After dropping two solid singles, "Supa Star" and the title track "Livin' Proof," during the past year, the rappers Lil' Dap and Melachi the Nut Cracker come through like glue on the long play. On Livin' Proof, they stick to the same formula of sparse, monotonic rhymes over Gang Starr producer DJ Premier's intricately crafted and hook-laden moodscapes. Though neither Dap nor Mel is likely to be voted MC of the Year, they talk about New York pain – growing up in the inner city – with unique insight and wisdom beyond their years.

While many of their contemporaries concern themselves with materialism, on "Suspended in Time," Dap raps, "I think about my soul/'Cause the shell is just a frame/Only used for money hustling/And playing the game." Meanwhile, Mel makes moves like a motivational speaker: "I know that it's tough/Coming up in the street/You will be strong/Because you can't be weak/You gotta put ya mind on achieve mode/Go for ya goals/Boom, boom, explode," as sea gulls shriek in the distance.

Known for his ill-bient noise and bumping beats, Premier supplies the scratch and cut from the turntables, putting comedian Paul Mooney to work on "Sacrifice" (with lines like "this shit was created to make niggas tweak"). Gang Starr's Guru checks in behind the boards as well with the coast-to-coast party jam "Serious Rap Shit," on which he drops a guest spot with a fellow Gang Starr crew member, Big Shug. The jewel, however, comes from underground producer Big Jazz, who freaks a Mission Impossible horn sample on the haunting "4 Give My Sins." With tracks like these, Mel and Dap represent the low-budget environment with their style of inner-city blues. (RS 729)

S.H. FERNANDO JR.