Various Artists

Why is a CD like A Rap Collection necessary? It's not. It seems like rappers are being spewed out daily onto the airwaves and on MTV. Some are good, some aren't. Originality and flair are absolutely necessary for a good rap track, as is some sort of collaboration with Lil' Kim. A Rap Collection hardly contains anything worth listening to.\nThe album's first track, Ice-T's "New Jack Hustler" from the 1991 film "New Jack City," moves well enough, but the lyrics are laughable, as is the mixing job. Ahmad's "Back in the Day" is a decent song, but the remix is useless, adding nothing to the song.\nThe D.O.C. brings us "Return of Da Livin' Dead" from his 1996 CD Helter Skelter. The track sounds more like the Tales From the Crypt's Cryptkeeper rapping with percussion keeping his beat. A bit of classic Hammer is provided in the first of two Hammer pieces, "It's All Good," which has a beat … and that's pretty much it.\nShello's "Street Niggaz" shows me why no one has heard from her in recent years. Divine Styler raps well enough on "Grey Matter," but the irritating mixing effects from the early '90s really take a lot away from the piece. Lord Finesse's "Return of the Funky Man," the title track from his 1992 album, flows well, as does the now infamous "Pumps and a Bump" by Hammer.\nAlso featured on this album are Above The Law's "Call It What You Want," Pudgee Tha Phat Bastard's "Checkin' Out The Avenue" and songs by F.S. Effect, Shug & Dap and Rhyme Poetic Mafia.\nMy opinions on compilation albums are varied. I think you need a collection of music people want to listen to to have a successful compilation disc. A Rap Collection only has two or three songs I have even heard of, and those two songs are from the early '90s. \nIf you want to relive your childhood, remembering the radio stations your parents wouldn't let you listen to that played artists such as M.C. Hammer and Vanilla Ice, go ahead and pick up this disc. Otherwise, let it collect dust.