Amazon.com

A collection of well-known pop tunes, this record documents those ubiquitous tracks that have been played into the ground at nearly every sports facility in the country. Most, like "Whoomp! There It Is" and "Hip Hop Hooray," are undeniably catchy, and other tracks were downright splendid when they first appeared on the scene. Some even credit "Pump Up the Volume" with being a breakthrough for the electronic music scene of the late '80s and early '90s. Still, bringing musical innovation to light is not what the makers of this recording had in mind. It's all about the trashy glitz, fleeting glories, and mindless greed of late-20-century American sports. Revel in its dubious charms, and risk having your brains turn to mush while a permanent grin takes over your face. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (21)

This CD rules!!
This Cd had the best selection of dance and hip-hop music I have ever heard! This is the best Jock Jams CD. Especially the "Come Baby Come" song.

So Close
This CD has some of the best sports songs ever on it. Like "Let's get ready to rumble", "Get Ready 4 This", "Strike it Up" and "Rock N Roll", among others. But you have to wonder what songs like "Unbelievable" and "Ive got the Power" are doing on there. This CD came so close but didn't quite make it.

Great Music for Parties and Sports Freaks
This album is one of the best I've ever heard! All the music on this album is great for car rides with friends, great for parties and for those who love sports. This album is full of cool late 80's and 90's music. I suggest at least two copies of this album for all households! It's THAT cool!

a must for techno/hip-hop lovers
the cd has its up and downs, the hip-hop/rap being the downs and the techno being the ups. really old skool music.

Music that you can dance the night away!!!!!
I like this music because you can use it to dance. You can also use it for that Pep Ralley before the games. I discovered this when I was in the high school Pep Band. I also discovered that this is music to pump up the team. As in get them excited for the games. I like all the groups such as Village People, M.A.R.R.S, 2Unlimited, and Technotronic. I also like the arangement of Rock And Roll Part 2. Hey! that song should have been used on the Glitter soundtrack. Come Baby Come is like a jumpin kind of song, and that's exactly what I listened to in my early time before I left High School. Man! It's been a long time since I did this. I got this back in 1997. I bought this at a music store. I highly recommend this to future fans. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Off and on.
This soundtrack is like many other soundtracks I've listened to: hit and miss. I only like rap, so tracks by The Isley Brothers, Bootsy Collins, Rick James, etc just aren't working for me. The albums starts as rap, gets interrupted, and ends as rap again. However, the rap that is on here is really good stuff. Ice Cube, Dr Dre, Scarface, Threat, Mack 10, & Tha Alkaholiks all did their best to drop really dope songs. What more can you say about a soundtrack? So many different styles and varying production. There are a few classic tracks but it's arguable whether they make the soundtrack worth the purchase since I think most of these songs you can get on the solo releases from the various artists. From the point of view of a die-hard rap fan, this album gets a less than solid 3 Stars.

It'll keep your head ringin'.
This is actually a pretty good soundtrack. Even if you haven't seen the movie, most people should like it. The first number of tracks are all rap. Great songs from "Ice Cube", "Dr.Dre", "Scarface", and "Cypress Hill". Then the middle of the disc has a few R&B/funk type tracks that are sweet. The "Isley Brothers", "Rick James", and "Rose Royce" are all pretty smooth. The end of this is kind of mixed, most of it good listening though. Anyone looking for one style here will be bummin', but those with an open mind and broad taste will look forward to this like it's "Friday".

Friday: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
The original Friday movie remains my favourite of the series, an entertaining, funny movie. Friday: Original Motion Picture soundtrack (1995) is alright, starts with Ice Cube on "Friday" a banging track with a frantic beat. Cube's former NWA mate Dr. Dre comes next with "Keep Their Heads Ringin'", another good track. Cypress Hill's "Roll It up, Light It up, Smoke It Up" is that track about getting blunted. First R & B track "Tryin' to See Another Day" comes from the Isley Brothers a positive upbeat track which has an oldschool feel to it, Rick James' "Mary James" is similar. Rose Royce's soulful "I Wanna Get Next to You" follows, a real laid back track that sounds like something from my parents time. The Alkaholiks "Coast to Coast" and E-A-Ski's "Blast If I Have To" bring things back to more of a hardcore tip. Some tracks fall under straight skip material for me on this, making this soundtrack a mixed bag. My favourite tracks remain the first two. The funk influenced tracks add some flavour to this release, Soundtrack may be a bit dated now, back in 95 it was banging for awile. 3.5

One of the best soundtracks EVER.
Most soundtracks don't seem to go hand in hand with the movies but Friday does that. If you liked what you heard in the movie you will like this, several of the tracks are straight from the film.

Ok
My favorite songs are 2,4,6,7,8,11,12,13,14,15. This cd is decent, but it lacks more of the hip hop atomsphere that you would expect from a LA based movie like FRIDAY. It's worth it, but you'll need to listen to it a few times to really like it. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

pretty damn good
but not the best out there- raw funk is cheaper and schoolhouse funk is better i think, if you can find the brainfreeze breaks cd- that one's pretty good too. lots out there, this is worth picking up, no doubt, but it's not the baddest of the bad...

A great release of stuff we'd otherwise probably never hear
Egon and Peanut Butter Wolf bring it with this excellent compilation of long-out-of-print funk tunes, late 60's through mid 70's. How'd they do it? Well, they drove cross-country to hang with the greats and go bowling, and unearthed what you're looking at now...

Instrumentals, upkey stuff, positivity, the shout-along proto-hip hop, 'What About You,' I disagree with one of the reviwers below- the material here is all top-notch. PLUS, the chances of finding these GEMS on original vinyl or 45- well, you ain't got a chance in this hell or any other, basically. So be thankful, be damn thankful, because damn near each and every track is sucker punch of funk fo yo nads.

Great liner-notes by Egon. The whole thing fulfills. The pentultimate track ny Cut Chemist, 'Bunky's Pick,' takes you back through the wax as he mixes it up like no other. Full of wholesome funky goodness!

Dont be no jive turkey
if your looking at it you must have some interest and if it was recommended to you you deserve it. PICK IT UP>

Super funky
If you listen to hip-hop and know that your all about being funky pick this up right now. It is the first step in knowing anything about some truely awesome old under-appreciated funk music.

Good Comp
This is a good compiliation of late 60'2-early 70's funk. There are some strong moments, but it's not a must have cd. Most of the songs are in the James Brown style, plus there are a few decent covers. Super Funk is a much better compiliation, as is 45 Kings. I would recommend this cd for someone that likes funk and wants to enjoy a solid, if un-essential cd. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Following in the hip-hop tradition of Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest, Dr. Dre, and the entire No Limit roster, DMX has used his nascent stardom to give something back to his crew, the Ruff Ryders. Ostensibly a showcase for the Lox and the unknowns of the family (Drag-On, Eve, Parle, Cross, and Infra-Red), Ryde or Die works even better as a calling card for producer Swizz Beatz, who gets plenty of shout-outs on the Cuban-flavored "What Ya Want" and DMX's "Bugout." Swizz keeps the album bouncing with funky sounds and makes sure all the rappers--even the normally mush-mouthed Juvenile, just one of the plethora of guest stars (including Mase, Jermaine Dupri, Big Pun, and Jay-Z) here--sound crystal clear. There are a few tracks that don't make the cut at all--Parle's limp R&B anthem "I'm a Ruff Ryder" is the worst offender--and no breakout classics, but the tracks here are consistently fun to listen to. --Randy Silver ... Read more

Reviews (149)

Yeah, I agree it doesn't deserve 5 stars.
"Ryde Or Die" Vol. 1 can basically be described as one big sloppy variety pack- and yes, there are no "stand-out" tracks...some notable ones, yes ("Jigga My N***a", "Down Bottom", "Pina Colada" only for Drag-On's performance), but none that you'll get stuck in your head. As much as I hate the Lox (don't ask), they work well here, particularly on the title track. DMX is good as usual, Jay-Z is his I-have-so-much-charisma-that-I-can-get-away-with-the-silliest-things self, Eve is great as always, Parle bites, Mase is alright, Jermaine Dupri is soft, Juvenile clicks, Infra-Red is nice...man, this is just un-notable from start to finish. Swizz Beatz literally IS the whole darn CD, weaving his magic into everything and trying as hard as he can to make something bust loose, but the rappers don't seem to be concerned with that here. It sounds like another day at the office. It's fun, but not the definition that the Ruff Ryders would want you to think it is. But then again, it DID hit #1...

Not really recommended, unless you love everybody here.

The Beats are ridiculously PHAT! Definetly a quality CD!
All the songs are excellent, except a few will take a while to jump on(they will grow on you though, no lie). Songs 1-7 will instantly grab you. Song 10 is my favorite(Check it out). The songs with Drag-On featured are the best, of course the songs with DMX are great, and Eve, the female Ruff Ryder, has excellent songs. Overall this album is HOT, HOT,HOT. Check it, this is definetly worth the money, I dont care who you like. The Ruff Ryders are talented and this album also features all of todays Hottest artists: JayZ, Mase, Jermaine Dupris, The Lox, Juvenile, Big Pun, and of course the originator DMX. Yo get it, get Busta too(that was worth the money too)-just as good.

RR
This is definately the best RR CD they have made. This CD can take us all back to a time where we were chillin, or driving in our car, bumpin this...in the summer, pumpin gas, trying to flex. I love this...even Juvi ripped it.

Not The Greatest!!
I am personally dissapointed to admit to my friends that I actually purchased this cd. I am a big fan of DMX and the entire Ruff Ryder team but this cd is just flat out horrible. My only question is why is Jay-Z(Roc-A-Fella) on this compilation cd. That in my opinion is the worst part of this cd.

RUFF RYDERS USED TO BRING IT!
Best Songs - Jigga My, What Ya Want, Down Bottom, Ryde Or Die, Kiss Of Death, and Pina Colada

Worst Songs - Dope $ and Do That

Beats 8/10 Lyrics 7/10

This is the best Ryde Or Die compilation. The last two haven't been as good but you'll hit the fast forward button a few times. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The hip-hop entry in Rhino's Millennium Party compilation series doesn't so much capture the sound of the year 2000 as it does that of 1989. In the wake of "Walk This Way," Top 40 radio realized that its listeners would accept the Fresh Prince's tales of teen mock-woe, Tone Loc's Coasters-derived rockers, and Young MC's, er, tales of teen mock-woe. Up to and including Snoop's "What's My Name?" (the CD's newest cut, from '93), this excellent PG-rated set makes nearly flawless choices. Biggest exception: "Tennessee" by Arrested Development, whose leader Speech's nonstop self-righteous mumbling will drive everyone into the next room. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Old Skool Mixes Are The Best
Every Old School Rap Song On Here is atleast above average. The Best Song On This CD in My Opinion Is " Bust A Move " By Young MC. This CD Has Alot Of Great Hits On It Like "It Takes Two" By Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, and it also has "Now That We Found Love" By Heavy D and The Boyz which is kinda a Hip-Hop and R&B song mixed in one. I think that it is great that they put Grandmaster Flash Songz on these kinda cd's cause that is the original stuff like "White Lines" By Grandmaster and melle mel. Its Great that they put "Jump Around" on this cause that is one of the greatest Hip Hop songs of all time if you were White Or Black You Liked The Song. Its Koo how They Put PM Dawns "set adrift on memory bliss" on the mix cause they were never considerd rappers in there time, but it is one of the best songs on the mix. Snoop Doggs G-Funk "Whats My Name" and Dr.Dre's "Nutin But a G Thang" are classic old school rap songs. "Tennesse" By Arrested Development in my opinion i like "Mr.Wendall" better Then "Tennesse" but they didnt put it on. I Suggest if ya dont got dis cd go buy it

This makes a party, alright!
1. White Lines (Don't Don't Do It) - Grandmaster Flash 5/5
2. Walk This Way - Run-D.M.C. 5/5
3. Funky Cold Medina - Tone-Loc 4/5
4. Humpty Dance - Digital Underground 5/5
5. Bust a Move - Young MC 4/5
6. It Takes Two - Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock 5/5    
7. U Can't Touch This - MC Hammer 5/5    
8. Parents Just Don't Understand - DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince 5/5  
9. Around the Way Girl - LL Cool J 5/5   
10. Set Adrift on Memory Bliss - P.M. Dawn 5/5    
11. Tennessee - Arrested Development 3/5   
12. Now That We Found Love - Heavy D & the Boyz 5/5   
13. Good Vibrations - Funky Bunch 5/5    
14. Baby Got Back - Sir Mix-A-Lot 5/5   
15. Jump Around - House of Pain 5/5    
16. Hip Hop Hooray - Naughty by Nature 5/5    
17. Who Am I (What's My Name)? - Snoop Dogg  5/5
18. Nuthin' but a "G" Thang - Dr. Dre 5/5

Hold Up! Hold Up! Hold Up!
Okay, this is a great album. It brought back memories of school days in the 1990's and 80's. These are some of the best jams ever made but I have one major complaint...were are the WOMEN?!!!
HELLO There are female hip-hop masters too! How are you going to have a Millennium Hip Hop Party without hits like:

UNITY- Queen Latifah
Let's Talk About Sex- Salt-N-Pepa
Dance For Me- Queen Latifah
No Time- Little Kim
I'll Be- Foxy Brown
The Rain- Missy Elliott
Monie in the Middle- Monie Love,

Juicy Got Crazy- Oaktown 357 and countless others! The females get dissed and forgotten once again. This is a good album but they need to make a version for the females. It made no sense to ignore these ladies who've all turned Hip Hop into an art form. Especially Queen Latifah who is the reigning Queen of Hip Hop. What were they thinking?

