This is one of those records that people who claim to love hiphop and know tons about it have seen a million times on websites or in record stores, and have never bothered to check out.

STUPID

It's hard to find a place to begin. Perhaps with the fact that Aceyalone is a west coast legend, and every backpacker's dream emcee. Maybe with the point that Self Jupiter paved the way for C.V.E., Busdriver, Rifleman, and all the other underground gangsta rappers with innovative flows and skills.
Possibly it should be considered that anybody who has ever rolled slow in their ride looking for a suitable song to bump couldn't possibly ever come up with a better choice than P.E.A.C.E.'s untouchable "Six-Tray".
But let's not forget Mikah 9, the man who redifined rhyme structure and vocal capabilities to such an extent that both Bobby McFerrin and Twista would watch in awe (meanwhile saying to themselves...'oooooh I'm gonna try that!').

Yes Yes, Y'all. This is the Freestyle Fellowship's second album, and it has redefined hiphop for everybody (most of whom don't even realize it).

Where do you think BONE-Thugs in Harmony got there patented sing-songy fast delivery? While Eazy-E (he who discovered BONE) was busy blowing up with NWA, he kept an ear to the street, a street that was rapidly being overrun by Project Blowedians, led of course by The Freestyle Fellowship.

Where do you think your precious Gift of Gab (from Blackalicious) learned to flip around syllables, and play with rhyme patterns the way he does? For those of you who don't know, his debut album was respected, but criticized by people in the know for coming just a bit too close to what the Fellowmellowship was doing.

Do you think Pharcyde would have been able to talk as much about "Ya Mama" if there hadn't been a little bit of "Hot Potato" being thrown around? I dunnnnnnno...

Do you like weed songs? I'm talkin' Outkast-Crumblin Erb, Redman-Green Island, Devin-Doobie Ashtray, Cypress Hill-Hits From the Bong, Pharcyde-Splattitorium, Artifacts-Lower tha Boom, Luniz-I Got 5 On It, etc. Back when the cliche was still cool, Fellowship composed probably my favorite of all the skunk-scented jams with "Mary" --the use of Henry Mancini's "Lujon" in this track is unbelievable.

Maybe you like the bassline in Talib Kweli's "Just to Get By", but I bet you didn't know that the Fellowhip used it first..."Pure Thought" is a track that will leave your head spinning.

Do you like psychos, a la Eminem? Try "Heat Mizer" on for size...Acey doesn't disappoint there.

How about posse tracks? Were you feelin' Leaders of the New School when they did "Spontaneous" (a really good song for those who don't know)? Well then, prepare to have it crushed by "Heavyweights Round 1" (Ganjah K is unstoppable on this one).

Alright alright, so they're crazy, right. You get it.

But it doesn't hurt to expose a little sheer beauty either. "Innercity Boundaries" is a throwback to some kind of Lambert Hendricks and Ross reunion that never happened, which should be good enough to make you heart skip a beat. The real stunner though, is Mikah 9's semi-autobiographical "Park Bench People". This is one of the best songs ever, regardless of genre--an absolute masterpiece...tears are okay for this one.

Have I said enough?

No?

Well then, relieve me, and let them say the rest.

You probably won't hear another album as interesting and dynamic as Innercity Griots ever again.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Listening