But Lyricist Lounge Vol 1 is undoubtedly great and a true one-off. Straight Outta Compton: N.W. The Solid State Hip Hop Don’t Stop Vol 1-3 compilation albums are unbeatable in this category IMHO.Wild Wild West Gang Related Soundtrack (1997).10th Anniversary: Rap-a-Lot Records (1996).The Flavor Unit – Roll Wit Da Flava (1993).The First Priority Music Family: Basement Flavor (1988).Rhyme Syndicate – Comin’ Through (1988).
To top it off we have album one closer “Live from the DJ Stretch Armstrong Show with your host Bobbito ‘The Barber'”, a 12-minute freestyle session featuring Black Thought, Common, Pharoahe Monch, and Absolute. – appearances by aforementioned artists as well as the likes of Talib Kweli, Bahamadia, Rah Digga, Punchline, Wordsworth, Mike Zoot, Company Flow, Juggaknots and many more virtually guarantee top quality. But make no mistake, this whole compilation album is dope a.f. “Criminals In Action (C.I.A.)” by Rage Against the Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha, KRS-One, and The Last Emperor is one of the highlights, as are Mos Def’s & Q-Tip’s “Body Rock” and “Action Guaranteed” by O.C. Raw Hip Hop beats and scratches combined with clever and socially conscious lyrics – there are virtually no weak tracks here, and A LOT of standouts. 1 offers more than two hours of pure Hip Hop gold. A double album – with album #1 ‘hosted’ by De La Soul and album #2 by Kool Keith & Sir Menelik – Lyricist Lounge Vol. Crucially important in establishing the Rawkus movement, this album is a monument in underground Hip Hop.