Ordinary People

그 특유의 막장삘 나는 뮤직 비디오도 좋았고, 비트는 최고였으며, El-P의 랩까지 맘에 들었었다.

당연히 [I'll Sleep When You're Dead]에서 가장 좋아했던 곡이었다.

그나저나...
일종의 대안적 힙합의 표본이 될 수 있겠다는 생각에 좋아했던 레이블이 Definitive Jux였는데,

지금은 그 의미가 많이 퇴색된 것 같아 아쉽다.

Produced by Casual. Del의 [Both Sides of the Brain] 앨범을 구입하고 나서 가장 많이 들었던 곡.

이상하게 이 앨범 이후 등장한 Del의 앨범은 큰 관심을 갖지 않았었다.

From Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists, by Sacha Jenkins, Elliott Wilson,Chairman Mao, Gabriel Alvarez & Brent Rollins, published 1999 by St.Martin's Griffin.

- - - - -

앨범 리스트 외에 싱글 리스트도 있다는 것을 오늘에야 발견했다.


1979
1. Sugarhill Gang: "Rapper's Delight" (Sugarhill)
2. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5: "Superrappin'" (Enjoy)
3. Kurtis Blow: "Christmas Rappin'" (Mercury)
4. Funky 4 + 1: "Rappin' and Rockin' the House" (Enjoy)
5. The Younger Generation: "We Rap More Mellow" (Brass) [Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5]
6. Paulette & Tanya Winley: "Rhymin' and Rappin'" (Winley)
7. Sequence: "Funk You Up" (Sugarhill)
8. Lady B: "To the Beat, Y'all" (T.E.C.)
9. Jazzy 4 MCs: "MC Rock" (Razzberri Rainbow)
10. Lady D: "Lady D" (Reflection)
11. Funky Constellation: "Street Talk (Madame Rapper)" (Funky Constellation)
12. Solid C, Bobby D & Kool Drop: "Wack Rap" (Wackie's)
13. Ron Hunt: "Spiderap" (Reflection)
14. Xanadu & Sweet Lady: "Rapper's Delight"/"Rocker's Choice" (Joe Gibbs Music)
15. Fatback: "King Tim III (Personality Jock)" (Spring)

1980
1. Kurtis Blow: "The Breaks" (Mercury)
2. Disco Dave & the Force of the 5 MC's: "High Powered Rap" (Mike & Dave) [Crash Crew]
3. Spoonie Gee: "Spoonin' Rap" (Sound of New York)
4. Treacherous Three: "The New Rap Language"/Spoonie Gee: "Love Rap" (Enjoy)
5. Treacherous Three: "The Body Rock" (Enjoy)
6. Afrika Bambaataa & the Cosmic Force: "Zulu Nation Throwdown Volume 1 (Winley)
7. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5: "Freedom" (Sugarhill)
8. Jimmy Spicer: "Adventures of Super Rhyme (Rap)" (Dazz)
9. Tanya Winley: "Vicious Rap" (Winley)
10. Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force: ""Zulu Nation Throwdown Volume 2 (Winley)
11. Sequence featuring Spoonie Gee: "Monster Jam" (Sugarhill)
12. Sugarhill Gang: "8th Wonder" (Sugarhill)
13. Treacherous Three: "At the Party" (Enjoy"
14. Ronnie Gee: "Raptivity" (Reflection)
15. Brother D & the Collective Effort: "How We Gonna Make the Black Nation Rise?" (Clappers)
16. T.J. Swann: "And You Don't Stop" (Express)
17. Trickeration: "Rap, Bounce, Rockskate" (Sound of New York)
18. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5: "Super Rappin' no. 2" (Enjoy)
19. Super 3: "Philosophy Rappin' Spree" (Delmar International)
20. Spyder-D: "Big Apple Rappin' (National Rappin' Anthem)" (Newtroit)
21. The Younger Generation [Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5] "Rappin' All Over" (Brass)
22. Nice & Nasty 3: "The Ultimate Rap" (Holiday)
23. Kool Kyle the Starchild & the Disco Dolls: "Do You Like That Funky Beat" (Enjoy)
24. Harlem World Crew: "Let's Rock" (Tay-ster)
25. Harlem World Crew: "Rapper's Convention" (Tay-ster)
26. Jazzy Three: "The Rappin' Spree" (New City)
27. Scoopy: "Scoopy Rap" (Sound of New York)
28. Rappermatical 5: "Party People" (Dynamite)
29. Master Jay & Michael Dee: "T.S.O.B." (The Sound of Brooklyn)
30. Disco Four: "Move to the Groove" (Enjoy)
31. Super J: "Santa's Rap Party" (Sound of New York)
32. Bobby/Demo: "More Ounce (Rap)" (Scorpio)
33. Willie Wood & the Willie Wood Crew: "Willie Rap" (Sound of New York)
34. CC Crew: "CC Crew" (Golden Flamingo)
35. Family: "Family Rap" (Sound of New York)
36. Pookey Blow: "Get Up (and Go to School)" (Tri-State)
37. Sicle Cell & Rhapazooty: "Rhapazooty in Blue" (Showstoppers)
38. Mr. Magic: "Rappin' with Mr. Magic" (Magic)
39. Lonnie Love: "Young Ladies" (Nia) [a.k.a. Mr. Hyde]
40. Bon Rock & the Rhythm Rebellion: "Searchin' Rap" (Reelin' & Rockin')

1981
1. Afrika Bambaataa & the Jazzy 5: "Jazzy Sensation" (Tommy Boy)
2. Fearless Four: "Feel the Heartbeat" (Enjoy)
3. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5: "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel" (Sugarhill)
4. Funky 4 + 1: "That's the Joint" (Sugarhill)
5. T Ski Valley: "Catch the Beat" (Grand Groove)
6. Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde: "Genius Rap" (Profile)
7. Boogie Boys featuring Kool Ski, Kid Delight & Disco Dave: "Rappin'Ain't No Thang" (Mike & Dave)
8. Grand Wizard Theodore & the Fantastic Five: "Can I Get a Soul Clap,Fresh Out the Pack" (Soul Wax)
9. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5: "It's Nasty" (Sugarhill)
10. Trouble Funk: "Pump Me Up" (Jam)
11. Spoonie Gee: "Spoonie is Back" (Sugarhill)
12. Just Four: "Girls of the World" (Grand Groove)
13. Mean Machine: "Disco Dream" (Sugarhill)
14. Treacherous Three: "Put the Boogie in Your Body" (Enjoy)
15. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5: "Birthday Party" (Sugarhill)
16. Pee Wee Mel & Barry B: "Life on Planet Earth" (12 Star)
17. T.J. Swann, Pee Wee Mel & Swann Controllers: "Maximus Party" (Express)
18. Crash Crew: "We Want to Rock" (Sugarhill)
19. Solo Sound: "Get the Party Jumpin'" (Express)
20. Lovebug Starski & the Harlem World Crew: "Positive Life" (Tay-ster)
21. South Bronx: "The Big Throwdown" (Dakar)
22. Grandmaster Chilly T & Stevie G: "Rock the Message Rap" (12 Star)
23. Kool Kyle the Starchild: "It's Rockin' Time" (Enjoy)
24. Chapter Three: "Real Rocking Groove" (Grand Groove)
25. Disco Four: "Do It, Do It" (Enjoy)
26. Spanish Fly & the Terrible Two: "Spanglish" (Enjoy)
27. T Ski Valley: "Never Let Go" (Grand Groove)
28. Margo's Kool Out Crew: "Death Rap" (Heavenly Star)
29. Troy Rainey: "Tricky Tee Rap" (Heavenly Star)
30. Doctor Love & Sister Love: "Doctor Love & Sister Love Rap" (Heavenly Star)
31. Land of Hits Orchestra: "Gangster Rock" (Golden Flamingo)
32. T.J. Swann & Company: "Get Fly" (Express)
33. Busy Bee: "School Days" (Master Five)
34. Chapter Three: "Smurf Trek" (Grand Groove)
35. Sweet G: "A Heartbeat Rap" (West End)
36. Doctor Ice: "Calling Doctor Ice" (Enjoy)
37. Sugarhill Gang: "Apache" (Sugarhill)
38. Blondie: "Rapture" (Chrysalis)
39. Super Jay: "Super Jay Love Theme" (Hitmakers of America)
40. Sangria: "To the Beat Y'all" (Reel to Reel)

1982
1. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5: "The Message" (Sugarhill)
2. Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force: "Planet Rock" (Tommy Boy)
3. Fearless Four: "Rockin' It" (Enjoy)
4. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5: "Flash to the Beat (Live)" (Bozo Meko)
5. Cold Crush Brothers: "Weekend" (Elite)
6. Busy Bee: "Making Cash Money" (Sugarhill)
7. Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force: "Looking for the Perfect Beat" (Tommy Boy)
8. Fearless Four: "It's Magic" (Enjoy)
9. Fab 5 Freddy: "Change the Beat" (Celluloid)
10. Malcolm McLaren & the World Famous Supreme Team: "Buffalo Gals" (Island)
11. Jimmy Spicer: "The Bubble Bunch" (Mercury)
12. Fearless Four: "Yes We Can Can" (Sugarhill)
13. Funky 4 + 1: "Do You Want to Rock (Before I Let Go)" (Sugarhill)
14. Masterdon Committee: "Funk Box Party" (Enjoy)
15. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5: "Flash to the Beat" (Sugarhill)
16. Super 3: "Standing on the Top" (Delmar International)
17. Pieces of a Dream: "Mt. Airy Groove (Rap Version)" (Elektra)
18. Just Four: "Jam to Remember" (Grand Groove)
19. Disco Four: "Country Rock & Rap" (Enjoy)
20. Jonzun Crew: "Space Cowboy" (Tommy Boy)
21. Grandmaster Melle Mel & Duke Bootee: "Message II (Survival)" (Sugarhill)
22. Nairobi featuring Awesome Foursome: "Funky Soul Makossa" (Streetwise)
23. Crash Crew: "Breaking Bells (Take Me to the Mardi Gras)" (Sugarhill)
24. Grandmixer D.ST & the Infinity Rappers: "The Grandmixer Cuts It Up" (Celluloid)
25. Whodini: "Magic's Wand" (Jive)
26. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5: "Scorpio" (Sugarhill)
27. Disco Four: "We're at the Party" (Profile)
28. Kurtis Blow: "Daydreamin'" (Mercury)
29. South Bronx: "The Bottom Line" (Rissa Chrissa)
30. Kool Kyle the Starchild: "Getting Over" (Frills)
31. Mr. Sweety "G": "We Want to Get Down" (Mike & Dave)
32. Paulette & Tanya Winley: "I Believe in the Wheel of Fortune" (Winley)
33. Star Quality & Class: "Betcha Got a Dude on the Side" (R&R)
34. Missy Dee & the Melody Crew: "Missy Missy Dee" (Universal Record Co.)
35. Sweet G: "Boogie Feelin' Rap" (Queens Constance)
36. Radiance featuring Prize: "The Micstro" (Ware)
37. Count Coolout: "Touch the Rock (Rhythm Rap Rock Revival)" (Boss)
38. Wayne & Charlie the Rappin' Dummy: "Check It Out" (Sugarhill)
39. T Ski Valley: "Sexual Rapping" (TSMP)
40. Bon Rock & Cotton Candy: "Junior Wants to Play" (Tommy Boy)

1983
1. Run-D.M.C.: "It's Like That"/"Sucker MC's" (Profile)
2. Grandmaster Melle Mel: "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)"(Sugarhill)
3. K-Rob vs. Rammelzee: "Beat Bop" (Tartown)
4. Double Dee & Steinski: "Play that Beat Mr. DJ (Lesson 1: the Payoff Mix)"/"Lesson 2: the James Brown Mix"/"Lesson 3: History of Hip-Hop Mix" (Mastermix promo)
5. Jimmy Spicer: "Money (Dollar Bill, Y'all)" (Spring)
6. Fantasy Three: "It's Your Rock" (Specific)
7. The B-Boys: "2, 3 Break" (Vintertainment)
8. Run-D.M.C.: "Hard Times"/"Jam Master Jay" (Profile)
9. Sweet G: "Games People Play" (Fever)
10. Treacherous Three: "Action" (Sugarhill)
11. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5: "New York, New York"(Sugarhill)
12. Crash Crew: "On the Radio" (Sugarhill)
13. Art of Noise: "Beat Box"/"Moments in Love" (ZTT)
14. Fresh 3 MC's: "Fresh" (Profile)
15. Lovebug Starski: "You Gotta Believe"/" Lovebug Starski Live at the Fever" (Fever)
16. Dimples D: "Sucker DJs (I Will Survive)" (Party Time)
17. G.L.O.B.E. & Whiz Kid: "Play That Beat Mr. DJ" (Tommy Boy)
18. Fearless Four: "Problems of the World Today" (Elektra)
19. West Street Mob: "Breakdance-Electric Boogie" (Sugarhill)
20. Beastie Boys: "Cooky Puss" (Ratcage)
21. Whodini: "Haunted House of Rock" (Jive)
22. Rockmaster Scott & the Dynamic Three: "It's Life (You Gotta Think Twice)" (Reality)
23. Newcleus: "Jam on Revenge (the Wikki-Wikki Song)"(Sunnyview)
24. Pumpkin: "King of the Beat" (Profile)
25. Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force: "Renegades of Funk" (Tommy Boy)
26. Crash Crew: "We Are Known Emcees (We Turn Parties Out)"(Sugarhill)
27. Spoonie Gee: "The Big Beat" (Tuff City)
28. Malcolm X featuring Keith LeBlanc: "No Sell Out" (Tommy Boy)
29. The Rake: "Street Justice" (Profile)
30. DJ Divine: "Get into the Mix" (West End)
31. The B-Boys: "Rock the House"/"Cuttin' Herbie" (Vintertainment)
32. Cold Crush Brothers: "Punk Rock Rap" (Tuff City)
33. Kevie Kev: "All Night Long (Waterbed)" (Sugarhill)
34. South Bronx Movement: "You've Got the Power to Get High on Yourself" (Positive Juice)
35. Gigolette: "Games Females Play" (Fever)
36. I.R.T. (Interboro Rhythm Team): "Watch the Closing Doors" (RCA)
37. T Ski Valley: "Cuts It Up" (Grand Groove)
38. Rickey G & the Everlasting Five: "To the Max" (Capo)
39. Captain Rapp: "Bad Times (I Can't Stand It)" (Magic Disc)
40. K-9 Corps featuring Pretty C: "Dog Talk" (Capitol)

1984
1. T La Rock & Jazzy Jay: "It's Yours" (Partytime)
2. L.L. Cool J: "I Need a Beat" (Def Jam)
3. Run-D.M.C.: "Rock Box" (Profile)
4. U.T.F.O.: "Roxanne, Roxanne" (Select)
5. Whodini: "Friends"/"Five Minutes of Funk" (Jive)
6. Roxanne Shante: "Roxanne's Revenge" (Pop Art)
7. Kurtis Blow: "8 Million Stories"/"AJ Scratch" (Mercury)
8. Davy DMX: "One for the Treble (Fresh)" (Tuff City)
9. Cold Crush Brothers: "Fresh, Fly, Wild & Bold" (Tuff City)
10. World Famous Supreme Team: "Hey DJ" (Island)
11. Whodini: "Freaks Come Out at Night" (Jive)
12. Disco 3: "Fat Boys"/"Human Beat Box" (Sutra) [a.k.a. Fat Boys]
13. Divine Sounds: "What People Do for Money" (Specific)
14. Afrika Bambaataa & James Brown: "Unity" (Tommy Boy)
15. Freddy B & the Mighty Mic Masters: "The Main Event" (Tuff City)
16. Fat Boys: "Jailhouse Rap" (Sutra)
17. Newcleus: "Jam on It" (Sunnyview)
18. Grandmaster Melle Mel: "Beat Street Breakdown" (Atlantic)
19. Furious Five featuring Cowboy, Grandmaster Melle Mel & Scorpio: "Step Off" (Sugarhill)
20. Kurtis Blow: "Basketball" (Mercury)
21. Grandmixer D.ST: "Megamix II (Why is It Fresh?)" (Celluloid)
22. Chuck Chillout: "Hip Hop on Wax Volume 1" (Vintertainment)
23. Kool DJ Red Alert: "Hip Hop on Wax Volume 2" (Vintertainment)
24. Fat Boys: "Can You Feel It?" (Sutra)
25. Donald D: "Don's Groove" (Elektra)
26. Pumpkin & the Profile: "Here Comes That Beat!" (Profile)
27. Doug E. Fresh featuring DJs Chill Will & Barry Bee: "Just Having Fun" (Enjoy)
28. Doug E. Fresh: "Original Human Beat Box" (Vintertainment)
29. Treacherous Three: "Turning You On" (Sugarhill)Master O.C. & Krazy Eddie featuring Peso & Tito of the Fearless Four & Main Attraction: "Masters of the Scratch" (Next Plateau)
30. Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde: "Fast Life"/"A.M./P.M." (Profile)
31. Cutmaster D.C.: "That's Life" (Airport)
32. Captain Rock: "Cosmic Blast" (Nia)
33. DJ Hollywood: "Hollywood's Message" (H.I.K.I.M.-Ali)
34. Lovebug Starski: "Starski Live at the Fever Pt. II" (Fever)
35. Ultimate 3 MCs: "What Are We Gonna Do?" (Partytime)
36. Awesome Foursome: "Funky Breakdown" (Partytime)
37. Just Four: "Games of Life" (Express)
38. Frederick "MC Count" Linton: "I'm Somebody Else's Guy" (Vinyl Dreams)
39. Masterdon Committee: "Paid the Cost to Be the Boss" (Enjoy)

1985
1. Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew: "The Show"/ "La Di Da Di" (Reality)
2. Schoolly D: "P.S.K."/ "Gucci Time" (Schoolly D)
3. L.L. Cool J: "Rock the Bells" (Def Jam)
4. Run-D.M.C.: "King of Rock" (Profile)
5. Marley Marl featuring MC Shan: "Marley Marl Scratch" (Nia)
6. L.L. Cool J: "I Can't Live without My Radio" (Def Jam)
7. Mantronix featuring MC Tee: "Fresh is the Word" (Sleeping Bag)
8. Whistle: "(Nothing Serious) Just Buggin'" (Select)
9. Cutmaster D.C.: "Brooklyn's in the House" (Zakia)
10. Stetsasonic: "Just Say Stet" (Tommy Boy)
11. Roxanne Shante: "Bite This" (Pop Art)
12. Grandmaster Flash: "Larry's Dance Theme" (Elektra)
13. The B-Boys: "Girls" (Vintertainment)
14. The B-Boys: "Girls Part 2" (Vintertainment)
15. Roxanne Shante: "Queen of Rox" (Pop Art)
16. Word of Mouth featuring DJ Cheese: "King Kut" (Beauty & the Beat)
17. Boogie Boys: "A Fly Girl" (Capitol)
18. Toddy Tee: "Batterram" (Evejim)
19. Too $hort: "Girl" (75 Girls)
20. Kurtis Blow: "If I Ruled the World" (Mercury)
21. Run-D.M.C.: "Together Forever (Krush Groove 4)" (Profile)
22. Bad Boys featuring K Love: "Bad Boys" (Starlite)
23. Hollis Crew: "It's the Beat" (Def Jam)
24. Beastie Boys: "Rock Hard" (Def Jam)
25. Bad Boys featuring K Love: "Veronica" (Starlite)
26. Rockmaster Scott & the Dynamic Three: "The Roof is on Fire"/"Request Line" (Reality)
27. DJ Hollywood: "Hollywood's World" (Abdull-Akbar)
28. Jazzy Jay: "Def Jam"/"Cold Chillin' in the Spot" (Def Jam)
29. Super Nature: "The Show Stoppa (is Stupid Fresh)" (Pop Art) [a.k.a. Salt-n-Pepa]
30. Sparky D: "Sparky's Turn (Roxanne You're Through)" (Nia)
31. Super Kids: "The Tragedy (Don't Do It)" (Nia)
32. Steady B featuring Roxanne Shante: "Just Call Us Def"/"Fly Shante" (Pop Art)
33. L.L. Cool J: "I Want You"/"Dangerous" (Def Jam)
34. Mantronix: "Needle to the Groove" (Sleeping Bag)
35. Craig G: "Shout (Rap Version)" (Pop Art)
36. Force MD's: "Itchin' for a Scratch" (Atlantic)
37. Beastie Boys: "She's on It" (Def Jam)
38. Tricky Tee: "Johnny the Fox" (Sleeping Bag)
39. DJ Born Supreme Allah: "2, 3 Break (Part II-the Sequel)" (Vintertainment)
40. Masterdon Committee: "Funkbox 2" (Profile)

1986
1. Eric B. & Rakim: "Eric B. is President"/ "My Melody" (Zakia)
2. Run-D.M.C.: "My Adidas"/"Peter Piper" (Profile)
3. MC Shan: "The Bridge" (Bridge)
4. Boogie Down Productions: "South Bronx" (B-Boy)
5. Ultramagnetic MCs: "Ego Trippin'" (Next Plateau)
6. Beastie Boys: "Hold It, Now Hit It" (Def Jam)
7. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: "It's a Demo"/"I'm Fly" (Cold Chillin')
8. Biz Markie: "Make the Music with Your Mouth Biz" (Prism)
9. Stetsasonic: "Go Stetsa I" (Tommy Boy)
10. Just-Ice: "Latoya" (Fresh)
11. Just-Ice: "Cold Gettin' Dumb" (Fresh)
12. Roxanne Shante featuring Biz Markie: "Def Fresh Crew" (Pop Art)
13. Beastie Boys: "The New Style"/"Paul Revere" (Def Jam)
14. Ice-T: "6 'n the Mornin'" (Techno-Hop)
15. Salt-n-Pepa: "My Mic Sounds Nice" (Next Plateau)
16. Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew: "Play This Only at Night"(Reality)
17. Too $hort: "Freaky Tales" (Jive)
18. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince: "Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble" (Word Up)
19. Joeski Love: "Pee-Wee's Dance" (Vintertainment)
20. Sweet Tee & DJ Jazzy Joyce: "It's My Beat" (Profile)
21. Cutmaster D.C.: "Brooklyn Rocks the Best" (Zakia)
22. Dana Dane: "Nightmares" (Profile)
23. Word of Mouth featuring DJ Cheese: "Coast to Coast" (Profile)
24. Whodini: "One Love" (Jive)
25. Original Concept: "Knowledge Me"/"Can U Feel It" (Def Jam)
26. Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew: "All the Way to Heaven"/"Nuthin'" (Reality)
27. Divine Sounds: "Do or Die Bed Stuy" (Reality)
28. Rodney O & Joe Cooley: "Everlasting Bass" (Egyptian Empire)
29. Whodini: "Funky Beat" (Jive)
30. Sweet Tee & DJ Jazzy Joyce: "It's Like That, Y'all" (Profile)
31. King Tee: "Payback's a Mutha" (Techno-Hop)
32. DBL Crew: "Bust It" (Urban Rock)
33. Stetsasonic: "Faye"/"4 Ever My Beat" (Tommy Boy)
34. MC Shan: "Jane, Stop This Crazy Thing"/"Cocaine" (Cold Chillin')
35. Kool Moe Dee: "Go See the Doctor" (Rooftop)
36. Grandmaster Flash: "Style (Peter Gunn Theme)" (Elektra)
37. Heavy D & the Boyz: "Mr. Big Stuff" (Uptown)
38. The Real Roxanne featuring Hitman Howie Tee: "Bang Zoom (Let's Go-Go)" (Select)
39. Steady B: "Bring the Beat Back" (Pop Art)
40. B. Fats: "Wopit" (Posse)

1987
1. Audio Two: "Top Billin'" (First Priority)
2. Public Enemy: "Rebel without a Pause" (Def Jam)
3. Boogie Down Productions: "The Bridge is Over" (B-Boy)
4. EPMD: "It's My Thing"/"You're a Customer" (Fresh)
5. Big Daddy Kane: "Raw" (Prism)
6. Public Enemy: "Bring the Noise" (Def Jam)
7. Biz Markie: "Nobody Beats the Biz" (Prism)
8. Eric B. & Rakim: "I Know You Got Soul" (Zakia)
9. Public Enemy: "Public Enemy no. 1"/"Timebomb" (Def Jam)
10. Big Daddy Kane featuring Biz Markie: "Just Rhymin' with Biz" (Prism)
11. Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud: "Do the James" (Citi-Beat)
12. L.L. Cool J: "I'm Bad" (Def Jam)
13. Ultramagnetic MCs: "Funky" (Next Plateau)
14. Eazy-E: "Boyz-n-the Hood" (Ruthless)
15. Divine Force: "Holy War (Live)" (Yamak-ka)
16. Schoolly D: "Saturday Night" (Schoolly D)
17. Eric B. & Rakim: "I Ain't No Joke" (Zakia)
18. MC Lyte: "I Cram to Understand U (Sam)" (First Priority)
19. N.W.A: "Dope Man" (Ruthless)
20. Just-Ice: "Going Way Back" (Fresh)
21. Roxanne Shante: "Have a Nice Day" (Cold Chillin')
22. Biz Markie: "Pickin' Boogers" (Prism)
23. Salt-n-Pepa: "Tramp"/"Push It" (Prism)
24. Boogie Down Productions: "The Bridge is Over" (B-Boy)
25. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: "Rikers Island"/"Rhyme Time" (Cold Chillin')
26. Jungle Brothers: "Jimbrowski" (Idlers)
27. Dismasters: "Small Time Hustler" (Urban Rock)
28. Heavy D & the Boyz: "The Overweight Lover's in the House" (Uptown)
29. Spoonie Gee: "The Godfather" (Tuff City)
30. Alliance: "Bustin' Loose"/"Do It, Do It"/"Oreo Cookie" (First Priority)
31. Antoinette: "I Got an Attitude" (Next Plateau)
32. Spoonie Gee: "Take It Off" (Tuff City)
33. Kid 'n Play: "Last Night" (Select)
34. Latee: "This Cut's Got Flavor"/"Puttin' on the Hits" (Wild Pitch)
35. Steady B: "Use Me (Before I Let Go)" (Jive)
36. Masters of Ceremony: "Sexy" (Strong City)
37. Busy Bee: "Suicide" (Strong City)
38. Lord Shafiyq: "My Mic is on Fire" (NUWR)
39. Classical Two: "New Generation" (Rooftop)
40. 2 Live Crew: "We Want Some Pussy!!" (Luke Skyywalker)

