Kardeem says: The legendary Marley Marl strikes back with a brand new version of the hiphop classic "The Symphony", this is the fourth recording of the song. The beat of this cut is without doubt some of the dopest ever made within hiphop and the MC line-up laying the rhymes doesn't let us down either. Just plug this cut in, I'd say this is the tightest collaboration I've heard in a very, very long time. It's hiphop to the basics, a legendary cast of stars.

Bitches With Dicks
Jeru The Damaja f/ Lil Dap
Payday

Kardeem says: As one of the underground's most respected, Jeru has been keeping heads waiting on new material. This time he's taking us to new musical areas when he's producing most of his upcoming album all by himself. This cut is definately some original, varied stuff, with beatchanges and sudden guitar chords striking in when least expected. On "Bitches With Dicks" I personally get two of my favourite MC's together, since Group Home's Lil Dap is featured. Lyrically, I'd say that Jeru's takin' his new material to a new level. He's more into spontaneous, word-playin' rhymes rather than well thought out, and for some MC's it doesn't work, but for Jeru it sure does. It's his flow, his rugged rhyme spittin' that thrills.

A Part Of My Life
Freddie Foxxx
KJAC Entertainment

Kardeem says: Hiphop veteran Freddie Foxxx has been around for years now and finally, we're about to witness a forthcoming album release from this man. First 12-inch "A Part Of My Life" is a real goodie. Allthough the production by DJ Premier sounds like his most typical ones, I love it. It's the uptempo beat that uplifts the whole joint and Premier's characteristic way of cutting the samples works here too. Vocally, Foxxx seems to be taking us to another level when it comes to his rhyme flow. Foxxx has always been aggressive in his way of flowing and when he starts sparking up the mic, he leaves no one untouched. "A Part Of My Life" is about Foxxx's love for hiphop and as always, he's like a verbal murder machine when goes off. Now, this track is more than all right, it's real dope. But when the album "Follow Me" drops, I wonder exactly what Foxxx can effort to hiphop. Yeah, his flow is remarkably dope, but I think he better put some knowledge behind his lyrics as well. If he does that I think that "Follow Me", with a delighted Primo on the production, can be really interesting.

The Biggest Hustle
Loop Troop (Schlook From Birth 12")
David Vs Goliath

Kardeem says: Pick it up, pick it up! Here they come again, some of the illest and most productive MC's of Sweden. On this brand new 12-inch, Loop Troop teams up with reggae collegues Spoonhead & Kekke Kulcha, whom has two own cuts on the A-side. On the Loop Troop side, we'll find part 1 of "Loop Troop Anthem" and the crew going out strong on representative basics. The second cut stands out most though, "The Biggest Hustle". Embee's production sounds jazz inspired again with a swingin' beat along with organs pumpin' through the entire cut. As Cosmic starts off criticizing the society, referred to as "babylon", I'd claim Cosmic to really have developed his skills. Supreme finishes the cut off, but once again it's the guy in between that shine brighest. Promoe once again kick his rhymes loud and clear, he's so easy to relate to. Promoe's reggae chantin' in the chorus also matches up with the swing beat from Embee. As the unit Loop Troop, this crew can go how far they want. Since Loop Troop continues stickin' to their independent thoughts, the respect from the street heads keeps growin'. And they earn it for sure.

Safe Sex (Billie Jean)
Jeru The Damaja
Payday

Kardeem says: It's out yo! Damn, I don't know about yall but I've been longing for new material by Jeru for quite a while now. I'm glad to say that Jeru seems to still be holding it down. The first 12-inch "Safe Sex (Billie Jean)" is surprising though. Jeru ain't no longer havin' Premier on the beat, here he produces it all himself. There's also elevations in Jeru's flow. After the quite rough "Wrath Of The Math" album, he now seems to be takin' it back to his early days with a more relaxed and thought out performance. We recognize Jeru's focused way of rhyming though, and that's comforting. On "Billie Jean", Jeru picks up the theme once brought to us by Michael Jackson's song. In fact, this can be considered as a some kind of reply to Jackson's version, since Jeru keeps comparing his thoughts. Anyways, this is a dope piece of wax from the dirty rotten. Even though he cut his ties to the Gang Starr crew, you can't sleep on Jeru. He's still takin' us back to the streets. And while your waiting for the new album to drop, pick up this joint in between. 'Cause it's dope!

Frontline
El Da Sensai f/ Organized Konfusion, Mike Zoot & FT
Groove Attack