The Vault: Classic Music Reviews Podcast

The crew discusses Jay-Z's sixth studio album, 2001's The Blueprint. The album was released ironically on the same day of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S., leaving it overshadowed by tragedy. After the smoke cleared (literally and figuratively), the album emerged as one of the most revered and acclaimed projects to drop in the new millennium, catapulting the Roc-A-Fella CEO and emcee into a another galaxy of success and carrying on the momentum from the end of the 90s. Backed the production prowess of the likes of Just Blaze, Kanye West, Timbaland, Bink and Eminem, Jay-Z's braggadocios and confident persona shone through with razor sharp lyrics and an impeccable flow. It combined street sensibilities with commercial appeal and also started his infamous feud with fellow rap icon Nas in a battle that would define the next half decade.Since it's release, it has continuously been hailed among the best music releases o the new millennium and is consistently mentioned with Jay-Z best releases in his illustrious career.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comJoin our Private Facebook Listener Group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/600256077743122Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodShow Notes:Albumism: Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint' Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospectivehttps://www.albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-20-years-of-jay-z-the-blueprintSterogum: 'The Blueprint' Turns 20https://www.stereogum.com/2160207/jay-z-the-blueprint/reviews/the-anniversary/The Undefeated: 'The Blueprint' Changed: The legacy of Jay-Z's album 20 years later. https://theundefeated.com/features/the-blueprint-changed-the-legacy-of-jay-zs-album-20-years-later/HotNewHipHop: Jay-Zs Izzo (H.O.V.A) Remains A Defining Moment In His Careerhttps://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jay-zs-izzo-hova-remains-a-defining-moment-in-his-career-new-song.1992615.htmlSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this bonus episode, B. Cox gives us a double feature with a two-part episode as the summer starts to wind down. In the first part, he pays homage to the DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (Will Smith) classic 'Summertime' as it turns 30 years old this summer. In the second part, he runs down his Top 10 Summer Jams of 1996, a summer that 25 years ago, many who were around would not forget.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comJoin our Private Facebook Listener Group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/600256077743122Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox welcomes 12Kyle of The 12Kyle Podcast to review OutKast's sophomore hit album ATLiens. After shaking up and introducing themselves on the hip-hop scene with their classic debut album Southernplayaisticadillacmuzik, Dre and Big Boi sought to make a project that would solidify their position as major players in the hip-hop scene nationally and internationally. Spurned once again by production from Organized Noize and also their debut into self-production, the duo spun tales of growth, cautionary stories, life in a changing Atlanta landscape and their desire to reach the top with lyrics and a flow that had advanced past the ambitious offering of their debut.Follow 12Kyle https://linktr.ee/12kyleVisit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comJoin our Private Facebook Listener Group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/600256077743122Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodShow Notes: Pitchfork: OutKast Announces 25th Anniversary Reissue of ATLienshttps://pitchfork.com/news/outkast-announce-25th-anniversary-reissue-of-atliens/Albumism: OutKast 'ATLiens' Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospectivehttps://www.albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-25-years-of-outkast-atliensThe Undefeated: The album cover of OutKast's 'ATLiens' https://theundefeated.com/features/album-outkast-atliens/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The crew discuss the late singer Aaliyah's classic second album One In A Million. After a successful debut under the guise of R. Kelly (which ended in legal troubles and a separation), the talented young songstress took her success and stardom to the next level by linking up with producer Timbaland and rapper, singer and songwriter Missy Elliot. Backed by futuristic and innovative production of Timbaland and songwriting assistance and background vocals from Missy, Aaliyah's talent and dedication took her career to the next level.Also assisted by an all-star cast of producers including Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Jermaine Dupri and Kay Gee, the album sold eight million records worldwide and spawned five singles tha charted within the Billboard Hot 100.