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!"

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.

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.

Tha Last Meal (No Limit, 2000) by Snoop Dogg

This album will be remembered as the best album in No Limit's catalog.  As Snoop's last release on Master P's southern label, the material has a decidedly more West coast feel.  After years of searching for his identity as an artist post Doggystyle.  Tha Doggfather recognizes his niche on this album with heavy bass lines and funk.  The epitome of this album is the classic single, "Lay Low," wherein atop a Dr. Dre beat with a Nate Dogg hook, Snoop, Tha Eastsidaz and Master P trade bars- all rapping about what they rap about best.  This album was all about Snoop being his own man and declaring his independence.  Mission accomplished.  He was already a superstar, but his career achievements since have undoubtedly made him one of the most charismatic and recognizable figures in all of hip hop history.

Unpredictable (No Limit, 1997) by Mystikal

Other than Snoop Dogg and Mac, Mystikal is the only emcee out of the No Limit camp whose records had technical merit and didn't just move units as a result of the seemingly invincible No Limit movement that Master P ushered in during the late 90s.  The opening cut, 'Born 2 Be a Soldier," gives Mystikal a proper introduction to the No Limit army and then Mystikal drops a solid collection of songs with few guest emcees. Even if one of the album's highlights is "Here We Go" with B-Legit, E-40 and Master P, there is no denying Mystikal's talent on solo cuts such as "Unpredictable" and a song he recorded about his deceased older sister called "Shine."

No Limit Top Dogg (No Limit, 1999) by Snoop Dogg

Mystikal and Snoop were the only two No Limit soldiers whose albums didn't sound they were recorded factory-line style.  Even Da Game is to be Sold Not Told sounded a little unique (i.e. the "Gangsta Gangsta" cover "DP Gangsta").  However, Top Dogg made up for Da Game and then some.  Not only did Snoop reunite with Dre and bring Xzibit to the mainstream with "Bitch Please", but he also crafted stellar songs with Raphael Saddiq ("Somethin' Bout Yo Bidness") and Sticky Fingaz ("Buck 'Em").  And "Don't Tell", a DJ Quik-produced track featuring Mauseberg, Warren G and Nate Dogg, is so good that the music held my attention even more than the visuals of the XXX-rated hip hop themed film that it was featured in.