At HipHopDX, we are some certified, dust-under-the-fingernails diggers. While there's a lot of folks talking about samples and breaks, and plenty of deejays focusing on exclusives and lost verses, we wanted to profile some of the releases that aren't ever discussed, videos played or songs aired. These are the discs and albums that you'll often see at swap meets, pawn shops and in lots on eBay.

We're simply here to reminisce, revisit and remind those of you who may care, that these are actually...pretty damn good. Bargain Bin Classics live on!

187 He Wrote by Spice-1 (1993, Jive)
Currently on Amazon for $4.93

The Texas-born and Bay-bred Spice 1 was one of the early '90s finest gangsta rappers. With his unmistakable style (flipping to rapid fire Reggae at any moment), he made some noise with his self-titled Jive debut in '92. But after his show stealing "Trigga Gots No Heart" fueled the Menace II Society OST, 187 He Wrote dropped soon after and went gold in less than two months. With titles like "Dumpin' Em In Ditches," "Gas Chamber," "Trigga Happy," "The Murda Show," and "I'm the Fuckin' Murderer" (among several other death related songs), there is no telling how many were killed on wax here. It may be a bit one-dimensional, but it was - and remains - must have material. - J-23

1st Class by Large Professor (2002, Matador)
Currently on Amazon for $5.15

I truly admire and love the work of Diamond D, but to me, Large Professor will forever be the best producer on the mic. Although Main Source’s Breaking Atoms and his rare LP projects are anything but bargain bin, fans quickly overlooked the easily-attainable 2002 effort 1st Class. The work shows a confident-yet-grounded emcee stepping forward, claiming his place in Hip Hop, and meeting up with his many star-studded protégés. Just as “Looking At The Front Door,” the Extra P was always at his best when emotionally vulnerable and pensive. The Q-Tip-assisted “The Sun” is case and point. The stellar production, outsourced to Xplicit meets Paul and Tip’s words about love, life and losses with a hopeful message. As the counter-balance, “Live At The BBQ Part 2” might not live up as a sequel, but shows that Akinyele can toss aside his raunch like a soiled prophylactic and be the most ferocious Queens rapper there ever was. Other considerations might lack the polish, but joints like “The Man” (which was a remix to Nas’ “You’re Da Man”) make the Mad Scientist one multi-talented artist that never fails, and this album deserves reconsideration. – Jake Paine

F.U.: Don’t Take It Personal by Fu-Schnickens (1992, Jive)
Currently on Amazon for $2.49

Some 15 years after their hey day, Brooklyn's Fu-Schnickens are best remembered for introducing the world to "Shaq-Fu" on "What's Up Doc?" While their Shaq featured second LP led to their falling off, their debut was loaded with classic material. Poc-Fu, Moc-Fu and Chip-Fu (once officially the world's fastest rapper), flipped their vocal acrobatics over hard-hitting beats; a third of which were produced by Tribe. Joints like "La Schmoove," "Ring The Alarm," "True Fuschnick" and "Movie Scene" are still unfuckwitable. P.S. - look out for the return of Chip-Fu on Pete Rock's LP dropping next week. It's all relative. - J-23

Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump by De La Soul (2000, Tommy Boy)
Currently on Amazon for $1.33

Remember when independent rap labels got dope singles in heavy rotation? Alongside Rawkus’ arrival, Tommy Boy’s adieu albums with De La Soul were culture-changing for more reasons than “Oooh.” This album, released after a four-year development hiatus was another reintroduction of my favorite multi-emcee rap group. Although songs like “Squat!” with the Beasties and “U Can Do” fell on deaf ears, deeper album cuts like the Liks-assisted “My Writes” and “Foolin’” are stellar displays of advanced beat-making, but an affirmation that “Hip Hop hippies” (a term they and I hate) blossom into everything that a commercial emcee has and more. Plug 1 and Plug 2 were cockier, more mature and threw their weight around on the mic as Maseo provided a sound that seemingly helped inspire Jay Dee in finding his own knock for years to come. This is an end-to-end burner that never shows its age, just like three of my heroes who made it. – Jake Paine