Bring the Noise Podcast

While Tupac is well known for his later albums, his first two LPs rarely get recognition they deserve. His 1993 sophomore effort, Strictly for My N. #.G.G. #.Z., was the album that jump started his career. With hits like I Get Around and Keep Ya Head Up, Pac is in revolutionary mode, much like his peers Public Enemy and Ice Cube, creating an album we believe can rival the likes of his most popular. #1993

Check out the Top 10 Hip-Hop Summer Songs pt2 out now on all streaming platforms!

When we say bonified classic albums, this week’s album is what we mean. We’re talking about the sophomore release from A Tribe Called Quest, titled The Low End Theory. Following their successful debut in 1990, A Tribe stormed back on the scene in 1991 with an LP for the ages, with most production handled by member Q-Tip. The beats were darker, jazzier, and heavier on the bass. Not only were the beats leveled up, the lyrics were as well from rappers Q-Tip and Phife Dawg. Phife’s presence was notably stronger on this project as opposed to their debut, showing not only his emergence in the group but as an mc in general. #1991

We review the cult classic debut album from one of hip-hop’s most celebrated characters, MF DOOM, titled Operation: Doomsday, released in 1999. Doom (formerly known as Zev Love X of KMD) reemerged after years of absence due to the untimely death of his brother DJ Sub Rock. After being screwed by the industry, this super rap villain returned to the scene exhibiting a metal mask and a new persona, with raps much darker and more complex than ever before. #1999

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2PqUc14qopEQhcyJjodRU9?si=fJTM2X30TlynOBYKYW_yPA

This week, we look back at one of the most classic albums in hip-hop titled Reachin' (A New Refutation Of Time And Space) from Digable Planets, released in 1993. This trio, consisting of Butterfly, LadyBug Mecca and Doodle Bug, blends their smooth style over jazzy beats that had everyone wishing they were cool like that.

New episode counting down the top hip-hop albums of 1987! https://open.spotify.com/episode/0JCw5jFXEXcDrZZGY80RF5?si=tW5H4qkSTx2slKqhjYUAMw

Our last episode in April reviews the 1995 debut album from hip-hop group The Nonce, titled World Ultimate. Rappers Nouka Basetype and Yusef Afloat blend abstract rhymes over laid-back beats, providing a mellow album perfect for just chilling out. https://open.spotify.com/episode/36G0Wt2lO7gaDDtxUThngn?si=Iu1bG9iAR3KpAi8CXxggTg

This week, we review a dynamic album titled Breakin' Combs from artist Dred Scott, released in 1994. Dred not only handles rhyming duties but also the production, making him a literal one-man band. This was his only album ever released but his magnum opus remains a true underground classic. #1994

This week we take a look at another group who dropped a one and done underground gem, titled 30 Below The Funk from group 3 Steps From Nowhere. Released in 1995, members Doug Lazy Rimshot and Black Crow blend laid back, jazzy hip-hop with strong lyrics that create a memorable album for ‘95.

Hip-Hop lost a real one today. Rock The Bells is heartbroken to learn about the passing of an icon on the turntables and the airwaves, The Finisher . Our condolences go out to Cee’s loved ones. Please show some love to a legendary figure in Hip-Hop and someone Rock The Bells was proud to call family🕊️🕊️🕊️ Go to rockthebells.com for the full story on the Enduring Legacy of DJ Mister Cee by .hiphop.historian

Also, tune in tonight to Rock The Bells Radio Channel 43 at 9pm EST when will be hosting a call-in tribute.

In episode 80, we dive underground to review the debut and only album from duo Da King & I, titled Contemporary Jeep Music. Producer DJ Majesty hooks up some jazzy dope beats for his partner, rapper Izzy Ice, to make an underground album that could rival the likes of other DJ rapper groups such as Pete Rock and CL Smooth, or Gang Starr. Unfortunately we only got one album from the pair so we will never know what kind of success they could have achieved beyond this hidden gem. #1993

This week we count down the Top 5 Posse Cuts part 2 adding on to part one released back in 2022. We dissect each song and pick who had the best verse from each one.

This week, we conclude our salute to the women of hip-hop with arguably one of the most successful groups in the game. We’re talking none other than Salt-N-Pepa and their second album A Salt With A Deadly Pepa, released in 1988. Salt-N-Pepa, along with DJ Spinderella, built on their debut album’s success with their sophomore album, creating fun and energetic music while showcasing their talent all at once.

Continuing our month dedicated to female MC’s, we take it to the West Coast to review the debut album Make Way For The Motherlode from rapper Yo-Yo released in 1991. Backed by Ice Cube and production from Sir-Jinx, Yo-Yo stomped on the scene to let everyone know she was the brand new intelligent black woman and nothing could stop her.

This week, we continue celebrating pioneer female MCs in hip-hop with the debut album from Roxanne Shante, Bad Sister, released in 1989. With Marley Marl on production, Shante does what she does best - battle rapping and boasting about her lyrical abilities, making her long overdue debut LP worth the wait.

To kick off the month of March, which will be dedicated to the female MCs, we start with the one and only MC Lyte and her debut album Lyte As A Rock, released in 1988. MC Lyte was a pioneer in hip-hop for women with her deep voice, witty lyrics and dope production. She not only was taken seriously as a female MC, but could hang with the men during a time where there were very few female rappers.

Our final episode in February dedicated to afrocentric hip-hop is a review of the debut album Holy Intellect from group Poor Righteous Teachers, released in 1990. Similar to Brand Nubian, PRT members Culture Freedom, Father Shaheed and front man Wise Intelligent put the teachings of the 5% nation at the forefront of their music while they kick rapid-paced rhymes over producer Tony D's boom bap beats.

This week we continue Black History Month with a review of San Francisco native Paris, and his debut album The Devil Made Me Do It. Labeled as the black panther of hip-hop, Paris' politically charged rhymes over hardcore beats showcases his MC skills while dropping science at the same time, making this a very powerful album.

This week we continue black history month with the monumental debut from Brand Nubian One For All released December 4th,1990. Representing the 5% Nation the teachings from rappers Grand Puba Sadat X and Lord Jamar are all over this record mixed with dope beats and witty humor making it somewhat of a mix between Public Enemy and A Tribe Called Quest. One For All is a bonified classic that made having the knowledge of self and being black not only something to have pride in but made it cool at the same time.

We kick February off dedicating it to the year 1990, and to groups and artists that pushed afrocentrism to the mainstream, coining the new generation of hip-hop. To start off, we look back at the group X Clan and their debut album To The East Blackwards. Frontman Brother J brings powerful lyrics with Professor X speaking their message between verses and before songs. X Clan fused funk beats with their militant style to kick a message that was protected by the red, the black, and the green with a key SISSY!

This week we look back on the iconic album from west coast rapper Ice T, titled Power, released in 1988. Considered the godfather of gangster rap, Ice's second LP shows his growth as an MC from his debut album and put his stamp on hip-hop as one of the top MC’s, not just from the west but in the game in general. #1988

On this week’s episode, we’re covering the rapper Jamal and his debut solo album Last Chance, No Breaks released in 1995. Formerly, he was part of the kid rap duo Illegal with Mr. Malik until Jamal went solo and joined the Def Squad with the backing of Redman, Keith Murray, Erick Sermon and others at only 16 years old. It was there that he dropped a solid underground LP that fell between the cracks of hip-hop time.

On this episode, we review the debut album titled Da Storm from rap group O.G.C. (Originoo Gunn Clappaz). It was released in 1996, with production handled primarily by Da Beatminerz. Members Starang Wondah, Louieville Sluggah and Top Dog provide hard lyrics with a laid back feel, making this a great underground album any fan of the Boot Camp Clik would love.

This week we review the second LP titled Stress The Extinction Agenda from hip-hop duo Organized Konfusion, released August 16th, 1994. Considered one of the most lyrical albums from the 90s, Pharoahe Monch and Prince Poetry go on a verbal assault over grimey dark beats, producing it themselves along with producer Buckwild.

On Episode 66, we review the 5th album from the G.O.A.T., right out of Queens, LL Cool J. This album was released March 30th in 1993. Adapting a more gritty sound for this album and heavily influenced by the West Coast, it was met by mixed reviews from fans. However it also contained some of his best lyrical work with songs like Straight From Queens and Pink Cookies In A Plastic Bag Getting Crushed By Buildings. #1993

This week, we review one of the best hip-hop albums of 1992. The debut from the group Showbiz & A.G., titled Runaway Slave. With great production from Showbiz, great bars from himself and A.G., and samples from obscure 60s jazz, this 1992 classic is a representation of East Coast underground hip-hop to the highest degree.

Adding on to last years Top 5 Christmas Rap Songs we give you 5 More Christmas Rap Songs this year to add on to the list guaranteed to get any holiday party jumping!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Hi8Ay8UUJ8oM6ba8GYB1V?si=OLcBBykxRZmb7oUGSYVHbw

This week, we cover a 1994 underground forgotten gem called Criminal, from rapper Scientifik. With help from legendary producers like Diamond D, RZA and Buckwild, Scientifik created what should have been an underground classic had his label not folded in ‘94. Nonetheless, we give it the shine it truly deserves this week and show the world that Criminal is a standout album from the mid 90s. #1994