Pac Da Great - This Is How Da Pimp'in Goes

Pac Da Great - This Is How Da Pimp'in Goes

Raphael Mathis, better known as Pac Da Great, was an artist from the notorious neighborhood of Adamsville in Atlanta, GA. Pac made a name for himself on the West side of town as an upcoming rapper and a well established pimp. Well renowned artists such as Ludacris and Killer Mike, both credit Pac as a major influence on them. Killer Mike, who is from the same neighborhood as Pac, cites him as a mentor while Ludacris was one of the few disc jockeys to give Pac's material a meaningful rotation in the underground club scene. After serving a stint in the state prison, Pac hooked up with Virgil "Da Brain" Brannon and Marcus "Lil' Bo" Skrine of Get Funky Records. This Is How Da Pimp'in Goes is his debut album and it was released in 1994 on the aforementioned label. Production in its entirety is handled by Private Eye and it is quite excellent to say the least. His encoding pattern is very funk and bass driven. This results in a melodic overdose of smooth bass lines which are fused with groovy guitar licks and finished off with some twangy keyboard strokes. This sort of flavorful approach sets the right foundation for the artist and certainly tips its' hat to the division of Southern Funk. The producer and the artist also decide to include a few cuts that pay homage to the Bass scene which was really prominent in Atlanta during the early nineties. The record is also lyrically potent. Pac is very resilient upon the microphone and it shows in his rhymes. His laid back tone and the pimp tight persona are something to behold. His impeccable delivery is also accompanied with some strong word play which in turn makes for an exceptional combination. Although his approach is methodical and some might even say basic but there is never a dull moment in the verses. Subject matter is pretty much kept in the "Pimps & Macks" category but there are times where the artist will leave this comfort zone and that is where he truly excels. He also makes some bold statements regarding the pimps in the neighboring state of Tennessee, Orange Mound Memphis to be exact. While he does not say any names, one can easily sense that he is referring to the legendary duo known as, 8-Ball & MJG. Guest appearances are made by Code 3, Private Eye, Big Roe and Donata Echols. All in all, this was a formidable release and it is one that definitely left its mark on the genre of Southern Rap. Not only because of the compelling content but also because of the untimely and tragic demise of Pac Da Great. According to his mother Cassie Mathis, Pac was killed in a car accident on September 27th, 1996. He was the passenger in the vehicle and was ejected on impact. His body was then crushed by a fleet of Semi Trucks. He was only twenty five years old. Rest in peace to one of Atlanta's finest.

Deadly Verses
Maintain


Bend One In My Lack ft. Private Eye & Donata Echols

II Nations - Trapped In The System

II Nations - Trapped In The System

II Nations is a duo that represents from the wild neighborhood of South Park in Houston, TX. It consists of Showtyme and K-Swift. One might remember Showtyme due to his later prominence in the H-Town rap scene but this release will remind the listeners of is his raw and humble beginnings. Trapped In The System is their debut album and it was released in 1994 on Suspect Records. Production is handled by the masterful John Swift, while being assisted by Don Honoree and Byron Hordge. The beats are a classic example of mid nineties Texas funk. Not only are the groovy on the ears but are also hard and edgy in composure. They display various construction properties such as sampling, scratching, and most importantly, proper mixing. Lyrics are also of worthy of praise. The two members bring upon a diverse force upon the microphone. For example, Showtyme is more blunt and strikes the listener with his powerful voice meanwhile K-Swift is a bit laid back in demeanor and his smooth delivery and overall tone is easy going. Also, the two rappers have great chemistry together and can feed off of each other with ease. Guest appearances are made by Grimm, Papa Reu, Endo, Pistol Grip, Gangsta Profile and Broken English. All in all, this was a decent release that closes out with eleven tracks. Subject matter progresses into various categories such as, the communal struggle, the overwhelming poverty and lastly, the judicial injustice. Overall, it's a strong release by the duo. It has plenty of quality content and timeless material. Even with some of these advantages, the release could not garner any type of meaningful attention. The duo ended up disappearing for a while before Showtyme reemerged in the late nineties and is still present in the music industry today. As for K-Swift, things were not so fortunate, aside from a couple guest spots, he ended up leaving the music scene altogether. In any way, what's important is what they accomplished together and that happens to be a fine work art, that not only oozes style but also gives a good sense of realism.

Deadly Verses
Sit Back Relax


Album Notes
* A big thanks goes out to save_undaground and syko187 for providing this one.
* Since this is a tape only release some sound quality issues are to be expected.

Tha Murda Weapon - A Rare Breed

Tha Murda Weapon - A Rare Breed

Tha Murda Weapon is a duo that represents from the notorious neighborhood of Hamilton Park in Dallas, TX. It consists of Shorty Da Man and Jay Mac. The two are best known for their prolific work on their second album, "Thank You." A Rare Breed is their debut album and it was released in 1994 on Shorty Records. Since this is a tape only release some sound quality issues are to be expected. As always, Shorty Da Man provides all the production and brings his style of Texas funk to the table. The beats rely heavily on samples and tend to be somewhat generic. There are some flashes of brilliance musically and then there are times when the overall rhythm foundation is just very mundane. This could be because of lack of proper equipment or it could be the fact that the group was still trying to come up. Whatever the case maybe, the end result is still passable and certainly playable. Lyrically the tape fares quite well. Both members are proficient on the microphone and their unforgiving styles go hand in hand. Their rhymes are delivered at a steady pace and are constant with word play. They have good chemistry between each other and its quite evident throughout the whole record. Featuring on the tape is Jaicanblo. Overall this was a decent effort but it is nowhere near their second release. "Thank You" is in a league of its own but its not hard to see the groups' evolution from this release. Although this was just a humble beginning for the group, it still steered them in the right direction. And while the core content does differ somewhat, this tape still deserves a spot in every Southern Rap collection.

Deadly Verses
Dedication ft. Jaicanblo

Chono - B-Mov-N A-Round

Chono - B-Mov-N A-Round

Chono is a rapper and producer who hails from the rough streets of Dallas, TX. He represents for the sub genre known as Chicano Rap. He is regarded as one of the early artists for that genre and is also credited for forming the Chicano movement in the Dallas & Ft. Worth area. B-Mov-N A-Round is his debut album and it was released in 1994 on his own label known as, Outta Da Blue Records. Production is solely done by Chono, himself and it is quite bland to say the least. The beats seem to have been cut & pasted together and the whole foundation sounds very dry. A good number of them are sample driven and no real instruments are used in the creating process either. Lyrically the album is mediocre at best. Chono's tone is very dull and could literally lull one to sleep. Word play is used but at a truly modest level. Rhymes are delivered at a fixed rate and they are certainly lacking energy as well as enthusiasm. The album finishes with a meager total of nine tracks which turns out to be a blessing in disguise. Although, Chono would have a very tough time competing against his counterparts in Houston, such as South Park Mexican, Grimm, Lifestyl and many others, this release should still be looked upon as a humble beginning for the artist. Now the record won't take home any awards but it still deserves a honorable mention due to the fact that Chono was one of the first Hispanic rappers to represent for Dallas.

Deadly Verses
Suspect


Album Notes
* A big thanks goes out to the homie malick for providing this one.
* Chono would later change his alias to Chono Brown.
* He would then reappear in 2003 with the album, South Coast Ryda.

K Squad - Realmz Of Da Bushez

K Squad - Realmz Of Da Bushez

K Squad is a group that hails from Fort Lauderdale, FL. The three members represent out of the Broward County in Florida and they are known as Scarab One, Clembone and Kilo. As a trio they serve up music for the sub genre called, Ragga Hip Hop. It is basically a fused blend of Reggae and Hip Hop music which originated in Jamaica but quickly spread to the Virgin Islands and the coastal regions of Florida. Realmz Of Da Bushez is their debut album and it was released in 1994 on Atlantic Records. The production is handled by Hugo "Boss" Diaz and he is assisted by his older brother, Luis Diaz who provides all the mixing. It is suffice to say that the production exceeds all expectation. It takes the two genres listed above and seamlessly provides a strong backbone for the record. The hard hitting drums are meshed with some scintillating synths and the two are supplied as the primary production pattern. The Squad wastes no time and quickly attack the tracks laid out for them. Each member brings a unique style to the microphone and never shy away from it. Their demeanor and personalities tend to feed off of each other while their rhymes are equally wicked and rough. The lyrics are delivered with precision and attention is also given to explicit word play. This artistry is displayed over a total of fourteen tracks and certainly leaves the listener craving for more. Although the record was generally dismissed for it's roguish nature, it still is quite clear to see the creativity that is displayed. All in all it's an excellent effort by the trio, especially considering the time period of the album. Being released in the year 1994 and presenting such content that is not conventional and or approved by mainstream personal definitely requires heart and a different mindset. Going above and beyond the traditional or ordinary style is always a feat in it's own.

