US Rap Classics 201 Items

LIMITED EDITION COLORED 7" BOX SET WITH 60 PAGE BOOK AND 30TH ANNIVERSARY TRADING CARDS PACK

Thirty years ago on November 9, 1993, The RZA, The GZA, Raekwon The Chef, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, Method Man and Ghostface Killah formed like Voltron and set off the worldwide movement of the Wu-Tang Clan.

To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the release of Wu-Tang Clan's classic 1993 debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Get On Down, in partnership with Sony's CERTIFIED and the RZA, is issuing a new limited edition box set of the album pressed on six split black and yellow 7-inches housed in a custom canvas wrapped Wu-Tang album art box with a printed outer slip case.

Box Set contains:

-The full album on six split black and yellow colored big hole 7-inch records in printed full color inner sleeves.

-A 60 page liner notes book titled The Shaolinothology featuring RZA input / interviews, extensive research by journalist Chris Faraone, album lyrics, rarely-seen photos and other rare images from the Enter The Wu-Tang era, plus new additional photos by Wu-Tang album cover photographer Danny Hastings.

-A pack of 30th Anniversary 36 Chambers Trading Cards featuring never-before-seen photos by photographer Danny Hastings. The trading cards are only available in this box set.

Bahamadia’s 1996 debut album Kollage is rightly regarded as one of the greatest rap albums of the 1990s. For the first time ever, Be With present the definitive double LP version of this eternal hip-hop classic, including the legendary "Path To Rhythm" which never appeared on the original LP or on vinyl, anywhere. An indelible VIBE from start-to-finish, Kollage presents Bahamadia's swirling rhymes delivered with an irresistibly butter flow and razor-sharp assuredness over a steady slew of smoothed-out, jazzed-up, blunted beats. Achingly cool and effortlessly funky throughout, it's an absolute must for true 90s hip-hop fanatics.

The entire Kollage project was recorded at D&D Studios and the ties to Gang Starr are keenly felt, with DJ Premier producing five tracks in addition to the killer songs Guru had already produced with her. Working with the cream of the mid-90s East Coast sound, Kollage is, accordingly, a record that demonstrates a varied musical taste with disparate influences, as Bahamadia has previously stated: “The title Kollage was a reflection of my state of mind. I first got interested in music from playing my parents’ and grandparents’ records, as well what I heard on the radio. I wanted Kollage to reflect that diversity both lyrically and sonically."

With intelligent, poetic lyricism and a laconic verbal style bursting with both warm texture and deceptive energy, Bahamadia’s flow was as inspired by Aretha and Nancy Wilson as it was Q-Tip, Schoolly D and Lady B. Swaggering out the gate, "WordPlay" finds Bahamadia confidently showcasing her considerable old-school battle-rhyme skills over a Guru beat that utilises an infectiously bouncy bassline with splashes of sultry jazz horns and a Jeru vocal snatch for the hook. Up next, the quietly shimmering and ruggedly beautiful "Spontaneity" is one of the most alluring on the record, Da Beatminerz crafting a brilliantly soulful and jazzy soundscape for Bahamadia's effortless vocals to float across. It's followed by "Rugged Ruff", where the rapper carefully constructs a swift off-beat flow over Premier's raw jazzy fire.

With smooth spacey synth vibes overseen by former Geto Boys producer N.O. Joe, "I Confess" is, without question, a fly love song and soothing (p)-funk groove. "UKNOWHOWWEDU" is an airy, chilled tribute to her hometown. Produced by Ski Beatz & DJ Redhanded, it rides a gloriously mellow break. It's a true Philly anthem, shouting out a who’s who of the entire city’s scene. Early banger "Total Wreck" follows, presenting a murky Guru instrumental elevated by jazzy horns. Bahamadia invokes the title's suggestion, firing her brilliant bars more aggressively than we’re accustomed to. More Beatminerz-brilliance comes in the way of "Innovation", an opportunity for the MC to invoke Freestyle Fellowship in her forward-thinking and literary verses. "Da Jawn" features hometown buddies The Roots, with Black Thought gliding into a back-and-forth with Bahamadia over ?uestlove’s warm, snapping percussion. With the strut club banger "True Honey Buns (Dat Freak Sh*t)", DJ Premier provides some laidback vibrant boom bap for Bahamadia to share a wild, cautionary tale about a night out with her girl, Kia.

Fan favourite "3 Tha Hard Way" is a hypnotically sinister cut, with Bahamadia, K-Swift and Mecca Star taking star turns to coast over DJ Premier’s raw beat whilst the tender "Biggest Part Of Me" is a heartfelt stunner dedicated to her son. Incredibly, only the European and Japanese CD versions of Kollage was released with the brilliantly breezy “Path To Rhythm”, featuring Ursula Rucker. Whilst ostensibly a "bonus track", it's anything but, to our ears. Very much in sonic conversation with KRS-One's stretched-out sleeper classic "Higher Level", it's absolutely essential so we had to include it, appearing on wax for the first time here, exclusively. Quite a coup.

Somewhat predictably, whilst Kollage was released to significant critical acclaim, it suffered from disappointing sales. In the intervening years - and for far too long - it was a criminally underrated record, an increasingly hidden gem. We hope this double LP reissue - which looks and sounds amazing - will go some way to correct this. This 2024 Be With double LP re-issue has been mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, cut by Cicely Balston and pressed at Record Industry. It's too bold and beautiful to remain overlooked and underserved.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Snoop Dogg's multi- platinum Doggystyle, heralded as one of the most important albums of all time, Death Row Records will be bringing this back to retail with the original 1993 track listing on vinyl. This new 30th Anniversary edition will include the track "Gz Up, Hoes Down" which has not been on the album since it's pressing in 1993. For new and old fans alike, this is the definitive version of the classic album that launched Snoop's solo career and helped define the sound of Los Angeles in the process.

Pressed ON Blue Swirl AND Orange Swirl Colored Vinyl Packaged IN A Gatefold Jacket With Printed Fold OUT Lyrics Sheet Originally released in the fall of 1993 Return of the Boom Bap is KRS-One's first official solo album. The album is pure 90's Hip-Hop filled with KRS-One's trademark conscious raps and storytelling with boom bap beats from the man himself, DJ Premier, Showbiz, and Kid Capri. The album kicks off with a Preemo trademark intro leading into "Outta Here", a tale about coming up in the 80s with a message to emcees not staying true to their roots. Throughout the album KRS-One tackles corrupt police, fake emcees, religion and provides some comical relief on "I Can't Wake Up" where he dreams about being a blunt passed around by a who's who of 90s emcees and Bill Clinton! The album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums and received a 4 four mics rating in The Source in 1993. Get On Down is proud to present a limited edition pressing of Return of The Boom Bap to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the blast master's classic debut solo album. Includes the bonus freestyle track "Hip-Hop vs Rap" that was on the original "Sound of Da Police" 12-inch.

Classic boom bap sound in a fresh dress for 2024! Agent Dan & Mr Mile finally teamed up, linked their MPCs, chooped stacks of records and pushed buttons to create some unique muffled and bassy, but full and warm soundscapes! The result are 13 straight banging beats featuring a variety of dope international MCs and polished with tight cutted hooks. The shhhh you wanna hear!

Reissue to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the legendary album - in limited edition for the first time again with "Gz Up, Hoes Down"!

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Snoop Dogg's multi-platinum album 'Doggystyle', considered one of the most important albums of all time, Death Row Records is re-releasing the album on vinyl with the original tracklist from 1993. This new 30th anniversary edition will feature the track 'Gz Up, Hoes Down', which has not been on the album since it was pressed in 1993. For fans new and old, this is the ultimate version of the classic track that launched Snoop's solo career and helped define the sound of Los Angeles.

The latest dose of verbal illness from Godfather Don, produced by Debonair P. Featuring 4 new tracks on the A side and 4 remixes on the flip. Comes on black vinyl in a picture sleeve.

Reissued on vinyl for the first time since its original release in 2006. The landmark 2006 album that showcased Brooklyn's legendary hip hop collective with their original lineup for the first time since their 1997 debut LP "For the People." Buckshot, Smif-N-Wessun, Heltah Skeltah, and O.G.C. sound as raw as ever over a hall-of-fame production lineup including beats by Pete Rock, Large Professor, Da Beatminerz, 9th Wonder, Marco Polo, and more.

Limited to 200 copies. Originally released on June 3rd, 1997, Coalmine Reissues in partnership with 420 Music is pleased to announce this first ever reissue of Teflon’s debut LP, My Will. As a member of M.O.P.’s First Family, Teflon first made his bones in the late ’90s New York rap scene, where he was first heard on M.O.P’s sophomore offering, Firing Squad. The following year, Teflon would go onto release his long awaited debut LP. Standing at ten tracks, My Will allowed for fans to further discover the artistic range of the gruff-voiced lyricist hailing from Brownsville. Surprisingly, the record offered a contrasting style from the hardcore sound listeners have come to from M.O.P. Nonetheless, the Brooklyn native provides plenty of roughnecks, braggadocio flavor and surprisingly meaningful rhymes. But it’s perhaps most notably the strength of his delivery that allows Teflon to carry My Will from start to finish. In “Sh*t Happens,” an incarcerated Teflon calls to check in with his girl over woeful strings coupled with a moody bassline. Never out of our sight are M.O.P.’s Lil Fame and Billy Danze, who spew their aggressive rhymes on a few tracks—most notably, the crunching “Rawness”—while adding their menacing voices to a number of the choruses, and supply the most punishing beats on the album (“My Planet,” “Ni**a What”). My Will is a promising first effort that preceded the Brooklyn rapper’s buzz, which would reach its pinnacle in 2000 for his appearance on M.O.P's "Ante Up (Remix)” alongside Busta Rhymes and then fledgling star, Remy Ma. This cameo led to a deal with Def Jam Recordings that was brokered by Teflon’s long time friend, DJ Premier. After a turbulent transition within the company, Teflon’s Def Jam debut failed to see the light of day, and the Brooklyn rapper took a much needed hiatus from the industry, where he would return in 2023 with his well-received sophomore LP, 2 Sides To Every Story, produced by both DJ Premier, along with talented up and comer, Jazimoto.

