The first solo set by KRS-One on his own – maybe a bit of a surprise, given that he was really the driving force and main voice of Boogie Down Productions after the first album – yet one that also gives him a chance to spotlight some new wisdom and a growing sense of identity! The set has KRS working with some great producers – DJ Premier, Showbiz, and Kid Capri – while also doing plenty of production on his own – all at a level that seems to only intensify the sound and increase the sense of urgency in his music! That quality really comes through on the timeless cut "Sound Of The Police" – maybe even more powerful now than when it was recorded – next to other classics that include "Outta Here", "I Can't Wake Up", "Black Cop", "Stop Frontin'", "Uh Oh", "Hip Hop Vs Rap", "Brown Skin Woman", and "Return Of The Boom Bap". LP, Vinyl record album

... 12-inch, Vinyl record

On his second LP, KRS wisely brings in producers Premier, Diamond D, Showbiz and others to liven things up. Except for "Free Mumia", less politics than his earlier LPs. 16 tracks including "MC's Act Like They Don't Know", "Rappaz R N Danja", "Represent the Real Hip Hop", and four BDP classics "I'm Still #1", "My Philosophy", "Jack of Spades", "Why Is That?", and guest vocals from Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Mad Lion, Channel Live, and Das Efx. LP, Vinyl record album

Amazing production as always from Premier that works nice with the more laid-back flow KRS adopts on this one from the "KRS-One" LP. B-side features Das EFX. 12-inch, Vinyl record

A nice collection of KRS-One and BDP essentials – with "Return Of The Boom Bap", "Step Into A World" (radio edit), "Sound Of Da Police", "Jack Of Spades" (single edit), "My Philosophy", "I'm Still #1" (single edit), and "Love's Gonna Getcha" (7" radio edit). LP, Vinyl record album

The second post Mantronik set from the frequently slept on 80s rap genius Just-Ice – featuring production by none other than KRS-One – with a few righteous and ruthless tracks that stand up with the best from the earlier classic LPs! The rugged and raw KRS backdrop serves Just-Ice's gruff delivery very well – and if Desolate isn't the masterpiece it could have been, it's quality still eclipses many more popularly heralded albums from the era – and it's finally available after way too many years out of print! "Na Touch Da Just", "Desolate One", "Welfare Recipients", "Hijack" and a surprisingly dope performance by Heavy D on "Ram DanceHall Session." CD

One of the best debuts in the history of hip hop – and one of the most important albums the genre ever produced! Criminal Minded is a landmark for a number of reasons. Among the biggest is, of course, that it was recorded with the late great DJ Scott La Rock – and he was soon to fall prey to the very street violence that BDP documented with such raw brilliance by KRS-One. Importance aside, Criminal Minded is simply a great, timeless record that no true fan of gritty classic hip hop should be without. The track list alone is a full chapter in the hip hop book of legends – with tunes like "Poetry", "Elementary", "South Bronx", "Super-Hoe", "Bridge is Over", and the "P is Free" remix. Also includes "Criminal Minded", "Dope Beat", and "9mm Goes Bang". CD

The instrumental/dub versions of all the tracks from the Criminal Minded LP – one of the most important albums in the history of hip hop – the first full LP from KRS One, and a landmark batch of tracks recorded with the late Scott La Rock! The track list alone is a full chapter in the hip hop book of legends – with tunes like "Poetry", "Elementary", "South Bronx", "Super-Hoe", "Bridge is Over", and the "P is Free" remix – plus "Criminal Minded", "Dope Beat", and "9mm Goes Bang" CD

A huge array of photographs from the golden years of 90s hip hop – all captured within a few short years by Peter Spirer, at a time when he was diving deep into the scene to really document the sort of energy that's made this stretch such a legendary one for the music! These photos are way more than standard portraits or stage shots, as Peter managed to really penetrate the everyday lives of the artists, to a point where you'll find some very surprising, and very striking images of figures who aren't always captured without striking a pose. The book features over 130 photographs, with subjects who include Dr Dre, Das Efx, Biz Markie, Busta Rhymes, Notorious BIG, Method Man, Nas, Q-Tip, Tupac, Guru, KRS-One, and dozens of others – and the heavy hardcover book is 240 pages in length – with added text from Soren Baker, and an introduction from Ice T. Book

With guest appearances by Nate Dogg, Eminem, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Defari, KRS One, and more. Production is handled by Dre, Rocwilder, Soopafly, DJ Quik, Eminem, Erick Sermon, and others. 16 tracks, including "Been A Long Time", "X", "Front 2 Back", "Best Of Things", "Don't Approach Me", "Double Time", "Get Your Walk On", "Rimz & Tirez", "F#*kin You Right", and more. LP, Vinyl record album

With tracks by Mobb Deep, Tevin Campbell, Shaquille O'Neal, Blackstreet, Spice 1, and the posse cut with Ice Cube, B Real, Peter Gunz, and KRS-One. LP, Vinyl record album

If you want to appreciate BDP's "South Bronx", you've gotta hear this one. If ya don't know... MC Shan recorded "The Bridge", saying hip hop started in Queensbridge, Queens. BDP replied with "South Bronx", setting the record straight (as we see it). "South Bronx" uses the same beat and replies to "The Bridge" almost line for line. MC Shan then replied with "Kill That Noise", followed by the final word from BDP with "The Bridge Is Over". Shan's first single was "Feed The World" on MCA (which explains KRS's line "You got dropped off MCA, cuz the rhymes you wrote was wack" on "South Bronx"). We won't even begin with the other entries in the Queens/Bronx Battle like MC Poet's "Beat You Down", which was directed at KRS. (And somehow Poet returned to the game as a member of Screwball, with an LP on Tommy Boy.) . . . And you thought the LL/Canibus/Wyclef battle went on too long! All that trivia aside, the record is up there as one of our favorites from the class of '85. The b-side is Roxanne Shante's first single, "Roxanne's Revenge" – by far the best of the Roxanne replies. 12-inch, Vinyl record

One of the best debuts in the history of hip hop – and one of the most important albums the genre ever produced! Criminal Minded is a landmark for a number of reasons. Among the biggest is, of course, that it was recorded with the late great DJ Scott La Rock – and he was soon to fall prey to the very street violence that BDP documented with such raw brilliance by KRS-One. Importance aside, Criminal Minded is simply a great, timeless record that no true fan of gritty classic hip hop should be without. The track list alone is a full chapter in the hip hop book of legends – with tunes like "Poetry", "Elementary", "South Bronx", "Super-Hoe", "Bridge is Over", and the "P is Free" remix. Also includes "Criminal Minded", "Dope Beat", and "9mm Goes Bang". LP, Vinyl record album

Chubb's 6th album, with production by KRS-One, Easy Mo Bee, and others. Songs include "Reputation" featuring KRS, "Beef" featuring PMD and Das EFX, "Games We Play", "I Will Survive", "East vs West", and "Clear The Decks". 13 tracks deep. LP, Vinyl record album

Lead single from the then highly anticipated D&D Project, produced by DJ Premier with Mad Lion, Doug E Fresh, KRS One, Fat Joe, Smif & Wessun, and Jeru on the mic. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Includes "Resurrection" with Masta Killa, "He Got Game", "Unstoppable" with KRS-One, "Is Your God A Dog", "House Of The Rising Son", "Politics Of The Sneaker Pimps", "Go Cat Go", "What You Need Is Jesus", "Game Face", and "Sudden Death". CD

The fantastic debut of Queen Latifah – a record that was done way before she was a star on the screen, and a set that also set a whole new standard for the female voice in hip hop as well! As you can tell by the cover, Latifah's got a proud, righteous vibe on the set – working with the Flavor Unit, and some especially great production from Mark The 45 King – who keeps things crisp and funky while the Queen serves up some fantastic lines! Other production work is by KRS One, Louis Vega, and Prince Paul – the last of whom handles the fantastic "Mama Gave Birth To The Soul Children", which features guest work from De La Soul. Other cuts include "Princess Of The Posse", "Ladies First", "Wrath Of My Madness", "Come Into My House", "Evil That Men Do", "A King & Queen Creation", "Latifah's Law", and "Dance For Me". CD