AWESOME CD!!!
This has to be one of my FAVORITE CD's of all time! You will NOT be sorry you bought it!!

Non-Threatening Rap
Yes it is the CD for people who don't like rap, but really dig songs like Walk This Way; White Lines; Humpty Dance. Good party CD ... Read more

Reviews (5)

This is worth your "Dollars & Sense"
Yet another solid Death Row album. This CD is really good, that has some classic songs on it. The title track is a remix of "Murder Was The Case" that was on Snoop's "Doggystyle" album, it's a good song, but I like the original better. "Natural Born Killaz" is a very dark song by Dr. Dre & Ice Cube with an insane beat courtesy of The Good Doctor. "What Would You Do?" by Tha Dogg Pound is another good song much like the songs on their "Dogg Food" album. "21 Jumpstreet" is a nice laid back song by Snoop and Tray Dee about the LBC. "Who Got Some Gangsta S...?" is one of the best songs on the album by Snoop & Tha Dogg Pound it has a nice G-Funk beat that goes perfect with their flows. "U Better Recognize" is another one of the best songs here performed by Sam Sneed & Dr. Dre with an ill beat produced by Sam himself. "Come Up To My Room" is the best R&B song on this album performed by Jodeci featuring Tha Dogg Pound. And perhaps the best song on the album is "Dollars & Sense" the classic MC Eiht diss by D.J. Quick. So, those are the best songs here, oh yeah "One More Day" by Nate Dogg is O.K., bottom line if you like Death Row stuff you'll be satisfied if you cop this.

A classic enhanced with this great remastering.
Murder Was The Case was a movie starring Snoop Doggy Dogg, named after one of his most massive hits. Dr. Dre, the producer of the song, directed the movie. I am not usually into soundtracks, but this album is on Death Row, so it's got to be good. The musicians featured on this turn in excellent performances, and thankfully, there is very little R&B music. Such great guests as Snoop Doggy Dogg, Dr. Dre, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, Ice Cube, Tray D, Nate Dogg, Lil' C-Style, Swoop G, Jodeci, DJ Quik, CP0, Slip Capone, and many more. The production is beautiful and owed largely to Daz Dillinger, who really puts in great work, instead of Dr. Dre, who seemed to get all the credit. DJ Quik also puts in some excellent tracks, as well as some lesser known producers, but not too many. The beats sound more refined than those on The Chronic, they are smoother and more keyboard-oriented. The beats on this album are very similiar to those on Doggystyle, which proves that Daz and Warren G did do a lot of that production, instead of Dr. Dre, who got all the credit. All of the tracks are laced with those keyboards, and excellent bass.

The highlights on this album include "Murder Was The Case (Remix)", performed by Snoop Doggy Dogg. Unlike the original, this one is less dense and a little more bouncy. Dre did do the remix, and the high-pitched keyboard sounds he made famous are certainly there. "Natural Born Killers", performed by Dr. Dre and Ice Cube is one of the hardest tracks ever, with hardcore lyrics and a rock-like beat that pumps through the veins. The best track is easily the memorable "What Would You Do", performed by Kurupt and Daz Dillinger. Here they famously diss Eazy-E and B.G. Knocc Out, Kurupt dissing Eazy for dissing him on a song of the same name from his 1994 Temporary Insanity LP (which is out of print). B.G. Knocc Out also said a line dissing them on a song called "Old School", and so they responded. After a couple of years when the beef was settled, Kurupt and Daz were the winners. This was a song that really made Kurupt famous, and the jazzy beat produced by Daz is one of the greatest of all-time. "Twenty-One Jumpstreet" is an amazing track done by Snoop and introducing Tray D to the game. The laid-back beat done by Daz is very beautiful, flowing like water. Nate Dogg's hit "One More Day" is a classic, with cool guitar and keyboards produced once again by Daz. "Who Got The Gangsta", is another classic track from Snoop Doggy Dogg, featuring Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, Lil' C-Style, and Swoop G, the latter two making their debuts. "You Better Recognize" is another good song by Sam Sneed with Dr. Dre on the chorus, and a funky beat. "Come Up To My Room" is the album's best R&B track, with great bongos and keyboards, plus Kurupt and Daz are a great combination with R&B pretty boys Jodeci. "Dollars Make Sense" performed by DJ Quik, taking a funky percussion and guitar beat taking a huge punch at MC Eiht. "The Eulogy" is a great track as well, done by CP0, Slip Capone, and Kurupt. Jewell also puts in "Harvest For The World", a decent track, but Dr. Dre's beat for it is so soulful. The problem with the song is it gets really repititive with that chorus.

I would recommend this to any rap fan. This is Death Row Records at their best. Death Row got better each time, starting with Dr. Dre's 1992 LP The Chronic, 1993 Snoop Doggy Dogg's Doggystyle, 1994 Murder Was The Case Soundtrack, 1995 Kurupt & Daz Dillinger with Dogg Food, great rap classics. Plus there were excellent albums off of Death Row such as Snoop Doggy Dogg's 1996 The Doggfather, and 2Pac's classic All Eyes On Me double album in 1996. Then, Daz went solo for a classic 1998 Death Row album called Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back. From 1992-1998, Death Row Records, the best label ever.

Believe the Hype: MwtC Lives Up to its Billing...
1994 is considered by many hip hop fans to be the peak of the so-called "gangsta" era. Death Row Records had a firm grip on the industry and proved that acts like Snoop Doggy Dogg, Dr. Dre and Tha Dogg Pound could be crossover, mainstream successes while maintaining their "street" credibility. "Murder Was the Case" served two purposes. One, it provided the soundtrack to Death Row's first "movie" (a 15-minute direct-to-video schlockfest) and two, it exploited Snoop's real-life troubles with the law.

The title track is a remix of a cut heard on Snoop's first album. Dr. Dre's understated synth production gives this song a more eerie feel than the original and is a great opener, especially the "TV feeds" of newsmen reporting on Snoop's "death". "Natural Born Killaz" is easily the standout track and one of the best rap cuts of all-time. Former NWA partners, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre verbally slay anyone in their way over a pulsating track. This song was originally planned for the Oliver Stone movie soundtrack of the same name, but it's placement here gives the album that fatalistic feel that's reflected the genre.

The majority of the remaining rap tracks range from decent to exceptional. DJ Quik spits one of the most infamous disses in the industry's history on "Dollars & Sense", at his then-foe MC Eiht (with the terrific lyrical jab "E-I-H-T, cuz the 'G' ain't in you..."). Sam Sneed makes a splashy debut with "U Better Recognize" and Snoop Dogg returns on two more solid tracks. The album falters when it dips into the R&B field, as Jewell, Danny Boy and Jodeci contribute a handful of bland and cliched material to the project. It's not enough to weigh this album down, though. MwtC is considered one of the best hip hop albums of all time and is worthy of its lofty status.

