Tim's Bio: From the Motion Picture: Life From Da Bassment (Blackground, 1998) by Timbaland

Although not quite as strong as Aaliyah's One in a Million or Missy Elliot's Supa Dupa Fly, Tim's Bio stands as another highlight in the catalogue of Tim "Timbaland" Mosley.  His production is obviously top-notch and he provides an innovative sound that puts performers outside of their comfort zone.  Timbaland is one of the greatest producers of all-time, and this album is one of the many reasons why. 

First Family 4 Life (Relativity, 1998) by M.O.P.

"Yeah, uh-huh, what the fuck/Two asked quick for bastards to step to/Leave wounds too drastic for rescue/When I rock jewels it ain't to impress you/What the fuck niggas commentin on my shit fo'/I'm real - how you think I got rich ho?/Pack steel - ain't afraid to let a clip go/I got enough paper to get low/Come back when the shit blow over get the dough over/Huh wit the Rover snatch the gat from the clip holder/Rip through ya shoulder bitch it's Jay-hovah/I'm too right wit it, too tight wit it/You light witted but if you're feel ya nice nigga spit i/tWho am I? JAY-Z  motherfucker/Do or die IN  BROWNSVILLE  motherfucker/Blocka, rocka, M.O.P collabo/Front on us and gats blow ya know?"

Jay-Z, "4 Alarm Blaze"

Life or Death (No Limit, 1998) by C-Murder

This album is pretty typical No Limit fare.  At 26 tracks long, it is a lot of music and, therefore, the consumer gets a lot for their money.  Most of the music itself is mediocre at best, but does do a fine job of representing the platinum tank and its whole movement.  In addition to guest verses from fellow No Limit soldiers throughout the album, UGK also contributes to one of the album's high points, "Akickdoe!"

Armageddon (Columbia, 1998) by various

This soundtrack has solid collection of rock artists on here ranging from ZZ Top to Bob Seger.  However, the highlight of this album for me is Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."  Even aside from the fact that the record was a huge hit, I think it's a really great love song.  The opening lines of it, "I could stay awake just to hear you breathing/Watch you smile while you are sleeping/While you're far away and dreaming" grab you.  Those lyrics are so visual and I think they express love very powerfully with out sounding corny or gratuitously sappy.  If I ever get married, this song will surely get airtime at my wedding.

Totally Committed (Warner Bros., 1998) by Jeff Foxworthy

Foxworthy's material is pretty typical here.  There aren't really any surprises as far as content, but it is what Jeff does best.  My favorite routines here is about security in "Protect Our Stuff" and "You Can't Give Rednecks Money" where frivolous spending is discussed.  The album also ends on a high note with some of the best "You Might Be a Redneck" jokes of Foxworthy's career (If you thought the Unibomber was a wrestler; If you think fast food is hitting a deer at 65 miles an hour).

The Dude (Rap-A-Lot, 1998) by Devin The Dude

"Hey, hey what do you say?/Tell me have you ever been fucked this way?/Hoo hoo, what you gon' do/When I shove this dick in you?/Hee hee, what do you see?/Have you ever saw big nuts like these?/Ho ho, what do you know?/Let me bust one of 'em and then go"

-Devin the Dude, "Bust One for Ya"

Aquemini (LaFace, 1998) by Outkast

This is a perfect album.  Everything about this album is flawless.  The production, the lyrics, the sequencing, the features.  All of Outkast's stuff is great, but this one was a game changer.  On their debut, they were teenagers.  On ATLiens, their differences started to show.  But on Aquemini, the perfect balance was found.  Big Boi became a phenomenal emcee and Andre 3000 proved that there wasn't anything he couldn't do.  "Rosa Parks", especially with that breakdown in the middle of the song, is one of rap's greatest singles. Raekwon is awesome on "Skew It on the Bar-B" and that is one of my al-time favorite Organized Noize beats.  Multiple epics like "Liberation" and "SpottieOttieDopaliscious" (clocking in at over eight minutes and seven minutes respectively) sit comfortably on an album that received critical and commercial acclaim.  It's a damn near impossible feat, but Outkast did it.  Therefore proving, once again, that these guys were ahead of their time.  This isn't just a classic rap album, it's a classic music album- regardless of genre.

Charge It 2 Da Game (No Limit, 1998) by Silkk the Shocker

This is a basic run of the mill No Limit album.  However, it was released at the height of the label's power and so it is all very entertaining.  The album's best cuts are "I'm a Soldier" and "It Ain't My Fault."  The album's fourth cut, "Just Be Straight With Me," also featured a then-relatively unknown Destiny's Child.  Silkk's rap skills are mediocre, but all the guest features help shield the issue.  Although this album doesn't stand out as one of No Limit's best, it was released at a time when the company was very popular and it therefore reaped those benefits.

Doc's Da Name 2000 (Def Jam, 1998) by Redman

Redman's fourth album brought him to the mainstream as part of Def Jam's big end of the century push with Method Man, Jay-Z, and DMX.  Although not as solid as his first and third albums, Doc's Da Name does deliver some great material.  "I'll Bee Dat!" is a great single, with outstanding production by Rockwilder, and Busta Rhymes and Redman deliver a solid collaboration with "Da Goodness."  My favorite cut on the project though is Redman's cover of Ice Cube's "Once Upon a Time in the Projects" called "Jersey Yo."

MP Da Last Don (No Limit, 1998) by Master P

It's no secret that Master P is not the greatest rapper, but this album is the best example of Master P as one of the greatest businessmen.  The pamphlet to the album is filled with promotional pics [as usual], and the album features the best No Limit has to offer.  It has it's best artists (Snoop and Mystikal), top guest appearances (UGK, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony), the best album cover (the actual motion picture), and most expensive samples ("Goodbye to My Homies").  It was a double disc album that went multiplatinum and proved No Limit was a force to be reckoned with.  Unfortunately, with the exception of Top Dogg and Tha Last Meal, it was the beginning of the end of No Limit's reign.

Streets Is Watching (Roc-A-Fella, 1998) by various

"I was raised to live, Lord I pray you forgive/If not, I just handle it like Jason Kidd/What you're facin' is official (it's official)/Most cases when I'm blazin' won't miss you (won't miss you)/Case and point mad bullshitted issue/I see it to the end, my writing is so personal/My heart bleedin' out my pen, make no mistake about me/It's only one nigga livin', I got a half a cake about me/I got love, to make a nigga die bleedin' is nothin'/You make a motherfucker die breathin' then you sayin' somthing, beeotch"

-Jay-Z, "You're Only a Customer"

War & Peace: Vol. 1 The War Disc (Priority, 1998) by Ice Cube

Clocking in at just over 70 minutes, The War Disc finds Cube returning to rap as a solo artist after a five-year absence with something to prove.  It stretches itself a little thin, and finds Cube relying on generic bravado.  But the album is something different, and there's definitely something to be said for that.  "Fuck Dying," which features Korn instrumentally, is a great rap/rock record.  "War and Peace" interpolates No Doubt's "Don't Speak."  And Cube delivers his trademark street knowledge and insight with records like "Ghetto Vet" and "Three Strikes You In."  The Peace Disc is better than The War Disc, but The War Disc is an improvement when compared to Lethal Injection (with the exception of "You Know How We Do It" and "Bop Gun [One Nation]").

Whitey Ford Sings the Blues (Tommy Boy, 1998) by Everlast

The fusion of rap and rock works a fair amount of the time, but the combination of the two very often sounds deliberate.  However, in the case of this album, it sounds very organic and that makes for a very enjoyable listen.  Not only does Everlast rap like he did with House of Pain, but he also infuses rock and a touch of folk and blues.  "Ends", "Hot to Death", and "What It's Like" are all outstanding.  Considering his heart condition and the surgery that followed while making this album, it's a very personal recording.  Without question, it is Everlast's best work to date.

It's Dark and Hell is Hot (Def Jam, 1998) by DMX

This album officially ended Puff Daddy's reign as the king of hip-pop.  X brought back the hardcore attitude that had been absent in rap since the deaths of Tupac and Biggie.  "Get at Me Dog" was a gritty video, which, if I'm not mistaken, has never aired on MTV in its entirety.  "Ruff Ryders Anthem" got the attention of the mainstream, "X is Coming" offended people, and "Stop Bein' Greedy" had me barking like a dog (So when you hear the arf arf, start runnin'/Cause when you hear the arf arf, I'm comin').  It's Dark and Hell is Hot may have come from the bottom, but it took DMX, Ruff Ryders, and Def Jam straight to the top.  There was no excuse for this album not being nominated at The Grammys for Rap Album of the Year.