1988
1. Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock: "It Takes Two" (Profile)
2. Eric B & Rakim: "Paid in Full (Seven Minutes of Madness Remix)"(4th & B'way)
3. Big Daddy Kane: "Ain't No Half Steppin'" (Cold Chillin')
4. Boogie Down Productions: "My Philosophy" (Jive)
5. Run-D.M.C.: "Run's House"/"Beats to the Rhyme" (Profile)
6. Public Enemy: "Don't Believe the Hype" (Def Jam)
7. Marley Marl featuring Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap & Big Daddy Kane: "The Symphony" (Cold Chillin')
8. De La Soul: "Plug Tunin'" (Tommy Boy)
9. EPMD: "You Gots to Chill" (Fresh)
10. Biz Markie: "Vapors" (Cold Chillin')
11. Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew: "Keep Risin' to the Top"(Reality)
12. J.V.C Force: "Strong Island" (B-Boy)
13. Biz Markie: "The Biz is Goin' Off" (Prism)
14. Mark 45 King: "The 900 Number" (Tuff City)
15. Boogie Down Productions: "Jack of Spades"/"I'm Still #1 (Numero Uno)" (Jive)
16. Eric B. & Rakim: "Microphone Fiend" (Uni)
17. MC Lyte: "10% Dis" (First Priority)
18. Stetsasonic: "Sally"/"DBC Let the Music Play" (Tommy Boy)
19. Jungle Brothers: "Because I Got It Like That" (Idlers)
20. De La Soul: "Jenifa (Taught Me)"/"Potholes in My Lawn" (Tommy Boy)
21. Chubb Rock featuring Hitman Howie Tee: "Caught Up (Remix)" (Select)
22. 2 Much: "Wild Thing" (Warlock)
23. Marley Marl featuring Craig G: "Droppin' Science" (Cold Chillin')
24. L.L. Cool J: "Goin' Back to Cali"/"Jack the Ripper" (Def Jam)
25. Chubb Rock featuring Hitman Howie Tee: "Road to the Riches" (Cold Chillin')
26. MC EZ & Troup: "Get Retarded" (Fresh)
27. Stetsasonic: "Talkin' All That Jazz" (Tommy Boy)
28. Queen Latifah: "Wrath of My Madness"/"Princess of the Posse" (Tommy Boy)
29. MC Lyte: "Paper Thin" (Priority)
30. Positive K: "Step Up Front" (First Priority)
31. MC Shan: "I Pioneered This" (Cold Chillin')
32. Chill Rob G: "Dope Rhymes"/"Chillin'"/"Wild Pitch" (Wild Pitch)
33. Kid 'n Play: "Do This My Way" (Select)
34. Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud: "Super- Casanova" (DNA International)
35. Antoinette: "Hit 'em with This"/ "Unfinished Business" (Next Plateau)
36. King Tee: "Bass" (Capitol)
37. J.J. Fad: "Supersonic" (Dream Team)
38. Sir Mix-a-Lot: "Posse on Broadway" (Def American)
39. Supreme Nyborn: "Versatility" (Payroll)
40. Kid 'n Play: "Gittin' Funky" (Select)

1989
1. Public Enemy: "Fight the Power" (Motown)
2. EPMD: "So Wat Cha Sayin'" (Fresh)
3. Slick Rick: "Children's Story" (Def Jam)
4. Special Ed: "I Got It Made" (Profile)
5. Slick Rick: "Hey Young World"/"Mona Lisa" (Def Jam)
6. Biz Markie: "Just a Friend" (Cold Chillin')
7. Big Daddy Kane: "Smooth Operator"/"Warm It Up, Kane" (Cold Chillin')
8. De La Soul featuring Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest & Monie Love: "Buddy (Native Tongues Decision)" (Tommy Boy)
9. N.W.A: "Straight Outta Compton" (Ruthless)
10. Three Times Dope: "Funky Dividends" (Arista)
11. The D.O.C.: "It's Funky Enough" (Ruthless)
12. N.W.A: "Express Yourself"/"A Bitch iz a Bitch" (Ruthless)
13. Eazy-E: "Eazy-er Said Than Dunn" (Ruthless)
14. 2 Live Crew: "Me So Horny" (Luke)
15. 3rd Bass featuring Zev Love X: "The Gas Face" (Def Jam)
16. Stezo: "It's My Turn"/"To the Max" (Fresh)
17. L.L. Cool J: "Big Ole Butt" (Def Jam)
18. Gang Starr: "Words I Manifest (Remix)" (Wild Pitch)
19. Digital Underground: "Doowutchyalike" (Tommy Boy)
20. Chubb Rock featuring Hitman Howie Tee: "Ya Bad Chubbs" (Select)
21. Positive K: "A Good Combination" (First Priority)
22. YZ & G Rock: "In Control of Things"/"Thinking of a Master Plan" (Diversity)
23. 3rd Bass: "Steppin' to the A.M." (Def Jam)
24. Main Source: "Think"/"Atom" (Actual)
25. Beastie Boys: "Hey Ladies"/"Shake Your Rump" (Capitol)
26. Nice & Smooth: "Early to Rise"/"More & More Hits" (Fresh)
27. MC Lyte: "Cha Cha Cha" (First Priority)
28. Chill Rob G: "Court is Now in Session" (Wild Pitch)
29. MC Sugar Ray & Stranger D: "Knock 'em Out, Sugar Ray" (Def City)[a.k.a. Double XX Posse]
30. Ice-T: "You Played Yourself" (Sire)
31. Stop the Violence Movement: "Self-Destruction" (Jive)
32. Boogie Down Productions: "Why is That?" (Jive)
33. Queen Latifah: "Dance for Me"/ "Inside Out" (Tommy Boy)
34. Low Profile: "Pay Ya Dues" (Priority)
35. The Bizzie Boyz: "Droppin' It" (Payroll)
36. Young MC: "Bust a Move" (Delicious Vinyl)
37. Divine Styler featuring the Scheme Team: "Ain't Sayin' Nothin'"(Rhyme Syndicate)
38. Kwame the Boy Genius featuring a New Beginning: "The Rhythm"(Atlantic)
39. Cool C: "The Glamorous Life" (Atlantic)
40. Tone-Loc: "Wild Thing" (Delicious Vinyl)

1990
1. Public Enemy: "Welcome to the Terrordome" (Def Jam)
2. A Tribe Called Quest: "Bonita Applebum" (Jive)
3. Digital Underground: "The Humpty Dance" (Tommy Boy)
4. L.L. Cool J: "Jingling Baby (Remixed but Still Jingling)" (Def Jam)
5. Nice & Smooth: "Funky for You"/"No Bones in Ice Cream" (Fresh)
6. EPMD: "Gold Digger" (Def Jam)
7. Gang Starr: "Just to Get a Rep"/"Who's Gonna Take the Weight?"(Chrysalis)
8. A Tribe Called Quest: "Can I Kick It?"/"When the Papes Come" (Jive)
9. Main Source: "Looking at the Front Door" (Wild Pitch)
10. Boogie Down Productions: "Love's Gonna Get'cha (Material Love)"(Jive)
11. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: "Streets of New York" (Cold Chillin')
12. Eric B. & Rakim: "In the Ghetto" (MCA)
13. Public Enemy: "Brothers Gonna Work It Out" (Def Jam)
14. L.L. Cool J: "Around the Way Girl" (Def Jam)
15. Jungle Brothers: "J. Beez Comin' Through" (Warner Bros)
16. Ice Cube: "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted"/"Once Upon a Time in the Projects" (Priority)
17. Terminator X featuring Chuck D & Sister Souljah: "Buck Whylin'" (Def Jam)
18. Digital Underground: "Freaks of the Industry" (Tommy Boy)
19. D-Nice: "Call Me D-Nice" (Jive)
20. Chubb Rock: "Treat 'em Right" (Select)
21. 3rd Bass: "Product of the Environment (Remix)"/"3 Strikes 5000" (Def Jam)
22. K-Solo: "Your Mom's in My Business" (Atlantic)
23. L.L. Cool J: "To da Break of Dawn" (Motown)
24. Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth: "Strictly for the Ladies" (Wild Pitch)
25. Poor Righteous Teachers: "Rock Dis Funky Joint" (Profile)
26. Above the Law: "Murder Rap" (Ruthless)
27. Special Ed: "I'm the Magnificent (the Magnificent Remix)"/"Ready 2 Attack" (Profile)
28. K.M.D.: "Peachfuzz" (Elektra)
29. Ice Cube: "Who's the Mack?" (Priority)
30. K-Solo: "Spellbound" (Atlantic)
31. King Tee: "Ruff Rhyme (Back Again)"/"Played Like a Piano" (Capitol)
32. X Clan: "Funkin' Lesson" (Island)
33. Kid Frost: "La Raza" (Virgin)
34. Kings of Swing: "Nod Your Head to This" (Virgin)
35. Masta Ace: "Me and the Biz" (Cold Chillin')
36. Double XX Posse: "Executive Class" (Mel-O)
37. Special Ed: "The Mission" (Profile)
38. L.L. Cool J: "The Boomin' System" (Motown)
39. Above the Law: "Untouchable" (Ruthless)
40. The Jaz featuring Jay-Z: "The Originators" (EMI)

1991
1. Geto Boys: "Mind Playing Tricks on Me" (Rap-a-Lot)
2. A Tribe Called Quest: "Check the Rhime" (Jive)
3. Naughty by Nature: "O.P.P." (Tommy Boy)
4. Public Enemy: "Shut 'em Down (Pete Rock Remix)" (Def Jam)
5. Cypress Hill: "How I Could Just Kill a Man" (Ruffhouse)
6. Brand Nubian: "Slow Down" (Elektra)
7. Main Source: "Just Hangin' Out"/"Live at the Barbeque" (Wild Pitch)
8. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince: "Summertime" (Jive)
9. Brand Nubian: "All for One" (Elektra)
10. Ed O.G. & da Bulldogs: "I Got to Have It" (PWL)
11. MC Breed: "Ain't No Future in Yo' Frontin'" (Ichiban)
12. EPMD featuring L.L. Cool J: "Rampage" (Def Jam)
13. Nice & Smooth: "Hip Hop Junkies" (Fresh)
14. Black Sheep: "Flavor of the Month" (Mercury)
15. De La Soul: "Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)" (Tommy Boy)
16. Ice Cube: "Steady Mobbin'"/"No Vaseline" (Priority)
17. Leaders of the New School: "Sobb Story" (Elektra)
18. Compton's Most Wanted: "Growin' Up in the Hood" (Orpheus)
19. Tim Dog: "Fuck Compton" (Ruffhouse)
20. Digital Underground featuring 2Pac: "Same Song" (Tommy Boy)
21. AMG: "Jiggable Pie" (Select)
22. MC Lyte: "Poor Georige" (First Priority)
23. Ed O.G. & da Bulldogs: "Be a Father to Your Child" (PWL)
24. WC & the MAAD Circle: "Dress Code" (Priority)
25. Gang Star: "Step in the Arena"/ "Check the Technique"(Chrysalis)
26. Poor Righteous Teachers: "Shakiyla" (Profile)
27. De La Soul featuring Q-Tip: "A Rollerskating Jam Named 'Saturdays'" (Tommy Boy)
28. Leaders of the New School: "Case of the P.T.A." (Elektra)
29. K.M.D.: "Nitty Gritty (Remix)"/"Plumskinzz" (Elektra)
30. Del tha Funkee Homosapien: "Sleepin' on My Couch" (Elektra)
31. K-Solo: "Fugitive" (Atlantic)
32. Eric B. & Rakim: "Mahogany" (MCA)
33. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: "Bad to the Bone" (Cold Chillin')
34. AMG: "Bitch Betta Have My Money" (Select)
35. D-Nice: "25 ta Life" (Jive)
36. DJ Quik: "Tonight" (Profile)
37. Special Ed: "Come on, Let's Move It" (Profile)
38. Ice-T: "O.G. Original Gangster"/"Bitches 2" (Sire)
39. K.M.D.: "Who Me?" (Elektra)
40. Raw Fusion: "Throw Your Hands in the Air"/"Do My Thang" (Hollywood BASIC)

