Bahamadia- Kollage (1996)

Recommended If You Like: Gang Starr, A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu

Fellow Woosa author (though he sure hasn't posted in a while, hint hint) Connor recommended Bahamadia's Kollage to me a few months back. For a while, I only rocked "Uknowhowwedu" and "Rugged Ruff" because those were the two beats that stuck out to me the most. But I listened to the whole album today and it's all top notch. Bahamadia is a female rapper out of Philly and judging by the guest features and production on Kollage, she held a solid place in the burgeoning hip-hop scene of the mid-90s. Her flow and clever lyrics certainly suggest the same, fitting perfectly over the production work of DJ Premier on tracks like"Rugged Ruff," which samples Nas' "Halftime,"and "3 The Hard Way." Also present is the other half of Gang Starr, Guru, who introduces Bahamadia on one of the albums "Interlude" tracks and produces the beat to the first proper song "WordPlay." Other highlights are "Da Jawn," which features fellow Philly natives The Roots, and the soulful "Biggest Part of Me."

I've never really dug female rappers, save for maybe frequent DOOM collaborator Empress Stahhr, who's flow is similar to Bahamadia at points. But Bahamadia's style is pretty undeniable and the beats behind her are just too dope to ignore. Click the album artwork to sample Kollage.

1. Interlude
2. WordPlay
3. Spontaneity
4. Rugged Ruff
5. Interlude
6. I Confess
7. Uknowhowwedu
8. Interlude
9. Total Wreck
10. Innovation
11. Da Jawn (feat. The Roots)
12. Interlude
13. True Honey Buns (Dat Freak Shit)
14. 3 The Hard Way
15. Biggest Part Of Me