Bed-Stuy do or die! Junior M.A.F.I.A. debuted with Conspiracy in 1995, and the group, blessed with Biggie's membership and mentorship, spawned two hip-hop classics: "Player's Anthem" and "Get Money." Let's not forget that the album also acted as a launch pad for Big Momma aka The Lieutenant aka Lil' Kim, who goes HAM on 5 of the 15 tracks w/ verses like "I used to pack Mac in Cadillacs / Now I pimp gats in the A's Watch my n$$$$s backs." In addition, Lil' Cease, The Snakes, MC Klepto and other members also deliver some solid '90s East coast hip-hop moments ("Lyrical Wizardry," "Realms of Junior M.A.F.I.A."), and "I Need You Tonight" featuring Faith Evans (the single version had Aaliyah on the hook, apparently) is hot fire that should have gotten much more love imho, and let's not forget the skits dropped in nicely in-between the songs. "God's favorite DJ" Clark Kent on much of the hard-hitting instrumentals, and this is the first time the album has been released on vinyl since the initial pressing.

• first time on vinyl since initial pressing
• music label: Atlantic 1995 / 2016

reviewed by donut savage 10/2017