Vico C

For any who don't remember just how long Vico C has been expanding the boundaries of hip-hop and pushing the Spanish language envelope, EL Filosofo de Rap Flows y Liricas is here to remind us. A decade before the popularization of reggaeton, while hip-hop was still solidifying its identity on the streets of Brooklyn, Vico C was there, production skills and machine-gun-quick flow in hand. Few artists have done as much, as early on, to stake a claim on planet hip-hop not only for his fellow Puerto Ricans, but for Latinos under any flag. From the proto-reggaeton "Xplosion" to the boogaloo throwback "Inglesa," it's clear that Vico has been one of the genre's premier innovators for well over a decade. Both from a lyrical and production standpoint, Vico's artistic voice was well developed and individual, even as soon as the early '90s, when most of the material was recorded. The selections chosen for Filosofo display the wide range and depth of Vico's work. There's enough variety to keep interest sharp, and the tuneful quality of the writing makes for a cool, easy listen. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide