Revenge of the Barracuda (Bonus Track Version)

Though he has never really gotten the mainstream respect he truly deserves, WC is a serious hip-hop pioneer, who has been steadily putting out quality music since the late ‘80s, first with Low Profile (peep their '89 classic We're In This Together), then with the Maad Circle (helping to launch the career of Coolio), then with Cali gangsta icons Westside Connection, and finally as a solo artist. Revenge of the Barracuda is his fourth solo piece, and although he forgoes the major labels to drop this independently, it is just as solid, if not more so, than his previous big budget releases. Relatively trim at just 12 tracks, it is nonetheless jam-packed with streetwise anthems that aim to remind listeners of his OG status, while bubbling with clap-heavy beats and low-rider-ready bass lines. Like many of his contemporaries, he's over 40 years old now, but arguably sounds more focused than ever. Check out the eerie, whistle-infused "D Boy," the neck-breaking title track, autobiographical "Walkin In My Taylors," and impressive posse cut "Stickin to the Script" featuring Cali cohorts Kurupt, Daz, Soopafly, and Bad Lucc.