By Design

by Brad MillsThe first few years of the new millennium saw underground rap artists popping up all over the place, with many standing out with real lyrical gifts and strong followings. Grand Agent wisely used his first album to make a serious impression on the hip-hop community, bringing forth a mainly solo album with some powerful guest performances by AG of DITC and Planet Asia from the Cali Agents. Through 13 tracks and two intros, it's difficult to pick out a weak song, although the female choir hook on "King Me" is quite annoying. As a side note, he's also featured on DJ M-Boogie's Laid in Full Chapter 2, also released in 2001 with his "Patience" collaboration with DJ Revolution.