The Vault: Classic Music Reviews Podcast

In the last episode of the year, B. Cox gives The Vault's rankings for the top hip-hop & R&B albums reviewed from 1992, 1997 and 2002 to put a bow on what has been another busy and memorable year for the podcast. Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online www.vaultclassicpod.com Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod Bui...

B. Cox and J. Owe look back at Dr. Dre 's transcendent debut album The Chronic as it turns 30. After spending half a decade as the architect and chief producer for both NWA and Ruthless Records, Dr. Dre split in 1991 to help co-found Death Row Records with Marion "Suge" Knight with the backing of Interscope Records. As their prime producer and executive, the record label would become a...

B. Cox reviews Nas ' sixth studio album God's Son as it turns 20. Capping off a productive year, the Queens emcee released his third project in 12 months following up the classic album Stillmatic and the compilation of unreleased tracks The Lost Tapes . It was seen as a continuation of his "comeback". He dealt with problems and distractions during the recording of the album, includ...

B. Cox looks back at The Pharcyde 's debut classic album Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde as it turns 30. In the midst of a genre shift of power over their home base of California, the former dancers turns emcees and producers released their debut album to little fanfare, but would become recognized in the industry for their easy going and humorous style. Produced entirely by group member J-Swift...

B. Cox reviews Ice Cube 's third album The Predator as it turns 30. In the midst of the one most prolific and successful runs in hip-hop history stretching back his days as with NWA, the soon-to-be West Coast icon created and released his album in the time of transition of turmoil. Hip-Hop acclaim and recognition was beginning to spread its sphere of influence out to the West Coast. to mirror...

B. Cox and J. Owe review reggae superstar Sean Paul 's classic sophomore album Dutty Rock as it turns 20. After a fairly successful debut album Stage One two years prior, Paul sought to capitalize on what was a burgeoning and receptive dancehall market in the United States since the turn of the new millennium. Working with an all-star cast of producers including legendary duos in Steely &...

B. Cox looks back at Jay-Z 's second studio album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 as it turns 25. After a critical, yet not lucratively commercially, success of his classic debut Reasonable Doubt the previous year, the Brooklyn emcee looked to elevate his game and take the spot as the "King of New York" after the death of his fellow Brooklyn emcee and friend the Notorious B.I.G. that March. Whi...

B. Cox is joined by NaturallyAlise and JR of the R&B Representers to review SWV 's debut classic album It's About Time as it turns 30. The crew is also joined with a very special guest appearance by Brian Alexander Morgan , one of the album's principal producers and co-writers. As R&B continued its evolution in the early 90s, the trio from NYC burst onto the scene with a jam pa...

In this bonus segment of Pop Culture Corner , B. Cox looks back at that the black romantic comedy that was Brown Sugar as it turns 20. The film, which co-starred Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs , as lifelong friends who fell in love with hip-hop (and each other) as kids, now complicated by their careers and current choice in romantic partners. As hip-hop once intercepts in their lives and brings them...

B.Cox looks back at underground powerhouse label Rawkus Records and their first major compilation album Soundbombing , which turns 25. After releasing Company Flow's now legendary debut LP Funcrusher Plus earlier in the summer, the label released the compilation with previously released 12" singles in mixtape format. Mixed, scratched and hosted by DJ Evil Dee of Da Beatminerz and Black Moo...

B. Cox reviews Redman 's debut album Whut? Thee Album as it turns 30. After starting his career as a DJ for DoItAll For Lords of the Underground, a chance encounter withe EPMD , led the young Newark emcee on a path that would make him one of the best and most respected emcees of all-time. After appearing at shows with EPMD as a member of their clique The Hit Squad , Redman featured on three tr...

B. Cox takes a look at R&B and pop icon Janet Jackson 's sixth studio album The Velvet Rope , as it turns 25. On the heels of negotiating and signing the biggest record label contract in history and her successful album tour from her fifth album J anet , the superstar suffered a nervous breakdown. Plagued depression driven by childhood issues, body dysmorphia, eating disorders and troubles...

In this bonus segment of Relics Of The Past, B. Cox looks back on a vital part of every hip-hop head's car journey in the 90s and 2000s: the CD binder aka "The CD Book". He explains the different types of books that existed, how each user would organize their binder and what the experience was to hold multiple CDs literally at an arms reach while in your ride. Visit The Vault Classic M...

