Tag Archives: hip-hop

Tha Alkaholiks – Likwidation (August 26, 1997)

By 1997, Tash, J-Ro, and E-Swift, collectively known as Tha Alkaholiks, were establishing a solid following for themselves. Unlike a lot of their West Coast colleagues, Tha Liks didn’t walk a gangster’s path. Instead, they chose an alcoholic shtick and … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

O.C. – Jewelz (August 19, 1997)

In 1994, O.C. released one of the best and most underrated albums of the year, Word…Life. I bought a copy of Word…Life, the same week it came out, and was thoroughly impressed by the Brooklyn emcee’s rhymes paired with a … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Killarmy – Silent Weapons For Quiet Wars (August 5, 1997)

Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is one of the most celebrated hip-hop albums, with good reason. The nine-man group of emcees, all with unique styles and voices, took the world by storm with their debut album. The combination of sharp … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Atmosphere – Overcast!

When people discuss musicians from Minnesota, the first name commonly mentioned is the late, great Prince Rogers Nelson, and rightfully so. In the early eighties, he would be a key player in creating the Minneapolis music sound that would bring … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Rampage – Scouts Honor…By Way Of Blood (July 29, 1997)

Nepotism is one of the oldest practices in the world. The term nepotismo originated in the 14th century to describe the corrupt practice by popes of appointing male relatives to cardinalates and other high positions in the church. It derives … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

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

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

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

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Wu-Tang Clan – Wu-Tang Forever (June 3,1997)

Once Upon a time in 1993, a group of lyrical ninjas descended on the hip-hop world, firing lyrical darts into the ears of those who dared to Enter their 36 Chambers. Reigning from Shaolin, the capital of an Island called … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Jungle Brothers – Raw Deluxe (June 3, 1997)

If you’re a faithful reader of TimeIsIllmatic, you’re already fully aware of my deep admiration for the Native Tongue collective. From the ladies: Queen Latifah, Monie Love, Shortie No Mas, and the beautiful Ms. Vinia Mojica (if you don’t know … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments