Week of Sept 24-30

P.A. (Parental Advisory) My Life Your Entertainment
Dreamworks
Before OutKast and Goodie Mob, there was P.A., the first group out of the Organized Noize Camp. This being their third release, they've really developed their own distinctive sound. "Sundown" featuring Eightball, is a laid-back ride track. The production on this CD is so tight and the lyrics compliments like salt on french fries. Check for cuts, "Dope Stories", "Problems", "Playaz Do", and "My Time 2 Go".  On "U Got We Got", P.A. answers northern critics.... let 'em know, the south ain't slow.

D.C.P. Our Time To Shine
Grapetree Records
D.C.P. which stands for, Demon Cap Peeler bangs out his third release on the #1 gospel rap label, Grapetree. D.C.P. isn't into the bling, bling, instead he's into the Christ Thing. His delivery is reminiscent to a No Limit Soldier gone gospel. The production is somewhat stagnant, but does the trick. In hearing this CD, his Christianity isn't compromised. He truly rhymes about change and giving your life to God. The strongest cuts are "D.C.P.", "Woe Stories" and "Thru Wit It."

J·88 Best Kept Secret
Groove Attack
At first listen, J·88 reminds me of the Roots & Common, which is great company. Production is held down by Jay Dee of Slum Village. The EP includes five songs and three remixes. All the songs are tight, combining soul, hip-hop, and jazz. It's very progressive. The three emcees lyrically ride the tracks with milky flows about shady people, such as "Stupid Lies", "Sex On", "The Look of Love" and wack MCs on "Keep It On".

Big L The Big Picture
Rawkus/Flamboyant
Big L , one of hip-hop's promising MC's, life was cut short in early 1999. This CD is his final work. Rawkus did a great job finishing up all his unmastered work. Big L definitely delivered us some classic material. Cuts like, "Ebonics" and "Size 'Em Up" display his lyrical cleverness. He's at his best telling stories on "The Heist" and "Casualties of a Dice Game". An all star line up of guest MCs, such as: 2PAC, "Deadly Combination", Fat Joe, "The Enemy", Kool G. Rap, "Fall Back", Big Daddy Kane, "Platinumplus", and Sadat X and Guru, "Game", makes this CD the shit! everyone should pick up this CD for some real hip-hop.