M.O.P.

Former NFL coach Dennis Green once said: "they are who we thought they were." Of course he was referring to the Chicago Bears, not 18-year rap veterans M.O.P., but after listening to Foundation, it's clear that just like the Monsters of the Midway, they too are indeed who we thought they were. In fact, the Brownsville duo make it known at every opportunity that their unflinching style is what got them this far and what will carry them forward. Nowhere is this outlined more blatantly than in the intro of "Brooklyn." "For people that ain't got nothing from shit to sugar, no compromise, no changing, MOP is the streets; we are Brooklyn." Rough, rugged and raw, the cohorts (who are, at times, joined by guests such as Styles P and Redman) rhyme over beats produced by the likes of Nottz and DJ Premier. But one of the best tracks comes when Billy Danze and Lil 'Fame combine with Statik Selektah on "Forever and Always." In this day and age, their sound may not have people clamouring to ante up and buy their album, but see if they really care.