B. Cox reflects on OutKast's classic debut album Southernplayaisticadillacmuzik turning 30 in the aftermath of the passing of Rico Wade, Dungeon Family leader and 1/3 of the production trio Organized Noize, which produced the album in full. He also examines how OutKast's emergence in the Atlanta rap changed the scene of the city and the region forever and also how the industry and the audience nationwide would pay attention to what "the South had to say" Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews...

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! Follow Miguel & Christina and TROY Podcast troypodcast.com Buy TROY Podcast Merchandise teethang.com Visit The Vault Classic...

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...

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...

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...

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 clew 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...

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...

In our premiere of Season 6, we welcome Van Everette from The Scenario Radio Show review Kanye West's debut classic album The College Dropout as it turns 20. After serving in the background as a producer for many of Roc-A-Fella Records best albums through the early 2000s, the Chicago-based producer took his turn as a feature act. The album was recorded over a four year period from 1999 to 2003 and is constructed during the period of many memorable moments of his life, including his...

In the last episode of the year, B. Cox and J.Owe give their personal rankings and honorable mentions for hip-hop and R&B albums for the 1993, 1998 and 2003. A reminder that next year, we will be moving to a seasonal format. The new season launches February 2024! Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online www.vaultclassicpod.com Buy Exclusive The Vault Podcast Merchandise! www.vaultclassicpod.com/store Support The Vault Classic Music Reviews on Buy Me A...

B. Cox and J Owe look back at the late DMX's second studio album Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood as it turns 25. After setting the industry on fire during the previous year and a half and the explosive success of his debut It's Dark and Hell Is Hot earlier in the year, the Yonkers emcee was taking full advantage of his star while on fire. Less than seven months from his debut's release and about a six weeks from the release of his acting debut in the hood drama Belly, he released his...

B. Cox reminisces about Jay-Z's eight album The Black Album as it turns 20. Heading into this album, it was being touted as Jay-Z last album as he was to "retire" to take up the mantle of president of Def Jam Records after the album was released. The news and fallout from it lead to a acrimonious split of the three founders and owners of Roc-A-Fella Records: Jay, Damon Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. The news of Jay-Z's impending retirement while he was still on top of his game in every...

B. Cox and J. Owe look back at at the momentous occasion of Snoop Doggy Dogg's classic debut album Doggystyle as it turns 30. Fresh off the heels of his breakthrough performance on several tracks on Dr. Dre's The Chronic released not even a year prior, he set to set the game on fire with what was, to that point, the most highly anticipated debut for a new hip-hop artist. Working hard with Dr. Dre and a handful of fellow Death Row Records collaborators such Daz and Kurupt of Tha Dogg Pound,...

The crew reviews A Tribe Called Quest's classic third album Midnight Marauders as it turns 30. Off the heels of their groundbreaking sophomore debut, 1991's The Low End Theory, the group rebounded to put through what many to believe to be their most cohesive work yet. After famously making the low end of bass their calling card and backdrop of the jazz sampled beats, the momentum continued with group member Q-Tip working with legendary engineer Bob Power to leave the resonant noise from their...

The crew reviews the almighty Wu-Tang Clan and their iconic classic debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) as it turns 30. After doing what seemed the impossible to assemble a supergroup of emcees hailing from Staten Island and Brooklyn, the collective gained major notoriety with their debut single "Protect Your Neck". Word and a buzz began to grow. The group, which was lead by creative guidance of executive producer and member RZA, drew acclaim for their unique approach to hip-hop...

B. Cox and J Owe look back at Black Moon's debut classic album Enta Da Stage as it turns 30. The Brooklyn trio made up of DJ/producer DJ Evil Dee and emcees Buckshot (fka Buckshot Shorty) and 5ft began their journey in high school, shopping around demos and looking for a deal. Impressed by the group, they signed with Nervous Records and was given the green light to record their first single "Who Got Da Props?". Featuring smooth samples with crisp drums and impeccable cuts, the album spun...

B. Cox and J. Owe look back at OutKast's classic third album Aquemini as it turns 25. After the success of their sophomore album, 1996's ATLiens, Andre and Big Boi both had major life events that affected their outlooks and artistry, included breakups and the start of fatherhood. Given more creative license, the group sought to take even more control of the production of their third album. The album was largely self-produced along with contributions from Mr. DJ and their mentors Organized...

B. Cox and Domo review Jay-Z's third album Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life as it turns 25. Looking to improve on his commercial success from Vol. 1...In My Lifetime, Jay-Z looked to bring on new producers to give his album the commercial shine without the sound being overglossed. In for this album, production wise was the likes of Swizz Beats and Timbaland to go along with mainstays DJ Premier, Irv Gotti, Erick Sermon and others. The album featured a distinct commercial sound more appropriate for...

B. Cox and J.Owe look back at Oakland rap group Souls of Mischief debut album 93 Til Infinity as it turns 30. In the midst of a coastal emergence and commercial recognition in both southern California and the Bay-Area, the teenage group became major players in the Oakland underground scene. After their demos became the talk of certain rap circles and their music was circulated on the legendary "Wake Up Show" with Sway and Tech, the group secured a record deal and started working on their...

In this bonus episode, B. Cox looks back at one of the greatest and consequential hip-hop release dates on the last 25 years: September 29, 1998. On this date, five highly anticipated hip-hop albums hit the stores: Jay-Z's Vol 2...Hard Knock Life, Outkast's Aquemini, A Tribe Called Quest's The Love Movement, Black Star's Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are... and Brand Nubian's comeback album Foundation. Each album had its reasons among fans to be highly anticipated. B. Cox looks into these reasons...

B Cox reviews Lauryn Hill's classic debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as turns 25. After a a breakout classic album The Score with The Fugees and a worldwide successful tour, the singer-emcee found herself at a crossroads as she found herself not only in a new relationship with Rohan Marley, but also pregnant. During pregnancy, she took a hiatus from touring and recording and spent time writing for what would be her debut album. After giving birth to her son Zion, she began the...

B. Cox reviews West Coast hip-hop trio Tha Alkaholiks debut album 21 & Over, as it turns 30. The trio, made up of emcees Tash, E-Swift and J-Ro, formed in the late 1980s and were mentored by legend King Tee. After signing to Loud/RCA, the group started recording their debut album. The album would be a compact, but power-packed 35 minute effort that introduced this eclectic, but a serious group of emcess to the hip-hop game. The group's style, which was based around a fun-loving times...

B. Cox pays homage to hip-hop as it turns 50 years old. For much of the year, the recognized beginning of the genre, culture and societal phenomenon called hip-hop has been celebrated, lauded and congratulated worldwide for changing the world as we see it. He goes over a brief history of hip-hop's beginnings, the different periods we've experienced over 50 years and how the music, culture and trends have change with them. He also goes over his favorite hip-hop album by decade with some...

B. Cox and Domo fondly recollect on Toni Braxton's classic self-titled debut album as it turns 30. The Maryland native, who started in an R&B group with her now famous sisters, made her name first known after her standout performances on the wildly popular Boomerang Original Soundtrack the previous year with her debut on "Love Shoulda Brought You Home" and "Give U My Heart" featuring Babyface. Signed to LaFace Records, she began recording her debut album under the tutelage of Babyface and...

B. Cox is joined once again by Alise and JR of the R&B Representers to reminisce on Maxwell's sophomore album Embrya as it turns 25. After amazing the music industry with his classic debut Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite just two years earlier, the prodigious soul singer linked back up with producer and musician Stuart Matthewman, just as he he had on Urban Hang Suite, looking to push the envelope stylistically than he had on his debut. In a departure of the more acoustically melody drive jazz...