Various - Black Armor Records Presents The Best Kept Secretz Vol. 1 (Compact Disc)

	1	Essex The Red Skin	Mighty Armor	01:53
	2	Askari X	Scared 2 Die	04:40
An HTTP error occurred during file retrieval. Error Code: 403	3	C.O. Tha Bad Black, Money, Soundmaster “T”	T.I.P.	03:42
	4	C-Bo, Young Noble, Yukmouth	The Best Kept Secret	04:08
	5	Cold Hard, Gzus, Jarista	Good Game	04:16
	6	Various	The Big Picture (Skit)	00:37
	7	Venomous Nails	Big Footed	04:09
	8	Lon Don, Johnny P	Gangsta Shit	04:10
	9	Phenom, Isa Starr	Willie Snotbox	05:21
	10	Various	Big Rock (Skit)	00:05
	11	AP.9, EDI, Keak Da’ Sneak, T-Nutty Nut	Love The Game To Death	03:13
	12	Various	Wanted Be (Skit)	00:11
	13	Kam	Benifits	03:41
	14	Various	Game Recognize Game (Skit)	00:38
	15	Brotha Lynch Hung	Sick Shit	04:19
	16	JT The Bigga Figga, San Quinn	Eyes On The Street	03:34
	17	24th Street Menace	Neva Stop	04:00
	18	Various	Big Kid Boots (Skit)	00:14
	19	C-Lim, Bad Azz, Big Syke	Killa Cali	04:29
	20	Killa Tay, K.G.	Under Pressure	04:44
	21	Freako aka King	Urban Livin’	04:48
	22	Various	Soldiers At War Anthem (Skit)	00:05
	23	Cold Hard, Gzus, Killa C, Land Mine, Shotgun, Slim	Who Am I?	06:26

Album info

Released in 2002 under the label Black Armor Records, “The Best Kept Secretz Vol.1” is a compilation album that serves as a vivid tableau of the American Gangsta and G-Funk Hip Hop scenes at the turn of the millennium. This compilation features a variety of performers and contributors, making it a kaleidoscopic tour through the gritty yet soulful landscape of the genre.

The album opens with “Mighty Armor,” a potent track performed by Essex The Red Skin that sets the tone for the record. It dives headfirst into darker themes with “Scared 2 Die” by Askari X, and then offers a collaborative effort in “T.I.P.,” featuring Money and Soundmaster “T,” performed by C.O. Tha Bad Black.

One of the album’s highlights is “The Best Kept Secret,” which boasts performances from rap heavyweights C-Bo, Young Noble, and Yukmouth. This track serves as the album’s manifesto, lyrically and musically embodying its title. “Good Game” by Cold Hard, Gzus, and Jarista and “Big Footed” by Venomous Nails further add depth to the album’s diverse narratives.

Highly regarded for their lyrical abilities, Brotha Lynch Hung and JT The Bigga Figga make notable appearances in “Sick Shit” and “Eyes On The Street,” respectively. Both tracks offer a mix of storytelling and raw, emotive rapping that has been synonymous with the genre.

Interspersed with skits like “The Big Picture” and “Big Rock,” the album delivers comic relief without diluting its hardcore essence. The album rounds out with “Under Pressure,” featuring K.G. and performed by Killa Tay, and “Urban Livin'” by Freako aka King, capturing the constant tension and resilience characteristic of urban life.

The production, mostly helmed by K.G., is crisp, allowing each artist to bring their best. Executive-produced by Big Roc, the album comes together as a cohesive project that successfully showcases the spectrum of Gangsta and G-Funk styles.

In conclusion, “Black Armor Records Presents The Best Kept Secretz Vol.1” is more than just a compilation; it’s a vital snapshot of the era, capturing the ethos and artistry of the time in a compelling manner. With its diverse lineup and seamless production, this album indeed lives up to its name as one of the ‘best-kept secrets’ in Hip Hop.