The Underground Tapes is the debut studio album by Canadian rapper and producer Saukrates, which was released June 22, 1999 in the United States through independent labels Serious Entertainment and Capitol Hill Music.Vol. 1-Underground Tapes Amazon. Accessed on November 3, 2009. In late summer 1999, the album was re-released in Canada with six additional tracks.[ Saukrates > Overview] Allmusic. Accessed on November 3, 2009. Production was handled by Saukrates, Mr. Attic, Mike Caren, and Day. Three songs from the album—"Innovations", "Play Dis (99 Remix)", and "Rollin"—are remixes. The only single from the album was "Money or Love", which was nominated for a Juno Award in 2000.
Mike Shinoda, the co-vocalist of Linkin Park, designed the album cover, as it was shown in the band's first documentary DVD called Frat Party at the Pankake Festival, which was released on November 20, 2001, from a short video clip entitled "Mike & Joe's Art" that can be seen from the "Special Features" menu.
The album was re-released onto streaming services as the Canadian version, followed by eight additional tracks including remixes, on August 23, 2024.
Reception
Allmusic stated "Influenced by the quintessential N.Y. sound of old, Saukrates' self-produced jazzy synthesizers and organic string sections permeate with a native-tongues vibe. But it's lyrically where Saukrates distinguishes himself, as his flow and domineering habitation on the mike is utterly hypnotic."[ The Underground Tapes > Overview] Allmusic. Accessed on November 3, 2009.
Track listing # Title Producer(s) Featured guest(s) Length1."Intro"1:122."Can't Touch Us"Saukrates (co-produced by Mr. Attic)3:523."Money or Love"Saukrates4:184."Bag da Biscuit"2:405."Da Professional"5:576."Keep It Movin"Xzibit3:237."Innovations"Pharoahe Monch3:598."Fine Line"2:359."Play Dis (99 Remix)"Common3:3510."Body Language"Mr. AtticChoclair4:0811."Check for Me"Saukrates4:3512."Ultimate Rush"Mike CarenHeltah Skeltah3:0313."Rollin"SaukratesMasta Ace and O.C.4:13
The Canadian re-release features six additional tracks.
# Title Producer(s) Length14."Suga Daddy"Saukrates3:5415."Bag da Biscuit (Ain't Nuttin But A....)"3:4716."Vietnam"3:5617."Killed or Be Killed"3:1518."Ay, Ay, Ay"3:48*"Father Time" (hidden track)Day (co-produced by Saukrates)4:22
Samples "Da Professional" contains a sample of "On the Hill" by Oliver Sain "Check for Me" contains a sample of "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" by Ramsey Lewis
Personnel Greg Barrett – mixer Mike Caren – producer, executive producer, mixer Choclair – performer Heltah Skeltah – performer Saukrates – producer, executive producer Xzibit – performer Common – performer Mike Shinoda – artwork Chase Parsons – executive producer
References