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Cormega, "The True Meaning"
While many underground hip hop heads find themselves content with backpacks stuffed with demos of verbose MCs over abstract beats and the latest Def Jux and Rawkus releases, some of the best underground rappers are overlooked for taking their cues from the grimy tales of street hustling and the kings of contemporary radio. Cormega probably couldn't care less what some white kid in an El-P visor thinks of him, because he's been through more bullshit that any of those backpackers can imagine.Legal Hustle
Raised in and educated by the infamous Queensbridge projects, Cormega was on the knife's edge of popularity with a contract on Def Jam, a seemingly tight bond with Nas and inclusion in the potential rap supergroup, but ultimately a commercial failure, The Firm. Depending on who you talk to, the story changes, but either way thanks to shady major label bullshit and betrayal from his former allies Cormega fell from grace. The streets, however, still embrace the talented MC, and his latest gem 'The True Meaning' is no exception to their love. With solid production from the likes of Hi-Tek and Alchemist supporting his high-caliber rhymes, the formerly incarcerated rapper (almost a redundancy these days) embodies the hardened ghetto child trying to make sense of it all while trying to keep his own head above water. The most apparent single on here has to be "Live Ya Life" with a soulful female vocal hook compatible with those on Ja Rule's latest radio anthems. Tracks like "Take These Jewels" and "A Thin Line" highlight the value of honor among thieves and emphasizes the universal disgust for snitches. Called out publicly on Nas' 'Stillmatic' banger "Destroy And Rebuild," Cormega avoids the diss track response route (which is surprising considering the multitude of insults slung on his debut 'The Realness') with the honest "Love In Love Out." Easily one of the best rap albums of 2002, 'The True Meaning' is definitely the best indie label rap release of the year. Show love.
 
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