Tag Archives: reviews

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 →

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

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 →

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

Nice & Smooth – IV: Blazing Hot (October 28, 1997)

Posted on 03/03/2026 by deedub77

The last time we checked in with Nice & Smooth here at TimeIsIllmatic was for their third album, Jewel Of The Nile, released in 1994. Jewel was the duo’s second and last project released under the Def Jam affiliate label, … Continue reading →

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

Spice 1 – The Black Bossalini (Aka Dr. Bomb From Da Bay) (October 28, 1997)

Posted on 02/24/2026 by deedub77

As a forty-something-year-old father, husband, and productive citizen, gangsta rap doesn’t appeal to me like it did when I was a teen or in my twenties. I credit the change to maturity, morality, and just plain being tired of hearing … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Rappin’ 4-Tay – 4 Tha Hard Way (October 21,1997)

Posted on 02/10/2026 by deedub77

It’s fair to say that Todd “Too-Short” Shaw put the Bay Area on the hip-hop map. Armed with a monotone mouthpiece, rudimentary rap skills, pimp promo, and arguably the greatest adlib in the history of hip-hop (“beeaatch!”), The Oakland native … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Salt-N-Pepa – Brand New (October 21, 1997)

Posted on 02/03/2026 by deedub77

The last time we checked in with Salt-N-Pepa here at TimeIsIllmatic was for their mammoth 1993 release, Very Necessary. Thanks largely to a platinum single (“Whatta Man”), a gold single (“Shoop”), and a third single that would earn the duo … Continue reading →

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

Gravediggaz – The Pick, The Sickle, And The Shovel (October 14, 1997)

Posted on 01/13/2026 by deedub77

Prince Paul may have got his start in the game as a DJ for hip-hop’s first unofficial band, Stetsasonic, but over time, he’s become one of hip-hop’s most underrated producers. Over the years, he has produced tracks for artists such … Continue reading →

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

Common – One Day It Will All Make Sense (September 30, 1997)

Posted on 12/02/2025 by deedub77

From its inception in the seventies to the mid-nineties, the East Coast, and later, the West Coast, had a chokehold on hip-hop. Thanks to the commercial success of artists like The Geto Boys, OutKast, UGK, and (though I hate to … Continue reading →

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

The X-Ecutioners – X-pressions (September 23, 1997)

Posted on 11/25/2025 by deedub77

Throughout history, several inventions were created by accident or a minor mishap. The pacemaker’s inception came when an engineer used the wrong resistor, creating a device that mimicked a heartbeat. While working with radar technology, Percy Spencer noticed a candy … Continue reading →

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

Organized Konfusion – The Equinox (September 23, 1997)

Posted on 11/18/2025 by deedub77

The last time we heard from Organized Konfusion here at TimeIsIllmatic was during their cameo appearance on O.C.’s “War Games” earlier in 1997. Organized only contributed a refrain to the song, leaving me wanting to hear more from the Queens … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments