AMG Review of Violator: The Album

Keith Farley
All Music Guide

Somewhere between a record label and a management company, Violator assembled its impressive roster of artists -- including LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, Q-Tip, Mobb Deep, Big Pun, Noreaga, the Beatnuts and 8Ball -- for a compilation album released in mid-1999. There's no lack of talent here, and the amount of rare material makes it a must-have for hip-hop fans. The best track (and the one that most will want to hear) is the long-awaited solo debut from A Tribe Called Quest's Q-Tip, titled "Vivrant Thing."