Don't have it all
This CD has some excellent tracks on it but it's missing one. On the tape version of this album there is a song on the last track that they left off the CD for some reason. I don't know the name of the song or the group who did it but it's by far the tightest song on the soundtrack.

MURDER WAS THE CASE
Not the best album from death row netha the less its still got sum tite tracks and sum good artists doesnt compare to above the rim sountrack though. IF ur a fan of death row records its probably worth a buy. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Looking for Pain, Loyal to the Game, and Mi Monie Rite???
I'll give this soundtrack three stars because It does not have two of 2pac's songs on there Pain and Loyal to the Game and Mi Monie Rite by Lord G on the CD soundtrack. If everyone is looking for those three songs. They are both on the TWO Cassettes and a CD single. One is on the Soundtrack BUT it's on cassette as BONUS TRACKS not the CD SOUNDTRACK. Another cassette the two songs are on is the Music From Above the Rim Maxi Single with both songs Pain, and Loyal to the Game on there as well as Part Time lover by H-Town and I'm Still in Love with You by Al B. Sure! Mi Monie Rite by Lord G is not on this cassette single. This tape is very hard to find because it only came out in the summer of 94. The third is a CD single called the Music from Above the Rim Regulate single with the three songs Pain, Loyal to the Game and My Monie Rite. The CD also has Regulate by Warren G. AND Nate Dogg. This CD is also hard to find because it also came out the summer of 94. To find Music From Above the Rim Maxi single on tape and Music From Above the Rim Regulate single on CD you can go on Ebay.com because I got both of them off of Ebay. If yall don't want to do that then just get the soundtrack on cassette not the CD because again Pain, Loyal To the Game and Mi Monie Rite are on the cassette soundtrack as BONUS TRACKS.

Above The Rim Soundtrack
Above the rim is good soundtrack. I banged it when it came out and still love it today. It would be perfect if they stopped acting like the 3 bonus tracks (on the cassette version) don't exist. At the time of release there was an Above the Rim Maxi single (CD) that featured the 3 bonus tracks: Pain, Loyal to the Game, and Get my Money Right. These songs (especially the first 2) deserve to be on the CD track, not just limited to the cassette format. How hard would it be to include it as a bonus disc with Soundtrack? You'd be surprised how many Tupac fans would happy if this happened. Pain is a great song and I can't find it anywhere on CD.
In my opinion this what keeps the album good instead of it being a great classic.

One Of The Best Hip-Hop Soundtracks Ever!
While I am not a big rap fan, even I was taken by this soundtrack. I like it better than I did the film! From SWV's remix of "Anything" to 2PAC's "Pour Out A Little Liquor", this CD was solid. Even Al B. Sure!'s remake of Al Greene's "Still In Love With You" was listenable. Get this classic as it was hip-hop at its best.

Great Soundtrack by Death Row
First of all, adressing the issue about "Pain" and "Loyal to the Game," it is a shame that they were left off here, but you have to take the cd for what it is. True they did make a mistake, this is a great album none the less. This cd is an equal distribution of both hip-hop and R&B. In the rap genre, Tha Dogg Pound give 2 solid tracks with "Big Pimpin'" and "Dogg Pound 4 Life." "Pour Out A Little Liquor," "Anything," "Didn't Mean 2 Turn U On," and "Crack'em" are among the best songs on here, but the 2 standout tracks are "Regulate" and "Afro Puffs." "Regulate" is a song by Warren G. and Nate Dogg which is a G-Funk masterpiece and the Dr. Dre produced "Afro Puffs" is as funky as it gets with a great beat. This is performed by the Lady of Rage, who I was always a fan of. This cd is a great one with top-notch production throughout the whole album. A great bomb by Death Row back when they were number one. Any Death Row fan will be satisfied, even if your'e not the biggest R&B fan in the world. There's not too much Snoop or Dre, but still a gem.

WHERE THE HELL IS "PAIN"?
Where the hell is Pain on this album? Pain was the most HEAVILY used song in the movie and is also Pac's BEST SONG OF HIS ENTIRE CAREER. It is an unbelievable track with amazing lyrics. Why the hell didn't Suge Knight include it on this CD? The only reason I wanted this thing was to hear Pain!!! Don't even bother with this man, get the cassette instead, it includes it.
This is pathetic without Pain. It's unbelievable it isn't included on the soundtrack. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Menace II Society Soundtrack
I checked out this soundtrack recently after rewatching one of my favourite gangster movies "Menace II Society". The opening track is Spice 1's standout "Nigga Gots No Heart" a dark banging track. Without a doubt the highlight of this release for me is the next track the theme song, MC Eiht's "Streiht up Menace" a truly classic cut which I never get tired of hearing. MC Eiht's lyrics and the beat to this one are outstanding. Kenya Gruv delivers a decent love ballad on "Top of the World". More hardcore banging tracks like Da Lench Mob's "Guerillas Ain't Gangstas" and Pete Rock and CL Smooth's "Death Becomes You" follow. While the young sounding The Hi-Fives "Unconditional Love" is a good harmless happy sounding love song. The closing track is Spice 1's "Trigga Gots No Heart", similar to the opening track but better, one of my favourite Spice 1 tracks. Its been eleven years so obviously some of these tracks are dated, however this soundtrack compliments the movie nicely. I would only recommend this one to big Menace II Society fans (who would most likely have it by now) and people looking for MC Eiht's best track. 3.5.

Dang!!!
This soundtrack brings back memories for me. I remember back in High School jammin' to Spice 1's "Triggas Got no Heart", Kenya Gruv's "Top of the World", Smooth's "You've been Played", Hi Fives "Unconditional Love" and MC Eiht's "Straight up Menace". This whole soundtrack and the Movie was the bomb!

I love this soundtrack
I love this lench mob's cut gets me a classic ... spice 1 gave us a street classic, too short was raw as always, pete rock and cl smooth triewd to be gangsters on here and it did'nt work this whole cd is bad ....

Still one of my favorite CDs
This CD is raw. And the movie is awfully raw....

Considering the slant upon which rap and black culture has taken in these seven years since this album was released (and the movie for which it was made...) it doesn't surprise me that this record still hangs in my mind as the best of its genre. Almost every song on it remains a classic-- thoough some of the more positive R & B numbers that are there could stand to be stripped....

Taken for what it is, a frank and dark look at culture, this is as good as it gets. If you're newer to hiphop but wandering what exactly was going on in the early ninties, get this disc and listen to what Guru, Too $hort, Ant Banks and the rest of them were doing before rap became about Eminem's "homosexuals and Vicodin" or the rests champagne and big screen TVs....

This is sorta like the Louis-Ferdinand Celine version of rap music....

this cd is great.
This cd is tight, the best song is trigga gots no heart by underrated rapper Spice 1, also the songs by too $hort and ugk are tight too, this is also one of my favorite movies. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Swisha does it again.
Another incredible example of the best stuff out of Houston. Featuring an incredible variety of Houston's best rappers (well, best in 1999 anyway.), this CD will not disappoint you. The two tracks that have become my favorites on the album would be Hay Hay Hay (with Southpark Mexican, Slim Thug and Lil Mario.) The other is Name or Fame (with Camilean, Paul Wall and Archie Lee) .. these two tracks definately stand out from all the rest.

