Deep Cover Soundtrack (Solar, 1992) by various

This soundtrack is a classic for the title track alone.  The song is genius for so many reasons.  The beat is great, and the rhymes are solid.  Additionally, Dr. Dre, on of the best producers ever, used his first solo track to introduce a new artist-how brilliant is that?  And last but not least, that new artist was Snoop Doggy Dogg.  The song led to bigger things like The Chronic and Doggystyle.  But it would be wrong to not acknowledge where one of the greatest duos in Hip-Hop history began.

Don't Sweat the Technique (MCA, 1992) by Eric B. & Rakim

"Dangerous rhymes (are) performed like surgery/Cuts so deep you'll be bleeding burgundy/My intellect wrecks and disconnects your cerebral cortex,your cerebellum is next/Your conscience becomes sub-conscious,soon your response is nonsense/The last words are blurred...mumbled then slurred/Then your verbs are no longer heard/You get your lung fried so good you're tongue-tied,he couldn't swing or hang so he hung 'till he died/Reincarnate him...and kill him again...again and again...again and again…/I leave him in the mausoleum so you can see him/I got a dead-MC'ing museum/When I create 'em, I cremate 'em and complicate 'em/You can't save 'em...there's no ultamatum/Mic's lay around full of ashes, with the victim's name in slashes/Got a long list and I'm a get every one of ya/Beware of The Punisher!"

-Rakim, "The Punisher"

Too Hard to Swallow (Jive, 1992) by UGK

This is a really gritty album.  It's very aggressive and raw-sounding.  However, these factors complement Bun B and Pimp C's abilities because their writing still stands out, even amidst the aggressive content.  "Something Good" is a great record as well as "Pocket Full of Stones."  The beats are really hard, and UGK's sound would eventually evolve with the input of better productions and melodies.  But, in 1992, this was a tough album that established them as underground royalty.  Within a few years, they would become one of the greatest duos in hip hop history.

Jammin' in New York (Atlantic, 1992) by George Carlin

George Carlin is my favorite stand up comedian of all-time.  His masterful understanding of language proved that profanity can be profound and his social commentary was always superior to its opposition.  He has quite a few classic albums, but this one, in my opinion is his best.  The strangeness of American culture that Mr. Carlin points out on "Golf Courses for the Homeless" is some of the best stuff that I have ever heard.  Period.  "Rockets and Penises in the Persian Gulf" humorously (and tragically) identifies our country's obsession with war and "The Planet is Fine" really puts human activity and existence into perspective.  The other two tracks, "Little Things We Share" and "Airline Announcements," are not as heavy, but still clever and smart.  Whether discussing looking at a clock and then still not knowing what time it is or humorous observations about airline travel, the simple stuff is still also all fantastic material.  Overall, George Carlin struck me as someone who was cynical and compassionate at the same time.  It made for interesting and insightful jokes, and sometimes those jokes are just what we need to keep our head on straight in a sometimes seemingly crazy world.

Rage Against the Machine (Epic, 1992) by Rage Against the Machine

This album is sonically incredible.  I'm aware that I'm probably not saying anything new at all.  However, considering I'm not into metal very much, I was very impressed.  Rock and rap have, of course, been merged.  But the way rap and metal is combined on here is great.  The guitar riffs on "Killing in the Name" are some of my all-time favorites and "Bombtrack" is a phenomenal album opener.

The Predator (Priority, 1992) by Ice Cube

On the heels of two hip-hop masterpieces, Cube released his third solo album in three years.  The biggest difference between this and his first two solo releases is that the anger is less calculated.  AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted was articulate aggression and Death Certificate was a concept album, however, The Predator is more all-out rage.  it speaks more to Cube's personality on Straight Outta Compton than the maturity he presented on his later work.  Given the Rodney King verdict though, Cube's emotions are justified and passionately presented.  Ironically, "It Was a Good Day", one of the least political records in Cube's career, was the album's biggest hit.  A few years ago in Rolling Stone Chris Rock described Ice Cube as the best rapper from 1990-1994 without peer.  I could not agree more.  Cube is one of the greatest emcees that ever picked up a microphone.

Whut? Thee Album (Def Jam, 1992) by Redman

Along with Scarface, I think Redman is another rapper that is not given the proper shine for the trail he blazed.  The personality and energy that Reggie has on display on this album has never been matched.  I never heard anything like "Time 4 Sum Aksion" before and that record still is one of the best hip-hop singles ever.  He was the first rapper that made hardcore rap funny.  Ludacris and Eminem both created their own respective lanes, but there's no denying the influence that Redman had on both of their styles.  Eric Sermon's production is superb on Whut?  as well.  And last, but not least, even with Red's outgoing personality- he doesn't compromise lyrical quality.  In summary, this album is incredible.  A certified hip-hop classic. 

Live and Let Die (Cold Chillin', 1992) by Kool G. Rap & D.J. Polo

In the 90s, it was Biggie, Jay-Z, or Nas.  And in the 80s, it was Rakim, Kane, or G. Rap.  And even though G. Rap did not sell in the millions- what he lacked in sales, he more than made up for in influence.  He pioneered multi-syllabic rhyming and his descriptive street narratives were definitely a first as well.  This is also one of my favorite album covers too.  Two cops tied to nooses while standing on chairs that are attached to dogs.  G. Rap and Polo are then standing just out of the dogs' reach with pieces of meat.  Guess what happens next?

The Chronic (Death Row, 1992) by Dr. Dre

There is nothing I can say about this album that has not already been said.  It is a masterpiece.  Snoop Dogg's laid-back flow is a perfect match for the melodic production.  I have never heard dirty music sound so clean.  And as a result of Dr. Dre's innovative board work, hardcore hip-hop is able to cross over to Top 40.  Put simply, The Chronic changed popular music and its influence only continues to increase over time.  Now if only I could get away with pulling a beautiful woman's bikini top off while "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang" plays in the background (just kidding).