In a bonus episode, B.Cox looks back on what he thinks may be the greatest R&B release week of the 1990s: September 16, 1997. During that release week, four classic and essential albums graced the store shelves and stereos everywhere: Mariah Carey 's Butterfly , Usher 's My Way , Jon B 's Cool Relax and the Soul Food Soundtrack . Each album would be become multi platinum albums and...

B. Cox commemorates The Vault: Classic Music Reviews Podcast on its third anniversary. It's been a long journey in the three years since the first episode posted highlighting Mobb Deep's Murda Muzik . He gives a basic history on how the show became into existence, the challenges through COVID and his most memorable moments while recording. He also takes some times to give shout outs and th...

B. Cox looks back at Virginia rap duo Clipse 's major label debut album Lord Willin' as it turns 20. The group, made up of brothers Gene " Malice " and Terrence " Pusha T " Thornton grew up in Virginia Beach and were close associates of producer Pharrell Williams growing up. After securing their first record deal with Elektra Records in 1996, their first album Exclusive Aud...

B. Cox reviews Brooklyn and Diggin in The Crates (DITC) emcee O.C. 's second album Jewelz as it turns 25. After his critically acclaimed 1994 debut album Word...Life , O.C. took to the road to tour exclusively for almost three years. When he returned to the booth to record his sophomore album, he did so with an all-star cast of producers. Along with the returning DITC crew member BuckWild , wh...

B. Cox reviews Scarface's classic 7th album The Fix as it turns 20. After leaving long time label Rap-A Lot, the Houston veteran emcee moved to Def Jam South as their president, but was coaxed into releasing first and only studio album while on the label. Assisted by an all-star production cast that included himself, Kanye West, Nottz, the Neptunes, Mike Dean and T-Mix, he spit his customary c...

B. Cox reviews EPMD 's fourth album Business Never Personal as it turns 30. After three successful albums that carried them through the peak of hip-hop's golden era, EPMD released their fourth album and seemed primed for success well into the 90s. The album is packed into less than 40 minutes of funky, but thumping production by the group with two singles: "Crossover" and the posse...

B. Cox looks back at Mary J. Blige 's debut classic album What's the 411? a s it turns 30. As the youngest signee of Andre Harrell 's Uptown Records, the New York-born singer was brought under the tutelage of producer and executive Sean "Diddy" Combs for debut album. Utilizing samples of popular hip-hop records from the 80s matched with drums to complement the sweet vocals of B...

In a bonus episode, B. Cox looks back at the impact and legacy of Company Flow 's debut studio album and underground classic Funcrusher Plus as it turns 25. After negotiating a group friendly deal with Rawkus Records, the Brooklyn trio of Bigg Jus, El-P and Mr. Len crafted a debut that featured an unconventional production and rhyme style over 73 minutes that served as the launching pad for th...

B. Cox looks back at Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott 's debut album Supa Dupa Fly as it turns 25. After spending the beginning part of her career with Devante's Swing Mob Records with her girl group Sista (which never materialized an album), she linked up with childhood friend and producer Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley from Virginia and began collaborating producing and writing so...

In a bonus episode, B. Cox looks back 20 years ago to the Summer of 2002. It was a summer packed with hit songs that would become classics. Among the memorable tracks that would populate this soundtrack would be Nelly 's two massive #1 Hot 100 hits: "Hot In Herre" and "Dilemma" featuring Kelly Rowland. The two songs spent a combined 17 weeks atop the charts. Also dominating the...

B. Cox welcomes back in Charlee D of the Word To The Mutha Podcast to the show to review the original soundtrack to the black romantic comedy Boomerang . The film starring an all-star cast of Eddie Murphy, Halle Berry, Robin Givens, David Alan Grier, Martin Lawrence, Chris Rock and the late Eartha Kitt and John Witherspoon, was a huge hit grossing over $160 million in the summer of the 1992. The f...

B. Cox commemorates Capone-N-Noreaga 's debut album The War Report as it turns 25. In the midst of an identity crisis for New York rap, the two Queens natives arrived on the scene - unheralded, yet determined. After appearing the "Unsigned Hype" section of The Source Magazine in 1995, the duo was signed to a record label and began recording their debut. In the midst of recording, Capon...