What's good folks?! This state is one of the most completely slept-on in terms of hip-hop greatness. Although not a lot of widespread hip-hop accessibility has come from the Ohio, we first heard of Ohio's hip-hop scene in '93 with Bone Thugs N Harmony. While Ohio is most known for the NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers and more specifically LeBron James and major WWE stars such as The Miz, Dana Brooke, Doplh Ziggler, Alexa Bliss and Dean Ambrose (let's not forget the Indians as well, and even the Browns) their hip-hop scene is mostly underground, but there has still been some fairly fantastic projects to emerge from here, not just those Thugs N Harmony. With that, let's get into the best efforts to emerge from this state.
15. Hi-Tek- Hi-Teknology 3: Underground
Cinicnatti's best producer, Hi-Tek, dropped the third installment of his acclaimed Hi-Teknology series, and this was more of an underground approach, as he not only collaborated with vets like Raekwon, Ghostface, Young Buck, and longtime partner Talib Kweli, but also up-and-comers at that time such as Mann, Push Montana and King Chip that for the most part come off pretty well. Although the prior two albums within the series come off more potent on an overall level, this final one was nonetheless a further exhibition of the excellent production talents of Hi-Tek and how it takes only top notch talented emcees who deserve the honor of a Tek beat.
14. Blueprint- Adventures In Counter-Culture
Longtime vet Blueprint had been receiving acclaim and a slight cult following with his previously heralded album, 1988, as well as his collab projects with enigmatic producer RJD2 as Soul Position and with fellow Columbus native Illogic as Greenhouse. With his sixth album, Adventures In Counter-Culture, he varies with experimental sounds to create an overall formidable listening ambience. Personal and definitely with a blue-collar aesthetic, he experiments with various sounds and styles so as to not get boxed in to one particular genre. While most purists would snub their noses at the concept, Blueprint looks beyond this approach and views it as expanding his repertoire and reaching out to those that know the struggles and joys of self worth and affirmations of the complexities of life beyond the hip-hop community. This is one to be open minded to, but you'll be glad you did.
13. Copywrite- God Save The King
Columbus native Copywrite has been highly regarded within the underground for a number of years, primarily because of his first two efforts, The High Exaulted and The Life & Times of Peter Nelson. However, it was his third effort, God Save The King, that this member of The Weathermen and MHZ (Megahurtz) Legacy came into his own. Publicly proclaiming that he would start focusing more on Christian Hip-Hop, this album was seemingly the start of that process, as there's a high sense of spirituality and God off and on throughout the album. Although he hits hard with his traditional battle rap persona on cuts like "Yo! MTV Raps" and "Swaggot Killaz", he also delves into very personal, stirring cuts like "J.O.Y." and "A Talk With Jesus", and simply with his seemingly new direction going into more of a Christian approach with his music, this duality was nonetheless fascinating with in all reality the best album of his career thus far.
12. Hi-Tek- Hi-Teknology
After his efforts with Mood and especially his work on the timeless Black Star album and with his partner in crime Talib Kweli as Reflection Eternal, it was time for Tek to show off his production abilities in a compilation album, and he did so excellently with his debut, Hi-Teknology. His signature sound was prevalent on cuts with the likes of Kweli, Cormega, Common, and his former homies of Mood, and the result was one of Rawkus Records most prized albums, as there was plenty of infectious treats to go around.
11. RJD2- Deadringer
One of the underground's most fascinating albums was the album from Columbus producer RJD2. What the likes of DJ Shadow and J Dilla started with highly influential and highly epic instrumental albums, RJD2 expanded upon it with his debut full-length album, Deadringer. There are quite a number of highlights to go around on this album, especially the title track and "The Horror", and this must be considered among the most priased instrumental albums to exist in the early millennium.
10. Blueprint- 1988
The year 1988 was truly a game-changing year in hip-hop, as it was the beginning what was pinned "the golden age", a period between '88-'94 of the most magical moments hip-hop had ever had in terms of legends such as Eric B & Rakim, N.W.A., De La Soul, Tribe, and Queen Latifah delivering their classic debuts. It also served as a pivotal year for Columbus emcee Blueprint, as the yar also became the title of his ol' school themed debut, 1988. A very fun and overall light-hearted album, this is an album that pays homage to that special year and how the formula 'less is more' completely applies to this album. Fantastic effort and one that stands among the very best within his discography regardless of if he's in a collaboration or going for dolo.
9. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony- Strength & Loyalty
Under a new label at the time with Swizz Beats' Full Surface Records, Bone was a trio consisting of Krayzie, Layzie and Wish for their seventh album, Strength & Loyalty. A very decent outing, the Bone brothers were tightly unified, in spite of the departures of Flesh and Bizzy. Nonetheless it was a cohesive project that became arguably as acclaimed as albums such as The Art Of War and BTNHResurrection. There were quite a few highlights here and deserves the acclaim it received especially after nearly twenty years in the game.
8. Lone Catalysts- Hip-Hop
The combination of emcee J Sands and J. Rawls came together as Lone Catalysts and they presented an incredible album, simply entitled Hip-Hop. Rawls had been previously known for his work with Black Star and their priceless debut self-titled album, and with Sands' b-boy-like emceeing ability, these two pull off an album filled with very decent lyricism over mostly jazzy, head-nodding production. Mostly known for the cut with Kweli, "Due Process", other cuts like the title track and "If Hip-Hop Was A Crime" also highlight an album that relies on its simplicity, and that's just completely fine with us.
