Grieves - 88 Keys & Counting [2008]

#1 IN UDERGROUND9's TOP TEN 2008 ALBUMS

Released: November 12th, 2008
Uploaded: January 14, 2009

Tracklist:

1. Intro
2. Catapults
3. Kings
   [You can listen to this song here]
   
4. October In The Graveyard
   [You can listen to this song here]
   
5. Dead In The Water
   
6. Life In The Hive
7. Gwenevieve
8. Identity Cards feat. Luckyiam
   [You can listen to this song here]
   
9. Nature Vs. Nurture
10. Lock Down
    [You can listen to this song here]
11. Learning How To Fall
    
12. The March
13. Greedy Bitch
    [You can listen to this song here]
    
14. Cloud Man
15. Eciting The Hive

[All tracks produced by Budo]

File Size: 64 MB

DOWNLOAD: Sharebee

INFO: MySpace
INCLUDED:

• Partial Album Artwork
• All Tracks Are VBR [Grouprip]
  

Artist Info:
Since the release of his first full length album, Irreversible, Grieves has been called a breath of fresh air, a breakaway phenomenon, and a lyrical mastermind. Touring constantly, Grieves stunned crowds all over the country with his distinctive voice, lyrical precision, and unparalleled style. Following Grieves' encouraging reception and a stint on the CMJ Top 20 Hip Hop charts, fans speculated on what would be next for the emergent artist.
88 Keys and Counting is the response. A joint venture with friend and renowned Seattle based producer, Budo, 88 Keys is a matured record with themes that will challenge fans old and new alike. Armed with a distinct and fluid sound that will delight your ears and rouse your cerebrum, Grieves' second effort is not to be overlooked.

Underground9 Overview:
This album incredibly reminds me of Blu & Exile's '07 album "Below The Heavens", two unknown artists teamed up to craft an amazing mixture of rich beats, unique rapping style and honest lyrics.
Take out the instrumentals and you're left with 11 songs, 2 of which have no rapping in it, that's right, Grieves sings and he's damn good at it too. "October In The Graveyard" is one of the two, took me a while to appreciate it but the beautiful beat and deep harmonizing made it into one of my favorites.
This is a very unique release, Grieves is nothing like what we're used to hear, starting from his weird persona and geeky looks to what you would consider immature acting, but he doesn't try to be what he's not, his lyrics express that, and he does well in approaching this subject in the laid back "Identity Cards".
No need to look for highlights in this album, there's no fillers nor bad songs, my favorite is the dark lullaby "Kings", amazing beat wrapped in the abstract lyrics. I just love the mature metaphors, the meaningful subjects, the visuals he describes, this album is definitely my favorite of 2008, it has everything I could ever ask for.
The piano has 88 keys and each key differs in sound, Grieves and Budo managed to expand into more than just that, it's uniqueness is what makes "88 Keys & Counting" a classic.


Flow & Lyrics:

Beats:

Download and enjoy.

Sadistik - The Balancing Act [2008]

Released: May 13, 2008

Uploaded: December 8, 2008

Tracklist:

1. Dawn Of The Dead
2. Playing God
3. Searching For Some Beautiful
4. Ashes to Ashley feat. Mac Lethal
5. Memento Mori
   
6. Clockwork Grey Interlude
7. Absolution
8. Murder of Crows feat. Louise Fraser
9. Writes of Passage feat. Vast Aire
10. Angel Eyes
11. November
12. The Exception To Everything

File Size: 70 MB

DOWNLOAD: Sharebee

INFO: MySpace
INCLUDED:

• Full Album Lyrics
  
• Partial Album Artwork
• All Tracks Are VBR [Grouprip]
  

Artist Info:
The groundbreaking new artist Sadistik is quickly raising eyebrows with his debut solo album “The Balancing Act.” At only 22 years old he has developed a sound that is truly unique as he seamlessly blends his signature of deeply poetic lyrics with brooding, symphonic soundscapes filled with beauteous live instrumentation.
In addition to his own innovative rhyming style, Sadistik collaborated with the likes of underground hip-hop icons Mac Lethal of Rhymesayers Entertainment and Vast Aire from the highly regarded duo of Cannibal Ox.
Sadistik can be found doing shows around his home state of Washington performing his shockingly energetic live shows. While he writes all of his own music, his biggest inspirations range the musical spectrum from Sage Francis all the way to Radiohead. And although traces of these influences can be found in Sadistik’s music, one thing is for certain: he has created a sound that is truly his own.