Classic Cube album. Must have album for a great price.

Quantity: 3500
Release type: 'RSD First' Release

3 Feet High and Rising is the debut studio album by hip-hop trio De La Soul, and was released on March 3, 1989. It marked the first of three full-length collaborations with producer Prince Paul, which would become the critical and commercial peak of both parties. It contains the singles, “Me Myself and I”, “The Magic Number,” “Buddy,” and “Eye Know”. The album title came from the Johnny Cash song “Five Feet High and Rising”. It is listed on both Rolling Stone’s 200 Essential Rock Records and The Source’s 100 Best Rap Albums. When Village Voice held its annual Pazz & Jop Critics Poll for 1989, 3 Feet High and Rising was ranked #1. It was also listed on Rolling Stone’s The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Released amid the 1989 boom in gangsta rap, which gravitated towards hardcore, confrontational, violent lyrics, De La Soul's uniquely positive style made them an oddity beginning with the first single, “Me, Myself and I.” Their positivity meant many observers labeled them a “hippie” group, based on their declaration of the “D.A.I.S.Y. Age” (Da. Inner. Soul. Yall). Sampling artists as diverse as Hall & Oates, Steely Dan and The Turtles, 3 Feet High and Rising is often viewed as the stylistic beginning of 1990s alternative hip hop (and especially jazz rap). 3 Feet High & Rising was chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry for its cultural significance and general excellence.

This special boxset release of De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising includes twelve 7” custom singles pressed on splatter vinyl and housed in custom sleeves, housed in a box that includes a 7” pinup and a double-sided 7” slipmat, and is available first at record stores as part of RSD Black Friday. "

Quantity: 2000
Release type: RSD Exclusive Release

Soul Food Is Coming To RSD Black Friday In A Clear With Orange And Black Splatter Pressing Housed In A Gatefold Jacket With A Full Color OBI Strip

Before "Crazy" with Gnarls Barkley, CeeLo Green was an integral member of Goodie Mob. The group’s 1995 release Soul Food helped put Southern hip hop on the map - right down to being the moment the term "Dirty South" was first used. Features from OutKast’s Big Boi and Andre 300 only solidify this as being one of the true gems of Southern hip hop. This Southern classic is now presented in a unique colored vinyl run just for RSD Black Friday.

Formed by Toronto DJ/ producers K.Cut, Sir Scratch, and Brooklyn MC/producer Large Professor, Main Source was one of the seminal groups of the East Coast’s hip-hop scene in 90’s. The original trio’s first and only album Breaking Atoms, was released in 1991 to critical and commercial acclaim, before Large Professor left the group. They recorded a second album, The Science, and even ran ads for it in The Source, before the group’s breakup led to its indefinite shelving. Until now! P-vine Records is proud to announce that we’re giving The Science its long deserved official release, almost three decades after it was initially set for release. This gem among gems of 90’s hip-hop, which had never seen so much as a bootleg release, is going to be released on CD, Analog vinyl (1xLP and 1xLP+7 Inch), and cassette tape. With tracks such as “Bootleg”, “Raise Up, “Time (Alternate Mix)”, and “Hella Vision”, taken from master tapes owned by the three original members, as well as well-loved classics like “Fakin’ The Funk” and “How My Man Went Down In The Game”, this record is sure to be killer. Large Professor’s flows are as smooth and lyrical as ever, and the sample-heavy beats that the producers lay down are supreme. Trust me when I say, that this is one record you’re not going to want to miss.

Grammy®-nominated hip-hop pioneer Warren G is a Long Beach rapper who formed the legendary group 213 (named after the city's area code) with Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg, who went on to collaborate with step-brother Dr. Dre on The Chronic (providing the samples for 'Nuthin' But a G-Thang') and contribute the track 'Indo Smoke' with Mista Grimm and Nate Dogg on the Poetic Justice soundtrack. After a lively bidding war, Warren signed to Def Jam, which released his debut album, Regulate... G Funk Era in 1994, with the title track climbing to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. In celebration of Def Jam's 30th Anniversary UMe will be releasing a '20th Anniversary Extended Edition' version with three new EDM remixes by Destructo & Wax Motif, Photek and Jauz.

Limited to 2000 copies worldwide.

Pressed on Double colored vinyl in a gatefold jacket with 25 Year Anniversary commemorative OBI limited TO 2000 Copies Big Pun remains on the best rappers ever list to this day. Reasons for this weigh largely on his debut Capital Punishment which was released 25 years ago on April 28, 1998. His commanding voice and rapid fire delivery make it clear there will never be another Big Pun. Pun was New York. His confidence on the mic made him stand out among his contemporaries. Similarly, the production -- by a cast of many – remains ever so New York loyal. The close cousins "Im Not a Player" and "Still Not a Player", may have been the hits off this album but it is packed with so many more that show Pun's true abilities.

"Beware" and "Dream Shatterer" are great examples of Big Pun at his best, dark cinematic production with just enough room to let him breathe fire. On "Twinz (Deep Cover)" Big Pun is trading bars with his mentor Fat Joe over a remake of Dr. Dre's classic beat. Here Pun delivers one of his most quoted verses that contains among others "Dead in the middle of Little Italy little did we know that we riddled some middlemen who didn't do diddly." There are numerous guest appearances, the best of which include aforementioned Fat Joe (on several tracks), Black Thought of The Roots on the MC showcase "Super Lyrical", Prodigy and Inspectah Deck on "Tres Leches (Triboro Trilogy)", and an extra-insane Busta Rhymes on "Parental Discretion".

To commemorate the 25th Anniversary Get On Down is proud to present this limited edition that contains a new colored 2xLP presing in a brand new gatefold package with a double sided OBI that folds out into a mini poster. Available for preorder now and shipping in October.

In celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, the iconic Def Jam Recordings brings us some of its classic repertoire on vinyl in a spectacular “fruit punch” variant – a color emblematic of its longstanding association with Def Jam. Some titles include Public Enemy’s Yo! Bum Rush the Show, Ludacris’ Word of Mouf, Method Man’s Tical, and Slick Rick’s The Great Adventures of Slick Rick.

Limited edition of 300 copies on classic black wax!

Amsterdam native Truffel The Phunky Phaqir is back on da block. A true talented producer on the hand and now a gifted MC on the other as "Dysphunktional" marks the very first release with Truffel behind the boards as well as on the microphone. Dig the classic boombap with tons of Jazz plus features by BlabberMouf, Mad Rev and Capital J.

In celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, the iconic Def Jam Recordings brings us some of its classic repertoire on vinyl in a spectacular “fruit punch” variant – a color emblematic of its longstanding association with Def Jam. Some titles include Public Enemy’s Yo! Bum Rush the Show, Ludacris’ Word of Mouf, Method Man’s Tical, and Slick Rick’s The Great Adventures of Slick Rick.

Pressed ON Orange Colored Vinyl With Hand Numbered OBI Limited TO 1000 Copies 2023 is the year of Too $hort at Get On Down with our 4th reissue and album number 7 in the catalog of the Bay Area legend. Shorty The Pimp was released 31 years ago on July, 14, 1992 and has not been in print since we originally reissued it on wax in 2018. Taking the title from the incredibly rare 1973 Blaxploitation film, Too $hort does what he does best on Shorty The Pimp: funk beats, boastful braggadocio, a few conscious rhymes and layers of straight up pimp talk. The lyrical content can certainly be considered comical and entertaining. Shorty The Pimp is also a stand out project for producer Ant Banks who did many of the beats for the project, his first working with Too $hort with many more to follow over the next decade.

In celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, the iconic Def Jam Recordings brings us some of its classic repertoire on vinyl in a spectacular “fruit punch” variant – a color emblematic of its longstanding association with Def Jam. Some titles include Public Enemy’s Yo! Bum Rush the Show, Ludacris’ Word of Mouf, Method Man’s Tical, and Slick Rick’s The Great Adventures of Slick Rick.

HHV worldwide exclusive limited to 1000 copies.

Gravediggaz: "Digging graves of the mentally dead and resurrecting their state of unawareness and ignorance." Frukwan describes the meaning of the group's name. Helping give birth to hip-hop’s subgenre of Horrorcore and one of hip-hop's first supergroups, Gravediggaz were born at a time when all four members were at low points in their careers. Already one of hip-hop’s most legendary producers, Prince Paul was at a crossroads in his career resulting in experimenting with darker sounding beats. He recruited a young soon to be legendary producer RZA, who was at a different type of crossroads in his career, not having the best experiences with various labels and before going on to start the global phenomenon that is The Wu-Tang Clan. Also added were Frukwan, a former member of Stetsasonic with Paul, and Too Poetic, a young MC navigating his way in the game after creating underground buzz with his 2 brothers and their short lived group the Brothers Grym and before his unfortunate death from colon cancer. The four transformed themselves into The Undertaker (Paul), The RZArector (RZA), The Gatekeeper (Frukwan) and The Grym Reaper (Too Poetic) to form Gravediggaz. On 6 Feet Deep the group utilize horror-themed imagery and lyrics combined with black comedy and satire to vent their frustrations with the hip-hop record industry. Singles "Diary of a Madman," "Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide" and "1-800 Suicide" lead an onslaught of tracks which The Quietus writer David Bennun
described as "a then novel means of addressing black life at street level [and] finding a new way of getting that message across". Production is mostly handled by Paul with RZA handling a few tracks. Highly regarded and still sought after, this pressing comes in a premium gatefold jacket with only 1000 of this classic available on blood red vinyl at HHV.

In celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, the iconic Def Jam Recordings brings us some of its classic repertoire on vinyl in a spectacular “fruit punch” variant – a color emblematic of its longstanding association with Def Jam. Some titles include Public Enemy’s Yo! Bum Rush the Show, Ludacris’ Word of Mouf, Method Man’s Tical, and Slick Rick’s The Great Adventures of Slick Rick.

In celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, the iconic Def Jam Recordings brings us some of its classic repertoire on vinyl in a spectacular “fruit punch” variant – a color emblematic of its longstanding association with Def Jam. Some titles include Public Enemy’s Yo! Bum Rush the Show, Ludacris’ Word of Mouf, Method Man’s Tical, and Slick Rick’s The Great Adventures of Slick Rick.

Indie Exclusive Black Vinyl Edition.
AOI: Bionix is De La Soul's sixth full-length album, released on December 4, 2001. The first single, "Baby Phat" featuring Yummy Bingham and Devin the Dude, was an ode to larger sized women. Elsewhere, "Held Down", featuring Cee-Lo, found Posdnuos in an introspective mood as he mused on fatherhood, religion, and fame. Slick Rick also made an appearance on "What We Do (For Love)"; a humorous song about puberty and sexual discovery. The album featured skits with a character by the name of Reverend Do Good, which worked as social commentary as well as the intros and outros of the songs. The final Reverend Do Good skit acts as one final advertisement for Ghost Weed as heard on De La Soul's previous album, Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump. A mischievous teenager takes a hit of the substance, then morphs into Slum Village frontman J Dilla, who provides the intro and outro to the marijuana-themed song "Peer Pressure" (which he also produced).

Indie Exclusive Black Vinyl Edition.

180 gram audiophile vinyl / SECOND STUDIO ALBUM BY TR LUV, DJ MOE LUV, KOOL KEITH, CED GEE AND TIM DOG / FEATURING THE SINGLES “POPPA LARGE AND “MAKE IT HAPPEN” / FOR THE FIRST TIME AVAILABLE AS 2LP-SET

Ultramagnetic Mc’s is composed of TR ‘Funky’ Luv, DJ Moe Luv on the one and two’s, Kool Keith, producer Ced Gee and occasionally Tim Dog. Their second studio album Funk Your Head Up was released in 1992, representing the foundation of Hip-Hop. Culled off the album are singles “Poppa Large” and “Make It Happen” plus tracks by Kool Keith’s “Pluckin’ Cards”, “Dolly And The Rat Trap”, the diss track “You Ain’t Real” about rapper Freddie Fox, skits, mad beats, and outlandish lyricism. Funk Your Head Up was originally only available as a 1LP but is now available as a 2LP-set for the first time

180 gram audiophile vinyl / GOLD CERTIFIED ALBUM FEATURING THE SINGLES “FUNKY BEAT”, “ONE LOVE” AND “GROWING UP” / PRODUCED BY LARRY SMITH / LIMITED EDITION ON SMOKEY COLOURED VINYL

About the Artist
Back in Black is the third album by American hip hop group Whodini. The album was certified Gold in the US and spawned three singles; “Funky Beat”, “One Love” and “Growing Up”. All singles charted in Billboard’s Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop Songs. Like the group’s previous work, Back In Black is produced by Larry Smith, who also co-produced with Russell Simmons on Run-DMC. Back In Black is available as a limited edition on smokey coloured vinyl. Tracklist: Side A: 1. Funky Beat 2. One Love 3. Growing Up 4. I’m A Ho Side B: 1. Fugitive 2. Echo Scratch 3. Last Night (I Had A Long Talk With Myself) 4. The Good Part

SOURCED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES AND PRESSED ON MOFI SUPERVINYL
1/2" / 30 IPS analogue master to DSD 256 to analogue console to lathe



Run-D.M.C.'s Raising Hell remains the turning point at which hip-hop crashed through mainstream barriers and never left. Anchored by the crossover smash "Walk This Way," the 1986 blockbuster still sounds like a revolution unfolding in real time. It has everything – hard-rock riffs, turntable scratching, itchy rhythms, hit singles – not the least of which are the trio's invigorating raps and inseparable chemistry. And now it's the first rap record afforded audiophile treatment, courtesy of Mobile Fidelity.

Sourced from the original master tapes and pressed on MoFi SuperVinyl, the reissue label's numbered-edition 180g 33RPM SuperVinyl LP elevates Raising Hell to sonic heights on par with its musical and cultural significance. Ranked the 123rd Greatest Album of All Time by Rolling Stone, 43rd on Pitchfork's Greatest Albums of the 1980s, one of the Top 100 Albums of All Time by TIME – and included on "Best of" lists by Spin, Paste, XXL, Entertainment Weekly, and basically every other significant media outlet – the triple-platinum effort rocks the house.

Benefitting from the ultra-low noise floor and groove definition of SuperVinyl, Raising Hell unleashes a torrent of massive dynamics and tsunami of frequency-plumbing details underlined by Rick Rubin's taut, crisp, albeit raw and streetwise production. Just as the Queens-based group both defined what hip-hop could represent – and displayed just how big it could get – Rubin's work melded ear-worm hooks, savvy drum loops, metal-leaning guitars, and, of course, Run and D.M.C.'s cross-fire lyrical interplay into watertight frameworks bursting with ideas, tones, samples, and beats. Heard anew on Mobile Fidelity vinyl, Raising Hell is in every regard the aural equivalent of a direct-to-console 1970s classic. And it sounds as fresh as hell.

As for the music, it ranks among the most influential, inventive, and invigorating ever released – rap or otherwise. Vanguard artists such as Ice-T, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Public Enemy's Chuck D – who declared it his all-time favorite and "the first record that made me realize this was an album-oriented genre" – have testified on behalf of its brilliance. And never mind the presence of the Top 5 single "Walk This Way," whose power helped make Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry relevant for the first time in nearly a decade – and literally put Run-D.M.C. in bedrooms ranging from the Bronx to Bartlett to Bad Axe.

Look instead to the rest of the entirely filler-free set, be it the corkscrew turns, slippery wordplay, and "My Sharona"-meets-"Mickey" mixology of the boisterous "It's Tricky," the fat-but-minimized bass grooves and warped turntable wobble of the hysterical "You Be Illin'," chimes-accented inertia and boombox-on- shoulder thunder of the now-iconic "Peter Piper," or voice-as-percussion attack of the funky "Is It Live." With Raising Hell, the answer to the question is always affirmative – a sensation bolstered by the fact the group always had something to say.

The definition of Golden Age Hip-Hop in every way, Run-D.M.C. avoids the negativity and misogyny that later plagued the style, spinning assertive tales about identity (the biographical and culture-changing "My Adidas"), work ethics ("Perfection"), and, most notably, pride (the Harriet Tubman- and Malcom X.-referencing "Proud to Be Black"). Pavement-packed inner cities, tree-lined suburbs, and cornfield-rimmed rural areas would never again be the same. And rocking a rhyme that's right on time would become trickier than ever.

Repress ! Somewhere in between the rock-star mischief of the Beastie Boys and the slow-creeping funk of Dr. Dre, Cypress Hill introduced their hazy-eyed sound to the world on their self-titled 1991 debut and things have never quite been the same since. The original Cypress Hill album captures the group at their risk-taking best, mixing gangster posturing, LA street politics, Latin flavor and warped humor together under a thick cloud of weed smoke and innovative beats. Nasal-voiced rapper B-Real and his partner Sen Dog, backed by the adventurous production styles of DJ Muggs, produce classics records like "How I Could Just Kill a Man," "Pigs," "Stoned is the Way of the Walk" and "Hand on the Pump." Since its release, the album has won acclaim as one of Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90s" and "Top 100 Best Rap Albums" by The Source magazine.

Limited edition of 500 copies on regular black vinyl with printed inner sleeves.

"Mathuniversal" marks the transatlantic collaboration of iconic Toronto-based MC Mathematik and Paris-based producers slash brothers Parental and Lex (de Kalhex). The album contains 10 tracks plus 9 instrumental versions and should not be missed by any true school head out there.

Available in a limited run each on regular black 2LP, translucent green 2LP, CD in digipak, cassette as well as digitally on all major platforms.

Freddie is the fourth studio album from acclaimed rapper, Freddie Gibbs. One of the most consistent and polished artists from the blog era, Freddie Gibbs has yet to release an album that does not achieve widespread acclaim, proving that he’s able to compete in any era. At 10 tracks, the album comes at a blistering yet concise pace, showcasing his raw and energetic flow over thundering trap-influenced beats. Aside from a tasteful appearance from 03 Greedo, Freddie Gibbs mainly relies on himself to carry the album, and features production from hip-hop heavyweights such as Kenny Beats, Dupri, RichGains and more. Marking the 5 year anniversary since release, Freddie is back in print for the very first time.

180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL
INCLUDES INSERT
FEATURING THE SINGLES “BULLIES OF THE BLOCK” AND “HOT POTATO”
#51 ON THE NME LIST OF THE “100 LOST ALBUMS YOU NEED TO KNOW”

Limited edition of 300 copies on CD in jewel case.

Originally released in 1997 on CD only, the sophomore album "Everything Is Nice" by Prose & Concepts finally gets the full reissue treatment. The group comprised of MC Dope, SharkE, Mic Dub, Beatnik, DJ Ace and Rawi were sporting the Seattle underground sound of heavy drums and dusty loops paired with cuts back and forth.