1992
1. Black Sheep: "The Choice is Yours (Revisited)" (Mercury)
2. Gang Starr featuring Nice & Smooth: "DWYCK" (Chrysalis)
3. Das EFX: "They Want EFX" (Eastwest)
4. Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg: "Deep Cover" (Epic)
5. Pete Rock & CL Smooth: "T.R.O.Y. (They Reminisce Over You)"(Elektra)
6. A Tribe Called Quest featuring Leaders of the New School: "Scenario" (Jive)
7. Main Source featuring Neek the Exotic: "Fakin' the Funk (Remix)"(Wild Pitch)
8. Brand Nubian: "Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down" (Elektra)
9. Nas: "Half Time" (Columbia)
10. EPMD: "Crossover"/"Brothers from Brentwood L.I." (Def Jam)
11. House of Pain: "Jump Around" (Tommy Boy)
12. Ultramagnetic MCs: "Poppa Large (East Coast Remix)" (Mercury)
13. Das EFX: "Mic Checka (Remix)"/"Jussumen (Remix)" (Eastwest)
14. Redman: "Blow Your Mind"/"How to Roll a Blunt" (Def Jam)
15. Naughty by Nature: "Uptown Anthem" (MCA)
16. Eric B. & Rakim: "Juice (Know the Ledge)" (MCA)
17. EPMD featuring K-Solo & Redman: "Head Banger" (Def Jam)
18. A Tribe Called Quest: "Jazz (We've Got)" (Jive)
19. Naughty by Nature: "Everything's Gonna Be Alright (Ghetto Bastard)"(Tommy Boy)
20. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: "Ill Street Blues" (Cold Chillin')
21. Black Moon: "Who Got da Props?" (Nervous)
22. Apache: "Gangsta Bitch" (Tommy Boy)
23. Cypress Hill: "Hand on the Pump" (Ruffhouse)
24. Afrika Bambaataa Presents Time Zone: "Zulu War Chant" (Planet Rock)
25. Grand Puba: "360 Degrees (What Goes Around)" (Elektra)
26. Diamond D: "Best Kept Secret"/"Freestyle (Yo, That's That Shit)" (Chemistry)
27. DJ Quik: "Just Like Compton" (Profile)
28. Double XX Posse: "Not Gonna Be Able to Do It" (Big Beat)
29. Pete Rock & CL Smooth: "Straighten It Out" (Elektra)
30. UMC's: "One to Grow On" (Wild Pitch)
31. Beastie Boys: "So What'cha Want" (Grand Royal)
32. Fu-Schnickesn featuring Phife Dawg: "La Schmoove" (Jive)
33. Show & AG: "Fat Pockets (Remix)" (Payday)
34. Organized Konfusion featuring O.C.: "Fudge Pudge" (Hollywood BASIC)
35. Chi Ali: "Age Ain't Nothin' But a #" (Relativity)
36. Del tha Funkee Homosapien: "Mistadobalina" (Elektra)
37. Eric B. & Rakim: "Don't Sweat the Technique" (MCA)
38. MC Ren: "Final Frontier" (Ruthless)
39. Sir Mix-a-Lot: "Baby Got Back" (Def American)
40. N2Deep: "Back to the Hotel" (Profile)

1993
1. Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg: "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang" (Death Row)
2. Wu-Tang Clan: "Protect Ya Neck" (Wu-Tang)
3. Jeru the Damaja: "Come Clean" (Payday)
4. The Pharcyde: "Passin' Me By" (Delicious Vinyl)
5. Redman: "Tonight's da Night" (Def Jam)
6. 2Pac featuring Shock G & Money B: "I Get Around" (Interscope)
7. A Tribe Called Quest featuring Trugoy: "Award Tour" (Jive)
8. Onyx: "Throw Ya Gunz" (Def Jam)
9. Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg: "Fuck wit Dre Day (and Everybody's Celebratin'" (Death Row)
10. Redman: "Time 4 Sum Aksion" (Def Jam)
11. Wu-Tang Clan: "Method Man" (Loud)
12. KRS-One: "Outta Here" (Jive)
13. A Tribe Called Quest: "Electric Relaxation" (Jive)
14. Souls of Mischief: "93 'til Infinity" (Jive)
15. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: "On the Run (Dirty Untouchable Remix)" (Cold Chillin')
16. Onyx: "Slam" (Def Jam)
17. MC Eiht: "Streiht Up Menace" (Jive)
18. M.O.P.: "How About Some Hardcore" (Select)
19. The Pharcyde: "Otha Fish" (Delicious Vinyl)
20. Notorious B.I.G.: "Party and Bullshit" (Uptown)
21. Alkaholiks: "Make Room" (Loud)
22. MC Breed featuring 2Pac: "Gotta Get Mine" (Ichiban)
23. Beatnuts: "Reign of the Tec" (Relativity)
24. Casual: "That's How It Is (Remix)" (Jive)
25. Fat Joe: "Flow Joe" (Relativity)
26. KRS-One: "Sound of da Police"/"Hip Hop vs. Rap" (Jive)
27. De La Soul: "Breakadawn" (Tommy Boy)
28. Ultramagnetic MCs: "Two Brothers with Checks (San Francisco,Harvey)"/"One, Two, One, Two" (Wild Pitch)
29. Diamond D: "I'm Outta Here"/"You Can't Front (the Shit is Real)" (ChemistrY)
30. Casual: "I Didn't Mean to" (Jive)
31. Lords of the Underground: "Chief Rocka" (Elektra)
32. Kurious: "Walk Like a Duck" (Columbia)
33. Geto Boys: "Crooked Officer" (Rap-a-Lot)
34. Leaders of the New School: "What's Next?" (Elektra)
35. Domino: "Getto Jam" (Outburst)
36. Intelligent Hoodlum: "Grand Groove (Remix)" (A&M)
37. 2Pac: "Keep Ya Head Up" (Interscope)
38. Trends of Culture: "Off & On (Remix)" (Mad Sounds)
39. Cypress Hill: "Insane in the Brain"/ "When the Shit Goes Down" (Ruffhouse)
40. Mobb Deep: "Hit It From the Back" (4th & B'way)

1994
1. Craig Mack: "Flava in Your Ear" (Bad Boy)
2. Snoop Doggy Dogg: "Gin & Juice" (Death Row)
3. Wu-Tang Clan: "C.R.E.A.M." (Loud)
4. The Notorious B.I.G.: "Juicy"/ "Unbelievable" (Bad Boy)
5. Method Man: "Bring the Pain" (Def Jam)
6. O.C.: "Time's Up" (Wild Pitch)
7. Common: "i used to love h.e.r." (Relativity)
8. Black Moon: "I Got Cha Opin (Remix)"/"Reality (Killin' Every Nigga in Sight)" (Nervous)
9. Keith Murray: "The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World" (Jive)
10. Above the Law: "Black Superman" (Ruthless)
11. Nas: "It Ain't Hard to Tell" (Columbia)
12. Smif-n-Wessun: "Bucktown"/"Let's Git It On" (Nervous)
13. Fugees: "Nappy Heads (Remix)" (Ruffhouse)
14. Jeru the Damaja: "D. Original" (Payday)
15. Gang Starr: "Mass Appeal" (Chrysalis)
16. Nas: "The World is Yours" (Columbia)
17. Outkast: "Player's Ball" (LaFace)
18. Scarface: "I Seen a Man Die" (Rap-a-Lot)
19. Group Home: "Supa Star" (Payday)
20. Snoop Doggy Dogg: "Murder Was the Case" (Death Row)
21. Too $hort: "Money in the Ghetto" (Jive)
22. The Lady of Rage featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg: "Afro Puffs" (Death Row)
23. Wu-Tang Clan: "Can It Be All So Simple" (Loud)
24. Channel Live featuring KRS-One: "Mad Izm" (Capitol)
25. Black Moon: "How Many MCs" (Nervous)
26. Redman: "Rockafella (Remix)" (Def Jam)
27. Redman: "Can't Wait" (Def Jam)
28. Black Moon: "Buck 'em Down (remix)"/"Murder MCs" (Nervous)
29. De La Soul: "Ego Trippin' Part Two" (Tommy Boy)
30. Gravediggaz feat. Shabazz the Disciple & Killah Priest: "Diary of a Madman" (Gee Street)
31. Crooklyn Dodgers: "Crooklyn" (MCA)
32. Outkast: "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" (LaFace)
33. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony: "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" (Relativity)
34. Dru Down featuring Luniz: "Ice Cream Man" (Relativity)
35. Craig Mack featuring Q-Tip: "Get Down (Remix)" (Bad Boy)
36. Shyheim: "On and On" (Virgin)
37. JT the Bigga Figga featuring Mac Mall: "Game Recognize Game" (Get Low)
38. E-40 featuring the Click: "Captain Save a Hoe" (Sick wid It)
39. Ill Al Skratch: "Where My Homiez" (Mercury)
40. Nate Dogg & Warren G: "Regulate" (Death Row)

1995
1. Mobb Deep: "Shook Ones Pt. II" (Loud)
2. The Notorious B.I.G.: "One More Chance (Stay with Me Remix)" (Bad Boy)
3. Luniz: "I Got 5 on It" (Noo Trybe)
4. Ol' Dirty Bastard: "Brooklyn Zoo" (Elektra)
5. The Notorious B.I.G.: "One More Chance (Stay with Me Remix)" (Bad Boy)
6. Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige: "You're All I Need to Get By" (Def Jam)
7. Junior M.A.F.I.A. featuring the Notorious B.I.G.: "Get Money" (Big Beat)
8. TRU featuring Mia X: "I'm Bout It, Bout It" (No Limit)
9. Smoothe da Hustler featuring Trigger tha Gambler: "Broken Language"(Profile)
10. Raekwon: "Incarcerated Scarfaces"/"Ice Cream" (Loud)
11. KRS-One: "MCs Act Like They Don't Know" (Jive)
12. E-40 featuring Suga T: "Sprinkle Me" (Jive)
13. Blahzay Blahzay: "Danger" (Mercury)
14. WC and the MAAD Circle featuring Mack 10 & Ice Cube: "West Up!"(Payday)
15. Onyx: "Last Dayz" (Def Jam)
16. Tha Dogg Pound featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg: "New York, New York" (Death Row)
17. Junior M.A.F.I.A. featuring the Notorious B.I.G.: "Player's Anthem" (Big Beat)
18. Big Mike: "Playa Playa" (Rap-a-Lot)
19. Mack 10: "Foe Life" (Priority)
20. Redman & Method Man: "How High" (Def Jam)
21. Raekwon: "Criminology"/"Glaciers of Ice" (Loud)
22. Smif-n-Wessun featuring Starang Wondah: "Sound Bwoy Bureill" (Nervous)
23. Grand Puba: "I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are)" (Elektra)
24. Show & AG: "Next Level" (Payday)
25. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony: "1st of tha Month" (Relativity)
26. Da Brat: "Give It 2 You (Remix)" (So So Def)
27. The Pharcyde: "Runnin'"/"Drop" (Delicious Vinyl)
28. Tha Alkaholiks: "DAAAM!" (Loud)
29. GZA: "Liquid Swords" (Geffen)
30. Group Home: "Livin' Proof" (Payday)
31. Crooklyn Dodgers '95: "Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers" (MCA)
32. Das EFX: "Real Hip Hop" (EastWest)
33. J-Live: "Braggin' Writes" (Raw Shack)
34. Nine: "Whutcha Want?" (Profile)
35. Lost Boyz: "Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz" (Universal)
36. Ol' Dirty Bastard: "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" (Elektra)
37. Jay-Z: "In My Lifetime"/"Can't Get wit That" (Roc-a-Fella)
38. Three 6 Mafia: "Tear da Club Up (Da Real)" (Prophet)
39. Frankie Cutlass feat. Doo Wop, Fat Joe, Ray Boogie & True God; "Boriquas on da Set"(Relativity)
40. Q-Ball & Curt Cazal: "My Kinda Moves" (VZQ)

1996
1. Outkast: "Elevators (Me & You)" (LaFace)
2. Jay-Z: "Dead Presidents"/"Ain't No Nigga" (Roc-a-Fella)
3. Fugees: "Killing Me Softly" (Ruffhouse)
4. Jay-Z featuring Mary J. Blige: "Can't Knock the Hustle" (Roc-a-Fella)
5. Busta Rhymes: "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" (Elektra)
6. Goodie Mob: "Cell Therapy" (LaFace)
7. Westside Connection: "Bow Down" (Priority)
8. Junior M.A.F.I.A. featuring the Notorious B.I.G.: "Get Money (Remix)" (Big Beat)
9. Lil' Kim: "No Time"/"Queen Bitch" (Undeas)
10. Mobb Deep: "Drop a Gem on 'Em" (Loud)
11. Too $hort featuring Erick Sermon: "Buy You Some" (Jive)
12. Ghostface Killah featuring Raekwon, Cappadonna & the Force MDs: "Daytona 500" (Razor Sharp)
13. Fugees: "Ready or Not" (Ruffhouse)
14. Jeru the Damaja: "Ya Playin' Yaself" (Payday)
15. Mobb Deep: "Hell on Earth (Front Lines)" (Loud)
16. De La Soul: "Stakes is High"/"The Bizness" (Tommy Boy)
17. Crucial Conflict: "Hay" (Pallas)
18. GZA: "Shadowboxin'"/"4th Chamber" (Geffen)
19. Fugees: "Fu-Gee-La"/"How Many Mics" (Ruffhouse)
20. The East Flatbush Project featuring DeS: "Tried by 12" (10/30 Uproar)
21. Akinyele featuring Kia Jefferies: "Put It in Your Mouth" (Stress)
22. 2Pac featuring Dr. Dre: "California Love" (Death Row)
23. Xzibit: "Paparazzi" (Loud)
24. The Fab 5: "Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka" (Duck Down)
25. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony: "Tha Crossroads" (Relativity)
26. Do or Die featuring Johnny P & Twista: "Po Pimp" (Rap-a-Lot)
27. Redman: "Funkorama" (Interscope)
28. Capone-n-Noriega featuring Mobb Deep & Tragedy: "L.A., L.A." (25 to Life)
29. Company Flow: "8 Steps to Perfection"/"Vital Nerve" (Official)
30. Chuck D: "No" (Mercury)
31. M.O.P.: "Brownsville"/"Stick to Ya Gunz" (Relativity)
32. Ghostface Killah featuring Raekwon: "Motherless Child" (Razor Sharp)
33. Master P featuring Mia X: "Bout It, Bout It II" (No Limit)
34. InI: "Fakin' Jax" (Soul Brother)
35. Royal Flush: "Worldwide" (Blunt)
36. Saukrates: "Father Time" (Day)
37. Mr. Voodoo: "Lyrical Tactics"/"Shine" (Fortress)
38. Big Noyd featuring Prodigy of Mobb Deep: "Recognize & Realize (Pt.1)" (Tommy Boy)
39. Foxy Brown featuring Blackstreet: "Get Me Home" (Def Jam)
40. Big Shug: "Crush"/ "Official" (Payday)

