1) Dr. Dre - The Chronic
What ride for the summertime would be complete without The Chronic? It's not about whether you smoke or not (I don't), and you don't have to be a G to enjoy it (I'm certainly not), Dre simply has the beats and the MCs to keep your car groovin'. Of course, it's thoroughly politically incorrect, especially that skit in the "doctor's office", but if you've got a good sense of humor you'll love it. That said, you've probably already heard this album a thousand times before, but if you haven't, what are you waiting for?
PRIME CUT: Let Me Ride
2) The Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde
I don't know if you can have more fun than with Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde. These guys sound like they were having the time of their lives! Every rap is funny, every beat is funky and every MC has skills that will leave your mind blown. Seriously, there isn't a bad track on this record. It's almost like the second volume of Paul's Boutique, albeit without as many samples. Get this NOW!
PRIME CUT: I'm That Type Of N***a
3) Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
How could this not be on the list? Paul's Boutique is like a frantic jigsaw puzzle that you'll never finish assembling but you'll never get sick of trying to put together. The Beasties were quite possibly in the best form of their career and it shows. The rhymes will leave you scratching your head like a seriously engaging episode of Jeopardy while the beats will have you trying to figure out where you heard that before. This record NEVER gets old! One of the best hip-hop records ever, one of the best party records ever, simply one of the best EVER!
PRIME CUT: Shadrach
4) Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Chuck D has a voice like the horn on a sea liner, as in you'll never miss it when it hits. One of the most powerful voices in hip-hop gives you lyrics that educate and inform while entertaining endlessly. The beats, produced by The Bomb Squad, are truly explosive and can still blow up a party today. Put this on while stuck in traffic and watch the stress peel off as you're gripped by Chuck's intensity and Flava's odd ability to entertain.
PRIME CUT: Louder Than A Bomb
5) De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising
Completely different from just about any other hip-hop record you'll ever hear, 3 Feet High is an otherworldly trip through the stratosphere that will entertain fiercely, all the while painting a completely chilled vibe. De La Soul were unfairly labeled hippies for their positive lyrics and attitudes, something they dealt with on the equally essential but significantly darker follow-up, De La Soul Is Dead, but this is still amazing stuff that will put a smile on your face and keep you cool on hot summer days.
PRIME CUT: Say No Go
6) MF DOOM - Operation: Doomsday
Recovering from the ashes of his former group, the under-appreciated KMD, the former Zev Love X donned the mask of Marvel Comics villain Dr. Doom and restarted his career as only he could. DOOM has a voice deep enough to dig a man out of his grave, jokes old enough to make you and your grandfather laugh and beats that sound like recycled quiet storm jams but will nonetheless leave you wanting more. DOOM is an entertainer, through and through, and that's what this record does, it consistently entertains. You'll also find yourself saying "where have I heard that before?" throughout, wondering how he got away with that Beatles sample or the theme from Scooby Doo.
PRIME CUT: Rhymes Like Dimes
7) Handsome Boy Modeling School - So... How's Your Girl
Prince Paul and Dan The Automator became this Get A Life inspired duo almost as a joke, but their music is anything but a joke. With beats like only they can make and appearances from guests as wide-ranging as El-P and DJ Shadow to Sean Lennon and Father Guido Sarducci, this will have you laughing and jamming all summer long. Seriously, this is wonderful stuff!
PRIME CUT: The Projects (PJays) (feat. Del tha Funkee Homosapien and Dave of De La Soul)
8) Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst
Dan The Automator does it again, this time with Kool Keith, and the results are utterly disgusting and hilarious at the same time. Rapping about gynecological exams gone wrong, shark/alligator men, and surgical procedures that only aliens would consider performing, Keith could make you lose your lunch if you don't have a firm grasp on his perverse sense of humor. That said, he's so ridiculous you'll probably be thinking about how laughable his strange flow is. Keith is relentlessly entertaining, but it wouldn't mean much if the beats weren't top-notch too, and they most certainly are. The Automator brings it all, from classical pieces to old school boom-bap beats, so it's never like you're wondering if the next track will be good or not. Sew your tongue to your cheek and let Keith and Dan freak you out.
PRIME CUT: I'm Destructive
9) J Dilla - Donuts
Donuts is a wonderful heartbreaker, released just days before Dilla's death, it's an instrumental juggernaut that plays with your mind and never sits still. Put this on for a long ride and listen to the kaleidoscope that is Donuts constantly change its mind and go in a hundred different directions, all the while keeping heads bobbing and people wishing Dilla was still here so they could buy some beats from him.
PRIME CUT: Lightworks
10) Bombshelter DJs Z-Trip and Radar - Live At The Future Primitive, Vol. Two
A document of Z-Trip and Radar's amazing abilities, this is also a party rocking mix throwing everything you could want for your car into over an hour of mania. The duo mixes Pink Floyd and Aerosmith alongside LL Cool J and Black Sheep, among many others. That last sentence should be reason enough for you to grab this, but if you need another reason just take my word that it's awesome!
PRIME CUT: ALL OF THEM!
Download Live At The Future Primitive, Vol. Two HERE!
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