In addition, the album includes the "Bass Camp Demo" version of "Higher Places". The original track might be known to diggers from the excellent "14 Fathoms Deep" compilation released on Loosegroove Records in 1996 showcasing the vivid Seattle Hip-Hop scene in the mid-90's.

Available in a limited run on 2LP, CD in jewel case, cassette and digitally on all major platforms.

Limited edition of 500 copies on 2LP in gatefold sleeve.

Originally released in 1997 on CD only, the sophomore album "Everything Is Nice" by Prose & Concepts finally gets the full reissue treatment. The group comprised of MC Dope, SharkE, Mic Dub, Beatnik, DJ Ace and Rawi were sporting the Seattle underground sound of heavy drums and dusty loops paired with cuts back and forth.

In addition, the album includes the "Bass Camp Demo" version of "Higher Places". The original track might be known to diggers from the excellent "14 Fathoms Deep" compilation released on Loosegroove Records in 1996 showcasing the vivid Seattle Hip-Hop scene in the mid-90's.

Available in a limited run on 2LP, CD in jewel case, cassette and digitally on all major platforms.

The Lost Tapes originally released on September 23, 2002, is a compilation of Nas tracks he recorded from 1998 to 2001 during the recording sessions of I AM.. and Stillmatic. Several of the cuts were leaked and circulated on mixtapes, but were never properly mastered or commercially released until compiled for The Lost Tapes. The album features production by The Alchemist, L.E.S., Poke and Tone, Rockwilder, D-Dot and Precision.

When The Lost Tapes was finally released, it instantly made waves. Even with its collection of already-recorded and unused material, it managed to be cohesive and profound, propelling it to reach the status of a classic album. The Lost Tapes marked a crucial time in Nas’ discography, serving as a precursor to his 2003 album God’s Son. His development as an artist was certainly prominent during the making of The Lost Tapes, which allowed him to flourish and become one of the most successful and highly regarded hip-hop artists of all time.

Get On Down is proud to present this limited edition 20 year anniversary pressing of The Lost Tapes for the first time on vinyl since its original release in 2002.

Outside of the US only available at HHV.

Limited edition of 300 copies, only available at HHV! Only 2 per customer!

20 years HHV: our team has selected an album from each of these years that is particularly relevant and precious to us. On a monthly basis we release exclusive and limited pressings of these records in collaboration with some of our favorite labels.

Back in stock! “We are the planters of the weeds or roses in our garden. Take the plunge within yourself to find The Main Ingredient.”
So reads CL Smooth’s album dedication in the liners to Pete Rock & CL’s underrated, soulful and deeply grooving sophomore
album. For fans, it was bittersweet, as it would be their last as a duo.
By 1994, Pete and CL were darlings of both fans and critics, still on a high after 1992’s Mecca & The Soul Brother and the album’s
emotional smash single “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.).” Two years later, they had grown even more as men and artists.
Gone was some of the righteous striving of their earlier work, replaced by mature – yet still righteous – wisdom. And a lot more
love as well, bringing a larger female constituency into their fanbase. They were adults now, reveling in the plateau they had
reached.
The duo’s ‘90s swan song is a powerful double album that still resonates with Golden Era hip-hop fans: 16 cuts deep and full of
intelligence, fire and warmth. Beats-per-minute-wise, the album mostly clocks at a comfortable strutting pace, bolstered by Pete
Rock’s pioneering use of filtered basslines and a recently-hatched obsession with Rhodes piano. The new tracks filled speakers
and headphones with soul, as CL continued to assert his lyrical prowess all throughout.
The lead single, “I Got A Love,” is a perfect example of the group’s ‘94 steez: a super-catchy and respectful, but far-from-soft
love track, suitable for any rap fan’s romantic needs. “Take You There” and “Carmel City” cover similar ground. Considering CL
Smooth’s top-level brag rapper status, cuts like “I Get Physical,” “Get On The Mic” and “Check It Out” effectively reminded competitors
not to test him. Pete also gets in the game on the mic several times on the album, acquitting himself nicely (and solo)
on the cloudy day soul of “Escape,” alongside other cuts.
Add more pensive lyrical forays like “All The Places,” “Searching,” and – perhaps the album’s sleeper cut – “It’s On You” and you
have one of the more complete rap full-lengths of the mid-1990s. This isn’t surprising, considering the wonder twins-esque
skills of Pete and CL. But it does make fans wonder what would have happened if they had stayed together longer.

2023 repress.

Fresh 2023 repress of this gem. Jurassic 5 flexed serious old-to-the-new muscles in the ‘90s, beginning with their independently released single “Unified Rebelution” in 1994, and book-ending with their stellar debut full-length: 2000’s Quality Control. They walked a tightrope between underground and mainstream hip-hop, and toured alongside rap peers as well as punk rockers on the Vans Warped Tour. With double the pleasure of your average hip-hop group – two DJs and producers (Cut Chemist and DJ Nu-Mark); and four MCs (Chali 2na, Akil, Marc 7 and Zaakir aka Soup) – they brought the late 1970s “unison MC” style of pioneering groups like the Fantastic 5 and the Force MCs to a new generation. Even more surprisingly, they did so out of Los Angeles, whose hip-hop flavors generally leaned towards Gangsta, G-Funk or Electro lines. Musically inventive and lyrically forward-thinking, each song on Quality Control is a new adventure, exploring engaging territory, delivered via one of the best live hip-hop shows fans had seen in years. From singles like the strutting groove of the title track to the throwback doo-wop samples on “The Influence” and the catchy, keyboard groove-driven “World of Entertainment (WOE Is Me),” to deeper album tracks like the lyrical gymnastics of “Jurass Finish First” and the thought-provoking “Lausd,” Jurassic 5 consistently stepped to the plate and their fans responded in kind, nearly pushing the album to Gold status. Add the innovative DJ-and-sample workout which closes out the album, “Swing Set,” and you have one of the 2000s’ most unique and solid full-length platters.

Limited "10th Anniversary" edition of 300 copies on triple vinyl incl. 10 instrumental versions of "HARK".

Originally released in 2013, "HARK" is the third studio album from The Doppelgangaz cherishing the Black Cloak Lifestyle in all its glory.

Limited edition of 500 copies on black vinyl 2LP.

"The Man" by Chicago's J.U.I.C.E. was originally released on cassette only in 1998. In addition to the original 4 rough demo tracks (including features by Common & O Type Star), we have 12 unreleased tracks from the late 90's on top showcasing the lyrical talent of an exceptional freestyle MC best known for his legendary battle with Eminem.

Available in a limited run on 2LP, CD in jewel case, cassette and digitally on all major platforms.

2023 repress without the 'Respect The Classics' sticker.

This Gang Starr classic from the golden 90s back on the scene.

Limited edition of 500 copies on black vinyl 2LP in gatefold sleeve.

Brainwash Projects is a duo comprised of legendary L.A. Symphony members Pigeon John and bTwice. Their one and only album "The Rise And Fall Of Brainwash Projects" was originally released on cassette and CD in 1998 and immediately created a certain buzz amongst Westcoast Underground diggers worldwide. The diverse production paired with hungry MC'ing make the album a timeless piece of music.

Available in a limited run on 2LP in gatefold sleeve, CD in jewel case, cassette and digitally on all major platforms.

HHV is thrilled to offer you this yellow vinyl edition limited to 500 copies exclusively worldwide. In addition to the LP you will get a 7"-felxi disc.

The Grammy-nominated US American began rapping in 2004 and released free mixtapes on the Internet. His musical role models and inspirations include rap greats such as Tupac Shakur and Scarface. On September 30, 2022, the gangsta rapper then released his major label debut album "$oul $old $eparately", followed on 10/28 by the bonus edition of the record. Two weeks after its release, the album already counted more than 40 million global streams and reached No. 11 on the Billboard 200 and entered the Top 3 of the U.S. rap charts.

Indie Exclusive Black Vinyl Edition.

Stakes is High is the 4th studio album by De La Soul, released on July 2, 1996. Stakes is High was critically lauded for its music, lyricism, and its overall message concerning the artistic decline rap music began to face in the mid-90s. The title track and first single was produced by J Dilla and the album's second single, "Itzsoweezee (HOT)", with only Dave on vocals, was accompanied by a creative music video. The album spawned a third single "4 More", featuring Zhane. The album did provide a launching pad for future star rapper and actor Mos Def, who appeared on the track "Big Brother Beat" and Common who is featured on "The Bizness".

Don't forget to grab your Stakes Is High poster from our Bonus Coin section.

Indie Exclusive Black Vinyl Edition.

R.I.P. Trugoy the Dove

Bringing a sound and energy unlike any other, De La Soul quickly became one of the most revered, game-changing artists in hip-hop and forever cemented their legacy in the hearts and minds of fans around the world. Despite their rapid success and recognition, De La Soul continued to prove themselves as one of the most original, authentic and creative groups in hip-hop, following on May 14, 1991 with the release of their sophomore album, De La Soul is Dead. Featuring, once again, the production of visionary producer Prince Paul, their second album further fanned the flames; landing on charts around the world. “A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturdays,” “Ring, Ring, Ring (Ha Ha Hey)” and “Keepin’ the Faith” have become certified classics in the De La Soul catalog.

Limited to 1000 copies, only available at HHV!

20 years HHV: our team has selected an album from each of these years that is particularly relevant and precious to us. On a monthly basis we release exclusive and limited pressings of these records in collaboration with some of our favorite labels.