A well-titled set from the lyrical king – the mighty T La Rock, one of the key mid 80s MCs who helped introduce a whole new level of sophistication to hip hop! T La Rock maybe never hit the heights of KRS-One, Rakim, or other contemporaries – but this set has all the sharp fire and intensity that made that moment of new creativity so great – from the edgey production work and scratches by Louie Lou, to the extra help from Mantronik, and even the album's early appearances by Special K and MC Serch – which further the sense of collaboration from the streets that made some of the Fresh Records sets so great. Titles include "Lyrical King", "Back To Burn", "Three Minutes Of Beat Box", "Bust These Lyrics", "This Beat kicks", "Big Beat In London", and "It's Time To Chill". LP, Vinyl record album

From the Beef soundtrack, with KRS One and Lil Al. 12-inch, Vinyl record

Wax Poetics is back with another excellent hip hop rooted issue – with front & back cover stars split between classic Janette Beckman shots of KRS One and EPMD, plus iconic pics of Ice Cube and Ice T! The issue revisits nascent hip hop from NYC boom bap to early west coast hip hop and onward – with articles on Souls Of Mischief, DJ Disco Wiz, a great Record Rundown with Easy Mo Bee, an excellent interview with Ice T (touching on his electro roots with Uncle Jamm's Army), a look back at Ice Cube's uber classic AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, the gospel of KRS-One, Grandmixer DXT and more! Also includes In Memoriam respect for Guru, Chilly B and Malcolm McClaren and much much more. Magazine

One of the best debuts in the history of hip hop – and one of the most important albums the genre ever produced! Criminal Minded is landmark for a number of reasons. Among the biggest is, of course, that it was recorded with the late great DJ Scott La Rock – and he was soon to fall prey to the very street violence that BDP documented with such raw brilliance, courtesy the lyricism and delivery of KRS-One. Importance aside, though, Criminal Minded is simply a great, timeless record that no true fan of gritty classic hip hop should be without. The track list alone is a full chapter in the hip hop book of legends – with tunes like "Poetry", "Elementary", "South Bronx", "Super-Hoe", "Bridge is Over", and the "P is Free" remix. Also includes "Criminal Minded", "Dope Beat", and "9mm Goes Bang". LP, Vinyl record album

A well-done duo set from Masta Ace & Edo G – nice and lean, and served up with a sound that really recalls the decade from which they rose! The production has all these great little twists and turns – straightforward beats mixed with cool use of electronics, odd samples, and other bits that are never overdone – really just the right sort of flavoring to enhance the album's strong focus on the lyrical skills of the leaders – plus guests who include Large Professor, KRS-One, and Posdnuos! Titles include "TV Night", "Hands High", "Fans", "Rocsi". "Reminds Me", "Good Music", "Pass The Mic", "Hot Wangs", "Dancing Like A WG", and "Here I Go". LP, Vinyl record album

Das EFX's third album finds them holding down a more jam-packed approach than ever before – longer by half than their previous LPs and with a strong sense of purpose! Das EFX appeared with such a unique rhyme style, by this point they really needed to balance the tasks of being recognizable as as the hard-hitting duo with the distinctive approach to rhymes, without relying on it as a gimmick, and here they largely succeed – with production from Premier, Showbiz, Easy Mo Bee, Klark Kent, DJ Scratch and more. Tracks include "No Diggedy", "Represent The Real" with KRS, "Microphone Master", "Hold It Down", "Bad News" with PMD, "Real Hip Hop", "40 & A Blunt", "Ready To Rock Rough Rhymes", and lots more! LP, Vinyl record album

One of the classics from that 70s stretch when Alice Coltrane was really opening up her sound – not just walking away from more familiar jazz modes, but also embracing a very strong influence from Indian music and eastern thought as well! These elements had always been part of Coltrane's makeup somewhere in the background – but here, the modes are really foregrounded, as Alice plays some amazing organ, Fender Rhodes, and harp alongside a set of additional musicians that are mostly of Indian background – adding in some amazing percussion, and some incredibly haunting vocal chorus bits too! The approach is wonderful – different than her later, more meditative music – thanks in part to her excellent keyboards – and tracks include "Om Namah Sivaya", "Hare Krishna", and "Govinda Jai Jai". LP, Vinyl record album