My man, Pete Rock, Soul Brother #1 has finally released New York’s Finest, a classic album that answers the question Hip Hop heads have been waiting for. Is Hip Hop really Dead? On Pete Rock’s “New York Finest, his assessment of the current state of the culture is clear. Hip Hop has been resuscitated.

Now first off, I like how Pete gives you the silent dedication to James Brown by using a rendition of his classic album “Hell”. Even when you listen to New York’s Finest all the way through, you’re put into an audio landscape of blended chaos that you can mentally view and feel the heartbeat of the city. Soul Brother always had a way of mixing up and album that takes you back to your roots. Things you remember as a kid, from movies and old T.V Shows to old conversations with the people. These snippets are never there to just “fill space”, these are hidden jewels for you to find. This is what keeps the audiences attention from song to song, and one of many formulas in creating the “Classic” Hip Hop album.

Jumping from song to song you can see that Pete took the time to hand pick individuals that fully represented his vision for “New York’s Finest”. With the first song “We Roll” he grabs Jim Jones and Max B, before their fallout. Now as smooth as this song is, productions wise, I didn’t think these nukka’s could pull it off. I mean come on, Will Smith they ain’t. But you do get that “Summer time” vibe, New York style, you feel me? With “Till I Retire”, it honestly felt like the return of Superman, saving Planet Rock from is final demise. with ultimate samples of DMC telling you Pete’s the King.. He calls on D-Block to represent the 914. Raekwon & Masta Killa rep Shoalin with “The PJ’s”. Papoose makes an appearance wit “Comprehend”. Pete even went back in the crates and pulled Lords of the Underground for “The Best Secret”.

I’m telling you right now, “New York’s Finest” reveals that the evolution of Hip Hop is non-stop. The landscape is changing and therefore the expression has advanced. It’s one of the first of many albums, by many artists, that will stir the movement into another level of maturity. But Pete can actually claim “FIRST”