That Swisha House
These SWISHA HOUSE boys are the cooldest on the mic doing it today can't nobody touch this boys. With the skills of Michel Watts and O.G. Ron C on the turn tables and the skills of Slim Thug, Big Pic, Big Tike, AD, 50/50, Chamillionarie, Paul Wall, J Boy, and all the other SWISHA HOUSE crew.

Nor north $ide chop chop
i represent that North Htown baby! buy all the swishahouse you can get, they cd's sell quick. goin' worldwide baby

Swishahouse done blew up for that 99 and now that y2k
If you a fan of D.J Screw then you'll like that Swishahouse. Man if you aint heard any of what DJ Michael 5000 Watts be screwin and choppin then you need to jump on it. The swishahouse all stars are the bomb. At 1st Mike watts put out a bunch of promotional cd's like choppin em up 1&2, Northside 8,9,10,spring break 99, afta da kappa,playas holiday,final chapter, ballin shot callin,f--k action 15,16,18 now they came out and got they own cd. If you havent visited the swishahouse webpage you need to do that www.swishahouse.com and order all your cd's today. I like what them boys did by representin' that Nawf Syde of H-Town(houston.) Everybody in Texas bumpin that swishahouse. 5 stars all the way. Forget all that east coast Jay-Z,Dmx bull it's all aout the 3rd coast baby.

nawfside represent!
Representing the Nawfside of Houston Texas, these boys don't play. After years of hearing the Swisha House in concert and on locally distributed tapes, They have finally begun to make noise nationally. This version is the original version of the album, there is also a chopped up version (slowed down-screwed up) ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Don't Be Afraid to Buy This!!!
This soundtrack is one of the greatest soundtracks of the 90's. The movie rocks! and the soundtrack fitted perfectly for the mood and tempo of the movie. The artists did some of their best work for this soundtrack. I especially like Naughty By Nature, Eric B. & Rakim, and Aaron Halls' joints. Get this because you can't get the original version of Aaron Hall's "Don't Be Afraid" anywhere else except on this soundtrack and trust me I heard the other versions and in no way do they compare to the SLAMMIN' Juice soundtrack version. PEACE!!!

okay tight but could have been better
some good jams on here best ones to me are nuff respect by big daddy kane, and uptown anthemn by naughty by nature. aaron hall don't be afraid is on here and can't forget edric b and rakim's classic cut and epmd samples marvin gaye's i want you and the brand new heavies are funky as usual if you like that sound that is a good soundtrack.

Come Get Yo' Juice
Back in the day, soundtracks used to be bumpin' like mad, but now they just seem to be perfunctory and obvious.

The selection of artists may seem like old timers' day in the 'hood, but don't let that fool you--most of these jams are still smokin' even over 11 years after the fact.

The EPMD, Big Daddy Kane, Naughty By Nature, Too $hort, and Aaron Hall cuts are the cream of the album, but the whole thing's a keeper. For a similarly excellent album, check out the New Jack City soundtrack.

nuff respect
love this uptown anthemn was treach, and vinnie at thrir best, i love big daddy kane's track nuff respect this was before he played out, eric b and rakim was on here as well this was before they fell off hell every artist on here fell off after this soundtrack was made, but if you want a taste of ol skool rap, and r&b get this.

Way back
Yo I had this tape back in the day and it was banging then. If you are a true hip hop fan you need to cop this CD today. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Nobody could have predicted the impact these scrawny young upstarts fromsleepy Davis, California, would have on the hip-hop world. Their debut 12-inch in 1993 seemed novel, a track apiece by Blackalicious and Lyrics Born and an instrumental cut-and-paste symphony by DJ Shadow. It took the hip-hop community by storm, though, and the fledgling label was elevated to elite status when Latyrx (Lyrics Born and Lateef) and Shadow dropped their monumental mid-90s debuts. With their rare funk samples and heady, tongue-tying lyricism, Solesides helped jump-start the vaunted independent hip-hop revolution of the past decade. This release presents Solesides' growth and maturation and offers some of their rarest out-of-print and vinyl-only gems, a blistering new posse cut ("Blue Flames"), and a host of freestyles and demos. Other highlights include Blackalicious' "Count and Estimate" and selections from their Melodica EP. Though the core of Solesides record today under the Quannum moniker, Greatest Bumps chronicles a spirit, innocence, and freshness that resuscitated hip-hop. --Hua Hsu ... Read more

Reviews (16)

hip hop fans, don't sleep on this one
Wow. I cannot stop listening to this album (or at least the first disc). I'll take it through step by step here :) It starts on a bit of a misstep with "Rhyme Like A Nut!" and "Entropy Part 1" but these deserve to be on there as they are formal introductions to Gab and Shadow. Not on par with their songs to come, but still good. After that, it's classic track after classic track. "The Wreckoning" is simply amazing and one of my favorite hip hop tracks EVER. It's arguably even better than the "Live 45 Mix" version as Lateef rhymes for longer, and the minimalist Shadow beat means you don't miss a word. Gab kicks off "Deep In The Jungle" with what is definitely one of his greatest verses. "Send Them" has one of the funkiest dance hall beats I've ever heard, and the song is from '93! And as for anyone who hasn't heard the classic "Lady Don't Tek No", just find a way of listening to it. Beyond words.
As for the second disc the quality drops just a tad. It is mainly freestyle raps (still tight, especially Lateef's) and cuts from Latyrx's "The Album". Of course, if you don't have the album you won't notice and you'll probably love it. Unfortunately "Fully Charged on Planet X" is pretty mediocre, and "Hot Breath" is just plain bad. Even at under 2:00 it should have been left off the album. If I was compiling the album I would have taken out some of these weaker offerings and just put the remaining tracks from the Melodica EP on here ("Attica Black" and "40 Oz For Breakfast" are noticeably missing)
The only reason not to own this would be if you already have the Melodica EP and The Album. Even then, you're missing out on some classic tracks you can't get anywhere else. The liner notes are even great, as they list all of SoleSides' releases, and a look into the history of the SoleSides crew. Definitely get this one.

This'll keep you groovin'. . . .
Without a doubt two funktastic CD's of rarer tracks by all the right players, from Shadow on the beats to the rhymin' styles of Gift Of Gab, Lateef The Ill Truth Speaker, Lyrics Born, and others just as crazy. Each track continues to pound you with intensity and amaze you with simplistic complexity. It will take you on the perfect melodic journey that only the best hip hop can achieve. This stuff is REAL, and damn is it GOOD.

If you want DJ Shadow beats, they're here, but don't expect Endtroducing. . .style songs - these are all from the early-mid 90's, when he was rolling with the Soleside Crew, including Blackalicous and Lateef. It's rapping so fast and on you won't believe your ears. Smooth and polished lyrics with that underground, indy-sounding production - unbeatable combo.