7. Illogic- Unforseen Shadows
Columbus native (as we have noticed Columbus has a lot of talent), Illogic, had been known in the underground for his his rep of being a great battling emcee, and in 2000, he released his debut Unforseen Shadows, which was a fairly enjoyable album. The entire album was produced by Greenhouse partner Blueprint, and the results were overall excellent, especially the very somber, self-depreciating "Hate In A Puddle" and the ridiculously amazing "Favorite Things" (arguably the best beat Blueprint ever constructed). While he released several more releases by himself and with others such as Blueprint, this album truly exemplified his talent and shows that he should be on a bigger platform.
6. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony- BTNHResurrection
With their fourth album, BTNHRessurection, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony attempt to continue to platinum plus momentum they had garnered in the course of all three of their prior albums. With them having estranged member Flash-N-Bone back on the team, Wish, Bizzy, Krayzie, and Layzie go off with a renewed confidence and fire with the entire click together on a whole album for the first time ever. Results were overall very decent and highlights were scattered around the effort. Their penchant for hits and putting numbers on the board was obviously prevalent and it culminated with yet another platinum plaque.
5. Hi-Tek- Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip
After the success of his debut album, Hi-Teknology, Hi-Tek returned five years later for the long-awaited sequel to the effort, entitled Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip. Aiming to go even higher than his debut, he reached out to more distinguished veterans and heavyweights such as Ghostface, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Jadakiss, Raekwon, Q-Tip, and The Game and with that, the production was stepped up even more as well, with blistering cut after blistering cut on this album. While the debut was a very listenable effort that showed that he belonged in the conversation of high caliber producers, the sequel made anyone with doubts completely change their minds, as he utterly and completely out did himself on this release.
4. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony- The Art Of War
After the massive success of their breakout album, E. 1999 Eternal, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony had the arduous task of repeating the same formula for their next effort, the double album, The Art Of War. A little more aggressive and more personal than before, this album had them taking charge of their position as the innovators of their craft, as they went after everyone with whom they had issues with. Also, behind the scenes, issues with Eazy-E's widow Tomeka Wright and group member Bizzy were weighing on the morale of the group, but was hardly noticed in some cases. Going from the inspirational with cuts like "If I Could Change The World" to the menacing with the thunderous collab with 2Pac "Thug Luv", this album was very much a dichotomy, but also showed that Bone deserved their place among hip-hop elite, especially with a quadruple platinum effort.
3. Mood- DOOM
If there was an underground classic to emerge from the great state of Ohio, it was definitely the debut album from Cincinnati's own Mood, DOOM. Jahson, Donte, and Main Flow were a lyrical group that had a bunch of potential to be a big force to emerge from Ohio. Some of Hi-Tek's earliest production work came with this group, as well as one of the first nationally heard verses from Talib Kweli. The album unfortunately really didn't make it out of Ohio in terms of mainstream accessibility, but the album was still a highly regarded album that brought a buzz to Hi-Tek and Kweli in the mid-nineties. This album deserves way more attention and recognition than it received.
2. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony- Creepin' On Ah Come Up
The album that put Bone, and Cleveland, on the map. While garnering a local buzz with their Faces Of Death EP, it was their Ruthless Records debut, Creepin' On Ah Come Up, that garnered them nationwide attention. Triggered by the singles "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" and the Eazy-E featured "Foe Tha Luv Of $", the album (in reality it was an EP) sold platinum units and the boys of Krayzie, Bizzy, Wish, Flesh, and Layzie were officially players in hip-hop.
1. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony- E. 1999 Eternal
If there was a hip-hop act ready to proceed to the next level, it was the four (five with Flesh) Cleveland natives from E. 99th and Sinclair Avenues, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. After reaching platinum with their debut, Creepin' On Ah Come Up, the next level was awaiting them in the form of their sophomore effort, E. 1999 Eternal. Exceedingly darker in concept and themes, the album showed Bone at their absolutely best. This was an album that fully exhibited just how far Bone's talents could take them, and this was apparent with their monstrous single, their definitive all-time classic "Tha Crossroads", a very somber ode to passed away loved ones, including their mentor Eazy-E. Believe me, moments like these are few and far between, if any, as this album was mostly unrelenting and focused. With their melodies and harmonic stylings, drugs and murder never sounded so good, thus resulting in sales upwards of ten million worldwide. Bone was undoubtedly here.
Honorable Mentions
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony- Thug World Order
Bizzy Bone- Heaven'z Movie
Krayzie Bone- Thug Mentality 1999
Copywrite- The High Exalted
Copywrite- The Life & Times Of Peter Nelson
Soul Position- 8 Million Stories
MHz Legacy- MHz Legacy
Greenhouse Effect- Life Sentences
Greenhouse Effect- Bend But Don't Break
RJD2- Since We Last Spoke
Illogic- Celestial Clockwork
Blueprint- Respect The Architect
Clouddead- Clouddead
J. Rawls- The Essence of J. Rawls
J. Rawls- The Hip-Hop Effect
Jay Are- The 1960s Jazz Revolution Again
With Ohio, the gifts are mostly underground and overlooked, but as you can see, there are several legitimate efforts that have made Ohio a talked about state, and not just because of BTNH. They may not have hip-hop in a chokehold as of yet, but you can believe that Ohio is sitting on more bubbling talent that could continue to help Ohio make noise. Only time will tell. Until next time!
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