BB Queen (2012)

With her old-school sensibility and a DJ's appreciation for what makes bodies move, Philly's Bahamadia is a hip-hop rarity — an under-hyped MC. The snare-tight EP BB Queen, her first release since 1996, is well crafted, smart, and ultra-danceable. ''Special Forces'' is the most effective multi-MC throw-down since ''Scenario,'' and ''Beautiful Things'' is a rare plea for positivity that won't send you running to the skip button. Now, if she could just be half as prolific as DMX... B+