For the price, you're getting ten times your money's worth. Buy it, check it, LOVE IT.

OLD-SKOOL QUANNUM
this is the legendary Solesides Quannum Collective at you for the first time..... every track has been purified in a gold chalice and is ready for your soul....... check out Quannum Spectrum, Later that Day produced by L.B., the new remix album of Later that Day commin at you in the near future, Gift of Gab 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up, Lifesavas Spirit In Stone, Latryx The Album, new Joyo Velarde and new Lateef also coming in the nearest future.... keep your ears, heart, mind and soul OPEN, Peace

I've had this album for one day...
(follow from title) and already i reckon ti's classic... i've only had time to listen ot the first disc... beautiful stuff... if the second disc holds up, i'll be most grateful... i must give it 5 stars to prevent it being dragged down to the DREADED "3 and a HALF" STAR level... MWU-HAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA...

True Hip Hop
DJ Shadow's beats, along with the vocal talent of Blackalicious, Lateef, Lyrics Born and others in the Solesides crew, give this two disc set a must have label for all true hip hop lovers. Blackalicious and DJ Shadow both put out new cd's this year, and the Solesides discs give a sample of what the public had been missing out on for years. My advice is to get anything that DJ Shadow and the Solesides Crew have a hand in, they have been doin this for years, and doin it well. This cd is a must have and a great value. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Great CD...
But the "Growin' Up In The Hood" song wasn't composed by Yo-Yo. It was composed by MC-Eight. Also what's the song name when Ricky and Tre are going to Crenshaw (The song in the car)?

GOOD SOUNDTRACK FROM AN AWESOME MOVIE
I never appriciated this CD until i watched the movie.After i watched the movie i then slipped in the CD and actually listened to some of the songs.

It really reflects the movie and some of the songs have nice old school beats and there are also some easy listening tracks.Although i would have given this CD 5 stars only if they had a bit more ICE CUBE songs or N.W.A songs, that would be awesome if they had.I really like "HOW TO SURVIVE IN SOUTH CENTRAL", "JUST A FRIENDLY GAME OF BASEBALL" & i love the song "GROWING UP IN THE HOOD".The CD would have been better if it did have "**** THE POLICE" or "STRIAGHT OUTTA COMPTON" by N.W.A.

ALL in ALL if you have seen the movie and liked the music you should enjoy this with all songs listenable, if you havent seen the movie yet, i suggest you should as it is a very good, powerful movie, so do check it out.

The song that I really want to know
What's the song that is playing when Dough boys mum is telling him as a kid that he'll never amount to anything in life? It's the same scene where she meets Tre on her doorstep for the first time

Missing Tunes
The Fivesteps 'Ooo child' is superb!, shame its not on here, whats the name of the electro track thats playing when groups as kids go on a trek through the hood to see the dead body, that 'electro monster' playing when the guys are playing basketball.......... all these tunes should have been on here,the album really misses some gems from the film, its the movement from 70's,80's 90's thats the great aspect of the film

the song in the car ride to the seaside
the song in the car with fishburne taking his son fishing is called 'ohh child' by the 'five stairsteps' !!!!!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I ACTUALLY RATE THIS 4 AND A HALF STARS
I own several cd's of the artists on this album and I think this album is essential for fans of these artists but I honestly beleive this album is worth the price simply for Christopher Williams' version of the Teddy Pendergrass song "come go with me" which is simply superb.

Jodeci fans will be pleased.
For Jodeci fans this cd is a must buy. "Stay" is probobly my favorite song by them of all time, although their live version on this cd doesn't sound all that great. The song "Lately" just blows me away, K-ci's performance is simply awesome. I can't wait until their greatest hits album comes out next month, i hope they have the studio version of "Lately" on it. There are some good performances by other Uptown artists as well on this album, but Jodeci's version of "Lately" stands out as the best. Overall a fine cd.

A Must Buy For Fans
Being a Mary J. Blige fan, I urge all Mary J. Blige fans to buy this CD. It showcases Mary singing 4 songs live. This is probably the first time she's done a live CD. It was nice to hear her live; she sound's great. The "Reminisce" is not the album version; it's very different. And "Sweet Thing" sounds terrific. For Jodeci fans, you'll love it! There's so much of them. This is a must buy.

Excellent CD
This CD is so cool because it was when Jodeci was still around and crazy. "Lately" is such an awesome song and this is the only CD to find it on... I would pay the $ just for that song! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

THIS CD WONT LEAVE MY CD DECK
IF U WANT SOME REAL RIPPED GUT HITS U GOTTA GET THIS. U WANNA HEAR SOME REAL GANGSTA HITS THROW THIS ON N FORGET ALL THAT DRE EMINEM SNOOP OR WHATEVER YOUR BUMPING NOW. CAUSE IF U AINT HEARD OF IT IS CAUSE IT AINT RADIO FRIENDLY. THIS CD IS GAURANTEED TO HAVE YOUR WOOFERS BUMPING ON TRACKS NUMBER 3 AND 11. WELL ALL I GOTTA SAY IS DOWN HERE IN LOS ANGELES ITS BLOWING ALL THEM POSERS AWAY........

the only rap cd you will ever need to buy.
lynch, doc, raided, tripple sicx, what more could you want ? this cd is so sicc, you will have to keep it locked up in a safe or somebody might jack you for it. if you havent ever heard anything from sac, buy this, then get 'seasson of the siccness', mr doctors 'set rippin blocstyle' and x-raideds 'psycho active' and you will be in heaven.

Buy this now !
if you dont alredy own this you should. this is a valuable addtion to any blackmarket fans music collection. its got all the best songs plus some new classics.

Black Market Review
This cd is definately worth buying. If you like Lynch you will think this is one of the siccest cd's you've heard by Lynch

The Best of Black Market
All of the songs on the album was banging and I reminder at least most of the cuts on the album, including the song with Brotha Lynch, Mr. Doctor, and C-Bo. But I never heard the song on there by Triple Beam, which I like the most, or some of them other people on there. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A Great Mix of Club Classics
Down in the A before crunk completely took over we had the So So Def Bass All Stars. Songs off their albums would rock until a completely new one came out. THe So So Def Bass All Stars is where some groups and big names of today got their start (Ying Yang Twins, Lil John & Eastside Boyz etc.). The beats were very smooth on this album and straight rode out. R&B songs set to fast paced beats with occasionally some rapping. These songs with incredible chants are easily recognized by folks from the South and even some outside the South. THe songs are straight booty shakin/ freaknik type stuff. Songs such as Thyou (Thigh) (Oooh Lawd she's got that Thyou, that Thyou), or What's Up What's Up with that chant for the chorus, these songs were instantly enjoyable. Or Kootchie Kuters (Look At Dem Girls That Got them Kootchie Kuters on) which became an instant classic or the chilled out Let It Burn. Whichever song, that joint was bumpin and through this point in JD's career he was considered a genius. The magnum opus of this album, however, was My Boo by the Ghost Town DJ's. That was undeniably the southern anthem for 96 as far as the parties were concerned. Everyone in the South knows that song by heart. It's popularity rivaled that of Get Low in 2003. INcredible beat and lyrics. The first So So Def album is a must have for any fan of Southern music. 5 stars.