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comJoin our Private Facebook Listener Group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/600256077743122Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodShow Notes: New York Post: How Aaliyah's "One In A Million" music Changed Lives 20 Years After Her Deathhttps://nypost.com/2021/08/20/how-aaliyahs-one-in-a-million-changed-music-20-years-after-death/The Root: Aaliyah, Missy Elliott and Timbaland Changed the Game with 1996's "One In a Million"https://www.theroot.com/aaliyah-missy-elliot-and-timbaland-changed-the-game-wi-1847526098Albumism: Her New World of Funk: 25 Years On, Aaliyah's 'One In A Million' is Still "Hot Like Fire" https://www.albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-25-years-of-aaliyah-one-in-a-millionSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox & J. Owe review West Coast and Hispanic iconic group Cypress Hill's self-titled debut album Cypress Hill. After undergoing a couple iterations with group members, the trio of B. Real, Sen Dog and DJ Muggs brought their debut album onto the seed over snapped and hard production over rhymes filled with references of life in the streets on the West Coast, dark humor and most of all, weed. Their foray into the marijuana sub culture made them pioneers prior to even the exploits of fellow southern Cali rappers Dr. Dre and Snopp Doggy Dogg who would do so to another level not even two years afterwards.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comJoin our Private Facebook Listener Group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/600256077743122Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodShow NotesLA Weekly: 25 Years Later Cypress Hill's Debut Remains an ahead of its time classichttps://www.laweekly.com/25-years-later-cypress-hills-debut-album-remains-an-ahead-of-its-time-classic/NME: Cypress Hill Announce New Docuemntary "Hits From The Bong" On The Wayhttps://www.nme.com/news/music/cypress-hill-announce-new-documentary-hits-from-the-bong-on-the-way-3019223DJMag: Cypress Hill to Celebrate 30th Anniversary of their Debut Album Release with Graphic Novelhttps://djmag.com/news/cypress-hill-celebrate-30th-anniversary-debut-album-release-graphic-novelAlbumism: Cypress Hill's Eponoymous Debut Album 'Cypress Hill' Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospectivehttps://www.albumism.com/features/cypress-hill-eponymous-debut-album-cypress-hill-turns-30-anniversary-retrospectiveSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox once again welcomes Nathan "The Professor" Rideaux of Food Dope Podcast to review UGK's third album, the southern classic Ridin' Dirty. After feeling neglected, underutilized and underfunded by their record label Jive, the Texas duo went to work to lay their classic album to prove them and the industry wrong. Over soulful, funky and bass heavy production by Pimp C and N.O. Joe, they sought to bring the industry to a slice of life in their corner of the world in Texas; life riddled with hard times, drug problems and war, murder and struggling to get by. The reality in their raps backed by the superb production gave Bun B and Pimp C their best selling album to date.Check out Nathan Rideaux's newest podcast Food Dope (Available on all platformswww.fooddopepodcast.comVisit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comJoin our Private Facebook Listener Group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/600256077743122Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodShow Notes: The Ringer: A Coronation For Kingzhttps://www.theringer.com/2021/8/3/22606976/ugk-ridin-dirty-retrospective-anniversaryCultureMap Houston: Houston hip-hop icon Bun B Reflects on the 25th Anniversary of UGK's Legendary Album https://houston.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/07-29-21-bun-b-ugk-ridin-dirty-25th-anniversary-pimp-c-the-2-trill-show/MicCheque: 25 Years Later: Reflecting on UGK's 'Ridin' Dirty'https://miccheque.com/2021/07/30/reflecting-on-ugk-ridin-dirty-25-years-later/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In a bonus episode of The Guest Lounge, B. Cox sits down with Sumit Sharma & Chris Mitchell of the Breaking Atoms Podcast. Based in the United Kingdom, Sharma and Mitchell have built one of the more intuitive, insightful and entertaining hip-hop podcasts in the industry. He chats with the duo about their journey as hip-hop fans, content creators and their motivation for starting the podcast.He also digs deep on the success of their recently critically acclaimed audio documentary Brookyln's Finest: The Making of Reasonable Doubt; a 5 part series that takes listeners on a