2024 was on Ant Banks’ second solo album, The Big Badass. Ant Banks is known as a producer, but on Badass, he not only controlled the boards but also stepped behind the mic, handling most of … Continue reading →

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Puff Daddy & The Family – No Way Out (July 1, 1997)

Posted on 04/08/2025 by deedub77

With all the drama, accusations, charges, and, more importantly, the Cassie tape, I’m sure some of you have already canceled Diddy and his musical catalog from your playlist, which I can understand. I’ve never been the biggest Diddy fan, but … Continue reading →

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The Beatnuts – Stone Crazy (June 24, 1997)

Posted on 03/25/2025 by deedub77

The last time we checked in with The Beatnuts here at TimeIsIllmatic (at least as far as an album is concerned) was in 1994 with their first full-length release, Street Level. A year before, The Nuts released their debut EP, … Continue reading →

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Craig Mack – Operation: Get Down (June 24, 1997)

Posted on 03/18/2025 by deedub77

In the summer of 1994, Craig Mack became the first artist to release a single on Puff Daddy’s new label, Bad Boy Records. “Flava In Your Ear” would become a Billboard Top 10 hit, reach platinum status, and lay the … Continue reading →

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The Lady Of Rage – Necessary Roughness (June 24, 1997)

Posted on 03/11/2025 by deedub77

In December of 1992, Dr. Dre released one of the best hip-hop albums of all time, The Chronic (top five, in my opinion). Before ‘92, Dr. Dre was already a platinum-selling producer and the sonic brains behind The D.O.C.’s classic … Continue reading →

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40 Thevz – Honor Amongst Thevz (June 24, 1997)

Posted on 03/04/2025 by deedub77

I don’t know a whole lot about 40 Thevz. I do know (despite the group name) that they were a two-man group from Compton, California, comprised of the brothers Henry and Malieek Straughter, who went under the rap aliases of … Continue reading →

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Wyclef Jean – The Carnival (June 24, 1997)

Posted on 02/18/2025 by deedub77

The last time we heard from Wyclef Jean was earlier in 1997 with his featured record on DJ Muggs’ Soul Assassins project. That record came on the heels of the Fugees’ landmark 1996 album The Score, which not only is … Continue reading →

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Capone-N-Noreaga – War Report (June 17, 1997)

Posted on 02/11/2025 by deedub77

Years before N.O.R.E. would become a bonafide podcaster with Drink Champs or help make Reggaeton a popular musical genre in the states, Victor Santiago Jr. was half of the Queens-based rap duo Capone-N-Noreaga. Though both rappers were from Queens (different … Continue reading →

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Lost Boyz – Love, Peace & Nappiness (June 17, 1997)

Posted on 01/28/2025 by deedub77

1996 was a good year for the Lost Boyz. The Queens collective would see five singles reach the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, and their debut album, Legal Drug Money, would peak at number six on the Billboard 200 and receive … Continue reading →

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Cru – Da Dirty 30 (June 17, 1997)

Posted on 01/21/2025 by deedub77

CRU was the Bronx-based trio comprised of Yogi, Chadeeo, and The Mighty Ha. As legend has it, CRU spotted Chris Lighty (who had recently left Def Jam to start Violator Management) going into a club and were able to slide … Continue reading →

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