The Nacirema Dream

iTunes Review

After debuting alongside hip-hop legend Kool G Rap on 1998's Roots of Evil, Brooklyn rapper Papoose dropped the classic 12-inch single "Alphabetical Slaughter," where he deftly rhymed his way from A to Z, created a huge buzz for himself, and seemed destined for fame and fortune. He aligned himself with DJ Kay Slay (and later Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Squad) and started putting out mixtapes. But his career was marred by typical music-industry drama, specifically a failed deal with Jive. Undaunted, he continued recording independently and has put out more than two dozen mixtapes and street albums to date, maintaining a core following while remaining largely unknown to the masses. The Nacirema Dream was announced back in 2006, and seven years later it's finally here. Lyrically he proves he's still got it, hitting us with 20 songs that focus on various struggles in life and the rap game. He shares mic time with other NYC heads like Mobb Deep, Jim Jones, Jadakiss, and incarcerated wifey Remy Ma. Check out the DJ Premier–produced "Turn It Up" and the conceptual closer "Alphabetical Slaughter Pt. II/Z to A."