Flashback Friday: Rakim and Busta Rhymes
Happy New Year playas! With the somewhat mediocre 2014 behind us, 2015 gives hip hop a clean slate to wow fans with powerful, memorable music. Let’s hope these two albums provide some inspiration.
Rakim, The 18th Letter (1997)
Nick Birdsong hit me up recently extolling the virtues of this album. Rakim revolutionized rap in the late ’80s with partner Eric B but his 1997 debut project showed that he’s a potent force on his own.
Also check out:
Busta Rhymes, E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front (1998)
I swear, back in the late 90s every other rap album predicted that the world would blow up and descend into anarchy at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1, 2000. It’s 15 years later and the only time we’ve seen that level of mass chaos was during the premier of Sorority Sisters on Vh1. Anyway, Busta’s 1998 album may have incorrectly predicted the downfall of society but it’s easily his best album to date.
Also check out:
“Tear da Roof Off”/”Party Is Goin’ on Over Here”
“What’s It Gonna Be!?” featuring Janet Jackson
Now, it’s your turn. Email soulinstereoblog@gmail.com hit me up on Twitter @etbowser, or stop by the comments section and share your Flashback Friday album. Leave a couple of sentences describing what makes it so great. I’ll feature your album on the blog.
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