Artifacts
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Available on limited 180 gram gold wax, hand-numbered to 1500
Between A Rock And A Hard Place, the 1994 debut from Newark's Artifacts, is a snapshot of East Coast hip-hop with its roots in graffiti culture. Comprising Tame One and El Da Sensei, the duo delivers a mix of underground hits and gritty street anthems. While the album boasts production from heavyweights like Buckwild, T-Ray, and Redman, it's a mixed bag of standout tracks and underwhelming moments. Tracks like 'Wrong Side of Da Tracks' shine, paying homage to graffiti over a mellow backdrop with a soothing horn loop, marking it as a 90s gem. The album captures the glory parts of the era, with tracks like 'Whayback' offering nostalgic reflections on their journey into hip-hop. The reissue on 180-gram gold vinyl is a worthy nod to its legacy for this cult classic.