The Vault: Classic Music Reviews Podcast IV Creative

B. Cox is joined once again by Miguel and Christina of TROY Podcast to discuss Nas's iconic debut album Illmatic turning 30. They discuss its standing among hip-hop's all-time great albums, how it affected Nas's career in the aftermath, some of the most memorable bars and their favorite songs.
To listen to our 2019 review of Illmatic at 25, please listen here!
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B. Cox is joined by special guests Christina & Miguel of TROY (They Reminisce Over You) Podcast to discuss the cult-classic basketball film Above The Rim as it turns 30. Written by Barry Michael Cooper and the late director Jeff Pollack, the film starred the likes of Duane Martin, Leon, the late Tupac Shakur, Marlon Wayans and the late Bernie Mac among others in a tale a high school basketball star who is caught between two worlds and must make the best choice for his future. The film became a cult classic and also served a launching pad for many of the stars in to continued success in film and television.
The trio also discuss the critically acclaimed motion picture soundtrack released on Death Row Records. It featured artists such as Shakur, Warren G, the late Nate Dogg, SWV, 2 II None, Naughty By Nature, Al B. Sure, H-Town, Tha Dogg Pound and Lady of Rage among many more. The soundtrack was also wildly commercially successful, becoming double platinum certified and being recognized as one of the best black and urban film soundtracks of the 90s.
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Show Notes
SPIN: Above The Rim at 30: Warren G Talks About making Hip-Hop Best Film Soundtrack
https://www.spin.com/2024/03/above-the-rim-at-30-warren-g-and-more-on-making-hip-hops-best-film-soundtrack/
Medium: Above The Rim: A 30-Year Old Classic Basketball Movie That Continues To Captivate Audiences
https://medium.com/@ShamarieKnight/above-the-rim-a-30-year-old-classic-basketball-movie-that-continues-to-captivate-audiences-4575fce60c0c


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B. Cox and Domo review Usher's Confessions as it turns 20. After his successful third album 8701, Usher underwent a number of changes in his life including his breakup from his girlfriend Chili from TLC and he was soon to become a father. In crafting his follow up, he wished to craft an album that was a well rounded album that touched man influences: from traditional classic R&B, throwback R&B, jazz and hip-hop.
He worked with all star cast of producers and writers. Among them were Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Dre & Vidal, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Lil'Jon, Just Blaze, Robin Thicke, Sean Garrett among others. He also has high profile features from the likes of Ludacris and Alicia Keys.
Noted for its powerful punch, consistency and star power, the album was a monumental success. It was powered by five singles: "Yeah!" with Lil Jon and Ludacris, "Burn", "Confessions Pt. II", "My Boo" with Alicia Keys and "Caught Up". The former 4 were all #1 hits on the Billboard Top 100. The album was also boosted by fan favorite album cuts such as "Superstar", "Bad Girl", "Can You Handle It" and "Seduction" (from the expanded version.
Since being released, it's been RIAA certified 14x platinum and is the best selling album by a black artist in the 21st century and is routinely discussed among fans and critics alike as both Usher's magnum opus and one of the best R&B albums of all-time.
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Show Notes
Shatter The Standards: Reflecting On 20 Years of Usher's "Confessions"
https://www.shatterthestandards.com/p/reflecting-on-20-years-of-ushers

Metro UK: Usher's "Confessions" Is The Greatest R&B Album Of All Time
https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/11/ushers-confessions-greatest-r-b-album-time-20248757/


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B. Cox reviews Gang Starr's classic fourth album Hard To Earn as it turns 30. After the critical success of 1992's Daily Operation, Guru and DJ Premier took a brief hiatus to pursue individual projects. Guru launched his Jazzmatazz series and Premier became one of the most sought after producers in industry, working with the likes Jeru the Damaja, The Notorious B.I.G., Nas and KRS-One. Coming back to record their fourth, the group wanted to prove that they were versatile and wanted to show that they could stray from their jazz-sampled sensibilities on their previous album and could rock with a different sound.
Heavily involved with the project was the Gang Starr Foundation, a collective that was aligned with the duo that included the likes of Jeru, the hip-hop duo Group Home, Big Shug, Freddie Foxx (Bumpy Knuckles), Afu-Ra among others. The project featured Jeru, both Lil Dap and Melachi the Nutcracker and Big Shug. Unlike Daily Operation, the album was produced under a wider variety of musical influences.
The album featured two classic singles: "DWYCK" with hip-hop duo Nice & Smooth (which was supposed to be originally on Daily Operation and "Mass Appeal". The album was critically acclaimed upon release and reestablished Gang Starr as a force within hip-hop. It also served as a forerunner to a number of different albums over the next 18 months that were credited as being pivotal to the New York hip-hop scene being a power center once again in the hip-hop landscape.
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Show Notes
UDiscoverMusic: "Hard To Earn": Gang Starr's Statement of Purpose
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/gang-starr-hard-to-earn-feature/
Albumism: Gang Starr's 'Hard To Earn' Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/gang-starr-hard-to-earn-turns-25-anniversary-retrospective
Billboard: DJ Premier talks about Gang Starr's 'Hard To Earn' 25 Years Later: "That Album, I Had A Chip On My Shoulder"
https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/gang-starr-moment-of-truth-dj-premiere-interview-8501991/


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B. Cox and Domo review Eminem's sophomore album The Slim Shady LP as it turns 25. The now legendary emcee was just a little know upstart white rapper from Detroit when he blew up the underground scene by tearing through the '97 Rap Olympics. Despite losing in the finals, the word was out. After recording The Slim Shady EP, the tape made its way around the circuits and found its way on the desk of Dr. Dre, who promptly signed him and to Aftermath Records. The two clicked and got to work on his album.
Overseen by Dre, who also produced a couple of tracks on the album, it served the world's introduction to Eminem and what would become his famous alter-ego -- Slim Shady. In this character and slipping in between his actual persona of Marshall Mathers, he juxtaposed his rhyming with clever wordplay and "rhyme bending" to create adequate rhyme scenes. Inside of those lyrics were rife with shocking one-liners, verses and songs: topics on everything from depression, dark humor, drug use, addiction, disdain for his daughter's mother and outlandish and controversial sayings that would become the hallmark of his early career. His rhyme style made him among the elite; his topics and subject matter made him vulnerable, controversial and hated all at the same time.
The album was backed by three main singles -- the two most popular being "My Name Is..." and the Dr. Dre duet "Guilty Conscience". The album was a huge success, selling almost 7 million records and would be the beginning of him being the biggest music star in the game just four years later and the greatest selling rap artist of all time.
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Show Notes
"The Slim Shady LP" Eminem's Warning Shot at Hip-Hop
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/the-slim-shady-lp-eminem-album/
The Ringer: Eminem has been America's Nightmare for 20 Years
https://www.theringer.com/music/2019/2/20/18232748/eminem-slim-shady-lp-20th-anniversary
Albumism: Eminem's 'The Slim Shady LP' Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/eminem-the-slim-shady-lp-turns-20-anniversary-retrospective


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B. Cox is joined once again by Van Everette of The Scenario Radio Show to review 90s R&B duo Zhané's debut album Pronounced Jah-Nay as it turns 30. The two vocalists, Renee Neuville and Jean Norris, met each other while students at Temple University and while they had two different backgrounds when it came to singing, they would find a medium that would make them a cohesive act. After linking up with power players in Philly DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince (Will Smith) and doing a showcase that caught some eyes and ears, they were taken under the tutelage of Naughty By Nature producer KayGee and were signed to Motown Records.
Combining their many musical inspirations and influences, the group put out a very fun, yet mature sounding album. It was backed by their intriguing and smooth harmonies and deft songwriting over a variety of beats crossing many genres. The album was boosted three singles: the classic party jam "Hey Mr. DJ", "Groove Thing" and "Sending My Love".
The album was certified platinum and things appeared to be on the up and up for the duo. However, they released only one other album, 1997's Saturday Night, to less acclaim and fanfare before splitting up. Nonetheless, they made their mark on 90s R&B with their debut which continues to be brought this day as a highlight in 1994.
Check out Van Everette and The Scenario Radio Show
https://www.thescenarioradioshow.com/

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Show Notes
UDiscoverMusic: Pronounced Jah-Nay: How Zhané Made A Name For Themselves
https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/pronounced-jah-nay-zhane-album/
Grammys: 'Pronounced Jah-Nay at 25': Zhané's Renee Neuville and Jean Norris look back at their classic R&B debut
https://www.grammy.com/news/pronounced-jah-nay-25-zhanes-renee-neufville-jean-norris-look-back-their-classic-rb
Albumism: Zhané's Debut Album "Prounounced Jah-Nay" Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/zhane-debut-album-pronounced-jah-nay-turns-25-anniversary-retrospective


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