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...