Search - Various Artists :: Battle Rhymes & Posse Cuts (Fat Beats & Brastraps: Women of Hip-Hop)

Half contention (answer records and disfests), half collaboration between brothers and sisters (figurative and literal), this installment of the history of women in hip-hop has some pretty fascinating historical material: Salt-n-Pepa's first single from when they called themselves Super Nature; four installments of the classic "Roxanne, Roxanne" battles; Paulette & Tanya Winley's super-old-school flash in the pan; a remix of the Roots' "Proceed," with a delicious verse from Bahamadia; and Roxanne Shanté's controversial screw-you-all track, "Big Mama." It's not exactly consistent, but there are enough sparks flying--both ways--to keep it rolling, especially when LL Cool J and LeShaun "collaborate" so closely, you may have to check your speakers for stains. --Douglas Wolk