Underground9 Overview:
Look at the album's cover, notice the cold colors, shadows, and the sadness depicted; notice the beauty of it, levels of abstract regions opposed to reality. It perfectly symbolizes the album's tone, Sadistik's complex poetry and the dark, vivid production.
Perhaps the album's biggest weakness is it's complexity, a big jump trough Sadistik's thoughts, dark and depressing thoughts. While I enjoy listening to music in many different moments, some hypes me up, some cheers me up, but in the cold days where I'm alone and spend time reflecting I would enjoy paying attention to the deep poetry heard in this release.

But I gave in to all my fears instead
The only thing that ran more than me (were the tears you shed)
When you told me you cut inside ya flesh
Youre depressed and youd rather die instead
I could feel my heart tear to bits
(The first time Ive cried ever since my parents split)
And I knew, there was no you and I
I kissed you goodbye, it felt like suicide

- "November"

This is truly a work of art, good songs are too many to mention, my favorite is "Writes Of Passage", perhaps the lightest on the album, Cannibal Ox's Vast Aire drops a short and incredibly simple verse before Sadistik delivers his thoughtful lines.

We walked a broken path while the sun was bleak
And we were holding hands on these rusted swings
That I called "us" and my love would sink
underseas that we would drown underneath
When you would swim deep to catch my lip's speech
To try to catch drifts to catch what it means
And you found what would grow between us
So I thought about you while I wrote The Phoenix
And now my spine shivers from the notes that you speak
of perfect pitched melodies and emotions you seek

- "Ashes To Ashley"

I understand how this album can be overlooked due to it's meaningful lyrics, the production captured me enough to make me pay attention, sometimes that's all it takes to recognize a true jewel and I hope you all will, for now I'll keep it among my top three for this somehow unsatisfying year.


Flow & Lyrics:

Beats:

Download and enjoy.

Doujah Raze - Where You Are [2007]

Released: 2007
Uploaded: June 17, 2008

Tracklist:

1. Roam
2. Now You Wanna Know
3. Loose Cannons [Remix] feat. Sean Price & Barron Of Red Clay
4. Peaches feat. Scavone, Potta & Substantial
5. Win, Lose Or Draw
6. Where U Are
   
7. Virginia [Remix] feat. Thad Reid & Born Unique
8. Home
9. These Questions
10. Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft feat. Oxygen & Scavone

File Size: 61 MB

DOWNLOAD: Sharebee

INFO: MySpace
INCLUDED:

• All Tracks Are 192 kbps
  

Underground9 Overview:
This is the fourth studio album by rapper Doujah Raze.
This masterpiece went through less than an unknown release, after listening to Raze's performance on Snowgoons' "Black Snow" i was very curious about the artist and downloaded this album without hesitation.
Among the perfect flow and great beats i was captured by laid back lyrics and the artist's approach on the various tracks, not the usual street poetry you would find on most underground albums but equally enjoyable.
Out of 10 tracks only one disappointed me, there's not much i can say about this release, the album is short, check it out yourself.


Flow & Lyrics:

Beats:

Download and enjoy.

eMC - The Show [2008]

Released: March 25, 2008
Uploaded: June 2, 2008

Tracklist:

1. Who We Be
2. The Airport
3. Leak It Out
   [Watch the video for this song here]
   
4. The Check In
5. Traffic feat. Little Brother
6. Say Now
7. The Message
8. Don't Give Up On Us feat. ADI
9. Git Sum feat. Sean Price
10. We Alright feat. Strickie Love
11. The Interview
    
12. eMC (What It Stand For)
    [Watch the video for this song here]
    
13. The Angry Merch Guy
14. The Grudge
15. Make It Better
16. The Lobby
17. Winds Of Change
18. The Show feat. Ladybug Mecca
19. The Backstage
20. Borrow You feat. Strickie Love
21. Once More
22. U Let Me Grow
    [You can listen to this song here]
    
23. Feel It feat. Money Ham
24. Bonus Track

[All track names fixed]

File Size: 82 MB

DOWNLOAD: Sharebee

INFO: Wikipedia
INCLUDED:

• Partial Album Artwork
• All Tracks Are VBR [Grouprip]
  

Underground9 Overview:
This is the debut album from underground supergroup eMC.
Many of you should already know the rap legend Masta Ace, his amazing work in the past is very respected, right after the release of "A Long Hot Summer" a shocking rumor about his retirement started circulating around the web, but barely a year later the news about his new formed group surfaced, with members being Punchline, Wordsworth and Strick, the fans were excited about the following release despite the numerous future delays.
The album leaked two months before the stated release date, something that could have severely damaged the album's sales, but the album turned out to be a modern day classic, my expectations were overly exceeded.
The album's tone is something that impressed me, fresh lyrics and calm flows with a touch of irony on every track, the very original and capturing songs don't show off poetic or complex verses but simple words and light subjects, a tribute to music from these hip hop veterans.
Tracks like "Make It Better" and "We Alright" are cheerful and heart lightening, while the amazing "U Let Me Grow" is a deep tribute to the artists' mothers, a very personal, emotional track and perhaps the one that i enjoyed the most this year.
Another song that amazed me is "Winds Of Change" where the artists rhyme over an amazing beat, their verses are short and simple but it's what mostly makes it enjoyable on every listen.
Hip hop needs albums like this right now, support the artists and buy their album.

Flow & Lyrics:

Beats:

Download and enjoy.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - E 1999 Eternal [1995]

Released: July 25, 1995

Uploaded: April 23, 2008

Tracklist:

1. Da Introduction
   
2. East 1999
   
3. Eternal
   
4. Crept And We Came
   
5. Down '71 (The Getaway)
   
6. Mr. Bill Collector
   
7. Budsmokers Only
   
8. Crossroads (Original Mix)
   
9. Me Killa
   
10. Land Of Tha Heartless
    
11. No Shorts, No Losses
    
12. 1st Of Tha Month
    
13. Buddah Lovaz
    
14. Die Die Die
    
15. Mr. Ouija 2
    
16. Mo' Murda
17. Shotz To Tha Double Glock
18. Tha Crossroads
    

File Size: 101 MB

INFO: Wikipedia

DOWNLOAD: Megaupload

Included:

• Full Album Lyrics
• Full Album Artwork
• All Tracks Are 192kbps

Download and enjoy.

The Roots - Do You Want More?!!!??! [1995]

Released: January 17, 1995

Uploaded: April 18, 2008

Tracklist:

1. Intro/There's Something Goin' On
2. Proceed
   [You can watch the video for this song here]
3. Distortion To Static
   [You can watch the video for this song here]
4. Mellow My Man
5. I Remain Calm
6. Daskat
7. Lazy Afternoon
8. ? Vs. Rahzel
9. Do You Want More?!!!??!
10. What Goes On Pt. 7
11. Essaywhuman?!!!??!
12. Swept Away
13. You Ain't Fly
14. Silent Treatment
    [You can watch the video for this song here]
15. The Lesson Pt. 1
16. The Unlocking

File Size: 161 MB

DOWNLOAD: Megaupload

INFO: Wikipedia

INCLUDED:

• Full Album Lyrics
• Full Album Artwork
• All Tracks Are 320kbps

Underground9 Overview:

Do You Want More?!!!??! was released in 1995 on Geffen Records. This is the major label debut by the legendary hip-hop group The Roots. This album remain some of the best material that The Roots have released nearly 15 years after. I think it is safe to say that this is one of the top 10 hip-hop albums I've ever listened to.

The live recordings of this album are great. This crew has it all including a keyboardist (Scott Storch), the best beatboxer in my opinion (Rahzel), an extraordinary drummer (?uestlove), a bassist (Hub), and two of the greatest MCs (Black Thought & Malik B.) . The jazzy production is spectacular and tracks 'Mellow My Man', will have you zoning out on Black Thought and Malik B's lyrics and have you focused on the extraordinary production

From the back to back lyrics from lead MCs Black Thought & Malik B (think, Nas and AZ's The Essence), the lyrics do not disappoint for one second. Not only that, but Black Thought and Malik B flow perfectly with the soulful production, which is apparent on tracks like 'I Remain Calm'.

This album never disappoints. After listening to this album for 2 to 3 years, I cannot note any flaws in this album. This album is a hip-hop classic and should be mentioned along with legendary hip-hop albums such as 'Illmatic' or 'All Eyez On Me'.

Flow & Lyrics: 9/10

Beats: 10/10

Download & Enjoy.

The Roots - Game Theory [2006]

Released: August 29, 2006
Uploaded: April 19, 2008

Tracklist:

1. Dilltastic Vol Won(derful)
2. False Media feat. Wadud Ahmad
3. Game Theory feat. Malik B.
4. Don't Feel Right feat. Maimouna Youssef
5. In The Music feat. Malik B. & Porn
6. Take It There feat. Wadud Ahmad
7. Baby feat. John-John
8. Here I Come feat. Dice Raw & Malik B.
9. Long Time feat. Peedi Peedi & Bunny Sigler
10. Livin' In A New World feat. John-John
11. Clock With No Hands feat. Mercedes Martinez
12. Atonement feat. Jack Davey
13. Can't Stop This

[You can watch the "Don't Feel Right" trilogy video here, containing the songs "In The Music", "Don't Feel Right" and "Here I Come"]

File Size: 81 MB

DOWNLOAD: Sharebee

INFO: Wikipedia
INCLUDED:

• Full Album Lyrics
• Full Album Artwork
  
• All Tracks Are VBR [GroupRip]
  

Underground9 Overview:
This is the seventh studio album from Hip Hop band The Roots, an acclaimed work that helped making 2006 one of the most successful years in the genre.
There's just too much to say about The Roots, many of you should already be familiar with their Jazz sound and the unique usage of live instrumentation.
The lead mc is Black Thought, currently the only member of the legendary band that raps, on the album you will find many appearances by other artists, mostly by the former member Malik B.
What makes a Roots album unique? the sound, the heavy use of drums, abstract guitar play and a raw delivery that never gets old, the work put into this album is what makes it a classic.
The album is rich with sounds within great tracks, i loved the calm beat and clean delivery on "Clock With No Hands", as well as the emotional feel of "Atonement", even the fast "Here I Come" captured me, most of the album is a treat for the ears.
Here's a verse from "Clock With No Hands":

"Yo, I'm like Malcom out the window with the weapon out
Searching for somehow to find a minute or the second now
Precious time is money that I ain't got to mess about
Need it from the horse's mouth or from an eyewitness account
Lessons with my back to the wall, scoping my session out
Stay a little edgy at times when I ain't stressing bout
Haters don't know shit about me, they the ones that talk shit
Those that love me send it out, so I ain't got to force quit
Cause I'm doing better now, don't mean I never lost shit
I was married to a state of mind and I divorced it, man
I'm from where brothers moving product from the porches
People locking their doors, clutching to their crosses
The block hot by the law, there ain't too many choices
So what I do is for y'all, there ain't too many voices left
I watch my back, and watch my step
And I might forgive, but I will not forget come on"

It's hard to find a favorite track in an album like this, the album's singles are impressive, i remember when i first heard "In The Music", the track started with a stripped drum beat, then a guitar started playing, a fast paced sound that turned into an unexpected dramatic beat, the track amazed me, it's easy to get hyped up with the aggressive lyrics:

"It's kinda ill how we grip these bitches in the Bonneville
It's kind of a thrill, my mind it will spill, my nine it will kill
Of course bro like crossbow, I bring the force though
Hittin your guts splittin your torso
It's colder than the North Pole livin unlawful
I'm giving you a jawful Of somethin awful
Yo my theoretic is leaded, Will come and set it
The shit bang and leave you diabetic for paramedics
I spit flames and get dames to get change
With pitbull bark and lock the shock
Don't bother me Och, don't you dare lie to me Och
I don't know, who's this nigga that you try to be Och
Benefit of doubt had me think you in it for clout
Big shit, send it for route and finish him out
Joints stiff from rigor mortis
While we swimmin in waters, women with daughters
Will have us niggaz sinnin with orders"

One of the songs that are worth mentioning is "Long Time", a very joyful song with an incredible feeling belonging to it.
The album's last song is "Can't Stop This", an eight minute tribute to the late J Dilla, an incredible track.
Expect a lot from this album, it's filled with unique material that will perhaps need some time to get used to but once you hear every sound that richened the complex production, every verse born from the artists' minds you will hardly forget about it.


Flow & Lyrics: 9/10
Beats: 7/10

Here you can read a full review on RapReviews.

Download and enjoy.

Z-Ro - I'm Still Livin [2006]

Released: November 7, 2006
Uploaded: March 14, 2008

Tracklist:

1. City Streets
   [You can listen to this song here]
   
2. Continue 2 Roll feat. Tanya Herron
3. T.H.U.G. (True Hero Under God)
4. One Deep
5. M16 feat. Trae & P.O.P.
6. Remember Me feat. Bun B & P.O.P.
7. Keep On
8. What's Going On
9. Let The Truth Be Told feat. Lil' Keke
   [You can listen to this song here]
   
10. Man Cry
11. No More Pain
12. Still Livin' feat. Trae & Big Hawk
13. Homie, Love, Friend
14. Love Ain't Live
15. Battlefield feat. Tanya Herron
    [You can listen to this song here]
    

File Size: 130 MB

DOWNLOAD: Megaupload

INFO: Wikipedia
INCLUDED:

• Full Album Lyrics
  
• All Tracks Are 320kbps

Underground9 Overview:
This is the tenth solo album by Houston rapper Z-Ro and is one of the many albums that I underestimated upon release, left sitting on my music folder for long waiting to be discovered, it did manage to amaze me in time.
You might know Z-Ro thanks to the amazing work he has done in the past, sadly not even his tenth album managed to make his name known but he remains one of the most talented underground rappers out there, I often like comparing him to another southern rapper with very similar flow and voice, Scarface.
One of the things you will most enjoy on this album's songs are the different tones with which Z-Ro delivers the many, clever and complex subjects.
Let me mention some of the songs that impressed me the most.
The album starts with an amazing strings beat on "City Streets", Z-Ro starts rapping about the many struggles the streets hides, a track that very well pictures the dangerous lifestyle, here's a fragment:

"Whether I'm evil or good, in the suburbs or the hood death is coming
Better be like Forest Gump, and just keep on running
Cause he'll be coming, like a thief in the night
Might be in the form of a jacker, trying to get you at the light
Houston Texas is restless, better keep your heat under your seat
'Fore somebody have your brains up under your feet, damn these city streets"

Another high pillar on this record is "Let The Truth Be Told", Z-Ro harmonizes on the slow beat, later unveiling a great flow in his verse, while Lil' Keke can suck a dick.
Another track that captured my attention is the strongly sampled "Battlefield", some might call the track corny or dull, but besides the very enjoyable beat you can't miss Z-Ro's incredible verses, here's a fragment:

"I'm on a mission, to heal my people
Republicans ain't even trying to feel my people, we starving for real
Little babies dying of thirst, plus they starving for meals
The main reason, why these teenagers be robbing they peers
America, look at what it's come to
Sunday morning ain't no youngsters in the church house, we running the streets acting a fool
Need to get some Jesus, in our life
That's the main reason, why we be dealing with so much shife
Straight up kicking it with the devil, and we don't even know it
Crooked cops hate our guts, and everytime they get a chance they gon show it"

There is a lot of incredible material, a lot of things that will make your listen unique, might be the great Mike Dean production, or it might be old popular songs being brought back by Tanya Herron's beautiful hooks, most of all it will be Z-Ro's amazing lyrical and singing skills.


Flow & Lyrics: 9/10
Beats: 8/10

Here you can read a full review on RapReviews.

Download and enjoy.

Freestyle Fellowship - Innercity Griots [1993]

Released: 1993

Uploaded: March 10, 2008

Tracklist:

1. Bullies Of The Block

2.Everything's Everything

3. Shammy's

4. Six Tray

5. Danger

6. Innercity Boundaries

7. Cornbread

8. Way Cool

9. Hot Potato

10. Mary

11. Park Bench People

12. Heavyweights

13. Respect Due

14. Pure Thought

File Size: 94 MB

DOWNLOAD: Mediafire

INFO: Wikipedia

INCLUDED:

• All Tracks Are 192kbps

Kenn Starr - Starr Status [2006]

Released: August 29, 2006

Uploaded: February 18, 2008

Tracklist:

1. Starr Status (Intro)

2. Against The Grain

3. Relentless feat. Kev Brown

4. The Same Pt. II

5. Mr. Nice Guy feat. Wayna

6. Middle Fingaz

7. U Will

8. Never Too Late

9. Carry On

10. Waitin' On You

11. Inside feat. Wayna

12. Back At It Again feat. Median & M-Phazes

13. Nothing But Time feat. Oddisee

14. Another Day

15. Know Too Much (To Go Back)

16. If feat. Talib Kweli & Asheru

File Size: 88 MB

DOWNLOAD: Sharebee

INFO: Amazon

INCLUDED:

• All Tracks Are 192 kbps

Underground9 Overview:

....

Flow & Lyrics: /10

Beats: /10

Extra Prolific - Like It Should Be [1994]

Released: October 25, 1994

Uploaded: February 16, 2008

Tracklist:

1. Intro

2. Brown Sugar

[you can watch the video for this song here]

3. In The Front Of The Kids

4. Is It Right?

5. Sweet Potato Pie

6. Cash Money feat. Casual

7. One Motion

8. Never Changing

9. First Sermon

[you can watch the video for this song here]

10. Now What feat. Opio

11. It's Alright

12. In 20 Minutes

13. Go Back To School feat. Pep Love

14. The Fat Outro

15. Brown Sugar (Domino Remix)

16. Give It Up

File Size: 69 MB

DOWNLOAD: Sharebee

INFO: Amazon

Included:

• Full Album Artwork
• Full Album Lyrics
• All Tracks Are 192 kbps

De La Soul - The Grind Date [2004]

Released: October 5, 2004

Uploaded: February 12, 2008

Tracklist:

1. The Future
2. Verbal Clap
3. Much More feat. Yummy Bingham
4. Shopping Bags (She Got From You)
5. The Grind Date
6. Church
7. It's Like That feat. Carl Thomas
8. He Comes feat. Ghostface Killah
9. Day Of Our Lives feat. Common
10. Come On Down feat. Flava Flav
11. No feat. Butta Verses
12. Rock Co.Kane Flow feat. MF DOOM
13. Shoomp feat. Sean Paul

File Size: 74 MB

DOWNLOAD: Sharebee

INFO: Wikipedia

Included:

• Full Album Lyrics
• Full Album Artwork
• All Tracks Are 192 kbps

Underground9 Overview:

'The Grind Date' is the latest release from legendary Long Island trio, De La Soul. I am fairly new to there music, since I only half-listened to their debut '3 Feet High And Rising'. I am pretty mad with myself, that I could sleep on such a great hip-hop group for so long. From the production to the lyrics, this album rarely disappoints.

This album's production features hip-hop icons 9th Wonder, J Dilla, Jake One, Madlib, and Supa Dave West. Surprisingly, Dilla isn't the stand-out producer on this album. That title, belongs to Supa Dave West. From the soul-sampled 'He Comes' to the slow-ballad 'It's Like That', Dave West shows his versatility. The other producers did great jobs, but unfortunately, Madlib doesn't deliver as well as I hoped listening to this album, and the two tracks he produced (Shopping Bags and Come On Down), frankly, are my most skipped songs, although the latter may be because of Flavor Flav's irritating screaming all over the track.

The lyrics' on this album are outstanding, Posdnous and Dave don't disappoint for a moment during the duration of the album. Also, acclaimed lyricists Ghostface, MF DOOM, and Common make guest appearances on this album.

This album will take you for a great ride, there are few skippable tracks, and even those are good songs in their own right. One of my favorite albums since listening to it, this album will make you an instant De La Soul fan.

Flow & Lyrics: 9/10

Beats: 8/1o

Army Of The Pharaohs - The Torture Papers [2006]

Released: March 21, 2006
Uploaded: February 10, 2008

Tracklist:

1. Battle Cry
2. Gorillas
   [You can listen to this song here]
   
3. Henry The 8th
4. Pull The Pins Out
5. Tear It Down
   [You can watch the video for this song here]
   
6. Into The Arms Of Angels
7. The Torture Papers
8. Listen Up
9. All Shall Perish
   [You can listen to this song here]
   
10. Wrath Of Gods
11. Narrow Grave
12. Feast Of The Wolves
13. King Among Kings

The Bonus Papers:

1. Silence & I
2. The Presidents Wife
3. The Army
4. I Against I [Revisited]
   

File Size: 93 MB

DOWNLOAD: Sharebee

INFO: Wikipedia
INCLUDED:

• Full Album Lyrics
  
• Full Album Artwork
• All Tracks Are VBR [GroupRip]

Underground9 Overview:
This is the debut album from collective Army Of The Pharaohs, released on Babygrande Records.
AOTP is a Hip Hop supergroup originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed by Jedi Mind Tricks MC Vinnie Paz in 1998.
From the beginning, Paz had envisioned the group as a loose collaboration between the biggest names in East Coast Underground hip hop, very similar to the original Wu-Tang Clan.
AOTP is currently composed of rappers 7L, Apathy, Celph Titled, Chief Kamachi, Crypt The Warchild, Demoz, Des Devious, Doap Nixon, Esoteric, King Magnetic, Jus Allah, King Syze, Planetary, Reef The Lost Cauze and Vinnie Paz; King Magnetic, Jus Allah, Demoz and Doap Nixon are not featured on this album since they joined the group after this album's release.
The production is mainly handled by unknown beatmakers, this disappointed a lot of people since JMT's Stoupe The Enemy Of Mankind doesn't produce any track.
Here's another track by track review that i know most people enjoy reading.

Battle Cry:
This is the first track off the album and most praised among fans, it's also my favorite song on this record.
Every time i listen to a new album i don't pay much attention to the first few tracks, so i haven't realized how good this one is until a friend started talking about it.
The Shuko produced beat is an amazing fast paced orchestral banger, the name explains it all since the lyrics are aggressive and each rapper shines.
Celph Titled comes up with a great delivery while Kamachi's verse is my favorite:

"Courtesy of the streets, make it a microphone Middle East
My specialty, only rhymer envelopin' my lyric sheets
Knock turbans off of Sheiks, use a pipe bomb
Downtown Israeli boutiques full of dead tourists
With they dreams no longer in arms reach
That's what I call dealin' with calm speech
When I alarm your peeps
Inscribed in a peasant's palm is a blessed psalm
If you draw and your weapons wrong, there ain't no steppin' on
My forty five is my weapon
My culture's a holstered with seven inch slugs is kept in
Squarely I step in, tiltin' my clips and blue Stesson
God is my essence, and you could check these rhymes for reference
adept to any preference, pussy"

Esoteric's verse is painful to my opinion, lyrically it's impressive but a monotone flow and half pronounced words make it anything but understandable.
The track sets the perfect mood for the album and each rapper "introduces" himself to the listener, this is without a doubt the song that will impress you the most.
Gorillas:
The first time i heard this song i was speechless, the beautiful yet dark beat impressed me and it was my favorite song on the album for weeks, it still amazes me on every listen, despite the annoying hook.
Each verse on this track is great, Esoteric's lyrics stand out but like with all of his appearances he manages to disappoint on the mic.
Henry The 8th:
I heard so much about this song when the album leaked, people talking about this being a standout song and people praising the production, this more than anything ruined this song for me.
The beat is rich with sounds but incredibly repetitive in my opinion, while the hook is decent.
Lyrically it's average, it's funny that in a whole verse Vinnie Paz managed to say pretty much nothing.
Kamachi's verse is pretty solid while the rest disappoint.
Pull The Pins Out:
Average song with a really annoying hook.
It's performed by Celph Titled and Esoteric, Celph does a pretty nice job while Esoteric, well he just sucks at rapping.
How is it possible that a rapper could eat up every word on his verse, i got sleepy listening to his annoying voice mumble over and over.
Tear It Down:
This is the album's single, it has an addictive beat and a decent hook, lyrically it's average.
A lot of people prefer this song's mood to the rest of the album, it's lighter material and another good track.
Into The Arms Of Angels:
This song differs from the rest of the album, it's a more personal track, emotional as it reflects in it's lyrics.
The production is a slow mix of guitar play and strings background while the hook is a harmonious chorus.
Lyrically it's excellent, the rappers take a different approach, Vinnie Paz talks about some family problems and difficulties in his past while Faez One does a great job.
Crypt The Warchild is my favorite on this one, here's a part of his verse:

"Y'all don't know what it's like bein' born with stress against you
Only feelin' in this world is the life within you
You'd have to be damn near dead to see the nights I been through
Damn near dead to feel the wind beneath you
Envisionin' so much, my minds an open window
Where I gather all these thoughts for all your broken info
If seein' is believin', then there's more to live fo'
My only reasonin' is breathin' and I live to just hope
What you know about bein' bedside next to your girl
On poison control IV's 'cause she can't stand the world?
And what you know about no heat and no electric?
I sold my MP to pay the bills, I'm so pathetic"

I don't listen to this one much but i recognize that it deserves more attention, i woulda hoped for more tracks like this one on AOTP's following album.
The Torture Papers:
I always skip this one, listening to this one right now and i find it more than decent, the beat is too repetitive for me.
Listen Up:
I always confuse this track with "Tear It Down", the beat is pretty similar, this is more of a filler.
Esoteric raps slightly better than before but still makes my listen painful.
Crypt disappoints and Celph sounds just corny as shit.
All Shall Perish:
Chief Kamachi makes this one of my favorite songs on the album with amazing flow and wordplay, King Syze does a great job in stylizing his verse and Vinnie Paz comes as raw as he was on his old days.
The beat is fast and rich with sound, this is another track produced by Shuko, i don't know who the fuck he is but he does a great job on those beats.
Wrath Of Gods:
Terrible track to my opinion, Apathy is decent on this track and Planetary does a pretty good job.
What makes it terrible?
Well, the beat is garbage and Esoteric makes his way trough the track mumbling.
Narrow Grave:
What hit me first is the amazing beat, a very clean sample makes it worth calling it "perfect".
Kamachi shines on this track as well, while Planetary does a great job.
A lot of metaphors on this dark track, it's one of my favorites on the album.
Feast Of The Wolves & King Among Kings:
Two tracks with equally terrible beats, i can't possibly go trough Esoteric's mumbling along a garbage beat on the last one, but hey, every album has some shit songs.
Silence & I:
What a shame, this song was excluded from the album, it easily tops any other song in there.
If it was part of the album it would be my favorite, amazing beat and brilliant verses along perfect flows.
Celph kills the track with punchlines and brilliant wordplay, while Vinnie Paz doesn't disappoint and King Syze is at his best.

So I'm pretty sure you'll love it... as long as you ain't looking for deep storytelling and emotional tracks, the record is called "The Torture Papers", calling it a torture isn't right so just know that abusive words and threats are overused, wrapped in complex lyrics though so i can't judge.

I know that many of you have this one already, but i had to do it... don't question me.


Flow & Lyrics: 8/10
Beats: 8/10

Here you can read a full review on RapReviews.

Download and enjoy.