1997
1. Puff Daddy featuring the Lox, Lil' Kim & the Notorious B.I.G.: "It's All About the Benjamins (Remix)" (Bad Boy)
2. The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy & Mase: "Mo' Money Mo'Problems" (Bad Boy)
3. The Notorious B.I.G.: "Hypnotize" (Bad Boy)
4. Busta Rhymes: "Put Your Hand Where My Eyes Can See" (Elektra)
5. The Beatnuts featuring Big Punisher & Cuban Link: "Off the Books" (Relativity)
6. Jay-Z: "Who You Wit" (Qwest)
7. Puff Daddy featuring The Notorious B.I.G. & Mase: "Been Around the World" (Bad Boy)
8. Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz: "Deja Vu (Uptown Baby)" (Codeine)
9. The Lox featuring Lil' Kim & DMX: "Money, Power & Respect" (Bad Boy)
10. Mase featuring Kelly Price: "Feel So Good" (Bad Boy)
11. Wu-Tang Clan: "Triumph" (Loud)
12. L.L. Cool J featuring Method Man, Redman, Canibus & DMX: "4. 3. 2. 1" (Def Jam)
13. Young Bleed featuring Master P & C-Loc: "How Ya Do Dat" (No Limit)
14. Capone-n-Noriega featuring Tragedy: "T.O.N.Y. (Top of New York)" (Penalty)
15. Gang Starr: "You Know My Steez" (Noo Trybe)
16. Makaveli featuring the Outlawz: "Hail Mary" (Death Row)
17. Lil' Kim featuring Lil' Cease: "Crush on You (Remix)" (Big Beat)
18. Missy Elliott: "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" (EastWest)
19. Nas, Foxy Brown, AZ & Nature: "Phone Tap" (Aftermath)
20. Wyclef Jean featuring Lauryn Hill: "Guantanamera" (Ruffhouse)
21. Redman featuring Erick Sermon: "Whateva Man" (Def Jam)
22. Tha Alkaholiks featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard: "Hip Hop Drunkies" (Loud)
23. Mos Def: "Universal Magnetic" (Rawkus)
24. DJ Pooh featuring Kam: "Whoop! Whoop!" (Big Beat)
25. Rakim: "It's Been a Long Time" (Universal)
26. Ras Kass: "Soul on Ice (Remix)" (Priority)
27. Scarface featuring 2Pac & Johnny P: "Smile" (Rap-a-Lot)
28. Street Smartz featuring O.C. & Pharaohe Monche: "Metal Thangz" (Tru Criminal)
29. Reflection Eternal featuring Mos Def & Mr. Man: "Fortified Live" (Rawkus)
30. EPMD: "Da Joint" (Def Jam)
31. Rampage featuring Busta Rhymes: "Wild for da Night" (Elektra)
32. Mobb Deep featuring Big Noyd & Rakim: "Hoodlum" (Loud)
33. KRS-One: "Step into a World (Rapture's Delight)" (Jive)
34. Freak Nasty: "Da Dip" (HardHood)
35. D.I.T.C.: "Day One" (D.I.T.C.)
36. Krumb Shatcha: "Gettin' Closer to God" (Mass in Action)
37. Big Mike: "Burban & Impalas" (Rap-a-Lot)
38. Mos Def, Tash & Q-Tip: "The Body Rock" (Rawkus)
39. Tela: "Tired of Ballin'" (Suave House)
40. Mr. Complex: "Visualize" (Raw Shack)

1998
1. Jay-Z: "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" (Roc-a-Fella)
2. Noreaga: "Superthug" (Penalty)
3. Big Punisher featuring Joe: "Still Not a Player" (Loud)
4. DMX: "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" (Def Jam)
5. Outkast: "Rosa Parks" (LaFace)
6. DMX featuring Sheek: "Get at Me Dog" (Def Jam)
7. Silkk the Shocker featuring Mystikal: "It Ain't My Fault" (No Limit)
8. Jay-Z featuring Amil & Ja Rule: "Can I Get a..." (Roc-a-Fella)
9. Jermaine Dupri featuring Jay-Z: "Money Ain't a Thing" (So So Def)
10. Juvenile: "Ha" (Cash Money)
11. Master P featuring Fiend, Silkk the Shocker, Mia X and Mystikal: "Make 'em Say Unngh!"(No Limit)
12. Redman: "I'll Bee Dat!" (Def Jam)
13. Lauryn Hill: "Doo Wop (That Thing)"/"Lost Ones" (Ruffhouse)
14. Noreaga: "N.O.R.E." (Penalty)
15. Pete Rock featuring Inspectah Deck & Kurupt: "Tru Master" (Loud)
16. Busta Rhymes: "Dangerous" (Elektra)
17. Def Squad: "Full Cooperation" (Def Jam)
18. Canibus: "Second Round K.O." (Universal)
19. Jayo Felony featuring Method Man & DMX: "Whatcha Gonna Do" (Def Jam)
20. Puff Daddy: "Victory"/"Been Around the World (Remix)" (Bad Boy)
21. E-40: "Hope I Don't Go Back" (Sick wid It)
22. Big L: "Ebonics" (Fat Beats)
23. Xzibit: "What U See is What u Get" (Loud)
24. Mystikal: "The Man Right Chea" (No Limit)
25. Snoop Doggy Dogg: "Still a G Thang" (No Limit)
26. Cam'ron: "357"/ "Pull It" (Untertainment)
27. Goodie Mob: "They Don't Dance No Mo" (LaFace)
28. Cam'ron featuring Mase: "Horse & Carriage" (Untertainment)
29. Flipmode Squad: "Cha Cha Cha" (Elektra)
30. Dilated Peoples: "Work the Angles"/"The Main Event"/"Triple Optics"(ABB)
31. Missin' Linx: "M.I.A." (Fat Beats)
32. A Tribe Called Quest: "Find a Way" (Jive)
33. Mase featuring Total: "What You Want" (Bad Boy)
34. Kurupt featuring Baby S: "We Can Freak It" (A&M)
35. 2Pac: "Do for Love" (Interscope)
36. Gangsta Boo featuring DJ Paul & Juicy J: "Where Dem Dollas At" (Relativity)
37. Timbaland featuring Magoo & Missy Elliott: "Here We Come" (Atlantic)
38. All City: "The Actual"/"Priceless" (MCA)
39. Sporty Thievz: "Cheapskate" (Ruffhouse)
40. Lootpack: "The Anthem"/"Lost Art"/"Likwit Fusion" (Stones Throw)

From Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists, by Sacha Jenkins, Elliott Wilson,Chairman Mao, Gabriel Alvarez & Brent Rollins, published 1999 by St.Martin's Griffin.

- - - - -

대학교 시절에 봤던 리스트인데, 다시 봐도 흥미롭다. '90년대 힙합 앨범의 발견과 감상에 큰 도움이 되었던 리스트이기도 하다. 이견이야 당연히 많겠지만, 공감할만한 순위도 확실히 많다.



1979-85
1. Run-D.M.C. (Profile '84)
2. L.L. Cool J: Radio (Def Jam '85)
3. Wild Style (Animal '83)
4. Live Convention '82 (Disco Wax '82)
5. Live Convention '81 (Disco Wax '81)
6. Fat Boys (Sutra '84)
7. Whodini: Escape (Jive '84)
8. Run-D.M.C.: King of Rock (Profile '85)
9. Treacherous Three (Sugarhill '84)
10. Mantronix: The Album (Fresh '85)
11. Malcolm McLaren & the World Famous Supreme Team: D'Ya Like Scratchin' EP (Island '82)
12. The Big Break Rapper Party (Sounds of New York '80)
13. The Fat Boys Are Back (Sutra '85)
14. Too $hort: Don't Stop Rappin' (75 Girls '85)
15. Crash Crew (Sugarhill '84)
16. Too $hort: Raw, Uncut & X-Rated (75 Girls '85)
17. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious 5: The Message (Sugarhill '82)
18. Kurtis Blow: Ego Trip (Mercury '84)
19. Too $hort: Players (75 Girls, '83)
20. Whodini (Jive '83)
21. Sugarhill Gang: 8th Wonder (Sugarhill '81)
22. Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde: The Champagne of Rap (Profile '85)
23. Def Mix Volume 1 (Pop Art '85)
24. Kurtis Blow (Mercury '80)
25. Sugarhill Gang (Sugarhill '79)

1986-87
1. Run-D.M.C.: Raising Hell (Profile '86)
2. Boogie Down Productions: Criminal Minded (B-Boy '87)
3. Beastie Boys: Licensed to Ill (Def Jam '86)
4. Eric B & Rakim: Paid in Full (4th & B'way '87)
5. Public Enemy: Yo! Bum Rush the Show (Def Jam '87)
6. L.L. Cool J: Bigger & Deffer (Def Jam '87)
7. Schoolly D: Saturday Night-the Album (Schoolly D '87)
8. 2 Live Crew: 2 Live Crew is What We Are (Luke Skyywalker '86)
9. Too $hort: Born to Mack (Jive '86)
10. MC Shan: Down by Law (Cold Chillin' 87)
11. Salt-n-Pepa: Hot, Cool & Vicious (Next Plateau '86)
12. Just-Ice: Kool & Deadly (Justicizms) (Fresh '87)
13. Whodini: Back in Black (Jive '86)
14. Dana Dame: Dana Dame with Fame ('87)
15. Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew: Oh My God! (Reality '86)
16. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince: Rock the House (Word Up '87)
17. Just-Ice: Back to the Old School (Fresh '86)
18. Stetsasonic: On Fire (Tommy Boy '86)
19. Masters of Ceremony: Dynamite (4th & B'way '87)
20. Kool Moe Dee: How Ya Like Me Now (Jive '87)
21. Schoolly D (Schoolly D '86)
22. Ice-T: Rhyme Pays (Sire '87)
23. Steady B: What's My Name (Jive '87)
24. Spoonie Gee: The Godfather (Tuff City '87)
25. MC Shy D: Got to Be Tough (Luke Skyywalker '87)

1988
1. Public Enemy: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (Def Jam)
2. N.W.A: Straight Outta Compton (Ruthless)
3. The Great Adventures of Slick Rick (Def Jam)
4. EPMD: Strictly Business (Fresh)
5. Boogie Down Productions: By Any Means Necessary (Jive)
6. Big Daddy Kane: Long Live the Kane (Cold Chillin')
7. Ultramagnetic MCs: Critical Beatdown (Next Plateau)
8. Eric B. & Rakim: Follow the Leader (Uni)
9. Biz Markie: Goin' Off (Cold Chillin')
10. Jungle Brothers: Straight Out the Jungle (Idlers)
11. Eazy-E: Eazy-Duz-It (Ruthless)
12. Run-D.M.C.: Tougher Than Leather (Profile)
13. MC Lyte: Lyte as a Rock (First Priority)
14. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince: He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (Jive)
15. Marley Marl: In Control Vol. 1 (Cold Chillin')
16. Salt-n-Pepa: A Salt with a Deadly Pepa (Next Plateau)
17. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: Road to the Riches (Cold Chillin')
18. Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew: The World's Greatest Entertainer (Reality)
19. Stetsasonic: In Full Gear (Tommy Boy)
20. 2 Live Crew: Move Somethin' (Luke Skyywalker)
21. Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud: Girls I Got 'em Locked (Elektra)
22. Life is...Too $hort (Jive)
23. King Tee: Act a Fool (Capitol)
24. Kid 'n Play: 2 Hype (Select)
25. Lakim Shabazz: Pure Righteousness (Tuff City)

