Duck Down Records is a rap label that has grown in size and stature since its creation in June of 1995. This label now includes such rap artists as Heltah Skeltah, Buckshot, Cocoa Brovaz (formerly Smif-N-Wessun), Black Moon and O.G.C. Collectively, the group of artists under Duck Down records are known as the ‘Boot Camp Clik’. This label has endured moderate success, with several impressive singles. If you're a Duckdown records fan, then your long wait for a true greatest hits compilation will be quenched with this album. Duckdown pulls out all the stops, brings back all their best hits and throws together a 13 track history of the artists on their record label.

Among the rap hits, is one of my favorite songs of all-time, "Black Trump" by the Cocoa Brovaz featuring Raekwon. It also features recent hits "Two Turntables & A Mic" (1999) off Black Moon's last album, "I Ain't Havin That" (1998) by Heltah Skeltah, "No Fear" (1998) by O.G.C., "Headz Are Reddee Pt II" (1997) by Boot Camp Clik and "Bounce To The Ounce"(1999) by O.G.C. More notably, this compilation features five hits from Nervous Records. This was the former label of Black Moon and Smif-N-Wessun, before they switched to Duck Down Records. The hits include Black Moon's classic "Who Got Da Props?", "How Many Emcee's", and "I Got Cha Opin (remix)".

This is as good as you can expect to get from the Duck Down record label. These are all hip hop hits, all be them mostly underground in nature. Only in the last few years, have Duck Down records really hit the mainstream rap scene. If you've heard anything from Heltah Skeltah, Black Moon, Cocoa Brovaz, or O.G.C. and really enjoyed it, then this album is a must get. All of these tracks are hits, but none a real smash hits. Duck Down records are building a name for themselves, but are not as huge as most hip hop labels. I have to give them props for putting all their best songs on this compilation, unfortunately their best isn't the best I've ever heard. Nonetheless, this album worthy of listening and owning.

www.brockwayent.com

(Originally posted on HipHopCanada.com)

This review was written April 7, 2000