GRAVEMIND

"Mystic Stylez" by Three-6 Mafia
★★★★½

This album is equally as gritty as its hypnotic; a pioneering work that not only defined the Memphis rap scene but also built a lot of the "horrorcore" & "trap" foundations through the way the mostly sinister beats were made on here. I love the haunting melodies and menacing atmosphere that work perfectly with every rapper's ominous rhymes and captivating ways of painting eerie pictures that are borderline ... read more

"Me Against the World" by 2Pac
★★★★½

Recorded during a challenging period marked by legal troubles and personal conflicts; reflects 2Pac's raw vulnerability and emotional depth. His performances, particularly in tracks like "Dear Mama" and "So Many Tears", are a fantastic representation of how important of a rapper he was. Altogether it is a cosy and introspective gangsta rap album, with a consistently good track list that definitely has its ... read more

"Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" by Outkast
★★★★☆

The duo's debut does indeed capture the essence of the southern vibe with its distinctive blend of funk, soul, and pimp/playa influences. While the rapping is good and shows Outkast's talent, it doesn't reach the heights seen in their later projects. It was an enjoyable listen from front to back with varying amounts of impact on me and a few songs, though pleasant, suffer from being excessively lengthy - affecting the ... read more

"The Low End Theory" by A Tribe Called Quest
★★★★★

This is perhaps the most important and influential "jazz-rap" album, seamlessly blending the two genres courtesy of Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad setting a new standard for the integration of jazz samples in hip-hop. Although very simple and as the title suggests very heavy on the "low end" drums and bass - the music here is distinctive and unmistakable - radiating a refreshingly laid-back vibe with ... read more