Skiem Hiem & Killa Tay

Albums promoted from jail are still rare, despite the on-again, off-again affairs that many popular hip-hop artists share with our nation's penal institutions. Perhaps Kansas City rapper Skiem Hiem is copping a page from the playbook of Shyne, who famously released his acclaimed second album, Godfather Buried Alive, from a cell in California's Clinton Correctional Facility. Before he got picked up for a parole violation in July, Skiem teamed with Bay Area heavyweight Killa Tay to record Money & Muscle: From Cali to KC v. 1 — 18 tracks fit for a hotbox hoo-ride. Both rappers avoid the lyrical gymnastics of their backpacking cousins, in favor of slowly strolling street tales, advice and hustler wisdom backed by softly muted, chiming California beats. Hiem (who is also executive producer) and Tay are joined by a potent cadre of talented underground rappers. Kansas City heavyweight Rich the Factor heats up "Bonafied Hustler," and Rappin Twan graces "Ima Flipper." Abundantly talented East Side rapper Ron Ron stirs up the swagger on "We Get Paid." Money & Muscle is a veritable playa's ball. Even from behind bars, it seems that Hiem throws one hell of a party.