Tha Alkaholiks' debut, 21 & Over, introduced a fresh, fun perspective to L.A.'s Hip-Hop scene when it dropped in 1993.

Tha Liks consisted of emcees James “J-Ro” Robinson and Rico “Tash” Smith, along with emcee/producer/DJ Eric “E-Swift” Brooks, and came up under the tutelege of King Tee. When they released their debut album, L.A.'s Hip-Hop scene was already bubbling. DJ Quik, with his unique fusion of jazz, funk, and Hip-Hop, was making waves in Compton and influencing the broader Hip-Hop landscape. And of course, Dr. Dre had just dropped The Chronic the year before, influencing and shaping L.A.'s scene and Hip-Hop in general. The environment was ripe for a new crew to deliver a fresh take, and Tha Liks were up for the task.

Tha Liks, who had their first appearances on two tracks on King Tee’s 1993 release, Tha Triflin’ Album (including on the lead single, “I Got It Bad, Y’all") offered a fun, party-filled take on Hip-Hop. But it was their clever, witty lyricism that really made them stand out. Ask L.A. Hip-Hop heads who came up in the era about standout MCs, and Tash will always enter the discussion, largely because of his early display of talent on this album.

In addition to serving as a launching pad for Tha Alkaholiks' creativity and King Tee's vision, 21 & Over features early contributions from Madlib. As part of the Lootpack, Madlib honed both his production and lyrical chops on the album (“Turn Tha Party Out,” "Mary Jane"), which served as an early glimpse of the production powerhouse he'd become in later years.

"Make Room" was the first single from the project, and finds the crew delivering signature witty punchlines over E-Swift's horns and snappy drums: "Could rip a show up, toe up so I always flex my talents/But my words don't be slurrin', I never lose my balance/But that's 'cause I'm slick, tossin' bottles like a discus/The Liks could rock a party from Halloween to Christmas," Tash rhymes.

Creative and unafraid to experiment lyrically, “Only When I’m Drunk” is another standout on the album, where J-Ro opens the song, slurring like he's had a hard night. Meanwhile, on “Last Call” produced by E-Swift and King Tee, Tash delivers: "It's time to roll my sleeves, fuck a few MCs up/Another rough cut, from the crew that won't ease up/The Alkaholik clique, aka the forty downers/Flips rhymes like Calvin flips fries and quarter pounders."

Thirty years later, 21 & Over stands as an important entry in L.A.'s Hip-Hop scene and beyond, pouring out a blend of talent that remains essential to this day.