Gettin' It (Jive, 1996) by Too Short

This album is good, but a bit repetitive in terms of beats and content.  The album offers nothing new, but that doesn't mean it's not an enjoyable collection of tracks to rattle speakers with while cruising down the highway.  Put simply, it's Too Short doing what Too Short does which is exactly what it should've been considering this was billed as his "retirement" album when it was released. 

Here's Your Sign (Warner Bros., 1996) by Bill Engvall

Although this album may be memorable for its famous catchphrase, the rest of the material is a bit below what Engvall would eventually deliver the future.  The promise of a funny storyteller is there, but he hasn't quite hit his mark yet.  Because of this, the album seems a bit long.  It's a good release, but not a great one.  Fortunately, Engvall's overall albums improved over time.

Spice (Virgin, 1996) by the Spice Girls

Okay, I know this album is, for the most part, really terrible.  However, I got this album when I was like ten because my next door neighbor had it and we'd listen to it sometimes when the two of us would be hanging out.  In hindsight, "Wannabe" is a bad song, but it does have a catchiness to it.  The other song that I came to appreciate later (e.g. when I hit puberty) was "2 Become 1" because it was five pretty girls singing about sex and in '98 Ginger Spice posed for Playboy too.

Another Level (Interscope, 1996) by Blackstreet

I was probably around 9 or 10 years old when I first got this album, and so a lot of its qualities went unappreciated until later.  To me, at the time of purchase, the album was all about the smash single "No Diggity" with Dr. Dre.  However, in hindsight, I am able to recognize Teddy Riley's amazing abilities as a songwriter as well as a performer.  The addition of the two new members to Blackstreet was also successful on this album too.

Space Jam Soundtrack (Warner Bros., 1996) by various

"Who got bugs bunny money?/I've give you some time,to give more carrots every time I rhyme/Can a mouse write this?/Does he have long furry ears like this?/Can he make hits like this? (ha ha ha ha)/Nope, it's like Jordan at the plate,you're likely to miss/Warner Brothers ain't got bank cheap countin', rule from here to The Moron Mountain/Here's the game plan,listen up Toon squad/Number one objective, beat the Monstars/Shouldn't be hard, them guys ain't too smart/But to be sure snatched Jordan playin' Golf/Even though he tends to be a ball hog/Hey Michael, over here superstar/Who says the bunny can't play above the rim?/Wait till they get a load of me, that's buggin'"

-Bugs Bunny, "Buggin'"

Muddy Waters (Def Jam, 1996) by Redman

Redman's third album is one of his greatest.  Dare Iz a Darkside was good, but as the title suggests, it was quite dark.  This album was a great return to the funkiness that made his debut a classic.  I also thought the video for "Whateva Man" was really cool with Meth; it was a great salute to The Blues Brothers movie.

Ridin' Dirty (Jive, 1996) by UGK

Bun B is an incredible rapper; there's no doubt about that.  And so the great thing about this album is the production.  Pimp C's production is a breath of fresh air- it's real music and that creates a great juxtaposition to the gritty raps.  Content-wise, it isn't much difference from other rap cliches.  However, it's not the west coast funk or the heavy bass that's often apparent in the south.  Therefore, it ultimately creates something that hasn't really been heard before.  I think it's an incredible album and it's one that I always play straight through from beginning to end.

At the Speed of Life (Loud, 1996) by Xzibit

"It took a long time comin but we waited/Xzibit went from underrated, to now most anticipated/never would of thought that I would rock your set/And get love and respect without no special effects/Only the rugged ruff shit that the hard rock need/Lyrics must contain more then just clothes bitches and weed/Thinkin how you like to see the next man bleed/Tryin to glorify greed; livin life at ridiculous speed - indeed!/The main goal's to achieve, to succeed/Have it laid out for your seed/But the world gets colder every day by day/Physically, mentally gettin drained by L.A./Trying to find piece of mind is like tryin to find a gold mine/It just won't happen, no time for relaxin/Real soldiers of fortune  the front line of the action/ So never show a nigga what you packin (You know what I'm sayin?)/It's too much weight to be jugglin/who do you picture when you think about strugglin/Kids in the bed, no food stomach bubbilin/Or niggaz in the E-class heavy drug smugglin"

-Xzibit, "At the Speed of Life"

You Can't Stop the Reign (Interscope, 1996) by Shaquille O'Neal

"A lime to a lemon, my D.C. women, bringin in to G-minumums to condos with elevators in them/vehicles with telivision's in them/watch they entoruage turn your's to just mirages, disaperin acts, strictly nines and macs/killers be sureal, Copperfeild material, my dreams is vivid, work hard to live it/any place I visit I got land there/how can players stand there and say I sound like them/hello, push wigs and back and push six coup's that's yellow/bust clips to expand some hand to elbow/spray up your days in, any teller you win/crack ?? to ?? is how I may be drivin/??? of street sweepers beside the beamer wagon/I rely on Bigs status, surely down if I die/put that on my diamond bezil/you're messin with the Devil/why"

- Notorious B.I.G., "You Can't Stop the Reign"

The Day (Epic, 1996) by Babyface

This album has some very memorable tracks, the most popular being "Everytime I Close My Eyes."  Overall though, the project, in my opinion, showcases Babyface's ability as a writer more than his chops as a singer.  "Simple Days" is a wonderful look back on childhood  and LL proves why he's one of the best at hip hop love songs with "This is For the Lover in You."  The other thing that Edmonds does here really well is merge hip hop and R&B (without getting a singer to just sing over a rap beat).  This is a good release, but the best showcase of Babyface's talents are his collaborations with other artists such as Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men.

Bad Hair Day (Scotti Bros., 1996) by Weird Al Yankovic

Bad Hair Day is my favorite Weird Al album.  Not only were the parodies outstanding- "Amish Paradise," "Syndicated Inc.," Gump" and "Phony Calls."  Al's original material was solid too.  "Callin' in Sick" and "The Night Santa Went Crazy" are both very funny.  This album also proved that Al was a credible producer as well.  Al's a funny guy, but he is no joke.  He will be forever embraced by popular culture for his humorous contributions to it.  If I were a recording artist, my sign of "making it" would be to have one of my records parodied by Weird Al.

Dr. Dre Presents The Aftermath (Aftermath, 1996) by Dr. Dre

Dr. Dre's first release on Aftermath, a compilation, wasn't a commercial blockbuster like his contributions to Death Row's catalogue.  However, his sound certainly did evolve.  The g-funk element that made Dre one of the best producers ever is absent here, but his knack for R&B production is apparent.  The best R&B track on the album, "Choices," samples the popular Issac Hayes' tune "The Look of Love" and again the use of it does not fail.  There is some hip hop on here.  Dre's contribution "Been There, Done That" deliberately separates himself from gangsta rap.  It's decent, but it's no "Let Me Ride."  And "East Coast/West Coast Killas" was a good show of unity at a time when hip hop was very divided.

The Coming (Elektra, 1996) by Busta Rhymes

Along with Michael Jackson, Sting and Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes is one of the best artists to go solo and really come into their own after leaving a group.  "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" is better than Sugarhill Gang's "8th Wonder." "It's a Party" is an overlooked gem and Busta holds his own alongside Redman and Q-Tip on "Ill Vibe" and "Flipmode Squad Meets Def Squad" respectively.  Production-wise, DJ Scratch and Easy Mo Bee provide music that unleash the dragon accordingly. 

Tha Doggfather (Death Row, 1996) by Snoop Dogg

Dr. Dre's absence on Snoop's sophomore album is very apparent.  However, the album still has a few very strong points.  Just like his cover of old school hip-hop on Doggystyle with "Lodi Dodi", the homage continues on Tha Doggfather with "Vapors".  "Snoop's Upside Ya Head" is a great party record, as well as "Groupie".  The latter is good, but is clearly a "Ain't No Fun" part 2.  Lyrically, Snoop is very much a party MC.  Yet, at the end of the second verse on the title track, he addresses the situation that probably delayed the album and could've forever changed Snoop's life and West coast rap had the outcome been different: "You know I ain't tryin' ta floss/But uh, (Murder, murder, murder) was the case that they lost/I'm Tha DoggFather."

