Saturday, September 26, 2009

Lone Catalysts - Hip-Hop (2001)

A monumental local classic, this album globalized Pittsburgh hip-hop.

Producer J. Rawls of Columbus, OH teamed up with Pittsburgh MC J. Sands in the mid-90's, needless to say the duo has never looked back.

"At the time, we thought that there weren't many cats, at least in our area, trying to do it the way we were trying to do it. It's that raw hip-hop."
-J. Rawls

True indeed. In 1998, they premiered their combined talents with a bomb 12" single, "Paper Chase." The 12", which included four tracks, was the first of many that the Lone Catalysts would release in the years leading to their highly anticipated album, Hip-Hop.

Released on B.U.K.A. Entertainment, the album was distributed throughout the Europe, Japan, and the U.S. With appearances from Talib Kweli, Rubix, and a few lesser known MC's, as well as support from then underground super-label Rawkus Records, the album earned rave reviews.

With the success of this album, the local hip-hop scene breathed new life. The smooth, progressive boom-bap production of J. Rawls and laid-back lyrical annihilation performed by J. Sands led a new breed of hip-hop in the city of Pittsburgh.

01. Intro
02. Q & A
03. Hip-Hop
04. A Few Words From B.U.K.A.
05. 3 Years Ago
06. Ill Technique
07. ...More Words From B.U.K.A.
08. The Pro's
09. It's Working
10. The Place to Be
11. If Hip-Hop Was a Crime
12. Settle the Score
13. Ayanna Monet
14. Due Process
15. X-Tinction
16. Politix
17. Nkiru Bookstore
18. Lone Catalysts
19. Part of the Game
20. Thin As Paper
21. Paper Chase










More from the Lone Catalysts coming soon...

Deezil Money - Thorough Endeavor (1998)

Released in 1998, Deezil Money's album Thorough Endeavor was one of my first experiences listening to Pittsburgh hip-hop. "Soldier of Fortune" is still one of my favorite Pittsburgh cuts ever.


01. Black Ice

02. Intro (Now or Never)
03. My Word
04. Been So Long
05. Jus da King & Money
06. Soldier of Fortune

07. What da Deal?
08. All My Eyes Can See

09. Generations
10. One in a Million
11. Run It!
12. Use' to Be
13. So Close