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Scientifik: Criminal [1994]

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I always love finding these golden-age gems; take Criminal by Scientifik for example. This album was released in 1994, but seemed to be swept under the rug for some extraneous reasons. For one, the record label that released this album went bankrupt, causing this album to only have a few vinyl pressings and little to no CD pressings. Not only that, but this is 1994 we are talking about. Think of IllmaticReady to Die, and tons of other dope hip hop records that were getting a lot more push than this album. But that is not to say that this album isn’t good, because it is one for the record books. Criminal is the debut album of east-coast rapper Scientifik. Unfortunately, it would be his last album as he passed away a few years later in 1998. This is a great album to remember the talented emcee by, however, as all 10 tracks of this album are boom-bap hits. He doesn’t need an intro, so Scientifik goes in on “Lawtown.” Although the hook has some questionable lyrics, the rest of the song is phenomenal. The whole piece has a sort of Nas meets Wu-Tang type feel. I especially like the track “As Long As You Know (feat. Edo G)” which is produced by Wu-Tang’s own, RZA. With RZA on a track, I don’t know why this album hasn’t received as much attention as it should. I can understand it getting lost in that gray area of just plain, dope 90s hip hop, but this album definitely deserves some recognition as it definitely has that mass appeal. Scientifik has a very street-style talking about the hood, crime, guns, etc. If you like that rugged, New York City-style street talk in rap music, then you need to at least preview this album. The album was re-released in 2006 with some bonus music on a second CD, so if you can find that, get it!

9/10

Tags : Scientifik
Stone

The author Stone

Stone is a hip-hop enthusiast residing in NJ/PA. As an aspiring hip-hop producer, Stone studies communications and shares his passion for music by letting the world in on the wonderful world of hip-hop.