The Vault: Classic Music Reviews Podcast

B. Cox reviews hip-hop duo Gang Starr's fifth album Moment of Truth as it turns 25. After a four year hiatus from their acclaimed 4th album 1994's Hard To Earn, Guru and DJ Premier returned to to the lab to craft their latest album among a changing landscape. Hip-hop, once thought to be a fringe fad when they debuted and when they first left, was now starting to explode commercially and was being sought after beyond the urban communities and into corporate America. In between albums, the two had their share of work and turmoil. Guru recorded another installment of his famed Jazzmatazz series and also faced two different pending legal charges and battled some personal demons, while Premier became a recognized as one of the top producers in the game by producing for multiple acts during the break, but suffered some losses of loved ones during this time as well.The break and the adversity both men during it faced fueled their latest effort; crafting a well balanced and rounded out piece that reflected everything which made Gang Starr one of the best groups of their time. Guru's lyrics and emceeing rose to yet another level with his wisdom and experiences of the past few years driving his narrative to sights not seen before with Premier's beats meeting his mate's effort to a cinematic, with a Premier-type grit that served the soundtrack well. They were joined by a wide variety of featured guests such Inspectah Deck, M.O.P, Scarface, Freddie Fox, Big Shug, Shiggy Sha, a young G-Dep and singers K-Ci and JoJo. The combination led to arguably the group's most candid and complete work to date.The album featured three singles: "You Know My Steez" "Royalty" and "The Militia". Despite with no major charting singles, the album was certified gold and stands as a contender for the crown jewel of the legendary duo's catalog.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comSupport The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesAlbumism: Gang Starr's 'Moment of Truth' Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective https://albumism.com/features/gang-starr-moment-of-truth-album-anniversaryRockTheBells: Gang Starr's 'Moment of Truth' at 25https://rockthebells.com/articles/gang-starr-moment-of-truth-turns-25/Glide Magazine: 25 Years Later: Revisiting Gang Starr's Locked In "Moment of Truth" https://glidemagazine.com/289978/25-years-later-revisiting-gang-starrs-locked-in-moment-of-truth/Ambrosia For Heads: DJ Premier speaks About How Real Moment of Truth was Hip-Hop and Gang Starrhttps://ambrosiaforheads.com/2018/04/gang-starr-moment-of-truth-making-of-interview-video/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, B. Cox sorts through some of his favorite and memorable hip-hop posse cuts of the 1990s.*We did not include Wu-Tang Clan and its individual members' albums that could have memorable posse cuts as we determined that they could warrant a standalone bonus episode in the future. Stay tuned!*Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comCheck Out Our Clothing and Merch Shop and Cop Some Gear!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodShow NotesHigh Snobiety: The 25 Best Rap Posse Cuts of All-Time https://www.highsnobiety.com › 25-best-rap-posse-cutsPitchfork: The History of Posse Cuts in 5 Songs https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/1302-the-history-of-the-posse-cut-in-5-songs/Trapital: Why Rappers Stopped Making Remixes and Posse Cuts https://trapital.co/2019/05/03/why-rappers-stopped-making-remixes-and-posse-cuts/RockTheBells: A History Of The Posse Cut https://rockthebells.com/articles/best-posse-cuts/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 is joined by Chris Mitchell (Kinetik) of the Breaking Atoms Podcast to review Little Brother's classic debut studio album The Listening as it turns 20. The group, which was formerly made up of the trio of emcees Phonte and Big Pooh and producer 9th Wonder, met as students on the campus of North Carolina Central University. They bonded over their shared love and passion of hip-hop and formed a collective with other North Carolina college students who were hip-hop artists and producers which would become known as the Justus League.Pooling together their resources and creativity, the trio started recording their debut album. After working their local hip-hop scene and the college radio circle in their home state of North Carolina, the group signed its record deal with ABB Records and gained a sizable fanbase, following and a community online though forums such as their own Justus League The LAWN, OkayPlayer and other hip-hop sites. Boosting the groups popularity was the skills and creativity Phonte and Pooh and the soulful sample based production of 9th Wonder that drew comparisons in tenor and tone to predecessors such as groups from the collectives the Native Tongues and Soulquarians. Over 65 minutes and utilizing a concept used frequently in hip-hop, the album is presented through the lens of a radio station broadcast schedule, WJLR, presenting all of the tropes of terrestrial radio complete with skits and fictional disc jockeys which accompanied the album's tracks.While the album had no major singles or sales numbers to report, its legend has been boosted by their niche, but loyal fanbase that has followed them since the beginning. The album has been deemed an underground and indie hip-hop classic and the launching pad of a group that has had a successful, yet complicated two decades in the industry.Follow Chris Mitchell (Kinetik) Onlinehttps://linktr.ee/iamkinetikVisit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comCheck Out Our Clothing and Merch Shop and Cop Some Gear!