1989
1. De La Soul: 3 Feet High & Rising (Tommy Boy)
2. Beastie Boys: Paul's Boutique (Capitol)
3. Jungle Brothers: Done by the Forces of Nature (Warner Bros)
4. Big Daddy Kane: It's a Big Daddy Thing (Cold Chillin')
5. The D.O.C.: No One Can Do It Better (Ruthless)
6. Geto Boys: Grip It! On That Other Level (Rap-a-Lot)
7. 3rd Bass: The Cactus Album (Def Jam)
8. 2 Live Crew: As Nasty as They Wanna Be (Luke)
9. Nice & Smooth (Fresh)
10. Biz Markie: The Biz Never Sleeps (Cold Chillin')
11. EPMD: Unfinished Business (Fresh)
12. Queen Latifah: All Hail the Queen (Tommy Boy)
13. L.L. Cool J: Walking with a Panther (Def Jam)
14. Special Ed: Youngest in Charge (Profile)
15. Chill Rob G: Ride the Rhythm (Wild Pitch)
16. Low Profile: We're in This Together (Priority)
17. MC Lyte: Eyes on This (First Priority)
18. Three Times Dope: Original Stylin' (Arista)
19. Stezo: Crazy Noize (Fresh)
20. Boogie Down Productions: Ghetto Music: the Blueprint of Hip-Hop(Jive)
21. Ice-T: The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech...Just Watch What You Say (Rhyme Syndicate)
22. Willie D: Controversy (Rap-a-Lot)
23. Heavy D & the Boyz: Big Tyme (Uptown)
24. Sir Mix-a-Lot: Swass (Def American)
25. Kwame: The Boy Genius featuring a New Beginning (Atlantic)

1990
1. Ice Cube: AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (Priority)
2. Brand Nubian: One for All (Elektra)
3. Public Enemy: Fear of a Black Planet (Def Jam)
4. N.W.A: 100 Miles and Runnin' EP (Ruthless)
5. EPMD: Business as Usual (Def Jam)
6. L.L. Cool J: Mama Said Knock You Out (Def Jam)
7. Eric B & Rakim: Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (MCA)
8. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: Wanted: Dead or Alive (Cold Chillin')
9. A Tribe Called Quest: People's Instinctive Travels & the Paths of Rhythm (Jive)
10. Gang Starr: Step in the Arena (Chrysalis)
11. Boogie Down Productions: Edutainment (Jive)
12. Above the Law: Livin' Like Hustlers (Ruthless)
13. X-Clan: To the East, Blackwards (Ruthless)
14. Ice Cube: Kill at Will EP (Priority)
15. Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth: Funky Technician (Wild Pitch)
16. Too $hort: $hort Dog's in the House (Jive)
17. Special Ed: Legal (Profile)
18. Digital Underground: Sex Packets (Tommy Boy)
19. King Tee: At Your Own Risk (Capitol)
20. K-Solo: Tell the World My Name (Atlantic)
21. Poor Righteous Teachers: Holy Intellect (Profile)
22. Masta Ace: Take a Look Around (Cold Chillin')
23. Digital Underground: This is an EP Release (Tommy Boy)
24. Compton's Most Wanted: It's a Compton Thang (Orpheus)
25. D-Nice: Call Me D-Nice (Jive)

1991
1. Efi4zaggin - N.W.A (Ruthless)
2. The Low End Theory - A Tribe Called Quest (Jive)
3. Breaking Atoms - Main Source (Wild Pitch)
4. De La Soul Is Dead - De La Soul (Tommy Boy)
5. Death Certificate - Ice Cube (Priority)
6. Cypress Hill - Cypress Hill (Ruffhouse)
7. A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing - Black Sheep (Mercury)
8. Quik Is The Name - DJ Quik (Profile)
9. Mr. Scarface Is Back - Mr. Scarface (Rap-A-Lot)
10. Soul Clap EP - Showbiz & AG (Payday)
11. Derelicts Of Dialect - 3rd Bass (Def Jam)
12. Bitch Betta Have My Money - AMG (Select)
13. All Souled Out EP - Pete Rock & CL Smooth (Elektra)
14. A Future Without A Past... - Leaders Of The New School (Elektra)
15. Naughty By Nature - Naughty By Nature (Tommy Boy)
16. Ain't A Damn Thing Changed - Nice & Smooth (RAL)
17. Apocalypse '91... The Enemy Strikes Black - Public Enemy (Def Jam)
18. Fruits Of Nature - UMC's (Wild Pitch)
19. I Wish My Brother George Was Here - Del The Funky Homosapien (Elektra)
20. We Can't Be Sopped - Geto Boys (Rap-A-Lot)
21. Penicillin On Wax - Tim Dog (Ruffhouse)
22. Mr. Hood - KMD (Elektra)
23. Straight Chekn' Em - Compton's Most Wanted (Epic)
24. Organized Konfusion - Organized Konfusion (Hollywood BASIC)
25. To Whom It May Concern... - Freestyle Fellowship (Sun)

1992
1. The Chronic - Dr. Dre (Deathrow)
2. In God We Trust - Brand Nubian (Elektra)
3. Daily Operationn - Gang Starr (Chrysalis)
4. Whut? Thee Album - Redman (Def Jam)
5. Stunts, Blunts & Hip Hop - Diamond D (Chemistry)
6. Bizarred Ride II The Pharcyde - The Pharcyde (Delicious Vinyl)
7. Check Your Head - Beastie Boys (Grand Royal)
8. Mecca And The Soul Brother - Pete Rock & CL Smooth (Elektra)
9. Runaway Slave - Showbiz & AG (Payday)
10. Dead Serious - Das EFX (EastWest)
11. Guerillas In The Mist - Da Lench Mob (EastWest)
12. Business Never Personal - EPMD (Def Jam)
13. The Predator - Ice Cube (Priority)
14. Way 2 Fonky - DJ Quik (Profile)
15. Blue Funk - Heavy D & The Boyz (Uptown)
16. Reel To Reel - Grand Puba (Elektra)
17. The Skills Dat Pay Da Bills - Positive K (Island)
18. Shorty The Pimp - Too $hort (Jive)
19. Music To Driveby - Compton's Most Wanted (Epic)
20. Sex And Violence - Boogie Down Productions (Jive)
21. Too Hard To Swallow - U.G.K. (Jive)
22. Spice 1 - Spice 1 (Jive)
23. Can I Borrow A Dollar - Common (Relativity)
24. House Of Pain - House Of Pain (Tommy Boy)
25. Don't Stop 'Til We Major - JT The Bigga Figga (Get Low)

1993
1. Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) - Wu-Tang Clan (Loud)
2. Midnight Marauders - A Tribe Called Quest (Jive)
3. Doggy Style - Snoop Doggy Dogg (Deathrow)
4. Buhloone Mind State - De La Soul (Tommy Boy)
5. Enta Da Stage - Black Moon (Nervous)
6. Return Of The Boom Bap - KRS-One (Jive)
7. Intoxicated Demons The EP - The Beatnuts (Relativity)
8. Bacdafucup - Onyx (Def Jam)
9. The Four Horsemen - Ultramagnetic MC's (Wild Pitch)
10. Tha Triflin' Album - King Tee (Capitol)
11. 21 & Over - Tha Alkaholis (Loud)
12. 93 'Til Infinity - Souls Of Mischief (Jive)
13. Slaughtahouse - Masta Ace (Delicious Vinyl)
14. The World Is Yours - Mr. Scarface (Rap-A-Lot)
15. You Better Ask Somebody - Yo Yo (EastWest)
16. No Need For Alarm - Del The Funky Homosapien (Elektra)
17. Tell Death Do Us Part - Geto Boys (Rap-A-Lot)
18. Get In Where You Fit In - Too $hort (Jive)
19. Black Sunday - Cypress Hill (Ruffhouse)
20. Comin' Out Hard - Eightball & MJG (Suave House)
21. Federal - E-40 (Sick Wid It)
22. Vagina Diner - Akinyele (Interscope)
23. Organix - The Roots (Remedy)
24. Here Come The Lords - Lords Of The Underground (Pendulum)
25. Represent - Fat Joe (Relativity)

1994
1. Illmatic - Nas (Colombia)
2. Ready To Die - The Notorious B.I.G. (Bad Boy)
3. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik - Outkast (LaFace)
4. The Sun Rises In The East - Jeru The Damaja
5. The Beatnuts - The Beatnuts (Relativity)
6. Resurrection - Common (Relativity)
7. 6 Feet Deep - Gravediggaz (Gee Street)
8. Stess : The Extinction Agenda - Organized Konfusion (Hollywood BASIC)
9. Hard To Earn - Gang Starr (Chrysalis)
10. Ill Communication - Beastie Boys (Grand Royal)
11. Somethin' Serious - Big Mike (Rap-A-Lot)
12. Tical - Method Man (Def Jam)
13. Creepin On Ah Come Up EP - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (Ruthless)
14. Do You Want More!!!??! - The Roots (Geffen)
15. The Diary - Scarface (Rap-A-Lot)
16. IV Life - King Tee (Capitol)
17. The Mailman EP - E-40 (Sick Wid It)
18. Dare Iz A Darkside - Redman (Def Jam)
19. On The Outside Looking In - Eightball & MJG (Suave House)
20. Fadnuf Fa Erybody - Odd Squad (Rap-A-Lot)
21. Super Tight... - U.G.K. (Jive)
22. Explicit Game - Dru Down (C-Note)
23. Playaz N The Game - JT The Bigga Figga (Get Low)
24. We Come Strapped - Compton's Most Wanted (Epic)
25. A Conspitated Monkey - Kurious (Columbia)

1995
1. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... - Raekwon (Loud)
2. The Infamous - Mobb Deep (Loud)
3. Liquid Swords - The Genius / Gza (Geffen)
4. Return To The 36 Chambers : The Dirty Version - Ol' Dirty Bastard (Elektra)
5. Coast II Coast - Tha Alkaholiks (Loud)
6. Soul Food - Goodie Mob (LaFace)
7. Me Against The World - 2Pac (Interscope)
8. Livin' Proof - Group Home (Payday)
9. Dah Shinin' - Smif-N-Wessun (Nervous)
10. KRS-One - KRS-One (Jive)
11. Dogg Food - Tha Dogg Pound (Deathrow)
12. Safe & Sound - DJ Quik (Profile)
13. 2000 - Grand Puba (Elektra)
14. In A Major Way - E-40 (Sick Wid It)
15. Curb Servin' - WC And The MAAD Circle (Payday)
16. E. 1999 Eternal - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (Ruthless)
17. Jealous One's Envy - Fat Joe (Relativity)
18. Mack 10 - Mack 10 (Priority)
19. Operation Stackola - Luniz (Noo Trybe)
20. True - Tru (No Limit)
21. Labcabincalifornia - The Pharcyde (Delicious Viny)
22. On Top Of The World - Eightball & MJG (Suave House)
23. Down And Dirty - The Click (Sick Wid It)
24. Dwellin' In Tha Labb - JT The Bigga Figga (Get Low)
25. Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous - Big L (Columbia)

1996
1. Reasonable Doubt - Jay-Z (Roc-A-Fella)
2. Ironman - Ghostface Killah (Razor Sharp)
3. Hell On Earth - Mobb Deep (Loud)
4. ATLiens - Outkast (LaFace)
5. The Score - Fugees (Ruffhouse)
6. Muddy Waters - Redman (Def Jam)
7. Firing Squad - M.O.P. (Relativity)
8. Stakes Is High - De La Soul (Tommy Boy)
9. Psychoanalysis (What Is It?) - Prince Paul (WordSound)
10. The Don Killuminati : The 7 Day Theory - Makaveli (Deathrow)
11. Enigma - Keith Murray (Jive)
12. Dr. Octagonecologyst - Dr. Octagon (Bulk)
13. The Coming - Busta Rhymes (Elektra)
14. All Eyez On Me - 2Pac (Deathrow)
15. Bow Down - Westside Connection (Priority)
16. Hard Core - Lil' Kim (Big Beat)
17. Illadelph Halflife - The Roots (Geffen)
18. Wrath Of The Math - Jeru The Damaja (Payday)
19. Tha Hall Of Game - E-40 (Sick Wid It)
20. Nocturnal - Heltah Skeltah (Duck Down)
21. Ridin' Dirty - U.G.K. (Jive)
22. The Resurrection - Geto Boys (Rap-A-Lot)
23. At The Speed Of Life - Xzibit (Loud)
24. Ice Cream Man - Master P (No Limit)
25. The Final Tic - Crucial Conflict (Universal)

1997
1. Life After Death - The Notorious B.I.G. (Bad Boy)
2. The War Report - Capone-N-Noreaga (Penalty)
3. Wu-Tang Forever - Wu-Tang Clan (Loud)
4. The Carnical - Wyclef Jean featuring Refugee Allstars (Ruffhouse)
5. Stone Crazy - The Beatnuts (Relativity)
6. Unpredictable - Mystikal (No Limit)
7. No Way Out - Puff Daddy & The Family (Bad Boy)
8. Ghetto D - Master P (No Limit)
9. Supa Dupa Fly - Missy Elliott (EastWest)
10. Unlady Like - Mia X (No Limit)
11. In My Lifetime, Vol.1 - Jay-Z (Roc-A-Fella)
12. Sex Style - Kool Keith (Funky Ass)
13. Funcrusher Plus - Company Flow (Rawkus)
14. When Disaster Strikes... - Busta Rhymes (Elektra)
15. Harlem World - Ma$e (Bad Boy)
16. The Art Of War - Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (Ruthless)
17. The 18th Letter : The Book Of Life - Rakim (Universal)
18. Back In Business - EPMD (Def Jam)
19. Jurassic 5 EP - Jurassic 5 (Rumble)
20. Tru 2 Da Game - Tru (No Limit)
21. Jewelz - O.C. (Payday)
22. The Untouchable - Scarface (Rap-A-Lot)
23. Based On A True Story - Mack 10 (Priority)
24. Da Dirty 30 - Cru (Def Jam)
25. Accept Your Own & Be Yourself (The Black Album) - No I.D. (Relativity)

1998
1. Moment Of Truth - Gang Starr (Noo Trybe)
2. Aquemini - Outkast (LaFace)
3. Vol.2... Hard Knock Life - Jay-Z (Roc-A-Fella)
4. The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill (Ruffhouse)
5. First Family 4 Life - M.O.P. (Relativity)
6. Still Standing - Goodie Mob (LaFace)
7. It's Dark And Hell Is Hot - DMX (Def Jam)
8. Doc's Da Name 2000 - Redman (Def Jam)
9. N.O.R.E. - Noreaga (Penalty)
10. Capital Punishment - Big Punisher (Loud)
11. El Nino - Def Squad (Def Jam)
12. MP Da Last Don - Master P (No Limit)
13. Life In 1472 - Jermain Dupri (So So Def)
14. Charge It 2 Da Game - Silkk The Shocker (No Limit)
15. Da Game Is To be Sold, Not To Be Told - Snoop Doggy Dogg (No Limit)
16. Retaliation, Revenge And Get Back - Daz Dillinger (Deathrow)
17. My Balls And My Word - Young Bleed (No Limit)
18. 400 Degreez - Juvenile (Cash Money)
19. The Shadiest One - WC (Payday)
20. The Element Of Suprise - E-40 (Sick Wid It)
21. ...A S.W.A.T. Healin' Ritual - Witchdoctor (Interscope)
22. Lost - Eightball (Suave House)
23. Life Or Death - C-Murder (No Limit)
24. Hte Dude - Devin (Rap-A-Lot)
25. Full Scale EP - Show & AG (D.I.T.C.)