A truly good time...
truly great album. got drunk and danced to it so many times in college i can't even remember.

ok seriously, when you have choruses, like "...look at dem kootchie kuterz!" or memorable lines like "What'z up What's zup, What's up What'z up What's up {hey!}", you can't go wrong. A good time will be had by all who are blessed enough to listen to this cd.

GOOD BASS
Tiiiiight album, great booty-shakin bass!

Wonderful. Bassalicious.
If this CD doesn't out do all of them, I don't know what does. It's straight mixing for the truest bass fan. Most creative and not straightforward look 'at me bass. It varies it up and it's most def.

Excellent Bass reproduction
Bass music has come so far in the last 10 years and this is just another example of what it has grown into. This album features sub zero bass and extended 30Hz bass tones all the way to tight crisp 600Hz bass tones. To sport a wicked thump orientated system or to just ride around, this album has got what every bass enthusiast craves. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Def Jam box tells a story of a sound, a movement, and a lifestyle. Filled with a veritable who's who of hip-hop (3rd Bass, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Slick Rick, EPMD, Beastie Boys) and some sizzling R&B cuts, this four-CD set is both a greatest-hits package (of the Def Jam/Columbia era) and a shout out to the label that understood the culture--and, more important, knew how to make others get it, too. Perhaps the greatest praise one can give Def Jam is that the label still matters, years after this set was released (see late-1990s efforts by Method Man and Jay-Z, for example). If all your old 12-inches are worn to the groove, then this is a must; but be you old school or new, this collection should be in any hip-hop fan's collection. --Amy Linden ... Read more

Reviews (6)

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF RAP EVER!
This is the best collection of rap ever assembled! And I agree with one reviewer, this is history in this one collection. From the mid-80's thru 1995, this is some of the greatest hip-hop tunes in the history of the genre! From legends like Public Enemy & LL Cool J to upstarts like The Beastie Boys & Nice And Smooth to one hit wonders like Nikki D. & Domino, this collection is the bomb!

Buy this collection and I might recommend Tommy Boy's Greatest Beats and The Hip Hop Box to go with it. Between those three, you'd have nearly every big hip-hop tune from the 80's until at least the mid 90's! Worth the money!

DEF JAM!
this haz EVERY great def jam song on it by all of the def jam artists.if u dont like this record company then dont rate this cd or buy it.but for people who do......GET 3 COPIES OF IT! u r not a true def jam fan without it. u will not be dissapointed ~1~ love

CLASSIC MUST HAVE
A MUST HAVE FOR TRUE RAP FANS.ONE OF THE BEST GREATEST HITS YOU'LL FIND. ALSO CONTAINS SOME REMIXES AND FULL OF CLASSIC SONGS BY L.L. COOL J

Rap History
this Label is the Motown of Rap.a whose who of rap.Public Enemy,LL.Cool J,EPMD,Slick Rick etc..this is very esential to any collection it speaks of a time and era.

from old school to new school
this has the phatest cuts from brass monkey to regulate.def jam 10 contains some of the dopest songs of all time with artists like L.L. cool j,nice n smooth and slick rick.hearing this album will take yoou back to the origon of hip hop beginings I highley reccomend this to true hip hop fans and music lovers everywhere. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

PARTY CD
Having originally purchased this on cassette (and VHS), it was inevitable that I buy it on CD (and DVD) when I upgraded. This is the perfect party CD (along with Volume 1) to pop into the player and crank up. It's a treat to listen to these old jams and you can always skip over the embarrassing stuff (CMB). Turn it up.

Oh, Right On!
Just turned 30! This cd takes me back to my "just have fun" days. Good pick me up for anyone who finds themself in a rut! Good beat, easy to dance to...(and if you know where that comes from... rock on!)

great early 90s dance album
MTV Party To Go is the best volume of the entire series because it has the most upbeat songs. I love "O.P.P","Playground","Summertime",etc. Those songs really take me back to my late junior high/early high school years!

That old school stuff just rocks!
It's great to get back to your roots. Volume #2 from 1992 is just the greatest to listen to. It's got all those tracks that you remember from the radio while watching "Thundercats" or "Heathcliff" on tv. Well, at least for the teens out there. :)

Excellent CD
Brings back a lot of memories of the great dance tunes of the early 90's. Tracks 1 and 2 blend together very well. The tempo picks up after that and closes out with a bang. Possibly the best in this series if you can stand the thought of buying these older songs if you have a few of them already. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Ruff Ryders camp is at it again. After Eve and Drag-On's solo projects, the crew is hitting heads with their second group LP, a sequel to Ryde or Die, Vol. 1. Ryde or Die, Vol. 2 is a Swizz Beatz-produced compilation that sounds a lot like video games. Whereas the crew's first LP featured DMX prominently, this one includes hardly any songs with the dog himself, Eve, or most of the original Ryders. Ryde or Die, Vol. 2 seems to be more of an opportunity for junior rhymers of the double-R, such as Yung Wun, to show their skills. Vol. 2 also gives listeners a chance to hear guest appearances by favorites such as Twista, Snoop Dogg, and Scarface. One song that stands out of this solid effort is the Sheek (of LOX), Redman, and Method Man banger, "2 Tears in a Bucket." --Vanessa Satten ... Read more

Reviews (103)

Ryde or Die
The second compilation by the Ruff Ryders provides many solid tracks, with good beats and hooks and tight flows. This album features guest appearances including Snoop Dogg and Scarface who rhyme over the opening track with Yung Wun and Jadakiss approriately titled World War III. This track has a beat that will definitely keep heads bouncing for the summer. Method Man and Redman appear on the next track with Sheek of the LOX called "2 Tears in a Bucket", another well produced track with everyone's favorite duo. Overall the album is very good and has rappers from every geographic area and style. The only drawback is that there is not enough of the Ruff Ryders on the album. DMX only appears on one track "The Great." Styles and Jadakiss of The LOX each have solo tracks but as a group the LOX only team up for one song (Go Head). Eve the "First Lady of the Ruff Ryders" appears on "Got it All" her only track, but it is classic Swizz Beats production with Eve and Jadakiss trading flows back and forth. Another good track, that moves away from the gritty style of the Ryders is "Twisted Heat" with Drag-On and Twista, who break a record in rhyming speed while Swizz speeds and slows down up the beat at his own will. I like Volume II from the Ruff Ryders, but I would have wanted more of the older members of the crew (DMX,LOX, EVE) rhyming together like it was on Ryde or Die Volume I. Volume II was able to give more exposure to Yung Wun who appeared on the "Down Bottom" (Remix)and to give fans some songs with other popular rap stars (Busta,Redman, Meth, Snoop, etc.)

Now, THIS isn't a good CD
Well, what do I got to say 'bout this cd? First of all, I want to say I don't give it one star but two is only because of the first track "WW3" with Snoop Dogg etc. ... That's the only good song on the whole album! This is really a wack album and a weak attempt from Swizz Beatz cause the beats don't sound right at all (exept for the first one) but there are songs like "Twisted Heat" wich could have been a LOT better if the beat was listenable cause damn.... Just like on "Ryde or Die vol.I" I like Drag-On the best, I think he's got a great future in the game but I think he should leave Ruff Ryders 'cause Swizz is gettin' kind of slow and he can't provide Drag with the beats he deserves... DMX' track isn't BAD eather however I don't think he tried his best! As the matter of fact, I don't think any of the Ruff Ryders tried their best! It's like an other reviewer said, they just take their songs wich aren't good enough to put them on their solo albums and of thos "bad" songs they make a compilation, "Ryde or Die" named... If you want my advice 'bout this album, don't buy it...

Are You Kidding Me with this Shizz
These beats make me sick. All those bells and whistles make my dog have seizures. I dunno who could actually enjoy this crap.

Improvement From Vol. 1, but still mediocre
What's with all the five star ratings I'm seeing, and who actually thinks DMX is a good emcee? While this album is better than Vol. 1, it's still bad due to redundant raps and tired production (yes, I do mean Swizz Beatz). This album has almost no creative suject amtter, and no great emcee to compensate for it, except Eve. Instead of buying this album, go pick a Mos Def or a Canibus album.

Hot
This CD is overall a hot album, with some great beats by Swizz Beats and some hardcore rhymes from the Ruff Ryders and some guest artists. I reccomend it to any gangsta hip hop fan.

My favorite tracks are "WWIII" by Jadakiss featuring Scarface, Snoop Dogg, and newcomer Yung Wun, "2 Tears In A Bucket" by Sheek featuring Redman and Method Man, "Got It All" by Jadakiss and Eve, "Holdiay" by Styles, "Weed, Hoes, Doe" by Drag-On, "Fright Night" by Swizz Beats featuring Busta Rhymes, "Twisted Heat" featuring Twista, and the hilarious skit "I'm A H-O-E". ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Jay-z
This Album is hot feat 12 hot tracks Jay did his thing on this
Cd.Holla Back

Jay-Z was on a role..
Jay-Z is a rap icon and consistency has been his middle name. most soundtracks are weak but this is a pretty good effort. Tracks like "In My Lifetime", "Only A Customer", and "Murdergram" all hit hard. What about the MOP Track...crazy..keep doing your thing ..young Hova..

this album is tight!!
i love this album. favortie songs are "murdergram" and "in my lifetime (remix).

Versatile
I've had this CD in 1998 when it first came out but of course it had gotten a little beat up and was very hard to find another one. Now that I have it again I'm really souped up! I've loved this CD since then and I still love it. I love it for it's versatility and unique style. The way rocafella records brought together "Hardcore" R&B Singers to not so "Hardcore" R&B singers with rappers as raw & ruff as M.O.P. to not so raw like N.O.R.E. all the way to Pain In Da A-- and his remarks. Oh, and the interludes are THE FUNNIEST!

Jay-Z struggles to keep it real on one of 98's overlooked...
'Streets is Watching' is supposed to be a documentary about Jay-Z's life and how he keeps things on the streets... while the film is basically a collection of music videos dangling on a thin line of plot, the soundtrack thankfully shines a lot more. This is definitely true street-level hip hop right here, both for better and for worse. It's a shame because a lot of the rappers on the album were still considered underground artists when this was released, but all had a hard-hitting street persona and rugged flow that would have stood out early in '98 had this soundtrack got more attention.

The beats and instrumentals are a little rough and often lack the slick production that Roc-A-Fella has become known for, but most have catchy hooks and occasional skillful rhymes (although even Jay-Z sounds somewhat immature "You ain't my man, f--- ya, I should just let you live, right? Negative..." I rolled my eyes at that one). So for the most part I'd have to say this soundtrack as a whole is at best average. The R&B tracks definitely stand out, such as 'Love for Free', a great piano-based number that features Rell's smooth vocals crooning alongside Jay-Z who puts in a couple tight verses. The best song on the whole album is 'Pimp this Love' by Christion, one of the slickest and most bumpable R&B songs I've heard in a while, somethin' for the true playas to roll to with the top down and city lights glaring down on them. Trust me, I feel so pimpish when I roll around downtown Charlotte listening to this. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anybody. In spite of the streetwise rappers, a lotta the hip-hop tracks are sub-par, in my opinion. The only ones that really shine are Jay-Z's 'Only a Customer', a laid-back number to ride to that is filled with witty hustler braggadocio, and 'My Nigga Hill Figga' by the rough and raw M.O.P. The rarely-heard 'Murdergram', another collaboration between three of New York's most revered mic weilders, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, and DMX, is pretty good. It has a rugged, slow-building Tyrone Fyffe instrumental, which most people will vaguely recognize as an alteration on the other exclusively-available collab between these three 'It's Murda' from Ja Rule's debut. Jay-Z and Ja Rule both spit verses knee-deep in the gritty, hardcore street edge that they profess to, and I guess DMX puts in an alright last verse, but he is overrated and has really limited skill.

This was dropped around the time hip-hop was moving away from the Puffy-led "I just wanna make you dance" revolution, and back to rawer, grimy, street-oriented rhymes and beats. Unfortunately, Roc-A-Fella is definitely NOT the rap label you turn to for some of that ol' gutter funk, and maybe that's why this falls short for me. It needs a little more feeling and realness for my ol' substance-starved hip-hop head to appreciate it. I don't know, maybe I'm just bitter, because I really miss the early and mid-'90s hip-hop scene and those days seem to be long over. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Decent Jam
This is a decent combination of a some songs you can't help but get jammed up from ("Wild Thing" and "Whoomp") and some dreadful songs that should never have been made (you hearing this George Clinton?). If you want something to work out or clean house too, this passes the grade. But there are better compilations out there ie jock jams.

Great Tunes from the Late 80s, early 90s
Fun CD. Keeps the music, beat, and feet going! :)

Good tunes and memories for a 30 year old!
This is a great cd for dancing around and cleaning the house. I'm 30(ish) and all the songs are from MY era. This is not a CD for today's teens, but more for Teens at Heart that still like Shaking Da Booty. :)

The Greatest CD for butt shaking!!!!
The only way to describe BOOTY JAMS is to think of the most provocative and funky R&B/DANCE records of the mid 80's to the mid 90's with humor involved. It is an ATOMIC BOMB for getting any party started. I had to buy 2 extra CDs due to family members who snatched mine. ... Read more