The Lost Tapes is widely regarded as one of Nas' most important albums showcasing his raw lyrical talent and creative genius. This compilation features such stand out tracks as “Doo Rags,” “U Gotta Love It,” and “My Way” among others. The newly remastered 2LP set features all the original tracks from 2002’s original release pressed on premium quality black vinyl with full-color labels featuring classic Nas artwork. Whether you're a die-hard Nas fan or a lover of classic hip-hop, The Lost Tapes is an essential Nas record.

Limited edition of 500 copies on black vinyl 1LP with printed inner sleeve.

For us, the Canadian undergound scene of the mid-to-late 90's has something very special about it and delivered a few magic releases. Combining progressive beats with thoughtful rhymes, "Rush Of The Planet" of Toronto's legendary Brass Tacks crew from 1997 is one of those nuggets with a massive impact not only to us. Step into the realm of Battle Cat and Diamond Eye's and let your mind blow.

Available in a limited run on black vinyl 1LP, CD in jewel case, cassette and digitally on all major platforms.

HipHop classic. Must have. DJ Premier and Guru never failed.

Indie Exclusive Black Vinyl Edition.

It might blow up, but it won't go pop!

De La Soul’s third studio release, Buhloone Mindstate, released on September 21, 1993, saw the group evolve into a new sound as they continued to grow stylistically and musically. There were several moments on the album which proved the band had matured. "I Be Blowin'" was a departure as the track was an instrumental featuring saxophone playing by Maceo Parker. The introspective "I Am I Be" showed De La Soul at their most self-referential to date. "Long Island Wildin'" was a collaboration with Japanese hip hop artists Kan Takagi (Major Force) and trio Scha Dara Parr (sdp). The album's first single, "Breakadawn", used a sample of Michael Jackson's "I Can't Help It" and Smokey Robinson's "Quiet Storm". De La Soul collaborated for the first time with Gang Starr's Guru on "Patti Dooke", and female MC Shortie No Mas who was prominent on many tracks on the album and showcased particularly on "In The Woods". The album ended with an old school Biz Markie collaboration called "Stone Age".

Attention: Intro, Skits and Interludes are not part of this reissue, unfortunately.

It's all over the news right now, Dr. Dre finally got all the rights back and now we can all relax and get The Chronic on vinyl, CD and even on streaming platforms if there is no turntable nearby.

Now coming via Interscope who bought the physical distribution rights we are happy to get fresh copies of CDs and vinyl for you. Pressed on double vinyl, black and 180g.

The blueprint of early 90s Westcoast Gangsta Rap. If you say you like Gangsta Rap and you don't own a copy, there is no excuse for that.

R.I.P. Trugoy the Dove

Finally back on vinyl. Now as a double vinyl LP, officially reissued. Must have! 3 Feet High and Rising is the debut studio album by hip hop trio De La Soul and was released on March 3, 1989 It marked the first of three full- length collaborations with producer Prince Paul, which would become the critical and commercial peak of both parties. Critically, as well as commercially, the album was a success. It contains the singles, "Me Myself and I", "The Magic Number", "Buddy", and "Eye Know". The album title came from the Johnny Cash song "Five Feet High and Rising". It is listed on Rolling Stone's 200 Essential Rock Records and The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums. When Village Voice held its annual Pazz & Jop Critics Poll for 1989, 3 Feet High and Rising was ranked #1. It was also listed on the Rolling Stone's The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Released amid the 1989 boom in gangsta rap, which gravitated towards hardcore, confrontational, violent lyrics, De La Soul's uniquely positive style made them an oddity beginning with the first single, "Me, Myself and I". Their positivity meant many observers labeled them a 'hippie' group, based on their declaration of the 'D.A.I.S.Y. Age' (Da. Inner. Soul. Yall). Sampling artists as diverse as Hall & Oates, Steely Dan and The Turtles, 3 Feet High and Rising is often viewed as the stylistic beginning of 1990s alternative hip hop (and especially jazz rap).

Limited to 1994 copies worldwide. US customers, please order with Get On Down. Pressed ON Blue AND Butter Cream Colored Vinyl

With Hand Numbered OBI Limited TO 1994 Copies

Deluxe edition vinyl which includes the original album plus 3 Resurrection remixes with liner notes featuring interviews with Common and NO I.D all in a beautiful gatefold jacket.

Get On Down is proud to present, Commons sophomore album, Resurrection. While the album was originally neglected by the mainstream, it has since received a great deal of critical acclaim and is now on The Sources 100 Best Rap Albums. In comparison to his debut album, Commons musical style evolved lyrically by his expressing of himself rather than just describing street life. With its Jazz and Hip Hop flavors, Resurrection furthered the growth of both genres. Overall, the album is commonly perceived as an underrated Rap classic and now this legendary album is available in a much anticipated, 2xLP gatefold jacket edition.

Resurrection was produced almost entirely by No I.D., who has gone on to work with heavyweights like Usher, Alicia Keys and Rihanna, and he recently produced the first two singles for Jay-Zs new album The Blueprint 3. In addition, No I.D. is credited as the man who introduced Kan ye West to Hip Hop production, inviting him to his sessions with Common when West was only starting out.

The 2xLP features the original 15 album tracks (all cuts remastered from the original masters) and three remixes of Resurrection. Two of the remixes were produced by the one and only Large Professor of Main Source fame and the third is another track by No I.D. The gatefold jacket art features in-depth liner notes written by Brian Coleman with Common and No I.D.

Limited to 600 copies. A one-time pressing with this cover. An exclusive only available at Fatbeats in the US and HHV for rest of the world. For all DJs, graffiti enthusiasts and collectors. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Non Phixion’s seminal LP, The Future Is Now, Uncle Howie Records is pleased to announce the release of an acappella version of the album for the first time!
Comprised of group members ILL Bill, Lord Goat (f/k/a Goretex), Sabac Red and DJ Eclipse, The Future Is Now remains the group’s sole full length effort, garnering much acclaim among both critics and fans alike. Considered by many as an underground classic, Tfin boasts a production dream team that includes DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Large Professor, with additional production supplied by JuJu of The Beatnuts, Dave 1 of Chromeo, T-Ray and Necro.

But it’s the production on this release that’s absent from this version, as producers, remixers and deejays the world over will for the first time have access to these previously vaulted acappellas, allowing you to flex your creative ingenuity. In addition to NP vocals, the album features vocal appearances from MF Doom, Necro, The Beatnuts, Al Tariq, Marly Metal and Moonshine.

To boot, what makes this acappella release all the more special, is that the LP jacket will feature an overhauled version of the right half of the never before seen ‘final’ mural illustrated by Mear One. Why just the right half you ask? Well Uncle Howie Records will also be releasing an instrumental version of the album which hasn’t been made available on vinyl in nearly 20 years—also as a 2XLP—which will feature the left half of the mural, making this a true collector’s edition to reel in the milestone!

This acappella version of The Future Is Now is set for release on March 24th via Uncle Howie Records in partnership with Fat Beats Distribution.

First time ever that an acappella version of the album has been made available! Contains bonus acappellas for They Got and Refuse To Lose. When purchased with the instrumental version, both album covers will form an overhauled version of the ‘final’ Mear One designed mural, making this a true collector’s piece.

Limited to 600 copies. A one-time pressing with this cover. An exclusive only available at Fatbeats in the US and HHV for rest of the world. For all DJs, graffiti enthusiasts and collectors. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Non Phixion’s seminal LP, The Future Is Now, Uncle Howie Records is pleased to announce the release of a special instrumental edition 2xlp.

Comprised of group members ILL Bill, Lord Goat (f/k/a Goretex), Sabac Red and DJ Eclipse, The Future Is Now remains the group’s sole full length effort, garnering much acclaim among both critics and fans alike. Considered by many as an underground classic, Tfin boasts a production dream team that includes DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Large Professor, who had yet to appear credited together on the same album since the release of Nas’ Illmatic.

With additional production supplied by JuJu of The Beatnuts, Dave 1 of Chromeo, T-Ray and Necro, this special edition instrumental offering is sure to be a treasure for both fans of the group, as well as true school audiophiles the world over. To boot, this release marks the first time the instrumentals have been made available on vinyl in nearly 20 years!

Production aside, the LP jacket will be adorned with an overhauled version of the left half of the never before seen ‘final’ mural illustrated by Mear One. Why just the left half, you ask? Well, Uncle Howie Records will also be releasing an acappella version of the album for the first time—also as a 2xlp—which will feature the right half of the mural, making this a true collector’s edition to reel in the milestone!

This 20th anniversary instrumental edition of The Future Is Now is set for release on March 24th via Uncle Howie Records in partnership with Fat Beats Distribution.

First time, the instrumentals have been available on vinyl since 2003! Production supplied by an all-star line-up of DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Large Professor, among others. When purchased with the acappellas, both album covers will form an overhauled version of the ‘final’ Mear One designed mural, making this a true collector’s piece

R.I.P. Trugoy the Dove

Finally, back on vinyl. Now as a double vinyl LP, officially reissued. This is the yellow indie exclusive vinyl edition. Must have!

3 Feet High and Rising is the debut studio album by hip hop trio De La Soul and was released on March 3, 1989. It marked the first of three full-length collaborations with producer Prince Paul, which would become the critical and commercial peak of both parties. Critically, as well as commercially, the album was a success. It contains the singles, "Me, Myself and I", "The Magic Number", "Buddy", and "Eye Know". The album title came from the Johnny Cash song "Five Feet High and Rising". It is listed on Rolling Stone's 200 Essential Rock Records and The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums. When Village Voice held its annual Pazz & Jop Critics Poll in 1989, 3 Feet High and Rising was ranked #1. It was also listed on the Rolling Stone's The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Released amid the 1989 boom in gangsta rap, which gravitated towards hardcore, confrontational, violent lyrics, De La Soul's uniquely positive style made them an oddity beginning with the first single, "Me, Myself and I". Their positivity meant many observers labeled them a 'hippie' group, based on their declaration of the 'D.A.I.S.Y. Age' (Da. Inner. Soul. Yall). Sampling artists as diverse as Hall & Oates, Steely Dan and The Turtles, 3 Feet High and Rising is often viewed as the stylistic beginning of 1990s alternative hip hop (and especially jazz rap).