Deadly Verses

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Fesu - War With No Mercy

Fesu - War With No Mercy

Yusef Cross, better known as Fesu, is a rapper who hails from the prominent district of Greenspoint in Houston, TX. He is a talented lyricist and also a well known activist for the honorable, Nation Of Islam. War With No Mercy is his debut album and it was released in 1994 on Continuum Records. The record in its entirety is produced by Ronald "T.K." Mims and is arranged by the local activist, Quanell X. The beats are an intricate display of funky guitars, groovy bass lines and emphatic drums. Also the samples are wisely chosen and the end result definitely exceed expectations. On the other hand, Fesu is an absolute brute on the microphone. His rhymes are a direct portrayal of a young man facing adversity in day to day life. Whether its the racial tensions in the city or the ever growing drug epidemic, Fesu takes the listener through a rough and rugged ride with his assault on the microphone. Guest appearances are made by Mr. Loc, Bobby Womack and Minister Robert Muhammad. Overall this release is held in high regards, mainly due to the genuine core content that is presented over fourteen solid tracks. Not only did it put young Fesu in the national limelight but it also help solidify him as an artist. An artist that is not easily swayed by material possessions or belongings but one that is adept at speaking the truth, regardless of Billboard charts or record sales.

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Mad Flava - From Tha Ground Unda

Mad Flava - From Tha Ground Unda

Mad Flava is four man crew from Dallas, TX. It consists of Cold Chris, Erich "Hype Dawg" Krause, DJ Baby G and Don Kassan. It is a group that focuses specifically on rhyming technique and lyrical flow. They tend to give off that east coast hip-hop vibe with their style of production and even the delivery of their lyrics. From Tha Ground Unda is their debut album and it was released in 1994 on Priority Records. All the production duties are assigned to Erich Krause while DJ Baby G provides the mixing and scratching. Since the beats are mostly derived through the process of sampling, the producers make sure they put the keyboards and the drum machines to good use. In the end, the beats turn out to be very crisp and completely entertaining. Lyrically the record is solid and all four members contribute. They show a lot of emphasis toward their flows and project them with clever word play. Cold Chris seems to be the more dominant member but the rest of them are not too far behind. Featuring on the album is Docta Ling and Goldie "The Mack Mother." All in all the record delivers a good product and shows great poise. Although the group seemed to be headed in the right direction, Priority Records somehow ended up mismanaging them. Everything from licensing the samples to distribution issues and lack luster promotional marketing all led to the group fading into the depths of the underground. Also, with no follow up release in sight, the members became disgruntled and eventually fell apart. To their credit though, what they did release as a group was something far more astonishing and rewarding.

Deadly Verses

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Tim Smooth - Straight Up Drivin' Em

Tim Smooth - Straight Up Drivin' Em

Tim Smooth is rapper from the Kennedy Heights area in New Orleans, LA. He is also credited for being one of the pioneers of the southern rap movement that emerged from Louisiana. Tim is known for his vocal delivery and laid back persona, both of which happen to be undeniably smooth, appropriately fitting his rap alias. Straight Up Drivin' Em is his sophomore effort and it was released in 1994 on Rap-A-Lot Records. Production duties are assigned to the masterful Leroy "Precise" Edwards and Mark "Too Cool" Marine. Together they unleash an onslaught of melodic rhythms that tend to keep ear drums as hostages. Tracks upon tracks are laced with such beautiful precision that not only makes them original but also very captivating, musically. Tim's vocal artistry can be ranked with some of the greatest of all time. His soothing dialect, combined with vile word play, accompanied by a spell binding delivery turns each lyric into a destructive force. His natural ability to catch a beat in mid stride is truly a feat one must hear to witness his power over the microphone. Guest spots are courtesy of MC Thick, Bust, and Playache'. Overall the record is held in high regards and is one that can withstand the harshest of storms. It is a genuine work of art and a masterpiece that embodies the city of New Orleans perfectly. Tragedy struck on July 26th, 2011 when Tim Smooth passed away at the young age of only 39. He was battling cancer to the mouth and tongue. Although Tim is in a happier place now, he will always be remembered here as a legend and as a man who gave it his all every time he grabbed the mic. Rest in peace to the Knight from Kennedy Heights.

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E. Vicious - Going For My Propers

E. Vicious - Going For My Propers

E. Vicious also known as just Vicious, is a rapper from Lake Charles, LA. He is one of the dominant members of the group called, X-Mob and is also a long time affiliate of the infamous Underground Kingz. Vicious can be considered by many to be a true pioneer of the southern underground scene. Him and his group have collaborated with many artists from the southern region, Texas and Louisiana to say the least. Going For My Propers is his debut solo album and was released in 1994 on Roach Town Records. Production is assigned to Sharntii Baheth, Delario "To-To" Dillard, and Terry "Red" Redman. The production quality is truly top notch on this project. Instruments have been beautifully meshed with each another and melodies are presented in a very crisp manner. Some sampling is used but it is kept to a minimum. The producers never sway from the southern funk formula and seem to provide it ever so generously. On the microphone, Vicious can be best described for his rough tone and aggressive persona, hence his name. His tone is free of boredom and he can spit it at a decent rate. His southern drawl is very eminent and gives this record its' own flavor. There is one guest appearance on this joint and it belongs to Toad. All in all this six track effort is definitely worth a listen and should be coveted for the originality. The album's style is not only unique but also sort of refreshing and that could be the very reason Vicious was caught by the eye of the legendary Underground King, Pimp C (R.I.P.).

