Black Moon debuts, Erick Sermon goes solo, Eazy-E releases a scathing Dr. Dre diss, MeShell Ndegeocello creates a new soul standard, U-God and Pharoahe Monch make their solo debuts.
Whodini becomes the first hip-hop act to chart in the Top 40, Deltron 3030 visits the dystopian future, Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek team up, Ludacris drops his major label debut, and Eminem and Wyclef Jean are born.
Common makes his rap debut, Kurupt shows respect to his East and West coast roots, Pras and Bizzy Bone make a solo go of it Mack 10 delivers 'The Recipe.'