20th Anniversary reissue of El-Ps debut he released to critical acclaim after Company Flow split up. Now famous for his work with Killer Mike for Run The Jewels. This HHV exclusive edition is limited to 500 copies.

Debuted #198 on Billboard Top 200 in its original release
8.9 review on Pitchfork
Ranked #11 top album of 2002
#21 hip-hop album of all time by Fact Magazine

Fantastic Damage marked the beginning of El-P’s career as a solo artist, following a groundbreaking career as frontman and producer of legendary NYC underground hip hop crew, Company Flow. Fan Dam was a foundational release for his fledgling record label. Definitive Jux, which would soon establish itself as an iconic juggernaut of independent rap in the wake of trailblazing solo records by El-P and label mates Aesop Rock, Cannibal Ox, RJD2, Murs, and more. The template El-P established on Fantastic Damage - a singular aesthetic pairing futuristic, post B-Boy production style with insightful, provocative & often prescient subject matter - was met with accolades across the media landscape, including Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, Pitchfork, NME, VIBE, and SPIN among many others. The impact and influence of Fantastic Damage established it as one of the most important independent releases of its era, and charted a course to be followed by generations of artists in its wake. The album has been widely unavailable since El-P put Def Jux on hiatus in 2010, making it ripe for rediscovery in the new music ecosystem due to El-P’s monumental success with Run The Jewels.

Limited edition of 300 copies on orange vinyl! Only available at HHV!

20 years HHV: our team has selected an album from each of these years that is particularly relevant and precious to us. On a monthly basis we release exclusive and limited pressings of these records in collaboration with some of our favorite labels.

R.I.P. Trugoy the Dove

Finally back on vinyl. Now as a double vinyl LP, officially reissued. Must have! 3 Feet High and Rising is the debut studio album by hip hop trio De La Soul and was released on March 3, 1989 It marked the first of three full- length collaborations with producer Prince Paul, which would become the critical and commercial peak of both parties. Critically, as well as commercially, the album was a success. It contains the singles, "Me Myself and I", "The Magic Number", "Buddy", and "Eye Know". The album title came from the Johnny Cash song "Five Feet High and Rising". It is listed on Rolling Stone's 200 Essential Rock Records and The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums. When Village Voice held its annual Pazz & Jop Critics Poll for 1989, 3 Feet High and Rising was ranked #1. It was also listed on the Rolling Stone's The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Released amid the 1989 boom in gangsta rap, which gravitated towards hardcore, confrontational, violent lyrics, De La Soul's uniquely positive style made them an oddity beginning with the first single, "Me, Myself and I". Their positivity meant many observers labeled them a 'hippie' group, based on their declaration of the 'D.A.I.S.Y. Age' (Da. Inner. Soul. Yall). Sampling artists as diverse as Hall & Oates, Steely Dan and The Turtles, 3 Feet High and Rising is often viewed as the stylistic beginning of 1990s alternative hip hop (and especially jazz rap).

PRESSED ON BLUE & WHITE SWIRL VINYL!

HOUSED IN A HIGH GLOSS JACKET WITH EACH LP TUCKED INTO A PRINTED INNER SLEEVE
Nasir "Nas" Jones' 2001 record Stillmatic was considered a major comeback for the 90s rap icon. It signaled a return to the gritty, urban chaos of his acclaimed debut album, after releasing record after record of gradually more mainstream material, and Nas' return to prominence in the highest echelons of hip-hop. In spite of this newfound critical clout, Stillmatic's release did nothing to squash his then ongoing feud with fellow New Yorker Jay-Z, who had gone so far as to challenge Nas to a pay-per-view rap battle. A challenge Nas rejected, stating "If Jay-Z wants to battle, he should drop his album the same day I do and let the people decide."

Nas fans never would get the no-holds barred lyrical battle with Jay-Z many had speculated. What they got instead was one of Nas' most personal and introspective releases to date in 2002. Not long after Stillmatic's release, Nas spent much of his time away from the limelight to tend to his ill mother, who would pass on from breast cancer in 2002. His experiences with his mother's mortality as well as the fallout of his feud with Jay-Z, who continued to produce diss tracks as Nas tended to his mother, would inspire much of the lyrical material on his next record.

God's Son was released in December of 2002, and like Stillmatic before it, was subject to major critical acclaim. On God's Son, Nas effectively took the battle-hardened demeanor he had cultivated and tore it down across 14 tracks that were emotionally insular, though still dusted in urban grit, and still finding time to shoot back at Jay-Z's potshots on tracks like "Last Real Nigga Alive" and "Mastermind." Assisting Nas was a slew of top-tier producers like The Alchemist, Eminem, Ron Browz, and Salaam Remi, over samples of James Brown, the Incredible Bongo Band, Fela Kuti, and Beethoven, and guest vocals from Alicia Keys, Kelis, Claudette Ortiz of City High, and even a posthumous 2Pac.

God's Son has been out of print on vinyl since 2020. This deluxe pacakge was remastered from its original audio and pressed on colored vinyl!

HHV Exclusive, limited to 500 copies.

Masta Ace joins forces with the metal faced MF Doom for Son of Yvonne, a highly personal concept album that celebrates the life and legacy of Ace’s recently departed Mother. Like his 2004 landmark Disposable Arts, Son of Yvonne is meticulously constructed with stories, settings, and characters that resonate with flesh and bone humanity. Interstitial vignettes provide a thematic backbone to the experience, and each track complements and completes the previous to form a narrative whole: a sometimes visceral, sometimes nostalgic slice of Ace’s young life in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

Entirely underscored by MF Doom’s iconic Special Herbs instrumentals, Son of Yvonne features the Juice Crew general Big Daddy Kane, newcomers Pav Bundy (The Bundies), Reggie B and even MF Doom on the mic. It’s Masta Ace’s no frills flow, however, that looms largest above the dusty samples and digger loops that define Doom’s production. Ace’s photo-realistic rhymes about stick-up kids, spraycan artists and wack emcees add extra gravity to his already celebrated reputation as “truly an under-appreciated rap veteran and underground luminary” (Allmusic Guide). Like Eminem recalls in his 2008 autobiography The Way I Am, “Masta Ace had amazing storytelling skills. His thoughts were so vivid.”

Despite an excellent debut album, "Naughty By Nature" was pegged as a one-hit wonder by some, after all, they'd never duplicate the inescapably catchy "O.P.P.". But when 19 Naughty III was released on February 23, 1993 with the lead single "Hip Hop Hooray, " the group proved that they could recreate that magic. Celebrating it's 30th Anniversary this year, the album has been certified platinum and "Hip Hop Hooray" has become a hip hop anthem. The single was #1 on the charts, earning the band their second Top 10 hit, with the video directed by Spike Lee, featuring appearances from Tupac Shakur, Run-DMC and more. The album also contains the hits "Written on Ya Kitten" and "It's On" and has guest appearances from Heavy D and Queen Latifah. Production was handled entirely by group member KayGee, who has one foot in the clubs and the other one on the street corner, and that's true of the group as a whole.

This version of this all-time classic album is clear with yellow and purple splatters. For the countries Germany, Austria and Switzerland this album is distributed by Universal to HHV exclusively.

The debut album of New York based rapper and producer Godfather Don was originally released in 1991 via Select Records and gained an undeniable grail status amongst fans and collectors. Entirely produced by Don himself, the album is a hard-hitter from front to back and now it's back.

Tommy Boy Reissues exclusive limited edition pressing of Capone-N-Noreaga's "The War Report" on October 22, 2021 as part of Tommy Boy's 40th anniversary Hailing from Queens, New York, Capone and Noreaga first met while both serving time in prison. Upon their release, the duo hit the studio, concocting their debut album, "The War Report, " and launching Capone-N-Noreaga in 1997. The now cult-classic, featured strong underground overtones and served as a turning point in Hip Hop, bringing a more hardcore sound and is credited for reviving East Coast Hip Hop and signaling a return to realistic, gritty, street aesthetics. Despite the projects underground appeal, it also found massive commercial success. Lead by singles, "L. A. , L. A. , " "T. O. N. Y. (Top of New York), " "Closer, " and "Illegal Life, " "The War Report" has since been certified Gold by the RIAA and continues to garner spins on radio stations around the globe. Thanks to N. O. R. E. 's unorthodox lyrical delivery and Capone's streetwise slang and Five Percenter references, Capone-N-Noreaga brought new life into the Gangsta Rap subgenre, becoming an instant underground phenomenon, and making them both a household name within the hardcore Hip Hop community. Topping out at #21 on the Billboard 200 and #4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop albums chart, "The War Report, " continues to prove itself as a must have amongst record collectors. This year, as part of Tommy Boy's 40th anniversary celebration, this classic project will be reissued as a limited, colored vinyl release that will for sure be a must have for golden era Hip Hop heads.

Limited edition of 300 copies on green vinyl.

Awesome release by Taha. It's Paula Perry with her shelved 1998 album. Officially licensed, dope first pressing on vinyl.

US import. Must have classic! Brand new pressing made in Czech Republic for the US market leading to high import prices. But it's worth every cent. Briliant album

Limited to 200 copies exclusive to HHV customers. Known for his proudly bugged-out delivery and laid-back style, the immensely likeable Declaime, p/k/a Dudley Perkins is pleased to rerelease his debut solo LP, Illmindmuzik on vinyl for the first time since 1999.

Produced entirely by his longtime homie Madlib, the Oxnard-based duo concoct a seriouly funky listening experience that combines Declaime’s delightfully woozy verses centered around crate-digging and mind expanding, over the Beat Konducta’s blunted instrumentals.

Illmindmuzik is a must for fans of Cali underground hip-hop and boasts guest appearances from the likes of the Lootpack, Evidence and more, and includes the stand out singles, “Let It Be Known” and “Roll ‘Em Right.”

This fine new edition is limited to 300 copies and come with the beats.

Sean Price (R.I.P!) teamed up with Small Professor for their 10-track project, ‘86 Witness.’ The album features Rock of Heltah Skeltah, scratches by DJ Revolution, Guilty Simpson, Your Old Droog, Reef the Lost Cauze & more.

Limited to 3000 copies. The impact, influence, and importance of Run-D.M.C.'s self-titled debut – the album that invented hardcore hip-hop and bridged rap, rock, and funk in then-unparalleled ways – cannot be measured. The first full-length record released by Profile Records, the 1984 set permanently changed the sound of music, broadcast streetwise wisdom to every corner of the country, and made the notion of a one-man band a distinct reality. Produced by Russell Simmons and Larry Smith – and bolstered by an incendiary blend of staccato deliveries, stark beats, aggressive exchanges, evocative hooks, and socially conscious messages – Run-D.M.C. still hits listeners in the jaw with the same intensity it did nearly 40 years ago when it could be heard booming from ghetto blasters carried around city blocks nationwide.

Sourced from the original master tapes and pressed on MoFi SuperVinyl, Mobile Fidelity's numbered-edition 180g SuperVinyl 33RPM LP is the definitive-sounding version of this groundbreaking work.

Limited to 1000 copies on black / blue vinyl.

Black MOON’s 1993 debut album Enta Da Stage was a gamechanger to those it reached. The pulse of the underground and DIY spirit flowed through the release as members Buckshot, 5ft and DJ Evil Dee dug deep into the record that would become an east coast hip-hop classic. Buckshot, front and center, shone with his foot on the gas, and no intention to sweeten the hard-hitting lyrical flow. 5ft carved out his own on “Ack Like You Want It” and “Son get Wrec”. DJ Evil Dee threw down an early career production masterclass on the jazzy “Who Got Da Props?” with Mr. Walt - the first of many production projects for Da Beatminerz. P-vine is excited to be reissuing the record for the first time as a double picture disc with two bonus tracks off the Buck Em Down 12” to complete this sixteen track deluxe record.

Limited to 3000 silver colored copies for Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In this region only available at HHV.

We are finally set to reissue Blowout Comb, the 1994 second album by cult, Brooklyn-based hip hop trio Digable Planets.

The album is named for the combs used to maintain an Afro hairstyle, and that’s significant. The group’s Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler said it summed up what they wanted to do with it: "It means the utilization of the natural, a natural style,” he has said.

Like with 1993’s debut Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space), ‘utilizing the natural’ meant creating hip hop that blended jazz with the formidable rap skills of the aforementioned Butterfly, Craig ‘Doodlebug’ Irving and Mary Ann ‘Ladybug Mecca’ Vieira. Unlike that debut, it meant broadening to include guests such as Gang Starr’s Guru, Jeru the Damaja, and Jazzy Joyce.

Following the gold-selling commercial success of their debut, they here set out to prove their artistic prowess. This is intelligent, alternative hip hop that sounded like party music. Its lyrics are dense with wit, social commentary and politics – and its original inner sleeve was modeled on the newspaper of the Black Panther movement.

Its instrumentation includes sax, vibraphone and flute. Its samples – gathered from global cratedigging trips while touring the first album around the world – included Grant Green, Eddie Harris, Shuggie Otis and jazz-funk pioneer Roy Ayers (whose “We Live in Brooklyn, Baby” became “Borough Check” here). And yet at the same time its beats are infectious and its spirit undeniable.

This is an album firmly rooted in Brooklyn. “Growing up hearing and cherishing this album, it created a textured soundscape of a mythical world of rhymes, jazz, breakbeats, culture, art and urban ambiance,” says DJ and fan Mick Boogie in the liner notes. “When I moved to Brooklyn years later, I found that the world I imagined while listening to this classic LP actually really existed…”

Though Digable Planets have reunited on occasion since – and though their influence endures in every top-shelf rap act with a jazzy sensibility – the trio parted ways after Blowout Comb, citing that old favorite "creative differences”. Sometimes, the most volatile combinations create the best art.

Limited edition of 500 copies on black vinyl.

"The Produce Aisle" marked the full-length debut of Burnt Batch in 1999 and is one of those nuggets from the flourishing Westcoast underground scene around that time. The trio from Stockton, CA, was formed by Rukus, Pause and Pismo who mostly handled the production as well as the writing & raps. 15 tracks with that special blend of laid-back rhymes and Jazz-infected beats.

Available in a limited run on black vinyl 2LP, CD in digipak as well as jewel case and cassette plus digitally on all major platforms.

Vinyl LP pressing. Tommy Boy Records celebrates 30 Years of House of Pain's debut album House of Pain (Fine Malt Lyrics) with this remastered edition. Everlast, DJ Lethal & Danny Boy formed House of Pain while attending high school and were signed to Tommy Boy Records after fashioning themselves as rowdy Irish-American hooligans, hitting the local rap and alternative music scene. House of Pain (Fine Malt Lyrics) went multi-platinum and the self titled debut album spawned the successful producer DJ Muggs, who produced the single "Jump Around". The song was also remixed twice by Pete Rock, one version featuring a verse from him and one without. "Jump Around" became a hit in 1992, reaching number 3 in the United States. The album also featured Cypress Hill member B-Real on the song "Put Your Head Out" and Funkdoobiest's Son Doobie on "House and the Rising Sun", both members of the musical collective known as Soul Assassins.

In listing the greatest albums in hip-hop history, one title never seems to stray from the upper echelons, no matter how many years pass: Boogie Down Productions’ undisputed classic from 1986, Criminal Minded. Released amidst a battle between BDP and MC Shan that would redefine the New York rap landscape as it was then known, the album, which features the songs “South Bronx,” “Criminal Minded” and “The Bridge is Over,” captures the excitement, urgency and raw power that embodies hip-hop culture as we know it, with KRS-One’s aggressive yet intelligent lyricism backed by Scott La Rock’s hard-hitting, stripped-down beats. A true classic, Criminal Minded has been recognized by Vibe Magazine, The Source and Rolling Stone as one of the most important albums of all time. Traffic Entertainment Group and B-Boy Records are proud to present Criminal Minded, presented in a double-LP pressing.

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Beastie Boys’ 2X Platinum Check Your Head album, this limited-edition deluxe reissue is a rare version of the album that was released as a limited run in 2009. Long out-of-print and sought after by fans and collectors, it features two bonus LP’s including remixes, live versions, and B-sides. Featuring the songs ‘So What’cha Want’, ‘Pass the Mic’ and ‘Gratitude’ - Check Your Head was a somewhat return to their punk roots and introduced the trio playing their own instruments for the first time on record since their early EP’s. This 4LP Deluxe Box Set is pressed on 180g vinyl housed in a fabric-wrapped, stamped hardcover case.

In Europe only available at HHV: US customers please order with Get On Down. Ghostface Killah released his debut solo album 25 years ago on October 29, 1996. Produced by fellow Wu-Tang Clan member RZA, Ironman found inspiration in sources ranging from blaxploitation films to classic soul and charted a whole new direction for hip-hop in the process. The album features classic bangers like Daytona 500 featuring Raekwon and Cappadonna to soulful emotionally moving cuts like All That I Got Is You with Mary J Blige.

To commemorate the 25 year anniversary Get On Down is proud to present Ironman in a 2xLP set available on both ‘Blue & Cream’ and ‘Chicken & Broccoli’ half-n-half colored vinyl, each version housed in a deluxe gatefold jacket, packed inside a ‘shoebox’-style 2nd outer jacket embossed with the year 1996.

R.I.P. MF DOOM

For 2003's Vaudeville Villain MF Doom took on yet another pseudonym. Where MF Doom drew from Doctor Doom, Viktor Vaughn drew from the Doctor's government name, Victor von Doom. The influence of superheros and supervillians however goes much deeper than the nom de plume, the sci-fi vibe is present, musically, throughout Vaudeville Villain. Long out of print on vinyl, Get On Down presents this landmark of MF Doom's career as a double gatefold LP for RSD 2022.

Strong first album. Coolio, R.I.P.

Record Store Day 2022 Drop 1 Release. Late arrival.

It Takes A Thief is the debut studio album by Coolio. Originally released in 1994, the album contains the song “Fantastic Voyage” which peaked at #2 on the Billboard 100 chart. The album was certified platinum and received praise for bringing a humorous and lighthearted perspective to often violent and profane themes of typical gangsta rap

Few leftovers of the black "Bush Babees - Gravity" tee bundled with the regular 2LP edition that comes with printed innersleeves instead of gatefold and without the 7".

"Gravity" features productions by the likes of The Ummah, Pos of De La Soul, Rahzel of The Roots, Shawn J. Period and others. Guest MC's include Mos Def, Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, Rahzel and Muntcho Leo.

The trio consisting of Kaos, Y-Tee and Mr. Man grew up in the West Indies, so reggae had a strong influence on their music. Formed in 1992, the Brooklyn representatives dropped their debut "Ambushed" in 1994 followed by the sophomore album "Gravity" in 1996 with the help from a number of Native Tongue members.

