This Or That

In 1988 Sway & King Tech created "The Wakeup Show" to promote "unity in the hip-hop nation through music and education." Their now world-famous radio show has always featured old-school favorites, exclusives of freestyles and new releases, and the duo's This or That aims to cover similar ground. Constructed to resemble a mix-tape (with scratching courtesy of DJ Revolution), the album boasts previously released songs and several King Tech-produced tracks, most notably "The Anthem" (featuring nine ferocious MCs) and "Get You Mad" by Eminem. This or That's midsection teases listeners with excerpts of classic material by Eric B. and Rakim, EPMD, and Main Source. It's a worthwhile listen for fans of hip-hop, but as stated on "Warning," the album is not appropriate for those with "shiny suit syndrome, original-phobia, lame hooks disease or acute playa hater disorder." --Celine Wong