Illustrious

"A longtime affiliate of Mobb Deep, Queensbridge MC Big Noyd (also known as Rapper Noyd), stole the show with his breakout verse on the Mobb's epic 1995 single ""Give Up the Goods (Just Step)."" That 16-bar showpiece lead to a deal with Tommy Boy and his first solo joint, Episodes of a Hustler. He continued to record with Prodigy and Havoc in the years that followed, appearing on all of their albums until they signed with G-Unit. Going independent, Noyd struck out on his own, stepping out of the shadows to drop several of his own records, post-millennium. His fifth solo shot, Illustrious is what any fan of QB rap would expect, a headstrong collection of thugged-out tales heavy on the gun talk, narcotics transactions, money-stacking, projects pride, and the like. Backed by production from Lil Fame, Ric Rude, and others, the 14 tracks here aren't all perfect, but when everything lines up right, they are among the best and most soulful examples of Queens crime rap out there. ""Snitches,"" ""Things Done Changed,"" and ""Trying To Make It Out"" are all exceptional."