A serious OG from Vallejo, J-Diggs has a résumé going back to the late '80s, when he got his start doing talent shows around the Bay Area. In the mid-'90s he was part of the infamous Romper Room Gang (with Mac Dre and Kilo Curt) and was arrested for bank robbery. He did extensive prison time in California and elsewhere, and upon his release the trio set out to blow up their label Thizz Entertainment. Mac was murdered in 2004, but the label continued to grow, becoming a major player in the burgeoning Hyphy movement. Diggs has released a ton of material over the last 15 years, though he remains virtually unknown outside of Northern Cali. Soul of a Gangsta is his seventh solo album (not including many collabos, mixtapes, and soundtracks). It's a stellar example of old-school Bay rap, overflowing with funked-out production and autobiographical thug tales. It's ideal for fans of Mac Dre, Too Short, JT Money, and Andre Nickatina; don't miss "Dirty Game," "U Should Know Me" (with Jacka and Philthy Rich), and "Body Snatcha."