Kool G Rap & DJ Polo

The unfortunate early-'90s bust-up between Kool G Rap and DJ Polo cleaved one of the finest rap duos of all time. Leaving behind a trio of fine LPs -- the raw Road to the Riches, the refined Wanted: Dead or Alive, and the underrated Live and Let Die (the latter unfortunately gaining more notice for the provocative cover than the content) -- the duo was nonetheless out before releasing a poor record or embarrassing themselves (i.e., they did not make a Don't Sweat the Technique). At the drop of a hat, Kool G Rap could shift gears from relaxed to vicious and from bawdy to philosophical, and DJ Polo's instrumental prowess could just as ably flit between fractured and grim to smooth and precious. The first disc commemorating their nearly decade-long run, Killer Kuts selects a handful of tracks from each of the three albums made for Cold Chillin'. It's a good introduction, hits all the crucial moments, and thankfully doesn't ignore Live and Let Die, an album that has gotten the short end of the stick since its release. This 1994 compilation would be trumped six years later by The Best of Cold Chillin', a more extensive venture that also includes curiosities like the duo's first track ("I'm Fly") and another that had only appeared previously on the relatively disposable Rated XXX compilation. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide