Prince Paul, who originated with the aforementioned hip-hop trio De La Soul, moved onto more important projects when he created what may be the world's first rap opera. With a cast of half a dozen characters and operatic themes of heartbreak and loss, this tragedy tells the story of an up-and-coming rapper and decent kid who's pushed into the world of dealing drugs before being betrayed by his best friend. Biz Markie, Prince Paul's homeboys De La Soul, and even, inexplicably, Chris Rock make an appearance to help push the story forward, along with the infectious beats and rhymes. And even if you can't technically call this album an opera, it's at least the greatest rap concept album of all time.
Michael Perone has written for The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore City Paper, The Island Ear (now titled Long Island Press), and The Long Island Voice, a short-lived spinoff of The Village Voice. He currently works as an Editor in Manhattan. And he still thinks Michael Keaton was the best Batman.