Few leftovers of the black "Bush Babees - Ambushed" logo tee bundled with the regular 2LP edition that comes with printed innersleeves instead of gatefold and without the 7".

"Ambushed" contains instant classics like "We Run Things" or "Remember We" and features productions by the likes of Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, Salaam Remi, Jermaine Dupri and others.

The trio consisting of Kaos, Y-Tee and Mr. Man grew up in the West Indies, so reggae had a strong influence on their music. Formed in 1992, the Brooklyn representatives dropped their debut in 1994 followed by the sophomore album "Gravity" in 1996 with the help from a number of Native Tongue members including Q-Tip and The Ummah, Pos of De La Soul, Rahzel of The Roots as well as a young Mos Def.

Regular 2LP edition with printed innersleeves instead of gatefold and without the 7".

"Gravity" features productions by the likes of The Ummah, Pos of De La Soul, Rahzel of The Roots, Shawn J. Period and others. Guest MC's include Mos Def, Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, Rahzel and Muntcho Leo.

The trio consisting of Kaos, Y-Tee and Mr. Man grew up in the West Indies, so reggae had a strong influence on their music. Formed in 1992, the Brooklyn representatives dropped their debut "Ambushed" in 1994 followed by the sophomore album "Gravity" in 1996 with the help from a number of Native Tongue members.

Regular 2LP edition with printed innersleeves instead of gatefold and without the 7".

"Ambushed" contains instant classics like "We Run Things" or "Remember We" and features productions by the likes of Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, Salaam Remi, Jermaine Dupri and others.

The trio consisting of Kaos, Y-Tee and Mr. Man grew up in the West Indies, so reggae had a strong influence on their music. Formed in 1992, the Brooklyn representatives dropped their debut in 1994 followed by the sophomore album "Gravity" in 1996 with the help from a number of Native Tongue members including Q-Tip and The Ummah, Pos of De La Soul, Rahzel of The Roots as well as a young Mos Def.

Limited edition of 500 copies on black vinyl of "Comprehension", the sophomore album by Shadez Ov Blac from Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

The group's debut "Next School Pioneers" dropped in 1995 via Peanuts & Corn, a Canadian underground label run by mcenroe. "Comprehension" followed in 1999, originally self-released on CD only accompanied by a now hard-to-find 12" release.

The album features mic guests such as Odario, Ismaila and Fayce as well as productions by mcenroe, The Buddha and Howard Hyman.

Available in a limited run on LP, CD in digipak as well as jewel case and cassette plus digitally on all major platforms.

New pressing on blue vinyl, limited to 500 copies.

In March 2020, right as the whole world was entering into a transitional phase, Evidence released a single titled "Unlearning". Now, a year later, Evidence launches the campaign for his upcoming album, Unlearning Vol. 1, picking up where the single of the same name left off, and going beyond. Throughout his career, Evidence has always been adept at both staying true to his roots and evolving as he grows and learns from life experiences, including recognizing when the time comes to unlearn. During the campaign for his last album, Weather or Not (2018), he expressed a desire to close the chapter on the weather-related theme that had been a staple of his solo career to that point. Unlearning Vol. 1 not only sees that vision come to life, but shines brilliantly in the process. Unlearning Vol. 1 pairs Evidence's own production with works from The Alchemist, Nottz, Sebb Bash, Animoss, Mr. Green, V Don, Daringer and Eardrum (QThree). This highlights perhaps an undervalued skill of Ev's - his ability to collaborate with a multitude of producers on a project, while still creating an album with a cohesion and consistency rarely found in such extensive collaboration. While the album's musical soundscape sets the scene, it's Ev's gift for relatable yet inventively clever writing that really paints the picture, continually pulling the listener in. That said, a small but powerful cast of guest appearances also decorate the landscape, courtesy of stellar performances from Boldy James, Conway The Machine, Fly Anakin, Navy Blue, and Murkage Dave. Unlearning Vol. 1 embodies the sound and feeling of pure artistic expression, capturing a moment in time where marketability, album sales & streaming potential, and the desire to please anyone other than the artist themselves, are all just an afterthought. As one could expect, such freedoms allowed Evidence to tap into something special that sounds engaging and unique, and also remains true to his foundation. In essence, Unlearning Vol. 1 finds Evidence at yet another creative peak, creating a listening experience poised to catch the attention of new listeners while strengthening his core fanbase.

Before Madvillain, before Yesterday’s New Quintet and before Quasimoto or any other of his several alter egos, Madlib perfected his craft as an MC/producer in the Lootpack. Along with DJ Romes, and fellow rhymer Wildchild, they released the dusty full-length, Soundpieces: Da Antidote back in 1999, that laid down the foundation for the unique and dusty sound now associated with Madlib. The loose, freeform recordings on this collection, The Lost Tapes, are circa 1996 when the group was managed by Madlib’s father, and they show the now-renowned maverick producer in comparatively restrained form. Madlib’s scope and imagination was clearly fixated on East coast jazzy hip-hop production from the early ’90s, laying down soundscapes for his hungry crew including the likes of Kazi, Oh No, Kan Kick, Declaime and Medaphoar, who have all become well known underground rap vets. Madlib’s own strong mic presence is noticeable given his now only-on-rare-occasion rhyming, but it’s his production that is the most fascinating element here. While a resolutely hip-hop project, the burgeoning jazzy flourishes and Madlib’s heavily accomplished ear for sound makes the record an important starting point for adherents of his more recent exploratory work.

Another marvellous gem by Get On Down, made available to HHV customers in Europe. Limited to 1800 in total.

To commemorate the 30 year Anniversary of Cypress Hill’s debut album Get On Down is proud to present the complete album on 7 inch vinyl singles for the first time ever housed in a deluxe casebook.

Includes:

The debut album is presented as a set of six 7-Inch vinyl records presented in a Hardcover Casebook which holds all six records in built-in sleeves Full-color 80 page booklet with liner notes by journalist Chris Faraone, complete with photos and lyrics, and more Housed in a premium outer slipcase, debossed with the iconic Cypress Hill logo in metallic red foil.

When Cypress Hill came with their debut self-titled album 30 years ago, they made an immediate spark that captivated the Hip Hop audience, critics, and then the world. Led by B-Real with his nasal, singsong delivery, and Sen Dog to play the perfect hypeman, Cypress’ debut fueled tales of revenge, revolution, recreational drug use, gangbanging, and cultural pride. Like Public Enemy before them, the production was also a key factor in what made this debut so groundbreaking. DJ Muggs was able to craft a blueprint that would change Hip Hop production with his innovative stoned-out beats. Records like "How I Could Just Kill a Man", "Pigs", "Stoned is the Way of the Walk" and "Hand on the Pump" made this album an instant classic. Since its release, the album has won acclaim as one of Rolling Stone's Essential Recordings of the 90s and Top 100 Best Rap Albums by The Source Magazine.

Journalist and author Chris Faraone highlights the group's relationship in the reissue's liner notes saying, "[By the late 80s] the undisputed Cypress unit finally formed. B and Sen realized that their diametric styles - the latter's deep wrangle, the formers inimitable high notes - complemented one another righteously. By then Muggs had bangers in the bag, as well as industry experience from a jaunt with the New York duo 7A3. B and Sen waited while Muggs messed with 7A3, and in that time began to build the blueprint for their raucous and weeded no-holds-barred style. Besides getting schooled on industry pitfalls, Muggs had also grown into hip-hop's most formidable young producer, while straddling the bi-coastal gap."

Faraone was able to dive in deep with the band for the liner notes, hearing story after story, including the particularly interesting tale of their unlikely 91 radio hit, "How I Could Just Kill A Man". In the B Side wins again story, the group recalls receiving resistance from the label in regards to which single should hit radio first. Initially, the label thought "How I Could Just Kill A Man" was too risky, and even though the single initially "The Phuncky Feel One", one of the album's strongest cuts, as the A-Side, college and commercial mix-show radio couldn't resist the dusted, heavy groove of Kill A Man. The song – which included a catchy, LA drive-by-inspired chorus – ended up as an unlikely, but powerful double A-sided single that even topped the Billboard Rap charts. More singles would follow, including "Hand On The Pump"; "Pigs"; and "Latin Lingo". And by the fall of 1991, the album was a full-blown critics darling. If you are a Cypress Hill fan and 45 collector this limited edition 30 year Anniversary 7” boxset is a must have!

DJ Quik is a giant of West Coast hip-hop. With his fourth album Rhythm-Al-Ism he created his masterpiece, a perfect hip-hop album. As Quik explains, “the name Rhythm-Al-Ism alone tells you what I was doing. I was mixing up rhythms. I was meshing R&B with hip-hop and jazz. And a little bit of comedy”. It’s absolutely sensational and as with a lot of mid-90s albums those original vinyl copies are now rare so here’s the Be With re-issue. A preternaturally gifted producer/rapper, DJ Quik has produced scores of LA gangsta rap classics. He’s released platinum and gold records of his own, as well as helped craft them for the likes of Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr Dre. Quik has always been quirkier and more interesting than his gangsta rap peers, both musically and lyrically. An old-school funk producer at heart, he’s also incredibly nice on the mic. His raps often deal in boasts, jokes and good times but also cover his beefs, his trials and his trauma. Partying and pain, all mixed up. DJing and producing hype beat tapes from age 14, Quik’s tracks blended the languid funk and rubbery synths of Zapp and George Clinton with a gangsta aesthetic, creating a more danceable foil to Compton’s more typical nihilistic hedonism. Ultimately, his records sound custom engineered to drift out over sun-soaked barb