What makes The Underground Tapes by Saukrates notable?

The Underground Tapes showcased Saukrates' lyrical prowess and production skills, leading to significant acclaim within the Canadian hip-hop community. The album's impact is highlighted by its influence on subsequent artists, solidifying Saukrates' role in paving the way for future generations of Canadian rappers. Released in 1999, The Underground Tapes was Saukrates' debut album after gaining recognition through contributions to various underground projects. At this point, he was establishing himself as a prominent figure in the Canadian hip-hop scene, following his earlier collaborations and performances that garnered local attention.

How many songs are on The Underground Tapes?

The Underground Tapes has 18 tracks, running approximately 70 minutes.

The Underground Tapes

Saukrates · 1999

70 min · 18 tracks

A raw blend of gritty beats, clever wordplay, and infectious hooks that captures the spirit of late '90s Canadian hip-hop.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Can't Touch Us — This track exemplifies Saukrates' confident delivery and catchy hooks, setting the tone for the album's energetic vibe and showcasing his lyrical dexterity.
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Money or Love — Here, Saukrates explores themes of ambition and personal values, balancing introspection with a lively beat that resonates deeply with listeners.
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Da Professional — This track highlights Saukrates' storytelling ability and features intricate wordplay that reflects his experience in the music industry, making it a standout moment on the album.
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Killed or Be Killed — With its hard-hitting beat and intense lyrics, this song embodies the struggle and determination present in urban life, marking a critical thematic pivot on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid writing and production, with a distinct late '90s Canadian hip-hop sound.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of heavy bass lines and sharp snares, creating a gritty sound typical of late '90s hip-hop.
Saukrates employs varied flows across tracks, often switching between rapid-fire delivery and more laid-back rhythms.
Several tracks incorporate samples from funk and soul music, adding depth to the production while maintaining a raw edge.
The sequencing includes multiple interludes that provide transitions between songs, contributing to the album's narrative flow.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Intro 1:12
2 Can't Touch Us 3:52
3 Money or Love 4:18
4 Bag Da Biscuit 2:40
5 Da Professional 5:57
6 Keep It Movin' 3:23
7 Innovations (remix) 3:59
8 Fineline 2:35
9 Play Dis 99" 3:35
10 Body Language 4:08
11 Check for Me 4:31
12 Ultimate Rush 3:02
13 Rollin' 4:11
14 Suga Daddy 3:54
15 Bag Da Biscuit (Ain't Nuttin But A...) 3:48
16 Vietnam 3:56
17 Killed or Be Killed 3:17
18 Ay, Ay, Ay. 8:24

What to play next

Listen next

Season One

2012

Go back to

Brick House

1997

Full Saukrates discography Artists like Saukrates

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata