Perseverance

Nobody can accuse Rhyme Inspector Percee P of jumping in too early. After growing up at the epicenter of hip-hop, then recording with a dizzying array of artists for nearly two decades, the rapper is just now releasing his first full-length solo album with beats and production handled by the equally revered and insanely inventive Madlib. The first single from the album, "Put It on the Line, " has circulated among vinyl addicts for the past year. It's a staunch reminder of how hard Percee hits: "I'm a sweet lover, but don't sleep, brother. " No other MC has waited as long to record a debut, but what Percee's done in the meantime has made him a legend. - Resonance