What the Hell Happened to Me? (Warner Bros., 1996) by Adam Sandler

I was first introduced to Adam Sandler's comedy right around the time of this album's release.  The fact that the album title had a curse word in the title intrigued me and knew I had to get it.  I didn't get it until a few years later, but when I did, I loved it and it seemed like everyone in Middle School knew the skits from the album by heart.  My favorite memory of the material is from 7th grade-our middle school class went to a science camp which was affiliated with a Christian group and even though our class' visit didn't focus on religion at all, the camp had its own staff and they clearly took a more conservative approach to things.  My friends adapted Sandler's "Respect" skit into something for a group project there and even though it was considerably edited, it was hilarious to us because we knew what they were "getting away" with.  Good times.  Adam Sandler's first four albums all have a lot of sentimental value to me, but his sophomore disc, What the Hell Happened to Me?, is my favorite.

The Score (Columbia, 1996) by Fugees

It is impossible to not like this album.  As cliche as it sounds, this album has something for everyone.  It has singing, rapping, and outstanding production.  "Killing Me Softly" blew up all over obviously (and rightfully so), but as a result of that song, lots of people got the album.  But the album was not a one-trick pony. "Fu-Gee-La", "Ready or Not", "How Many Mics", and "The Score" are all classics.  I think it's great that Dave Chapelle was able to reunite the Fugees for his Block Party movie, and now I'm just waiting on another album.

All Eyez on Me (Death Row, 1996) by 2Pac

The amazing thing about this album is how quickly it was recorded (just over two weeks).  I believe this 2-disc set is a wonderful testament to Pac's amazing work ethic and his ability to rapidly put together quality material.  Although, there is some filler.  From a production perspective, it is some of the best music Pac has ever rhymed over.  Me Against the World was the first time that 2Pac had tracks intense enough to compete with his subject matter, but All Eyez on Me was able to match his attitude at the time as well.  "Ambitionz Az a Ridah", "Can't C Me", and "How Do U Want It" are all incredible.  "2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted" was masterful timing and I think it's great that Snoop still performs that song so many years later (that hologram was cool at Coachella too).  My favorite song, however, is "Life Goes On".  It is, in my opinion, one of Tupac's most emotional songs (props to "Unconditional Love" as well) and one of my all-time favorite records.

Bow Down (Lench Mob, 1996) by Westside Connection

When Death Row was on the decline, and Bad Boy was on the verge of taking over music, all was not lost on the Left Coast.  Bow Down, the debut album from west coast supergroup Westside Connection, gave listeners a much needed alternative to the pop-friendly sounds of Puff Daddy and the family.  It was the best Cube had sounded since The Predator, and Mack 10 and W.C., of course, delivered with their standard West Coast swagger and attitudes.  Regardless of how the beef started, Westside Connection got Cypress Hill good with "King of the Hill."  The music is obviously banging, but the "World Domination" introduction and "The Pledge" interlude sum up the whole mentality of the album perfectly.  "Bitch, you know the side.  World motherfucking wide!"

The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (Death Row, 1996) by 2Pac [a/k/a Makaveli]

"I ain't a killer, but don't push me/Revenge is like the sweetest joy next to gettin' pussy/Picture paragraphs unloaded, wise words bein' quoted/Peeped the weakness in the rap game, and sewed it/Bow down, pray to God hoping that he's listenin'/ Seein' niggaz comin' for me, to my diamonds, when they glistenin'/Now pay attention, rest in peace father/ 'm a ghost in these killin' fields/Hail Mary catch me if I go, let's go deep inside/The solitary mind, of a madman who screams/In the dark, evil lurks, enemies, see me flee/Activate my hate, let it break, to the flame/Set trip, empty out my clip, never stop to aim/ Some say the game is all corrupted, fucked in this shit/Stuck, niggaz is lucky if we bust out this shit/Plus, mama told me never stop until I bust a nut/Fuck the world, if they can't adjust/It's just as well, Hail Mary"

                                                                                                                                                                  -2Pac, "Hail Mary"

One in a Million (Blackground, 1996) by Aaliyah

Timbaland is a genius and this album proved that he was ahead of his time.  "One in A Million" is one of my favorite records and "If Your Girl Knew" has a phenomenal beat.  Aaliyah is someone who left us too soon and her sophomore album was a proof that she was wise beyond her years.  In addition to Missy and Timbaland's work, Slick Rick and Treach provide great contributions as well.  And yet, no one outshines Aaliyah- as it should be.  There are very few albums that are all killer, no filler.  But this is one one of them.  And as far as Timbaland's production career, One in A Million and Missy Elliot's Supa Dupa Fly did for him what The Chronic and Doggystyle did for Dr. Dre a few years prior.