NYC Badmen (StepSun Music, 1993)

An outstanding collection of hip-hop reggae that is aware of the connection between Jamaican sound systems and the growth of hip-hop.  Musically, the reliable Bobby Konders provides great old school New York hip-hop beats tweaked with a modern edge.  The music is generally fast-paced and fun, matching the high energy of dancehall.  Every track here is solid, although Buju Banton's "Yardie" sticks out like a sore thumb because it it distinctly dancehall and not hip-hop -- I don't know if they ran out of beats or what.  Supercat's "Ghetto Red Hot" is easily the biggest hit here, but Burro Banton's heavyweight "Boom Wa Dis," Shaggy's humorous "Mattress Jockey," and Captain Remo's b-boyin' "Me No Fool" are equally entertaining.  NYC Badmen goes where few other reggae/hip-hop hybrids go to show the full potential of this sub-genre.

Track Listing
1. Intro -- MC Jabba
2. You a Bad Boy -- Jr. Demus
3. Ghetto Red Hot -- Supercat
4. Mattress Jockey -- Shaggy
5. No Move -- Louie Rankin
6. Yardie -- Buju Banton
7. Boom Wa Dis -- Burro Banton
8. Bop Scuchie -- Reverend Baddo
9. Dem a Fight -- Red Foxx
10. Gun Pon Cock -- Nardo Ranks
11. Me No Fool -- Capt. Remo