Directed by Pritt Kalsi. From 2104′s The Diam Piece.

Step Brothers help out on this cut from the album The Diam Piece, available now.

From The Diam Piece album, available now.

The curse of the classic album many times leaves artists always looking back on their greatest work, sometimes shunning it in fear of being labeled a one-trick pony, other times trying to recreate it over and over again. In either case, rarely does lightning strike twice and many are forced to face reality that their best work is behind them.

Diamond D’s 1992 classic debut, Stunts, Blunts, and Hip-hop is a timeless, perfect album that still sounds great to this day. He followed up with a second LP for Elektra in 1997, Hatred, Passions, and Infidelity, which was a worthy sequel despite it not receiving the same amount of critical praise from its audience. With a few smaller side projects here and there, Diamond has more or less disappeared, likely still cashing checks from his work on The Fugees The Score, which has sold 17 million (!) copies worldwide.

With The Diam Piece, Diamond D makes a proper return to the game, producing a Pete Rock-esque compilation album, featuring many of your favorite emcees from over the years. This is a different approach for Diamond, who early on designated “by far I’m the best producer on the mic,” leaving the mic duties largely to himself.

Upon the opening of the album’s first track, “Rap Life,” it feels like Diamond never left, with his booming voice echoing over vintage samples, yet now with Pharoahe Monch taking center stage. This vibe continues throughout the first half of the album, with strong tracks like “Where’s the Love” featuring Talib Kweli, Elzhi, and Skyzoo and “Its Nothin” with Fat Joe, Chi Ali, and Freddie Foxxx. The Diggin In The Crates sound stays strong on on many of the album’s tracks, with songs like “Only Way 2 Go” (feat. Pete Rock), “Vanity” (feat. Nottz) and “Pain” with A.G. and Chino XL.

For as many strong moments that the album carries, there is a fair amount of filler that doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of the record. “I Aint The One To Fuc Wit” with Scram Jones and “Ace Of Diamonds” with Masta Ace are hardly up to par with the rest of Diamond’s catalog. In other places, we find Diamond adapting to more modern styles of production, such as on the Black Rob hosted “Take Em Off Da Map” or The Alkaholiks’ featured “We Are The People Of The World,” also featuring Kurupt. While it’s understandable that Diamond wants to keep up with the trends to stay in business as a producer, it also goes against why we love his music in the first place.

Recorded over a period of three years it’s clear why this album has a bit of a disjointed sound, as The Diam Piece has moments we like, and moments we don’t. While it’s not necessarily the triumphant return to the game we were hoping for, we still welcome him with open arms.

Diamond D’s long-awaited album, The Diam Piece, is available today.

In anticipation for his new album, Diam Piece hitting September 30th, Diamond D joins Peter Rosenberg and EBro at Hot 97.

The long-awaited Diamond D’s long-awaited The Diam Piece hits September 30th.

In promotion for the ‘iTunes Deluxe Edition’ version of Coalmine Records’ compilation LP, Unearthed, which becomes available next Tuesday (5/27), the Brooklyn-indie is pleased to unveil the remix for their previously released single “One for the Money” featuring Royce da 5’9″, Skillz and Diamond D, first produced by Vegas’ own DJ G-Squared. Taking over the boards, we find South Africa’s Mananz fusing blues licks and synths, over his loose, smacking drums to create a completely unique reinterpretation of the original. The pre-order for the ‘iTunes Deluxe Edition’ is now available, and includes untagged versions of all of the tracks, along with two additional remixes by Diamond D and Ran Reed, promo video, and the ‘Continuous DJ Mix’ of Revolution’s album mix as one uninterrupted .mp3.

A 47-minute sit down with the legendary Diamond D.

On May 7th, D.I.T.C. Entertainment will release “The Remix Project” which features brand new remixes of D.I.T.C’s back catalogue. The all-star line-up of remixers includes D.I.T.C.’s own production powerhouse Showbiz, Diamond D, Lord Finesse, and Buckwild while also featuring extended family members DJ Premier, Bink, Apollo Brown, Alchemist, and 9th Wonder.

“The Remix Project” will be available as a free album download on May 7th with vinyl and CD bundles for sale shortly after in conjunction w/ the full web launch of D.I.T.C’s website www.DITCEnt.com.

Today we’re happy to share the DJ Premier remix of “Diggin’ In The Crates” featuring Diamond D, Showbiz, A.G. and Lord Finesse on mic duties. The original track was where it all began for the D.I.T.C. crew and was featured on Showbiz & A.G.’s self released “Soul Clap” EP in 1991. Free download of the remix here.

Official music video by Diamond D & Pharoahe Monch performing “Rap Life”, from Diamond’s upcoming Diam Piece.

BIGREC debuts the video to the lead single from his forthcoming album, DoomsDay, produced entirely by the legendary Diamond D. Not a newcomer to the microphone, BIGREC displays why he’s created such a buzz for himself throughout the Atlanta Hip-Hop scene.

Finally, some good news. Diamond D will return to the game with The Diam Piece, a new self-produced solo album, with guest appearances from Pete Rock, Fat Joe, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Black Rob, Rapsody, Hi-Tek, Kurupt, Elzhi, Skyzoo, Tha Alkaholiks, Camp Lo, Smif-N-Wessun, Scram Jones, A.G., Nottz, and more. Release date to be announced.

Prelude to DoomsDay is the official behind-the-scenes look at the collaborative project between veteran underground emcee Big Rec and legendary super-producer Diamond D. Both the D.I.T.C. frontman and his protégé Rec invite you to take a look at their creative process and working relationship. Although DoomsDay has not be assigned a release date, you can expect the duo to start releasing new music off the album shortly.

The latest release, “No Guarantees,” from Kid Tsunami’s The Chase LP features Yesh and gets the remix treatment from D.I.T.C legend Diamond D.