- 중 1 때 KBS에서 방영하던 외화 정무문을 통해 처음 알게 됐던 배우이다. 당시 학급에서 절반 이상은 정무문을 시청했던 것으로 기억한다.

- 한동안 관심이 없었다가 대학생이 되어 액션 영화를 미친듯이 찾아보게 되면서 그가 주연을 맡은 영화를 하나둘씩 찾게 되었다.

- 현역 배우 중 가장 좋아하는 배우이며, 출연하는 영화는 다 챙겨 보고 있다.

- 오타쿠 기질이 발동했는지... 근 3년 동안 그가 활약했던 '80 ~ '90년대 영화까지 일일이 찾아보기에 이르렀다. 이런 식으로 공부를 했다면 지금쯤 석사-박사 과정을 밟고 있을텐데, 현실은 박봉으로 연명하는 평범한 직장인이다...


10년 단위로 좋아하는 영화는 다음과 같다.

'80년대:
- 정봉적수 (1985) - 댄스 머신 견자단. 상당히 충격적인(...) 영화였다.
- 예스마담 4: 직격증언 (1989) - 굉장히 가벼워 보이는 몸동작에 감탄하면서 봤던 영화.


정봉적수 (1985)



'90년대:
- 황비홍 2 (1992) - 이 영화를 보면서 이연걸보다 견자단을 더 좋아하게 됐다. 이연걸에게 패하고 죽을 것을 알면서도 끝까지 견자단 위주로 봤다. 견자단 때문에 황비홍 시리즈 중 가장 좋아하는 영화로 남게 됐다.
- 철마류 (1993) - '90년대 견자단 영화 중에서 액션 하나는 정말 최고. DVD 소장을 심각하게 고려했던 영화.
- 전랑전설 (1997) - 스토리는 개판인데, 처음으로 감독(+주연)을 맡은 작품이라 의미가 남다르다. 현기증 날 정도의 스피디한 액션이 가득하다.


황비홍 2 (1992)



2000년대:
- 하이랜더 4: 엔드게임 (2000) - 막말로 똥쓰레기 영화인데, 그의 첫 헐리우드 진출작이라 뽑아 봤다. 영화는 그야말로 쓰레기지만 견자단은 볼만하다.
- 살파랑 (2004) - 액션 씬이 많지는 않지만, 나오는 액션마다 최고. 견자단은 이 영화로 무술감독상을 수상했던 것으로 기억한다. 견자단의 2000년대 영화 중 도화선과 함께 가장 많이 봤던 영화.
- 용호문 (2006) - 의상이 최악(ㅠㅠ)이지만, 액션은 정말 괜찮았던 영화. CG가 많이 삽입됐지만, 정말 볼만한 장면이 많다. 석행우 스님이 화운사신 역할을 맡았던 것으로 알고 있는데, 견자단 못잖은 활약을 했다.
- 도화선 (2007) - 이종격투기에 관심 있는 사람이라면 누구나 좋아할만한 영화. 예성과의 격투 씬은 한 달 이상 촬영했다고 알려져 있다.
- 엽문 1 (2008) - 10대 1로 싸우는 장면을 수차례 돌려봤다. 워낙 잘 만들어서 속편에 아쉬움이 남을 수밖에 없었다.


도화선 (2007)



- '63년생이 아직도 이렇게 왕성한 활동을 하고 있다니 놀랍지 않은가. 그렇지만, 최근에는 너무 많은 영화에 출연하고 있어서 오히려 독이 되는 것이 아닌가 싶기도 하다.
- 돌이켜 보면 [명장 관우], [정무풍운진진], [금의위], [8인: 최후의 결사단] 등은 모두 기대 이하의 작품이었다.
- 그에게 [살파랑], [도화선] 만큼의 영화를 계속 기대하는 것이 무리는 아닐 듯한데, 최근 영화의 대부분이 범작으로 분류되는 것 같아 괜히 안타깝다.
- 좋은 작품 골라서 대박났으면 좋겠다.

※ 2011년 웹진 리드머(http://www.rhythmer.net)에 기재한 글.

01. Enter The Adonai (Intro)
02. Rock Wit Us (feat. Planet Asia)
03. No Brainer
04. Undergods Roll
05. 129
06. Freestyle A Chorus
07. The Guilty Will Pay (feat. Crooked-I & Erick Sermon)
08. Stop Frontin'
09. Follow El Shaddai
10. Supreme Lyrical Being
11. Show Em' What Crazy Is (feat. Tech N9ne)
12. Torsion Fields
13. We Blakout Too
14. Gotta Be Real (feat. Urban Rose)
15. The Princes Of Persia
16. Secret Weapons
17. Rise Of The Machines
18. Tetragrammaton Gods (feat. Born Sue & Joe The Butcher)

Record Label : RBC RECORDS
Released Date : 2011-05-31
Reviewer Rating : ★★★☆

하드코어 랩(Hardcore Rap)의 달인들이 뭉쳤다. 꾸준히 범작을 양산하는 인물로 전락한 캐니버스(Canibus)와 한동안 밥은 먹고 다니는지조차 알 수 없었던 키스 머레이(Keith Murray)가 의기투합했다. 우선, 녹록치 않은 현실에 대해 냉정하게 이야기하자면, 이들은 분명히 '랩의 달인'들이 맞긴 맞는데, 예전 같지 않은 인지도와 명성으로 이제는 기억하고 있을 대중이 몇이나 될지조차 의문인 상태이다. 하지만, 언더가즈(Undergods)라는 프로젝트로 2009년에 EP를 발매하며 두 실력자가 명예 회복에 나섰다는 사실에, 나는 하드코어 랩의 마니아로서 귀가 솔깃하지 않을 수가 없었다. 뿐만 아니라, 올해는 이 프로젝트 그룹이 드디어 정규 앨범을 발매하기에 이르렀으니, 들어보는 것이 당연하지 않겠는가. 마이크를 박살내겠다는 직설적인 타이틀부터 심상치가 않다.

음반을 한 번만 들어봐도 하드코어 랩 마니아들을 타깃으로 작심하고 만든 앨범임을 알 수 있다. 앞서 말한 것처럼 제목부터 심상치 않은 기운이 느껴지는 가운데, 내용물은 정말 지독하기(?) 짝이 없다. 캐니버스와 키스 머레이는 그들 자신을 'Burnout Brothers(에너지를 소진시켜버리는 형제들)'라 칭하며 온 몸의 에너지를 쏟아 붓는다. 거친 하이톤 보이스 랩이 수시로 교차할 뿐, 보컬리스트의 목소리가 삽입된 곡은 단 한 곡("Gotta Be Real")에 불과하다. 키스 머레이의 영원한 동반자 에릭 셔먼(Erick Sermon), 제이크 원(Jake One), 언더그라운드 프로듀서 슈코(Shuko) 등이 제공하는 비트는 미니멀함과는 거리가 멀고, 두 래퍼의 광기 어린 랩은 청자에게 좀처럼 쉴 틈을 주지 않는다.

하드코어 랩 마니아들이 열광하기엔 부족함이 없지만, 허점을 짚고 넘어가지 않을 수는 없다. 배틀 랩과 무차별적인 라이밍을 밥 먹듯이 반복하는 두 남자의 열변은 이따금 프로덕션의 힘을 능가하기에 이르며, 몇몇 곡에서 캐치하게 되는 허약한 코러스는 두고두고 아쉽다. 속사포 랩의 선두주자 테크 나인(Tech N9ne)의 멋진 지원 사격에도 불구하고, 강력하지 않은 코러스로 아쉬움을 사는 "Show Em' What Crazy Is"가 단적인 예라고 할 수 있다. 제이크 원(Jake One)의 완벽한 비트로 두 주인공의 파워풀한 랩을 확실하게 뒷받침하는 "Undergods Roll"과 같은 곡이 다수 포진됐다면, 프로덕션과 완벽한 조화가 이루어지지 않았을까 싶다.

하지만 앞서 언급했듯이 본 앨범은 완벽함보다는 팬들이 원하는 것에 초점을 맞춘 작품이다. 우리는 본 작을 통해 박력 넘치는 랩을 무려 한 시간 동안이나 감상할 수 있다. 구성과 조화에 있어 완벽하진 않지만, 방향성만큼은 정말 확실하다. 키스 머레이의 목소리를 듣고 있으면 철제 의자를 날리던 오래전의 일이 아직도 뇌리를 스치며, "Secret Weapons"의 첫 번째 벌스(verse)를 듣다 보면 랩을 하다 마이크를 잘근잘근 씹어버릴 것처럼 무서운 기세의 캐니버스가 눈앞에 아른거린다. 언더가즈는 스피디한 극악의 랩을 자랑하는 에미넴(Eminem)과 로이스 다 파이브 나인(Royce Da 5' 9")의 프로젝트 배드 미츠 이블(Bad Meets Evil), 찰떡 콤비의 모범 답안을 제시했던 레드맨(Redman)과 메쏘드맨(Method Man) 등 성공으로 귀결됐던 타 프로젝트와 견주어도 손색없을 뿐만 아니라, 뚜렷한 방향성으로 그들과 차별화할 수 있는 무기를 지녔다. 연말에 선정할 '올해의 앨범'으로는 부족하겠지만, 만약 '올해의 하드코어 랩 앨범' 부문이 있다면 수위를 차지할만한 음반이다. 이 정도면 캐니버스와 키스 머레이의 건재함을 천명하기에는 부족함이 없다.

※ 2011년 웹진 리드머(http://www.rhythmer.net)에 기재한 글.

01. Start the Show (feat. Raekwon and RZA)
02. Laced Cheeba (feat. Ghostface, Sean Price and Trife Diesel)
03. Diesel Fluid (feat. Method Man, Trife Diesel and Cappadonna)
04. Played By The Game
05. The Black Diamonds (feat. Ghostface, Roc Marciano and Killa Sin)
06. Legendary Weapons (feat. Ghostface, AZ and M.O.P.)
07. Never Feel This Pain (feat. Inspectah Deck, U-God and Tre Williams)
08. Angels Got Wings
09. Drunk Tongue (feat. Killa Sin)
10. 225 Rounds (feat. U-God, Cappadonna, Bronze Nazareth and RZA)
11. Meteor Hammer (feat. Ghostface, Action Bronson and Termanology)
12. Live Through Death
13. Only the Rugged Survive (feat. RZA)
14. Outro

Record Label : E1 Entertainment
Released Date : 2011-07-26
Reviewer Rating : ★★★☆

'09년 발매되어 소기의 성공을 거둔 [Wu-Tang Chamber Music]에 이어, 2년 만에 또 하나의 우-탱 컴필레이션 앨범이 발표됐다. 쿵푸를 랩과 비트로 이미지화하고자 한 [Legendary Weapons]가 그것이다. 일단 이번 앨범은 트랙리스트만 봐도 전작의 구성 방식을 고스란히 따르고 있음을 짐작할 수 있다. 전작과 마찬가지로 노아 루빈(Noah Rubin)이 프로듀싱, 믹싱, 엔지니어링 전반에 걸쳐 참여했을 뿐만 아니라, 음산한 분위기의 인터루드(interlude)와 정식 트랙이 교차하는 전개 방식도 전작과 동일하다. 심지어 우-탱의 몇몇 멤버(GZA와 Masta Killa)가 개인적인 이유로 참여하지 않은 것까지 전작과 똑같다. [Wu-Tang Chamber Music] 시절 브루클린의 라이브 밴드 레벌레이션스(The Revelations)와 함께했던 작업과정만이 이번 앨범과 차이점일 뿐, 붕어빵처럼 똑같은 전개가 이루어진다.

