Golden Era 3D, Perth (2026)

20/10/2026

..
Lil 1/2 Dead - The Dead Has Arisen

Year - 1994

Personal Note -

Yesterday I was on the East with Killa Cam in the deck and now we are heading back West with a mid-90's underground g-funk burner.. 🏝😎

Lil 1/2 Dead might not be the first name mentioned when talking about the golden era of Westcoast G-Funk, but this debut deserves a place in the conversation.

There is plenty of quality cuts on here, with Had To Be A Hustler (sampled), 12 Pacofdoja and Eastside, Westside among the standouts for me. IYKYK.

Both this and the follow-up (Steel On A Mission) don't disappoint and reminds you just how much heat was coming out of California in the mid-'90s. Peace.

Overview -

Released on October 25, 1994, through Priority Records, The Dead Has Arisen marked the debut album from Long Beach, California rapper Lil 1/2 Dead.

Emerging during the golden age of West Coast G-Funk, the album delivered a combination of laid-back street narratives, deep rolling basslines, melodic synths and funk-driven production.

With production led by Tracy Kendrick and Courtney Branch, alongside contributions from several other producers, the 14-track release captured the unmistakable sound of mid-'90s Long Beach. Guest appearances from AMG, Tha Chill, Chaos, Quicc 2 Mac and X-Con added further West Coast flavour.

Although it never achieved the mainstream recognition of releases from Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre or Warren G, The Dead Has Arisen remains an overlooked entry in the G-Funk catalogue and a reminder of just how deep the West Coast scene ran during this era. 💯

/2dead

19/10/2026

..
Cam'ron - Purple Haze

Year - 2004

Personal Note -
.
💜📼 Cam'ron – Purple Haze (2004)

Rewinding back to '04 and the height of the Dipset movement with one of Cam's most slamming releases.

Purple Haze was Killa Cam doing things his own way, from the punchlines and slick wordplay, to some very dope production backing him up 💯

The Heatmakerz, Kanye West and a stack of other producers brought some serious heat to this one. The samples, drums and that early-2000s NYC sound running right through the project.

Plenty of standout tracks too; Killa Cam, Get Down, Down and Out, Get 'Em Girls and Dip-Set Forever all still sound dope more than two decades later when in the deck last night.

This is a proper piece of Harlem hip hop history and has always been a favourite. DIPSET! 🦅💜 Peace.

Overview -

Released December 7, 2004, through Diplomat Records, Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam, Purple Haze is the fourth studio album from Harlem's Cam'ron and one of the defining releases of the Diplomats era.

Following the success of Come Home with Me and the rise of Dipset, Cam delivered a sprawling 24-track project packed with unconventional punchlines, street narratives, humour and his unmistakably laid-back delivery.

Production from The Heatmakerz, Kanye West, Chad Hamilton and others brought together sped-up soul samples, cinematic arrangements and hard-hitting East Coast beats. Tracks including "Killa Cam", "Get 'Em Girls", "Down and Out" and "Dip-Set Forever" helped establish the album as a cult favourite and a cornerstone of Cam's catalogue.

Featuring appearances from Juelz Santana, Kanye West, Syleena Johnson, Jaheim and other collaborators, Purple Haze reached No. 20 on the Billboard 200 and achieved Gold certification in the United States.

-and-out

16/10/2026

..
AZ - Doe Or Die

Year - 1995

Personal Note -

I still remember seeing Doe Or Die in the record store when it dropped as it's got one of those classic 90's covers you can't forget and I've always thought that this was one of those LP's that gets better the further you go rather than trying to go hard straight out the gate and losing steam.

AZ had already made a hell of an introduction on Life's a Bitch (abit like Nas on Breaking Atoms), and Doe or Die proved the hype was real & he was a certified star.

Pete Rock absolutely kills Rather Unique and Gimme Yours, Sugar Hill has that SUPER laid-back feel, and then Mo Money, Mo Murder with Nasty Nas takes things somewhere completely different.

AZ deserves to be mentioned more when people talk about the elite lyricists from this era. Thirty-one years later, this one still sounds incredibly dope. Peace.

Overview -

Released October 10, 1995 through EMI, Doe or Die was AZ's debut album and arrived after his unforgettable introduction to the world alongside Nas on "Life's a Bitch" from Illmatic.

Rather than simply trying to recreate that moment, AZ built an album around his own polished, streetwise style — slick vocabulary, vivid hustler imagery and an effortless flow that made even the hardest subject matter sound smooth.

The production roster is pure 90s New York: Pete Rock, L.E.S., Buckwild, DR Period, N.O. Joe, Loose, Amar Pep and others, giving the record a mix of soulful loops, darker street production and that emerging mafioso sound that would become increasingly prominent through the middle of the decade.

Pete Rock handled standouts "Gimme Yours" and "Rather Unique," while L.E.S. delivered the album's biggest single, "Sugar Hill."

Nas returns for the cinematic "Mo Money, Mo Murder (Homicide)," while tracks like "Uncut Raw," "Rather Unique," "Doe or Die" and "Your World Don't Stop" show just how complete AZ already sounded on album number one.

Doe or Die reached No.1 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, while Sugar Hill became AZ's breakthrough hit and was certified Gold.

15/10/2026

..
📼💿
From Tape Decks to Turntables

For the next edition of CassMeetsWax, we’re heading back to the end of 2000 for the album that took XZIBIT from respected West Coast MC to a much bigger stage...

Xzibit – Restless 🔥

🌴 By the time Restless arrived, Xzibit had already built a serious reputation through At The Speed of Life, 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz and his work with the famous Likwit crew. But linking with Dr. Dre and the wider Aftermath camp pushed things completely into another gear.

💿 Released December 12, 2000 through Loud Records/Open Bar, Restless was Xzibit’s third studio album, with Dr. Dre serving as executive producer 🎛 The production lineup was stacked too, with Dre, Rockwilder, Battlecat, DJ Quik, Erick Sermon, Eminem, Rick Rock, Mel-Man, Nottz, Scott Storch, Sir Jinx and Soopafly all contributing. Insane!

🔥 And the guest list matched it too.. Nate Dogg, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Erick Sermon, J-Ro, Tash, KRS-One, Eminem, Defari, Goldie Loc, Kokane, Suga Free, King Tee and Butch Cassidy all appear across the album 😵‍💫

🎤 What makes Restless work for me is that even with that huge cast around him, XZIBIT still sounds like Xzibit. That rough voice, aggressive delivery and no-frills style are still there, with everything else dialled up to maximum.

Tracks like “Front 2 Back,” “Been A Long Time,” “U Know,” “X,” “Alkaholik,” “Don’t Approach Me” and “Get Your Walk On” give this one plenty of replay value and really capture that turn-of-the-millennium West Coast sound. I've always been a big fan of the ascetic too. Straight West Coast classic in every sense.

It's hard to believe this dropped 26yrs ago.. Peace.

Cass or Wax.. which one are you reaching for?

14/10/2026

..
Still In Rotation 🔁
"Past the hype but still fresh"

For the first edition of Still In Rotation, I had to go with Mobb Deep – Infinite.

It’s now been a year since this dropped and, for me, it’s the perfect example of what this series is about. The initial hype has passed, everyone’s had time to sit with it, and a year later it’s still getting plays.

Released on October 10, 2025, Infinite was billed as the final Mobb Deep album, with Havoc and The Alchemist putting the project together around previously unreleased Prodigy bars.

Rather than feeling stitched together or like a nostalgia grab, it genuinely feels like another chapter in the Mobb Deep catalogue (as pictured).

It’s obviously not trying to replace The Infamous, Hell On Earth or the other albums that built their legacy, and it doesn’t need to. The production still has that dark, cold Queensbridge feel, Havoc and P’s chemistry is there, and the features from Nas, Clipse, Big Noyd, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Jorja Smith and H.E.R. all work well without taking away from what makes a Mobb Deep record sound like a Mobb Deep record.

Mass Appeal also gave it the deluxe treatment and shine it deserves ✨️ Check out that crystal red shell, proper j-card and outer sleeve. Very nice.

A strong final chapter, handled with respect, and one that still sounds fresh a year later.

"Past the hype. Still fresh. Still in rotation."
🔁

14/10/2026

..
Cypress Hill - Black Sunday

Year - 1993

Personal Note -

This may have been one of the first hip hop albums I ever owned and what a way to start 🔥 I was about 10yo when it dropped and it felt like you had something illegal in your hands.. then the sound took you into another world.

The artwork, production and overall atmosphere all fit together perfectly and you knew EXACTLY what Cypress Hill was all about. Hit after hit bumping through the headphones of my Discman.

Insane In The Brain was playing on Video Hits & Rage here in Australia but this album is STACKED well beyond the obvious single. Joints like I Wanna Get High, I Ain't Goin' Out Like That, When the S**t Goes Down, C**k the Hammer and Hits From the B**g all slam hard.

It was so big that Cypress Hill was on The Simpsons which was the biggest show in the world at the time 📺

I've mentioned it on my page afew times that Cypress Hill’s first 3 - 4 album run is one of the greatest ever (maybe the best) in hip hop history and this LP deserves all the flowers. Straight classic. Enough said. Peace.

Salute to B-Real, Senn Dogg, DJ Muggs & Eric Bobo 🫡👊🏼

Overview -

Released July 20, 1993, Black Sunday was Cypress Hill’s second album and the record that pushed the group from groundbreaking hip-hop act into genuine crossover territory. Released through Ruffhouse/Columbia, it debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200, driven by the enormous success of “Insane in the Brain.”

DJ Muggs again shaped most of the album’s sound, taking the dusty, psychedelic feel of the debut and making it darker, heavier and more ominous. B-Real’s unmistakable nasal delivery and Sen Dog’s aggressive backing vocals sit over eerie loops, huge drums and bass-heavy production, while T-Ray produced “I Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That.”

The album runs far deeper than its biggest single too, with cuts like “I Wanna Get High,” “When the S**t Goes Down,” “C**k the Hammer” and “Hits From the B**g” helping make Black Sunday one of the defining hip-hop albums of the early ’90s.

sendogg

13/10/2026

..
They Reminisce Over You… 🎺📼

From Mecca and the Soul Brother to The Main Ingredient, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth helped define that soulful early-90's NYC sound

Timeless production, smooth rhymes and tracks that still slam exactly the same today.

Had to give this one the Golden Era 3D fan art treatment in both colourways. 💚💛

Big respect to Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth, if either of you see this, I’d love to send one your way 🙏🏼✈️

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth forever. 🎤🔊

13/10/2026

..
Big Punisher - Capital Punishment

Year - 1998

Personal Note -

Anyone who knows me well will tell you this is one of my favourite albums of all time and will always be on my top 10 list. To me it's a masterpiece and Pun was a generational talent who left far too soon..

The technical ability, the breath control, multi-syllable rhyme schemes, punchlines and the way he could completely change gears from something like “You Ain’t a Killer” into “Still Not a Player” is crazy.

For me though, it's the harder cuts that really make Capital Punishment special. Beware, The Dream Shatterer, Twinz, Tres Leches… Pun was going toe-to-toe with some of the best MC's around and was always in the mix 🔥 Everyone has heard the story how Nas rewrote his verse on John Blaze.. 📝

Along with being such a dope album the artwork is also top notch and ties it all together perfectly. Shoutout to the legendary Danny Hastings | PHOTOGOD 📸 on this.

This is a monster of a debut and easily one of the standout hip hop albums of '98 📼🔥 Pun was one of the best to ever do it and I love this LP. Peace.

Overview -

Released on April 28, 1998 through Loud Records, Capital Punishment was the debut studio album from Bronx MC Big Pun. Across more than 70 minutes, Pun showcased what made him such a unique force: ridiculously intricate rhyme patterns, breathless flows, humour, street narratives and an ability to switch from hardcore lyrical showcases to genuinely accessible records without sounding out of place.

The guest list is stacked, with Fat Joe, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Inspectah Deck, Prodigy, Cuban Link, Triple Seis, Noreaga, Wyclef Jean, Joe and Dead Prez among those involved. Production is equally deep, drawing from L.E.S., Showbiz, Rockwilder, RZA, Domingo, Young Lord, JuJu, Knobody and others.

Tracks like “Still Not a Player” gave Pun crossover success, while cuts such as “Beware,” “The Dream Shatterer,” “You Ain’t a Killer,” “Twinz (Deep Cover)” and “Tres Leches” showed exactly why his technical ability remains so highly regarded.

RIP Big Pun 🙏🏼🕊

10/10/2026

..
Mos Def - Black On Both Sides 🔥

Year - 1999

Personal Note -

I pulled something special off the shelf on a Saturday morning here in Perth..

Coming out of Brooklyn, Mos Def had already made serious noise alongside Talib Kweli with Black Star before stepping out solo in '99 with an album that would become one of the standout releases of the Rawkus era (which is saying alot).

Black on Both Sides had a bit of everything. East Coast production, soulful instrumental backing, storytelling and a HEAP of substance behind the lyrics, without ever losing that authentic hip hop feel.

Tracks like “Ms. Fat Booty”, “Mathematics”, “Hip Hop” and “Speed Law” showed just how complete Mos Def was as an MC, while “Umi Says” took things in a completely different direction and showed another side of his sound.

This is an incredible album which deserves a spot in all those "top" lists. Straight classic and one that needs to be in every heads collection. Peace.

Overview -

Released on October 12, 1999 through Rawkus and Priority Records, Black on Both Sides was Mos Def’s debut solo album following the 1998 Black Star project with Talib Kweli. It brought together socially conscious lyricism, storytelling, soul, jazz, funk and classic East Coast production, with contributions from DJ Premier, Diamond D, 88-Keys, Ayatollah, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Psycho Les and others.

The album showed just how broad Mos Def’s skill set was. He could move from the storytelling of “Ms. Fat Booty”, to the dense social commentary of “Mathematics”, the soulful feel of “Umi Says”, and tracks like “Hip Hop”, “Speed Law” and “New World Water” without the album ever feeling disjointed.

Guest appearances were kept relatively limited, with Talib Kweli, Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip among the key contributors, allowing Mos Def to remain firmly at the centre of the project.

More than anything, Black on Both Sides captured the late-'90s Rawkus sound at its peak — intelligent, musical, underground-minded hip hop that still had enough accessibility to reach well beyond that scene.

08/10/2026

..
One of the most explosive joints of the early 2000's. Busta cutting loose over some monster Dr. Dre production 🔊🔊🔊

Busta Rhymes – Break Ya Neck 12"

Unlimited energy, rapid-fire delivery and a beat that hits HARD! 🔥

Busta is one of the best to ever do it and deserves all the flowers 💐💯

Busta Rhymes
Dr. Dre

Golden Era 3D

20/10/2026

19/10/2026

16/10/2026

15/10/2026

14/10/2026

14/10/2026

13/10/2026

13/10/2026

10/10/2026

08/10/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request