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!

As a member of Onyx, Sticky Fingaz had always stood out from the rest of the screw-faced baldhead crew for his borderline genocidal rhymes, energetic mic presence and voracious screen time. So when his long awaited solo debut, Black Trash: The Autobiography Of Kirk Jones, was released, fans expected more of that same high energy and volatile lyrics which peppered Onyx’s first three releases. Instead, listeners were treated to a well-executed, pugnaciously emotional concept album where Sticky (this time as his government moniker) took them on a fictionalized ride as a recently released felon and his subsequent rise and fall. Whether imagining himself as the almighty dollar on the Raekwon-guested Money Talks, in court against prosecuting lawyer Canibus on the dramatic State Vs. Kirk Jones or thugging out Louis Armstrong’s "Wonderful World," Black Trash is a surprisingly dope solo and severely overlooked effort by Sticky Fingaz. - Meka Udoh

The Predator by Ice Cube (1992, Priority)
Currently on Amazon for $1.77

Cube’s storied solo career was made with his brilliant tandem of Amerikkka’s Most Wanted and Death Certificate. Though it’s tough to ignore his classic junior LP. It was regarded as a step down at the time, but it holds up just as well as the other’s today. O’Shea was at his most intimidating on "When Will They Shoot?" and further solidified his status as Hip Hop’s greatest story teller with “It Was A Good Day,” “Who Got The Camera?” and “Don’t Trust’Em.” Ironically, as he took shots at his detractors on the title track, this would be his last truly great album before taking L’s in beefs (and movies of course), took his attention. As dope as his last album was, Cube needs to get back up with Muggs, Sir Jinx and Pooh. - J-23

Tha Streetz Iz A Mutha by Kurupt (1999, Antra/Artemis)
Currently on Amazon for $6.70

After the rough, rugged and raw 1995 Dogg Food album, both Daz and Kurupt each had one album that even remotely lived up to their debut group effort. Whereas Daz' solo debut Revenge, Retaliation & Get Back was his jewel, Kurupt's second album is pure piss and vinegar. Angered by rumored
infidelities of then-fiance Foxy Brown with DMX and Ja Rule, Kurupt gave an aftershock to the east/west beef of three years earlier, by calling out (literally, see "Callin' Out Names") nearly everybody besides Boot Camp Clik, Roc-A-Fella and Wu-Tang Clan. On top of that, as Snoop had ventured to No Limit for experimental sounds, Kurupt's work with Organized Noize was overshadowed by his recharged G-Funk with Soopafly and Daz ("Represent Dat GC" / "Who Ride Wit Us"). This album, despite being an independent release, was a lone jack in holding up the west coast in 1999. Due to Death Row drama, Daz was billed as executive producer and background vocalist, but Streetz Iz A Mutha could be argued as a Dogg Pound album. With Snoop, Jayo Felony, Nate Dogg, Xzibit, Warren G and even Dr. Dre (plus a fledging Crooked I) on one album, this coastal rally-cry remains a gem, and towers over the material that the Philly-born, Long Beach-raised emcee has oversaturated us with since. - ­ Jake Paine

Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 by Kardinal Offishall (2001, MCA)
Currently on Amazon for $2.00 Continued on page 2 »