전개 방식은 차치하고 정식 트랙을 살펴보면, 전반적으로 만족스럽다. 어두운 느낌의 건반 음이 깔리는 가운데 우-탱의 멤버들과 게스트들의 랩이 줄을 잇는다. 앨범의 하이라이트는 "225 Pounds"와 "Meteor Hammer"로 이어지는 중후반부이다. "225 Pounds"는 앨범에서 우리가 익히 알고 있는 우-탱 클랜 특유의 박진감 있는 느낌을 가장 잘 살린 트랙이며, "Meteor Hammer"는 고스트페이스 킬라(Ghostface Killah)와 터매널러지(Termanology)의 랩이 돋보이는 곡이다. 특히, 터매널러지의 물 흐르듯 깔끔한 랩을 만끽할 수 있는 40여 초의 시간은 앨범에서 가장 찬란하게 빛나는 순간이다.

하지만 역설적으로 이렇게 게스트들이 우-탱 클랜의 멤버들을 압도하는 사례가 계속 재현되면서 이거이 곧 앨범의 맹점이 되어버리고 만다. 터매널러지를 비롯하여 트라이프(Trife Da God), 엠오피(M.O.P.) 등의 게스트들이 우-탱 클랜의 이름을 달고 나온 앨범의 주인공으로 탈바꿈하는 상황은 컴필레이션 앨범임을 감안하더라도 아쉬운 대목이다. 그나마 고스트페이스 킬라가 나름대로 비중 있는 역할을 해내고, 뒤늦게 르자(RZA)가 "Only The Rugged Survive"라는 트랙에서 고군분투하는 모습을 보여주지만, 게스트들이 달궈 놓은 분위기를 단번에 뒤바꾸기에는 역부족이다.

전작과 똑같은 형태를 취하는 재탕 컴펠레이션 앨범임과 동시에, 게스트가 앨범을 주도하는 사태가 벌어지기도 하지만, 매 트랙마다 흐르는 비트와 랩은 꽤 견고하다. 앞서 지적한 결점이 존재한다는 이유로 [Legendary Weapons]가 '엉성하게 만든 컴필레이션 앨범'이라고 폄하할 수준의 작품은 절대 아니라는 얘기다. 하지만 이 앨범이 과연 우-탱 클랜 디스코그래피의 일부를 장식할 앨범이라고 당당하게 말할 수 있을지는 의문이다. 사실 이렇게 다분히 의도적으로 만든 컴필레이션 앨범은 [Wu-Tang Chamber Music] 한 장만으로도 충분했다. 이제 팬들이 원하는 것은 이러한 컴필레이션 앨범의 연이은 발매가 아니라, 핵심 멤버가 두루 참여한 정식 우-탱 클랜 앨범일 것이다. 아무쪼록 심혈을 기울여 만든 정규 앨범이 계획된 날짜(내년)에 맞춰 발매되길 기대해본다.

※ 2011년 웹진 리드머(http://www.rhythmer.net)에 기재한 글.

01. Zoo Drugs
02. Random Call
03. Black Ops (feat. Fat Ray)
04. Chewbacca (feat. Roc Marciano)
05. The Hex
06. Understand This
07. Everybody, Nobody, Somebody
08. Jahphy Joe (feat. Melanie Rutherford & Danny Brown)
09. The Karate Kid
10. Never Back Down
11. Monster Babies
12. Shirley C (feat. Fatt Father)
13. Another One (feat. Rock & Trick Trick)
14. 4 In The Box
15. Outro Smoutro

Record Label : Duck Down
Released Date : 2011-06-14
Reviewer Rating : ★★★★

블랙 밀크(Black Milk)는 최근 힙합 씬에서 가장 왕성하게 창작물을 양성하는 프로듀서 중 한 명이다. 솔로 앨범의 연이은 성공에 안주하지 않고 동분서주하다보니, 이제는 5장 이상의 콜라보레이션 앨범까지 발매하기에 이르렀는데, 올해의 콜라보레이션 프로젝트는 랜덤 액스(Random Axe)이다. 랜덤 액스는 2년 전에 출범한 프로젝트로, 블랙 밀크와 함께 디트로이트 힙합을 대표하는 래퍼 길티 심슨(Guilty Simpson), 그리고 붓 캠프 클릭(Boot Camp Clik) 진영의 션 프라이스(Sean Price)가 의기투합하여 결성한 그룹이다.

멤버의 면면을 파악하는 순간부터 디트로이트와 뉴욕의 만남이라는 낯간지러운 문구가 떠오르게 되는 이 그룹이 완성된 셀프 타이틀의 앨범을 공개하기까지는 2년이 걸렸다. 하지만, 저마다의 영역에서 검증된 실력을 갖추고 있는 삼총사는 기다려 왔던 이들을 결코 실망시키지 않는다. 40분가량의 러닝 타임으로 이루어진 [Random Axe]를 듣고 나서 단번에 와 닿는 느낌은 '자유로움'이다. 앨범을 듣고 있으면 그 어느 것에도 구속받지 않고 자신들이 하고 싶은 것을 마음껏 펼쳐놓았다는 느낌에 사로잡힌다. 블랙 밀크는 세션의 운용을 도맡음과 동시에 때로는 랩을 하기도 하는데, 여느 때와 다를 바 없이 꼼꼼한 비트 메이킹을 유지하면서 랜덤 액스라는 프로젝트가 결코 허투루 만든 것이 아님을 입증한다. 션 프라이스와 길티 심슨은 스피디하지는 않지만, 귀에 쏙쏙 박히는 라임으로 점철된 랩을 거의 매 트랙마다 구사하며 블랙 밀크의 비트에 화답한다.

미니멀한 비트로 이루어진 "Understand This"와 "Everybody, Nobody, Somebody"로 이어지는 중반부가 앨범의 하이라이트라 할 수 있는데, 두 곡 중에서도 세 멤버가 각각 'Everybody, Nobody, Somebody'로 시작하는 가사를 유창하게 읊조리는 "Everybody, Nobody, Somebody"가 가장 인상적이라고 할 수 있다. 전반적으로 로우(raw)한 드럼과 일렉트로닉 사운드를 곁들인 블랙 밀크의 사운드 운용이 빛을 발하는 가운데, 트랙의 끝자락에 이를 때마다 30초 정도 색다른 비트로 선회하는 기교를 보여주기도 한다. 블랙 밀크 본인뿐만 아니라 피트 락(Pete Rock) 등이 해왔던 이러한 작법은 일종의 '과시'에 가까워 보이기도 하지만, 절대 얄밉지가 않다.

길티 심슨의 솔로 랩으로 이루어진 "Never Back Down", 그리고 2년 전 공개됐던 "Monster Babies"를 지나며 후반부에 이르면 힘이 다소 떨어지긴 하나, 앨범은 전체적으로 준수한 완성도를 보여준다. 세 명의 재주꾼이 각자의 위치에서 최선을 다했으며, 게스트의 비중을 최소화하여 주객전도의 우를 범하지도 않았다. [Random Axe]는 초절기교의 랩과 화려한 색채의 사운드에서 벗어나 차분하게 워드플레이를 만끽하고 싶을 때 제격인 음반으로 기억될 것이며, 블랙 밀크는 이 프로젝트를 통해 '잘 나가는 디트로이트 프로듀서'라는 포지션에서 계속 순항하게 될 것이다.

금요일 밤에 우연히 찾게 된 후부터 계속해서 듣고 있다.
속된 말이지만 "쩐다"는 표현은 이럴 때 제격이다.

※ 2011년 웹진 리드머(http://www.rhythmer.net)에 기재한 글.

01. Intro
02. Beatnuts Forever - (featuring Triple Seis/Marlon "Perro" Manson)
03. Muchachacha - (featuring Willie Stubz/Swinger)
04. I Love It
05. Slam Pit - (featuring Cuban Link/Common)
06. Wild, Wild, What! - (interlude)
07. Look Around - (featuring Dead Prez/Cheryl Pepsi Riley)
08. Cocotaso - (featuring Tony Touch)
09. Monster For Music
10. Spelling Beatnuts With Lil' Donny
11. Puffin' On A Cloud
12. Turn It Out - (featuring Greg Nice)
13. Rated R - (featuring Nogoodus)
14. Who You're Fuckin' Wit - (interlude)
15. Story 2000 - (featuring Patrick Blazy)
16. Watch Out Now
17. You're A Clown - (featuring Biz Markie/Tyler Fernandez)
18. Buddah In The Air - (featuring Carl Thomas/Gob Goblin)
19. Se Acabo (It's Over) - (featuring Magic Juan/Swinger)

Record Label : Relativity/Loud/Epic
Released Date : 1999-08-10
Reviewer Rating : ★★★★☆

힙합 음악을 만드는 사람 중에 디깅(Digging)과 샘플링(Sampling)에 대하여 진지하게 고민하지 않는 이는 단 한 명도 없을 것이다. 예전에 비해 작법이 다양해지긴 했지만, 기본적으로 힙합을 만드는 원동력은 기존 작품의 발견을 통해 이루어지는 재활용 혹은 재창조이며, 많은 이가 이러한 기본 논리를 전제로 하고 고민에 고민을 거듭한 끝에 결과물을 내놓는다. 하지만, 돌이켜보면 이렇게 매년 우후죽순으로 쏟아져 나오는 힙합 앨범 중에서 '창조적'이라는 수식어를 붙여도 손색없을 작품은 과연 몇이나 될까 하는 의구심이 생길 때가 있기 마련이다. 문득, 소장하고 있는 '99년의 힙합 앨범을 열거해 봤는데, 그러한 의심의 영역에서 가장 자유로운 앨범이 눈에 들어왔다. 바로 비트너츠(The Beatnuts)의 [A Musical Massacre]이다.

비트너츠의 멤버 주주(JuJu)와 싸이코 레스(Psycho Les)는 각각 도미니칸-아메리칸, 콜롬비안-아메리칸 출신으로, 이러한 자신들의 배경을 음악에 고스란히 반영하고자 했다. 이들은 시대에 맞춰 자신들의 스타일을 변화시킨 듀오로도 유명한데, 거리의 냄새로 가득했던 초기의 앨범('90년대 초중반)과 지금 말하는 [A Musical Massacre] 시절의 앨범을 비교해 보면 바로 이해가 가능하다. 비트너츠의 '90년대 말은 라틴 음악을 기반으로 한 샘플링을 토대로, 본격적으로 상업적 노선을 타기 시작한 시기라고 요약할 수 있다. 'Sex and Weed' (+Party)로 간단하게 정리되는 가사를 뒷받침하는 비트는 결코 라틴 음악을 기반으로 한 샘플링에서 그치지 않는다. 훵크(funk), 소울(soul), 그리고 타 힙합 음반에서 따온 턴테이블 리릭까지 골고루 첨가하여 재창조의 혼을 불어넣는다. 여기에 다양한 퍼커션(percussion)의 대동과 창의적인 드럼 루프의 운용까지 더해진다. "Beatnuts Forever"에서 변칙적 드럼 루프와 "Turn It Out"에서 퍼커션은 양질의 재료를 잘 버무린 힙합 음악의 모범사례라고 말해도 과언이 아니다.

앨범 전반에 걸쳐 원곡과 비교를 통해 훌륭한 샘플링의 사례를 찾을 수 있는 재미가 쏠쏠한 가운데, 후반부에는 앨범을 대표할만한 곡이 등장한다. 바로 "Watch Out Now"이다. 비트너츠를 소개하는 콘텐츠에서 아직도 'Get Money, Get Money!'의 음성이 함께하는 것만 보더라도 "Watch Out Now"의 파급력이 어느 정도였는지는 짐작이 갈 것이다. 대중에게는 훗날 제니퍼 로페즈(Jennifer Lopez)를 비난할 빌미를 제공한 곡으로 잘 알려져 있지만, 그에 앞서 비트너츠의 출중한 재능을 함축적으로 담고 있다는 평가를 받는 명곡이다. 그 외에도 스페인어와 영어가 혼재된 싱글 "Se Acabo", 주주와 싸이코 레스가 짧은 마디의 랩을 주거니 받거니 하는 "I Love It" 등도 빼놓을 수 없는 명곡이다.

[A Musical Massacre]는 마치 풍성한 밥상을 연상케 하는, 모범적인 샘플링의 흔적이 가득한 앨범이다. 그러다보니 타인에게 비트너츠를 소개할 때 가장 먼저 추천할만한 음반이 되기도 한다. 단지 상업적으로 가장 성공했기 때문이 아니다. 비트너츠만의 작법이 정점을 찍었을 때가 '90년대 말이고, 그 시기에 탄생한 가장 완성도 높은 앨범이기 때문이다. 또한, 비트 메이킹, 특히 파티용 사운드의 제작에 관심이 있는 사람이라면 반드시 참고해야 할 앨범이라고도 할 수 있다. 많은 세월이 흐른 지금, 힙합 씬의 후발주자들이 비트너츠의 발자취를 답습하고 있는 모습을 보면서 우리는 비트너츠가 남긴 산물의 위력을 다시금 실감할 수 있다.