Defying the odds, Brooklyn supercrew Boot Camp Clik have been steadily expanding their empire since the early ‘90s, watching rap trends come and go while never wavering from their hyper independent style and no b.s. approach. They never went jiggy, they never went crunk, and they certainly never went emo, instead preferring to stick to what they're good at; rhyming about everyday violence, heavy-duty weed smoking, and life on the streets of Bucktown U.S.A. Comprised of Black Moon, Smif-N-Wessun, Heltah Skeltah, O.G.C., they're like a BK version of Wu-Tang. Released in 2006, The Last Stand is arguably their best group album yet, thanks to rejuvenated rhyme schemes and stellar production from big guns like Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, and Marco Polo, among others. There's no "Who Got Da Props"-level classic here, but plenty of hard- knocking head bangers for the discerning hip-hop fanatic. Highlights include the thought-provoking "Take a Look (In The Mirror)," string-propelled "1, 2, 3," ode to club chicks "So Focused," and extra-rugged posse cut "Trading Places."