Vol.2... Hard Knock Life (Roc-A-Fella, 1998) by Jay-Z

Jay-Z's third LP is the crossover album that didn't sell out. "Hard Knock Life," in my opinion, is one of the best singles in hip hop history.  Not only was the use of the Annie sample brilliant, but it also put a light back of the legendary Mark The 45 King.  "Nigga What, Nigga Who" and "Money Cash Hoes" are two spectacular beats with raps worthy of the instrumentals.  "A Week Ago" is a classic that demonstrates Jay-Z's descriptive writing ability and features Short Dog on the hook.  "Can I Get A..." got some attention.  "Reservoir Dogs" introduced the world to Beanie Sigel.  And "Money Ain't A Thang" was two emcees living large who weren't lying about it.  In conclusion, this is one of the greatest albums from arguably rap's last classic year.

R. (Jive, 1998) by R. Kelly

Even disregarding the fact that it's a double album, R. is R. Kelly's most well-rounded album.  There's hip hop, R&B, and gospel.  And, for the most part, Kells pulls it all off successfully.  Some songs are better than others, but the album never seems to drag on.  The fact that he puts Celine Dion and Cam'ron on the same album is crazy enough ("I'm Your Angel" and "We Ride" respectively).  But the fact that he put an inspirational song for a movie starring Bugs Bunny (Space Jam's "I Believe I Can Fly") and a materialistic record like "Only the Loot Can Make Me Happy" on the same album, and they're both incredibly catchy, is even crazier.  And then, of course, there are a few sex records too ("Half on a Baby" and "Get Up on a Room").

Extinction Level Event : The Final World Front (Elektra, 1998) by Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes is one of the best emcees ever and this album was released at the height of his popularity.  His rapid-fire flow was, and still is, one of a kind.  Because unlike other fast rappers, he is still understandable and the energy in his delivery is magnificent.  E.L.E.'s lead single, "Gimme Some More", clocks in at only a little over 2 and a half minutes but it is one of my favorite Busta songs.  The other great thing about this album, taken as a whole, is that is a little more upbeat production-wise and serves as a great soundtrack to the end of one millennium and the beginning of another.  The apocalyptic theme is still there, but the tracks and image of the project isn't quite as doom and gloom as Busta's first two solo releases.  Oh, and the music video for the Janet Jackson-assisted "What's It Gonna Be?!" was awesome too.

Devil Without a Cause (Atlantic, 1998) by Kid Rock

Kid Rock is a very well-rounded artist.  He, in many people's opinion, isn't the best rapper, rocker, or country artist.  However, he masterfully combines a variety of styles.  I honestly don't even look at it that way.  I think the culmination of his wide range of influences makes for a sound all his own.  He is the only performer that I can think of who can rock with Hank Williams Jr., Twisted Brown Trucker, and Too $hort.  And best of all, he is sincere in all three of those genres.  Rock N Roll Jesus was great.  Born Free was outstanding.  But this was the one that did it for me.  "Only God Knows Why", "Fuck Off", "Wasting Time", and "Cowboy"-those are my personal favorites.  However, I can honestly play the whole album, Devil Without a Cause, from beginning to end without skipping a single track.

Greatest Hits (Amaru, 1998) by 2Pac

Greatest hits albums are usually terrible.  Not that the actual music is bad, but it is just a collection of hits with a few rush-recorded tracks by an artist to fulfill a contractual obligation.  Therefore, there is very little incentive to purchase them if you are already a fan of the artist.  However, in this case, there is an exception.  2Pac was a prolific writer and recorder.  There are four unreleased tracks here (as well as the original version of "California Love").  And some of the unreleased tracks are the best ones on this 2-CD set ("Unconditional Love" and "Changes").  The sequencing of the compilation is also done well and the album provides a well-rounded glimpse into the mind of one of the most amazing artists that hip-hop will ever see.  {Writer's note: Because of a family emergency, I was unable to post for multiple days and so I am posting multiple times now to make up for it.  I apologize for any confusion and/or inconvenience.}

Follow the Leader (Immortal, 1998) by Korn

Follow the Leader has a lot of sentimental value to me.  I am not knowledgable enough about rock music to speak comfortably about the technical aspects of this album (but I do think it's really bad-ass that Jonathan Davis also plays the bagpipes on this album in addition to contributing lead vocals).  However, I'll never forget buying this album at Media Play when I was young with my really good friend Ben.  At the time, the "parental advisory" was stuck on the case, not printed on the pamphlet and so we found the only two Follow the Leader albums without stickers on them.  And because I'm paranoid, I took a black magic marker and scribbled over the female nudity in the pamphlet.  The album, of course, was at the forefront of a rap/rock hybrid movement alongside Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock.  And nothing against Rock's "Cowboy" song or Limp Bizkit's "N 2gether Now"- I really like them both, but taken as a whole album, Follow the Leader is my favorite album from that era with that sound.