DJ Joe 2 - Underground Masters (1994) or 1995? I'm pretty sure it was 95 before the explicit lyrics crackdown from the PR govt.

 


Some consider DJ Joe 2 the best work in his illustrious career which is saying a lot as he made several classic albums such as vols. 1-6, the Fatal Fantassy album, Los Genios Musicales and produced half of Los Bacatranes with DJ Fat and Luny Tunes' Mas Flow team.  This one is definitely up there and must be considered a true classic of the Underground era of what today is known as Reggaeton.

There are ongoing arguments as to whether the Underground days or even Spanish Reggae days of Reggaeton is actually Reggaeton.  I argue that it is.  I mean they are literally using the same dubs before and after, but some like to disagree.  Most however do feel that with Playero 37, Reggaeton was born as Daddy Yankee first said the word earlier that year in Playero 34.  DJ Joe 2 was a hallmark of those early days.

I am pretty sure DJ Joe 2 came out in early 1995 before the Puerto Rican govt later that year banned explicit lyrical content being sold in the island.  I've seen 1994 before, but I think 95 is the correct year.  The album cover doesn't say what year it was published.

DJ Joe 2 kind of went unnoticed for several years.  DJ Joe 1 was originally only available in Audio Cassette.  Though it was legendary, very few ever heard it.  And I feel that DJ Joe 2 was hampered when it became unavailable for a time..  DJ Joe 3 released later in 95 adopted to the clean lyrics era which lasted up until the early 2000's as most did not want to take the chance of being banned due to their lyrical content.

"Underground Masters" was a very dirty album.  It was underground at its finest.  The beats are well done.  I don't know if DJ Joe used drum machines for this one, but it sounds like he did.  Back then, Reggaeton producers would mostly sample and use dub plates.  The first Reggaeton album to ever be entirely produced using drum machines and keyboards was 1995's "White Lion Rap & Reggae All Stars".

Another interesting reason why "Underground Masters" is such a historic album... it features the debut of none other than the legendary Ivy Queen.  DJ Joe was disappointed that DJ Negro heard her rapping in the club shortly after she made her debut on DJ Joe 2 and immediately snatched her up for his collective "The Noise".  But Ivy was still allowed to appear on DJ Joe 3, 4 and 5.

It wouldn't be until DJ Joe 5 "El Escuadron Del Panico" that the legendary dj reached a big audience.  But despite that, DJ Joe 2 has a strong legacy.  It ages incredibly well all these years later.  You hear a lot of DJ Joe 2 in modern day Dominican Dembow.  If you liked Playero 37 and 38, you have to give DJ Joe 2 a chance.  It's not quite the exact same style but they were made in the same vein.  Rating: ****/5 Stars

Listen to DJ Joe 2 -  Underground Masters (1995) *Warning Explicit Lyrics

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