The Brownsville, Brooklyn duo of M.O.P. is a lot like the storied borough from which they hail: rough, rugged, and raw. Since making their debut with the raucous single “How About Some Hardcore” in 1994, rappers Billy Danze and Lil’ Fame had perfected a formula that included almost-yelled verses, clever trademark ad libs, and first-person depictions of street life over equally hard-hitting, sample-based beats. But it wasn’t until the release of 2000’s “Ante Up (Robbin Hoodz Theory)”—an ode to the art of the stickup—that the duo had a breakout success, and found national notoriety. And while M.O.P.’s New York City contemporaries rapped about the material trappings of success, Billy Danze and Lil’ Fame rapped about taking those trappings off their hands. “Ante Up” was a sensation at the time, receiving support from nightclub and radio DJs like Funk Flex. The single would set the stage for M.O.P.’s 2000 album Warriorz, an album that featured Billy Danze and Lil’ Fame doing what they did best: talking tough and doing it with flair. And though “Ante Up” became the duo’s calling card, Warriorz is filled with songs that are just as high-caliber, including the DJ Premier-produced “Follow Instructions,” “Face Off,” and “On the Frontline.” Not to be outdone by his longtime mentor, producer Lil’ Fame—credited here as “Fizzy Womack”—helps out on bangers like “Calm Down,” “Nig-gotiate,” and the Foreigner-sampling “Cold As Ice.” They’re joined on this essential snapshot of circa-2000s rap by such producers as Nottz—who’d go on to become one of Busta Rhymes’ go-to collaborators—and Mahogany, who’d overseen the JAY-Z hit “It’s Alright.”