Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr

Ten years is a long time in the music business, and in the ever-changing hip-hop universe, it's even longer. Not many artists can hold it together for a decade, and the ones who do often end up switching their style to stay relevant, or churning out listless imitations of their far superior old material. Not so with Gang Starr. Though originally from Boston and Texas respectively, Guru and Premier developed a quintessential New York style, a winning format that fused thorough lyricism and mellow flows with untouchably dope beats from a producer many consider to be the best in the game. Full Clip draws from their first five albums, compiling an overwhelming 33 tracks (on double-CD or quadruple vinyl!) of time-tested singles, obscure B-sides, remixes, and a couple of new joints. From early hits like "Jazz Thing" and "Ex Girl to Next Girl" to mid-career highlights "Dwyck" and "Mass Appeal" to later heaters such as "You Know My Steez," the hits never stop. If you're just now getting up on the group, this is a great place to start, and if you're a fan from way back, this is a handy collection of classics.