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodShow NotesPassion Weiss: The Oral History of The Lawn (by Chris "Kinetik" Mitchell)https://www.passionweiss.com/2022/03/24/the-oral-history-of-the-lawn/Albumism: Little Brother's Debut Album "The Listening" Turns 20 | Album Anniversaryhttps://albumism.com/features/little-brother-debut-album-the-listening-album-anniversaryPitchfork: Little Brother "The Listening" Review https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/little-brother-the-listening/GQ: Little Brother Looks Back On 20 Years Of "The Listening" https://www.gq.com/story/little-brother-the-listening-album-20-yearsHipHopDX: Little Brother on 'The Listening' at 20 & Marauding For Earshttps://hiphopdx.com/news/little-brother-the-listening-20-year-intervew 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 looks back at hip-hop trio Digable Planet's debut album Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) as it turns 30. The Brooklyn-based group made up of emcees Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler, Mariana "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira and Craig "Doodlebug" Irving met through what seemed to be fate in the late 80s. After signing to Pendulum Records in 1992, they began crafting their debut album under the production supervision of Butterfly and the likes of Shane "The Doctor" Faber and Mike "Lanching An Attack" Mangini.Using the resources available to them in two makeshift studios in apartments, Butterfly and his cohorts utilized samples from jazz records exclusively, gleaning from Butler's father's collection of jazz records. What followed suit was a project filled with lively jazz notes and deep bass complimented by crisp drum patterns and percussion. This provided the landscape for the three emcees to spit lyrics based around politics, freedom, explorations of expression, black culture and fringe philosophical views with dexterity.Over 57 smooth, yet captivating minutes, the trio developed a unique sound in a hip-hop year full of groundbreaking material. The album's lead single "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" became a top 15 Billboard Hot 100 hit and is the group's signature song. It garnered the group a Grammy in 1994 for Best Rap Performance by A Duo or Group. The album was certified gold and served as the introduction to this unique trio that would have a successful, yet brief time in the spotlight.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comCheck Out Our Clothing and Merch Shop and Cop Some Gear!www.vaultclassicpod.com/storeBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodShow NotesAlbumism: Digable Planets Reachin' ( A New Refutation of Time and Space) Turns 30 | Album Anniversaryhttps://albumism.com/features/digable-planets-debut-album-reachin-a-new-refutation-of-time-and-space-album-anniversary Pitchfork: Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/digable-planets-reachin-a-new-refutation-of-time-and-space/ClassicAlbumSundays: Forgetting Classic: Digable Planets (A New Refutation of Time and Space). https://classicalbumsundays.com/forgotten-classic-digable-planets-reachin-a-new-refutation-of-time-and-space/RiotFest: Cool Like Dat? Check Out Where the Digable Planets Samples Came Fromhttps://riotfest.org/2018/08/17/digable-planets-reachin-samples/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 & J. Owe review 50 Cent's explosive debut album Get Rich or Die Tryin' as it turns 20. After a successful run as a protege of Run DMC's Jam Master Jay, the Queens youth turned drug dealer turned emcee was set to make his mark after series of setbacks including being shot multiple times, being dropped by his label while having his debut album scrapped and being blacklisted from the industry. After getting back on his feet and releasing several independent mixtapes, his free agency prompted one of the rap game's most competitive bidding wars. Dr. Dre and Eminem emerged victorious, signing him to a $1 million deal to Shady Records and Aftermath Entertainment and prepared to record his debut album. Working under the masterful guidance and tutelage of Dre and Eminem, the album was also boosted by production from the likes of several standout producers such as Sha Money XL, J-Praize, Rockwilder, Megahertz, Dirty Swift, Mike Elizondo, Darrell "Digga" Branch and others. The multi-layered, multi faceted production approach was the perfect soundtrack behind 50s trademark voice that laced the tracks with a mix of wittty bars and gritty street tales. He was also assisted with features from the likes of Eminem, Nate Dogg and his fellow G-Unit comrades Lloyd Banks, Young Buck and Tony Yayo.The debut week was massive, selling over 870,000 copies, becoming at the time the biggest debut for a hip-hop album ever. the album was boosted by many singles, including the Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles "In the Club" and "21 Questions" along with the Top 10 hit "P.I.M.P". "In the Club" became one of the most successful hip-hop and crossover singles in the 2000s. The album would also become RIAA-certified 9x platinum. It has led to 50 Cent being one of the most successful hip-hop artists of all time and led to his additional successes in branding, entertainment and liquor manufacturing among many other ventures.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comSupport The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesCrack Magazine: The undeniable impact of 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin'" https://crackmagazine.net/article/long-reads/retrospective-get-rich-die-tryin/OkayPlayer: The secret history of 50 Cent's "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'" https://www.okayplayer.com/originals/secret-history-50-cent-get-rich-or-die-tryin-lp.htmlPassionWeiss: The Diamond In The Dirt-50 Cent's 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin' Turns 20 https://www.passionweiss.com/2023/01/31/the-diamond-in-the-dirt-50-cents-get-rich-or-dyin-turns-20/HipHopXXIV: 50 Cent Responds to Jay-Z's 20 Year Old Warning https://hiphopxxiv.com/50-cent-responds-to-jay-zs-20-year-old-warning/Rock The Bells: Classic Albums: 50 Cent 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin'' https://rockthebells.com/articles/classic-albums-get-rich-or-die-tryin-by-50-cent/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 special bonus edition of Pop Culture Corner, B.Cox explores the dynamics of the many layers and styles of hip-hop and urban fashion in the 90s. After experiencing a very colorful and avant garde fashion sense in the 80s, the hip-hop and urban music scene in the 1990s was defined by three segments: (1) The elite and luxury fashion brands that dominated the fashion world whose status symbols found its niche among artists and their fans (2) the mainstream brands that the hip-hop community embraced a small, but popular segment of the culture overall; and (3) the upstart hip-hop based brands that were created by the culture for the culture, while fully embracing all it had to offer.B. Cox takes a look at most memorable brands that defined the 90s hip-hop and R&B fashion scene and the impact it had on other fashion brands willing to compete and the consumers who sought them.