Episodes

B. Cox looks back at the year that was 1998. As the United States and the world had the new millennium within eye sight, there were uncertain times in the world politically and socially. Admist all the turmoil and uncertainty, the year delivered one of the best combined critical and commercial years for both hip-hop and R&B. Musically, the year succeed on many fronts as far as radio hits and explosive sales numbers as well as underground success and notoriety beyond the fringes. It also marked a...

B. Cox reflects on the year that was 1993; a year that saw the election of a generational U.S. president, two sports dynasties repeating their excellence, a unthinkable terrorist attack that shook the nation as well as a monumental year in hip-hop and R&B with a number of classics that would leave their marks on not just music, but pop culture overall. Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online www.vaultclassicpod.com Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee https://www.buymea...

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 Build Your Own Amazing Podcast Website In Less Than 5 Minutes! https://www.podpage.com/?via=ivecre8 Support this po...

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 symbol of power and success in the 1990s, starting with his debut album. Using techniques of producing beats ov...

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, including his continued beef with Jay-Z and the death of his mother earlier in the year due to cancer. Despite the setback...

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 , the group (also made up of members Slimkid3, Bootie Brown, Fatlip and Imani ) provided audiences of a ...

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 this rise in the commercial success of West Coast hip-hop was great angst. The album was completed in th...

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 & Clevie and the Neptunes , Sly Dunbar , Lloyd "King Jammys" James , Delly Ranks , Mark Ronson and Scott Storc...

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. While sticking with previous collaborators producers DJ Premier and Ski , the sophomore album also featured product...

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. As R&B continued its evolution in the early 90s, the trio from NYC burst onto the scene with a jam packed album of hits and a long list of singles that would keep their album in the public consciousness for years until their next effort. Formed by Cheryl "Coko" Gamble , Tamara "Taj" George (nee Johnson) and Leanne "LeeLee" Lyons , the group started in gospel, but...

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 closer together, it also brings their relationship into focus. The film also co-starred hip-hip icon...

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 Moon, the album introduced us to future prominent emcees such as Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def),Talib Kweli and Shaba...

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 tracks on their fourth and fifth albums. After securing his record deal with Def Jam, he got to work on hi...

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 her not-yet-public marriage, she took time to regroup and decided to open up her very private life and e...

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 Music Reviews Online www.vaultclassicpod.com Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee https://ww...

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 have huge commercial success with monster singles. This lead to the rise to iconic status of Carey, the start of su...

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 thanks to the many podcasters and content creators who were guests on the show as well others who supported. V...

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 Audio Footage which was scheduled to come out in 1999, was shelved when their first single failed to catch onto the charts. In ...

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 Buckwild, who contributed production heavily on his debut, he also welcomed the likes of heavyweights DJ Premier, Mr. Walt from The Be...

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 commanding flow telling both cautionary tales and warnings against those who opposed him. However, Scarfa...

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 cut "Head Banger" which featured fellow Hit Squad members K-Solo and newcomer Redman . The album went gold and is c...

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 Blige, she burst onto the scene with three smash singles in the summer of 1992. Working with the likes of Cory Rooney, Da...

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 the brief success of Rawkus and also the blueprint for underground hip-hop for the next decade. Visit The...

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 songs, most notably for Aaliyah 's smash One In A Million album in 1996. After signing with Elektra Records and starting her o...