journey through the making of Jay-Z's classic debut album after 25 years from the perspective of some of the producers, executives and major players of the hip-hop scene who experienced it and helped make it a reality first-hand.Visit the Breaking Atoms Websitehttps://www.breakingatoms.co.uk/Instagram & Twitter: @BreakTheAtomsFollow Chris MitchellInstagram & Twitter: @IAmKinetikFollow Sumit SharmaInstagram & Twitter: @hiphopchronicleVisit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comJoin our Private Facebook Listener Group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/600256077743122Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox reviews A Tribe Called Quest's fourth studio album Beats, Rhymes & Life. It was Tribe's first album since their classic third album Midnight Marauders and a three year gap between projects. In their return, the group grabbed their first No. 1 album on the charts which went platinum. While promising at first, the album suffered from a noticeable lack of cohesion and disjointedness. While the album's production (handled by the new production trio the Ummah) and lyrical content was a bright spot, there were key additions and omissions that prevented it from being a standout like the groups previous two efforts.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comJoin our Private Facebook Listener Group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/600256077743122Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodShow NotesAlbumism: A Tribe Called Quest's 'Beats, Rhymes & Life' Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospectivehttps://www.albumism.com/features/a-tribe-called-quest-beats-rhymes-and-life-turns-25-anniversary-retrospectiveFact Mag: Five Reasons Why A Tribe Called Quest's Beats, Rhymes & Life is a Misunderstood Classichttps://www.factmag.com/2016/08/31/a-tribe-called-quest-beats-rhymes-and-life/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox reviews Main Source's classic debut album 1991's Breaking Atoms. It was a wildly creative and sonically pleasing debut combining the exploits of twin brother DJs K-Cut and Sir Scratch along with emcee and soon to be legendary producer Large Professor. Behind funky and soulful sample based beats teamed up with Large Professor's prolific rhymes, the album tackled issues such failed relationships, emcee double crossing, police brutality, violence in the community and even featured the now-fabled debut of an unknown MC named Nas on a track that would be become more popular than the album itself. Initially rated a 4.5 Mic album by The Source upon release, the critically acclaimed album was re-rated as a 5 Mic Classic and named as one of the Best 100 Albums by the publication upon later editions.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comJoin our Private Facebook Listener Group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/600256077743122Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodShow NotesAlbumism: Main Source's Debut Album 'Breaking Atoms' Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospectivehttps://www.albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-30-years-of-main-source-breaking-atomsThe Boombox: Main Source's "Breaking Atoms" Influenced A Generation of Producershttps://theboombox.com/main-sources-breaking-atoms-influenced-a-generation-of-producers/BrooklynRadio.com: #30thAnniversary - Main Source "Breaking Atoms" http://brooklynradio.com/30thanniversary-main-source-breaking-atoms/HighSnobiety: Main Source's "Breaking Atoms" Is Still Relevant 25 Years Laterhttps://www.highsnobiety.com/p/breaking-atoms-25-year-anniversary/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

B. Cox & Domo review Philly neo soul singer and Soulquarian member Bilal and his debut studio album 1st Born Second. After spending the latter part of the previous decade collaborating with various artists and linking up with his soon-to-be Soulqaurian counterparts, his debut album was a sprawling journey of funk, soul, jazz and hip-hop, an ambitious overtaking only matched by his unique and versatile voice. Over production from the likes of Megahertz, Aaron Comess, Dr. Dre, Dre & Vidal, Rapheal Saadiq and the late J. Dilla, Bilal spends 75 minutes taking us on an experience while exceptional in every aspect, was largely forgotten by a public whose attention was hard to keepVisit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comJoin our Private Facebook Listener Group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/600256077743122Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodShow Notes:DefineARevolution: The Underrated-Bilal "1st Born Second"http://www.definearevolution.com/2015/11/the-underrated-bilal-first-born-second.htmlSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy