A founding member of SoCal underground legends Freestyle Fellowship (and other groups like Haiku D'Etat, Project Blowed, and Magic Heart Genies), Myka 9 has been pushing the limits of lyricism and putting out proudly experimental hip-hop since the early '90s. Though he's never had a big crossover hit and is possibly a little too bugged-out for mainstream acceptance, he's been a gigantic influence on countless emcees, including Busta Rhymes, Mos Def, and various cats from subterranean crews like Quannum, anticon., and Rhymesayers. A 23-track collection that mines his copious vaults for unreleased gems, Gramophone is pretty much what you'd expect. There are wildly unpredictable vocal gymnastics set to beats that are alternately ear-tickling and over-the-top weird. Longtime homies Abstract Rude, Aceyalone, DJ Drez, and Busdriver all lend a hand, but for the most part it's Myka's show, and as usual, it's a good one. Check out "Leading Authority," "When They're Home," and "Premeditated."
*Display the same releases but with different versions or bar codes.