Tag Archives: writing

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

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)

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

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

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LL Cool J – Phenomenon (October 14, 1997)

Wow, I can’t believe how fast 2025 flew by! This is my last review of the year. I hope you enjoy the read, and I’ll catch up with you all in 2026. Happy New Year! In today’s mainstream lexicon, the … Continue reading

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

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

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Coolio – My Soul (August 26, 1997)

After the success of It Takes A Thief (1994) and Gangsta’s Paradise (1995), Coolio was a bona fide superstar. Both albums would earn platinum plaques, and together, give the Compton rapper four top 40 singles. His rise would continue in … Continue reading

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