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comSupport The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesHigh Snobiety: The Trends and Brands that Defined 90s Hip-Hop Fashionhttps://www.highsnobiety.com/p/90s-hip-hop-fashion/Culture Vulturez: Top 20 Urban Fashion Brands of the 1990s and 2000shttps://www.kulturevulturez.com/top-hip-hop-clothing-brands/Complex: From NIke To Nautica, Here are the 90s Brands that Defined The Decadehttps://www.complex.com/style/the-best-brands-of-the-90s/BET: 25 Hip-Hop Clothing Brands that you may have forgotten abouthttps://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/vz8vu6/wearthemessage-25-hip-hop-clothing-brands-you-may-have-forgotten-about/7ipzrySupport 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 reflects on the year that was 2003. In a year that saw Western Powers kick their war against dictatorships in the Middle East into full gear and saw the U.S. biggest state in political turmoil, the music scene was successfully and commercially thriving.It was highlighted by the emergence of the unlikeliest of superstars in 50 Cent, who served as triumphant comeback story: from underground sensation to on his death bed to global music superstar in the span of two years. Meanwhile, the biggest star in hip-hop, Jay-Z, was planning his exit with his supposed final studio album and farewell tour which was planned to lead to his new life as a record label executive and businessman.2003 marked a year of great commercial success with tons of hits topping the charts from a multitude of artists over a number of genres. It was the year that the South, namely Atlanta's hip-hop and R&B scene made its strong push towards being the major player it had been threatening to be almost a decade and when international acts and songs from reggae, soca and reggaeton made a huge impression on the American listening public and in the clubs.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comSupport The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesAllHipHop: The REAL REcap-The Best of 2003 Newshttps://allhiphop.com/features/the-real-rap-recap-the-best-of-2003-news/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 looks back at the year that was 1998. As the United States and the world had the new millennium within eye sight, there were uncertain times in the world politically and socially. Admist all the turmoil and uncertainty, the year delivered one of the best combined critical and commercial years for both hip-hop and R&B.Musically, the year succeed on many fronts as far as radio hits and explosive sales numbers as well as underground success and notoriety beyond the fringes. It also marked a year of balance that hardcore and rugged rap, feel good and luxury rap, and soulful and thought rendering rap all excelled and were recognized.In R&B, industry veterans coupled with promising upstarts marked a banner year for the genre and as a number of classic and essential albums would shape its direction going into the turn of the century.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comSupport The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesBillboard: Why 1998 Was The Greatest Year of My Hip-Hop Lifetimehttps://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/1998-greatest-year-hip-hop-essay-datwon-thomas-8458855/Medium: Revisiting the Hip-Hop Class of '98https://medium.com/the-passion-of-christopher-pierznik-books-rhymes/revisiting-the-hip-hop-class-of-1998-1955b6e974e3OkayPlayer: September 29, 1998 was Rap Music's Last Greatest Release Datehttps://www.okayplayer.com/originals/september-29th-1998-greastest-day-rap-music-outkast-jay-z-black-star.htmlSoulInStereo: Why 1998 Was A Game Changing Year for Hip-Hop and R&Bhttp://www.soulinstereo.com/2018/04/why-1998-was-a-game-changing-year-for-hip-hop-rb.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

B. Cox reflects on the year that was 1993; a year that saw the election of a generational U.S. president, two sports dynasties repeating their excellence, a unthinkable terrorist attack that shook the nation as well as a monumental year in hip-hop and R&B with a number of classics that would leave their marks on not just music, but pop culture overall.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comSupport The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Show NotesVibe: 1993: The Year That Hip-Hop and R&B Conquered The Worldhttps://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/1993-the-year-hip-hop-and-rb-conquered-the-world-397576/Medium: November 9th, 1993: Hip-Hop's Creative Apexhttps://keithdevlin.medium.com/november-9th-1993-hip-hops-creative-apex-7118a55df362NPR: Eight Million Stories: Hip-Hop in 1993 https://www.npr.org/sections/microphonecheck/2013/11/11/239941174/eight-million-stories-hip-hop-in-1993Support 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 the last episode of the year, B. Cox gives The Vault's rankings for the top hip-hop & R&B albums reviewed from 1992, 1997 and 2002 to put a bow on what has been another busy and memorable year for the podcast.Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Onlinewww.vaultclassicpod.comSupport The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffeehttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpodBuild Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes!https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy