Bay Area hip-hop, historically defined by artists such as Too Short, Digital Underground, Paris, Spice 1, 2Pac, E-40, Mac Mall, and RBL Posse has long been known for its distinctive street sound. As the mid-'90s gave way to gangsta rap cliché, a new generation of Northern Californian emcees emerged to help usher in a new millennium. Rules of the Game is a compilation album that represents a trend towards consciousness in Bay Area rap. Oakland residents Mystik Journeymen and Mystic, with "So Musch Soul" and "OK...Alright" each offer uplifting meditations on the value of educated youth. Meanwhile, Fillmore dwellers Bored Stiff, Equipto, and Andre Nickatina vigorously elaborate on "Conspiracy Theory" and "Blueprints of War." Planet Asia proves why he's become known as one of the most lethal emcees on the underground circuit with a series of blazing verses on "Basic Training." San Quinn and D-Moe team up to accurately "Strike First" at the establishment, and the Coup dutifully joins the fray like armed Panthers with a political "Fixation." Uniting lyrical soldiers under a common flag, Rules of the Game signifies the hip-hop revolution as well as any album out there. ~ Robert Gabriel, All Music Guide