Rise of the Classics Podcast
23 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsFollow Born, Blak and SiD as they revisit classic albums from a critical age in hip-hop...circa 1987-2000. Each episode will feature an in-depth review, recap, and reminiscing about that album's place in hip hop and their lives.
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Episodes
The "Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt" episode
August 12, 2022 19:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MBReasonable Doubt is the debut studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on June 25, 1996, by Priority Recordsand Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records. The album features production provided by DJ Premier, Ski, Knobody and Clark Kent, and also includes guest appearances from Memphis Bleek, Mary J. Blige, Jaz-O and The Notorious B.I.G., among others. The album features mafioso rap themes and gritty lyrics about the "hustler" lifestyle and material obsessions. Reasonable Doubt debuted at n...
The "Cappadonna - The Pillage" episode
August 05, 2022 21:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBThe Pillage is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Cappadonna. It was released on March 24, 1998 through Razor Sharp/Epic Street. Recording sessions took place at 36 Chambers Studio in New York, except for the song "Everything Is Everything", which was recorded at Soundtrack Studios and Sony Music Studios in New York. Production was handled by Wu-Elements (True Master, Goldfinghaz, 4th Disciple, Mathematics) and the RZA, who also served as executive producer together with Ghostfac...
The "Boogie Down Productions - By All Means Necessary" episode
January 27, 2022 22:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MBBy All Means Necessary is the second album from American hip hop group Boogie Down Productions, released on May 31, 1988[1] on Jive Records. After the 1987 murder of DJ-producer Scott La Rock, MC KRS-One moved away from the violent themes that dominated his debut, Criminal Minded, and began writing socially conscious songs using the moniker the Teacher.[2] Accompanied by minimalist production and hard-hitting drum beats, KRS-One covers social issues that include government and police corrup...
The "Beatnuts - Street Level" episode
January 17, 2022 20:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MBThe Beatnuts is the self-titled full-length debut album by hip hop trio The Beatnuts.[5] It was released on June 21, 1994, by Relativity Records, a year after their debut EP, Intoxicated Demons. "Psycho Dwarf" is the only song found on both the EP and the album. The album was produced by The Beatnuts, and features guest appearances by Grand Puba, Miss Jones and DJ Sinister amongst others. The Beatnuts boasts two singles, "Props Over Here" and "Hit Me with That." The album is known for its d...
The "Dead Prez - Let's Get Free" episode
January 10, 2022 19:00 - 19 minutes - 13.8 MBAlthough the production was derided by some critics as a "dull musical backdrop",[10] Let's Get Free was called a "return to politically conscious rap".[11] Rolling Stone gave the album four stars and lauded its equation of "classrooms with jail cells, the projects with killing fields and everything from water to television with conduits for brainwashing by the system".[12]
The "Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele" episode
October 10, 2021 16:00 - 20 minutes - 14.3 MBSupreme Clientele is the second studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released on February 8, 2000 by Epic Records. The album showcases Ghostface's signature up-tempo, stream-of-consciousness rhyme style, and features guest appearances from Cappadonna, GZA, Masta Killa, Method Man, Raekwon, Redman, RZA, U-God, and others. It features affiliates of what would become members of Theodore Unit and T.M.F. Supreme Clientele contains a large amount of production ...
The "EPMD - Unfinished Business" episode
June 23, 2021 03:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBUnfinished Business is the second album by hip hop duo EPMD.[5] Released August 1, 1989, the album built upon the success of the group's previous album Strictly Business, which was released the previous year. The lead single, "So Wat Cha Sayin'," was the only charting single released from the album. It was the second album from the group to hit #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on October 16, 1989. It was one of three albums that Priority/EMI R...
The "Mos Def - Black on Both Sides" episode
May 29, 2021 04:00 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MBBlack on Both Sides is the debut studio album by American rapper Mos Def, released on October 12, 1999, by Rawkus and Priority Records. Prior to its recording, Mos Def had collaborated with Talib Kweli for the album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star in 1998,[1] which raised high expectations for a solo effort by the former.[2] Black on Both Sides features an emphasis on live instrumentation and socially conscious lyrics.[3][4]
The "Smif n Wesson - Dah Shinin" episode
May 25, 2021 03:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBDah Shinin' is the debut studio album by American East Coast hip hop duo Smif-N-Wessun. It was released on January 10, 1995 via Wreck/Nervous Records. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York City. Production was handled by Da Beatminerz. It features guest appearance from the Boot Camp Clik. The album peaked at number 59 on the Billboard 200.
The "Main Source - Breaking Atoms" episode
May 17, 2021 02:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBBreaking Atoms is the debut album of American/Canadian hip hop group Main Source, released July 23, 1991 on Wild Pitch Records. Production was handled by the group, primarily by member Large Professor, and took place during 1990 to 1991 at Homeboy Studio, Power Play Studios, and Libra Digital in New York City. Recorded during the golden age of hip hop, Breaking Atoms is distinguished stylistically by its incorporation of jazz and soul music samples.[1] The album has been highly regarded by m...
The "Mobb Deep - The Infamous" episode
May 04, 2021 03:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBThe Infamous (stylized as The Infamous...) is the second studio album by the American hip hop duo Mobb Deep. It was released on April 25, 1995, by Loud Records. The album features guest appearances by Nas, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and Q-Tip. It was largely produced by group member Havoc, with Q-Tip also contributing production while serving as the mixing engineer. Most of the leftover songs from the album became bonus tracks for Mobb Deep's The Infamous Mobb Deep album (2014). Upon its re...
