Straight G by Felon: A Time Capsule of '96 Hip Hop Vibes
Alright, let’s talk about Straight G by Felon. This 1996 underground gem isn’t exactly the kind of album you’ll find on flashy “Best of Hip Hop” lists, but man, it’s got that raw, unfiltered energy that makes you feel like you’re right there in the studio with these guys. Released independently under Not On Label (yeah, they literally called it that), this project doesn’t try to be anything it ain’t—and honestly? That’s what makes it stick.
First off, big ups to D.J. Steel for handling production duties and Freddie Duncan for executive-producing this thing. You can tell they weren’t trying to chase trends or fit into some radio-friendly mold. The beats are gritty, the rhymes are street-smart, and the whole vibe is just… real. It’s not perfect, but who wants perfection when you’ve got authenticity?
Now, I gotta shout out two tracks that really stood out to me. First up, “U Gotta Have Skills.” Man, this joint slaps hard. The beat is simple but effective—boom-bap drums, a looping sample that feels kinda hypnotic, and Felon spitting bars like his life depends on it. What sticks with me is how confident he sounds. Like, dude knows he’s nice, and he’s not afraid to let you know it either. There’s something refreshing about hearing an artist who doesn’t overthink things—they just go in and deliver. Oh, and props for including a radio edit version too. Back in the day, those clean versions were clutch if you wanted to play your tape around your grandma or whatever.
The other track I gotta mention is “Straight G,” the title cut. This one hits different because it’s more than just bragging about skills—it’s got personality. Felon talks about staying true to himself while navigating the game, and it’s delivered with enough charisma to make you nod your head and think at the same time. Plus, the hook is stupid catchy. Like, I found myself mumbling it hours later without even realizing it. That’s the mark of a good track right there.
Other songs like “Comin At Cha” and “Gimme Mines” keep the energy high, though nothing else quite reaches the level of those two standout joints. The intro and outro do their job—setting the tone and wrapping things up—but they’re pretty standard fare. Still, the album flows well overall, which is impressive considering it probably didn’t have a huge budget behind it.
Looking back, Straight G reminds me of why I fell in love with hip hop in the first place. It’s not polished, it’s not shiny, but it’s honest as hell. And sometimes, honesty trumps everything else. Funny enough, listening to this album today feels almost nostalgic, even though I wasn’t even born when it dropped. Maybe that says something about timeless music—or maybe I’m just getting old.
Anyway, here’s the kicker: If you ever see a copy of this floating around at a thrift store or online, grab it. Not because it’ll change your life or anything, but because it’s a piece of history—a reminder of a time when dudes could drop bars without needing TikTok challenges or viral moments to back ‘em up. And hey, who knows? Maybe you’ll end up bumping it on repeat like I did. Peace.
