It's bigger than hip-hop! Dead Prez' politically-charged 2000 debut full length gets the Get On Down reissue treatment. Lets Get Free offers politically-charged raps that preached Black Nationalism, Pan-Africanism and healthy living, a stark contrast to the excessive Bad Boy and Roc-A-Fella tunes that where ruling the airwaves at the time. MC's stic.man and M-1 not only held down mic duties with diligence and charisma, but also produced (or co-produced) most of the album. Includes the anthemic "Hip Hop" (later adopted as the Chappelle Show theme), the Kanye-produced "It's Bigger Than Hip Hop," "Mind Sex" featuring Last Posts' Abiodun Oyewole, "Wolves," "Police State," and more. Incredibly slept-on at the time, but remains a very powerful listen and more relevant than over a decade and half after its initial release. Double vinyl pressing with fold-out poster, recommended.

• black double vinyl pressing
  
• original release year: 2000
• music label: Get On Down 2015

reviewed by Von Bee 06/2015