Deadly Verses

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Insane Klan - Never Fear Death

Insane Klan - Never Fear Death
Insane Klan is a group from the notorious 5th Ward in Houston, TX. It consists of three members who are under the aliases Hollow Point, Bullet Proof, and Top Dawg. Never Fear Death is their debut effort and it was released in 1994 on Dolla Bill Records. The production in its' entirety is superbly done by Lamar "Big Boss" Burks. The beats are made with pure underground harmony and carry that hard edged street sound. A full variety of instruments which are all rhythmically correct are also on display here. By incorporating this method the producer made sure his work will stand the lengthy test of time. The three members waste no time and jump viciously on the dope tracks provided for them. All three are true lyricist. This can easily be seen by their different personalities and confident delivery methods. They attack the microphone with ruthless ambition and savagely rip through the core of the record. Also the chemistry between the trio is also worth taking a note of. Since this is a tape only release, one can expect the quality to be a little dim. With that being said that still should not discourage the listener because the sum of this eight track album is much greater than what is depicted. Overall the group put out a genuinely commendable effort but one that never received any kind of attention. Maybe it was the rough and roguish nature of the record or it could have been the menacing demeanor of the three vocalists. But in all honesty, it is very admirable that the record still sounds amazingly alluring today, as it did back then in 1994.

Deadly Verses

Goin' Insane

P.K.O. - Tha Good, Tha Bad, Tha Mafia

P.K.O. - Tha Good, Tha Bad, Tha Mafia
P.K.O. is a group from San Antonio, TX. Their name stands for Pounds, Keys and Ounces. It originally started off with Pony J and Magic Mark. Later on the group added more members like K-Sam and Kottonmouth. This is their fourth album and it was released in 1994 on Youngsta Records. Production was handled by Magic Mark, K-Mac, Dave Rosenblad and Mike E.D. The beats carry that southern funk sound and they certainly compliment the lyrics well. Both members deliver with utter energy and their rhymes are straight out of explicit territory. The energy is kicked off from the first track and maintains the same level of intensity to the last one. Featuring on the album is Ron C and C-Lo. All in all the album displays various mastery of skills and it does not fall short. It was also considered as an important step in the groups' commencement.

Deadly Verses
Nino (Rox II Riches 2)

Papa Chuk - The Badlands

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Papa Chuk is a rapper from Austin, TX. He is known for his prolific style of delivery which fuses elements of reggae and rap. The Badlands is his debut album and it was released in 1994 on Pendulum Records. Production is managed by Double D of the Wreckshop, Tony Dofat, Scratch God, O.C. Rodriguez, Kevin and Amelia Moore. The beats carry woozy synths and solid hooks. They are made genuinely and they definitely compliment the artist. The lyrics are raw and aggressive. His rhymes are certainly original and are a display of his unorthodox style. Features are by The Texas Posse, Butch Cassidy, All The Above and Champ MC. Although the album contains bona fide material and it was a legitimate effort, it did not prosper due to its rough nature.

DJ Hard - Inhale My Flow

DJ Hard - Inhale My Flow
DJ Hard is a rapper/producer from Bedford, TX. He has also resided in Kansas City, MO. He was a member of the Slick Muzik Click and this is his debut solo album. It was released in 1994 on Paulstarr Records. The banging production is done by DJ Hard himself. He compiled the tracks with excessive bass lines and also puts samples to good use. The beats can definitely bump in the trunk and they tend to be very enjoyable. The rhymes are especially reputable as well. They contain efficient word play and stay diverse through out the record. Overall the album sustains commendable content and it was certainly ahead of its time. Also all listeners should adhere to the warning printed on the album cover.

Criminal Elament - Hit 'Em Where It Hurt

Criminal Elament - Hit 'Em Where It Hurt

Criminal Elament is a group from the northside of Houston, TX. The members are June Bugg, Lil' 5th, Ice Water Slaughter, Ice Picc, Lil' Rascal and DJ Free. This is their debut album and it was released in 1994 on Dead Game Records. This is a short release but still tight nonetheless. DJ Free did an excellent job producing the beats on this record. Group members also contributed with commendable lyrics and complex flows. Criminal Elament went on to release one more album in 1996 and eventually split up. Some of the members also have solo records.

Deadly Verses
Life Of A Youngsta