The "GangStarr - Daily Operation" episode
April 30, 2021 01:00 - 17 minutes - 12.4 MBDaily Operation is the third studio album by American hip hop duo Gang Starr. It was released by Chrysalis Records on May 5, 1992.[3] It peaked at number 65 on the Billboard 200 chart.[4]
The "A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm" episode
April 25, 2021 15:00 - 29 minutes - 20.1 MBPeople's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm is the debut studio album by American hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, released on April 10, 1990[1] on Jive Records. After forming the Native Tongues collective and collaborating on several projects, A Tribe Called Quest began recording sessions for People's Instinctive Travels in late 1989 at Calliope Studios with completion reached in early 1990. The album's laid back production encompassed a diverse range of samples which functioned...
The "O.C. - Word...Life" episode
March 18, 2021 01:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBWord...Life is the debut album from underground hip hop artist O.C., who came to prominence in hip hop because of the album. It was released on October 18, 1994 by Wild Pitch Records. It also helped establish his membership in the legendary hip hop crew D.I.T.C., which includes Lord Finesse, Showbiz & A.G., Diamond D, Fat Joe, Big L and Buckwild, who produced the majority of this album. The album is most remembered because of the single "Time's Up". The instrumental to the track was used in...
The "De La Soul - De La Soul is Dead" episode
March 01, 2021 17:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBDe La Soul Is Dead is the second studio album by American hip-hop group De La Soul, released on May 14, 1991.[11] The album was produced by Prince Paul, whose work on 3 Feet High and Rising was highly praised by music critics. The album was one of the first to receive a five-mic rating in the Hip hop magazine The Source;[9] and the album was also selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums in 1998.[12] The album's cover refers to the death of the "D.A.I.S.Y." (Da Inner Sound, Y'all) ...
The "Digable Planets - Blowout Comb" episode
February 16, 2021 02:00 - 15 minutes - 10.6 MBBlowout Comb is the second studio album by American hip hop group Digable Planets, released October 18, 1994, on Pendulum/EMI Records. The album was written and recorded in Brooklyn, New York, where the group moved, with recording sessions beginning in 1993 and finishing in 1994. On Blowout Comb, Digable Planets abandoned the radio friendly style of their debut album and worked with a more ambitious, stripped-down sound. The album features a diverse range of samples and live instruments, and...
The "Brand New Heavies - Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1" episode
February 10, 2021 02:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MBHeavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1 is a 1992 studio album by The Brand New Heavies. It includes collaborations with Main Source, Gang Starr, Grand Puba, Masta Ace, Jamalski, Kool G. Rap, Black Sheep, Ed O.G., Tiger, and The Pharcyde.
The "Jeru - The Sun Rises in the East" episode
January 30, 2021 23:00 - 13 minutes - 9.4 MBThe Sun Rises in the East is the debut album by American hip hop rapper Jeru the Damaja, released May 24, 1994 on Payday Records. Production on the album was handled by DJ Premier. The album features fellow Gang Starr Foundation member Afu-Ra. The album cover depicts the World Trade Center on fire only one year after the 1993 bombing of the North Tower. The Sun Rises in the East was well received by most music critics upon its release. It is considerably significant in hip hop, as it contri...
The "Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride to the Pharcyde" episode
January 25, 2021 19:00 - 19 minutes - 13.5 MBBizarre Ride II the Pharcyde is the debut album of American hip hop group The Pharcyde, released on November 24, 1992 through Delicious Vinyl Records and EastWest Records. The album was produced by former group member J-Swift, and features only one guest appearance, provided by little known Los Angeles rapper Bucwheed (known then as "Buckwheat" from The Wascals). In the years after its release, Bizarre Ride has been hailed by music critics and alternative hip hop fans, as a classic hip hop a...
The "Brand Nubian - One for All" episode
January 20, 2021 21:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBOne for All is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Brand Nubian, released on December 4, 1990 by Elektra Records. The album was highly acclaimed for its politically charged and socially conscious content. Sales never matched the wide acclaim — the album has only sold 350,000 copies as of May 2013[citation needed] — but it has remained in print since its 1990 release. The album is mainly produced by Brand Nubian, but it also features production by Skeff Anselm, Stimulated Dummies...
The "Roots - illadelph halflife" episode
January 08, 2021 22:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MBIlladelph Halflife is the third studio album by American hip hop band the Roots, released September 24, 1996 on Geffen Records. It features a tougher and broader sound than their previous album, Do You Want More?!!!??! (1995). The album also contains integration of programmed drums and guest contributions by R&B musicians such as Amel Larrieux and D'Angelo, as well as jazz musicians such as David Murray, Steve Coleman, Cassandra Wilson, Graham Haynes. In 1998, the album was selected as one o...
The "CNN - The War Report" episode
January 05, 2021 18:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBThe War Report is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga (C-N-N). The album features the singles "L.A., L.A.", "T.O.N.Y.", "Illegal Life" and "Closer". Tragedy Khadafi appears on more than half of the album's songs and served roles as both producer and executive producer. Released: June 17, 1997
The "Black Moon - Enta Da Stage" episode
December 28, 2020 14:00 - 13 minutes - 9.66 MBIn this episode, the crew dives into the classic album Enta Da Stage from Black Moon. Born, Blak and SiD revisit this incredible album that introduced the world to the Brooklyn collective known as the Boot Camp Click.