Ghetto Millionaire

Stepping out from the shadowy corners of Queens, Royal Flush emerged with a few choice singles, "Worldwide" and "Iced Down Medallions," before dropping his outstanding debut album in 1997, only to fade into total obscurity and rap nerd trivia territory in the years that followed. Down with Mic Geronimo, Noreaga, and some of the area/era's finest producers (L.E.S., Buckwild, Da Beatminerz, EZ Elpee), he created a record that plays like another take on Illmatic, with raspy, sophisticated lyricism poured over beats that are rich in texture and jazzy loops. Ghetto Millionaire has it all, from rowdy party jams (the Boz Scaggs sampling "Niggas Night Out"), to domestic violence drama ("Family Problems"), and stylish bravado ("Movin On Your Weak Productions"), all draped in melodies from the likes of Quincy Jones, Stanley Clarke, and Bobby Hutcherson. Though it was a modest hit at the time, mainstream tastes were changing, and thoughtful NY-centric hip-hop was falling out of fashion quickly. This album remains his greatest achievement.