Blaq Poet

The mid-'90s "Golden Era" of hip-hop gets another lease on life thanks to the latest solo effort by Blaq Poet (an original member of hardcore QB rap collective Screwball) and none other than DJ Premier, who handles all of the production save for two tracks on this hot release. Tha Blaqprint is gritty, NYC street rap that will have your head nodding from beginning to end. From the scratches and horns on "Rap Addiction" featuring M.O.P.'s Lil'Fame and Shabeeno to the Wu-Tang- and Main Source-sampling "Hate" featuring N.O.R.E., Blaq Poet has created an aggressive album that will have ringtone rappers wondering why they ever picked up a mic. Blaq Poet has been in the game for ages, ever since he first took aim at KRS One way back in 1987 on diss track "Beat You Down"; however, it's only now, 22 years later, that this real MC is finally getting some much deserved shine. Real rap is back. Don't sleep.