Everyone has a favorite producer that reigned supreme during the 90′s. DJ Premier, RZA, Dr. Dre are probably some of the names that the top of the list, however, none of them may have had more of a widespread impact during that era than Prince Paul. Most famously recognized as the creative mind behind the sound of De La Soul, the production of those albums dominated hip-hop’s golden era.  De La aside, Paul has put together an extensive production catalog with other artists. He’s lent his skills to an army of MC’s  that spread from borough to borough and state to state. From happy rap and horror core, to instrumental albums and comedy, the range within his sampling catalog knows no limits.

To celebrate our re-release of his debut album, Psychoanalysis: What Is It?  we decided to take a trip back to the 90′s. We dug deep into Paul’s vaults and handpicked a classic joint from his catalog for each year and then threw them together in a dope mix.

3rd Bass – “The Gas Face”
Album: The Cactus Album
Year: 1990
Breakdown: .3rd Bass made it clear that anyone who was acting foul could end up with the Gas Face. The record was a minor hit, and has more impact to rap’s legacy for no other reason than this being the record that famously introduced the world to a young MF Doom, as Zev Luv X of KMD.

Jaz-O ft. Jay-Z – “It’s That Simple”
Album: Ya Don’t Stop EP
Year: 1991
Breakdown: Prince Paul and Jay-Z?  Yep. That happened over twenty years ago on an cut tucked away on one of Jaz’s 1991 EP. Personally it’s doper record than the more famous collabo, “Hawaiian Sophie”.  Hov knew that Prince Paul was the real deal, and bigs him up Paul, mentioning him, “for the dope beat, hit up Prince Paul.”

Boogie Down Productions – “Drug Dealer”
Album: Sex and Violence
Year: 1992
Breakdown: KRS’ ode to drug dealer may not be a personal favorite of Prince Paul’s.  As he openly discussed on his soundcloud page, “This one of a few songs I did for the album. For reasons unknown I never got a chance to fully complete the production on these songs and thus poor mixes were ultimately released to the public . When I hear those songs I cringe .. I do wish I could turn back the hands of time and finish these recordings .”

De La Soul – “Ego Trippin’ (Part Two)”
Album: Buhloone Mindstate
Year: 1993
Breakdown:  The second single to the group’s third album, The record, a parody of hardcore rappers,caught the attention of rappers Tupac Shakur, because the video showed a rapper splashing around in a pool similar to his video “Get Around”. The song never actually had a “Part One”, but was done in reference to the Ultra Magnetic MC’s song of the same title.

Slick Rick ft. Warren G. – “Behind Bars”
Album: Behind Bars
Year: 1994
Breakdown: Another gem that Prince Paul laced on his soundcloud account is the rough version of this joint.  He explains a bit further in depth, how this was recorded while Rick The Ruler was locked up in 1990, but didn’t see the light of day until his release in ’94. The album also contained the Warren G. remix version of the record alongside additional production by heavy hitting producers Pete Rock, Easy Moe Bee, and Vance Wright.

Gravediggaz – “1-800-Suicide”
Album: 6 Feet Deep EP
Year: 1995
Breakdown:  This was the third and final single released from the album. It was one of the original demos the group put together, and was recorded on a 8-track machine. In Complex’s piece, Prince Paul Tells All, he discusses how labels dissed the group, and how Eazy-E almost signed them.  Could you imagine if that happened?

Biz Markie & Chubb Rock – “No Rubber, No Backstage Pass”
Album: America Is Dying Slowly Soundtrack
Year: 1996
Breakdown: Off of the compilation benefiting Red Hot AIDS Benefit Series, Biz Mark and the Chubbster put out the word there to all jump offs and groupies that there would be no tour bus, or backstage love without coming strapped with some Jimmy Hats.

Chris Rock – “Champagne”
Album: Roll With The New
Year: 1997
Breakdown:  If you forgot how hilarious this song was, do yourself a favor and re-watch the video. My words will not do it justice.

Method Man – “You Play Too Much”
Album: Tical 2000: Judgement Day 
Year: 1998
Breakdown: Another Prince Paul x Chris Rock collabo, but his time around, Prince Paul brings it back to his days of doing skits.  No dope beat or crazy sample this time around, but it is a hillarious interlude on Meth’s album.  Rock, is an annoying announcer at a Method Man show, who runs through nickname after nickname for the Ticallion Stallion.

Breezly Bruin – “Steady Slobbin’”
Album: Prince Among Thieves
Year: 1999
Breakdown: Paul’s second album, possibly one of the dopest concept albums, follows the story of Tariq (Breezly Bruin) trying to raise funds for his demo. The album plays out like a story book read through rap, and featured characters including everyone who is everyone from Kool Keith and Big Daddy Kane,to Sadat X and Xzibit. The track, an interpolation of the classic Ice Cube joint, ‘Steady Mobbin’, exposes the conflict Tariq feels moving from living-with-his-mom’s slob to aspiring MC