Ripshop / Playtime’s Over (Commonwealth Records)

Real MCs don’t stop rapping. Just because your local college station dropped an artist from its playlist doesn’t mean he enrolled at ITT, changed careers and left the block. For dudes like Dorchester leatherthroat Ripshop, time spent out of sight is time to survey street life. Things have definitely been slow for Rip since the Lyricist Lounge era, when he dropped the Mr. Lif assisted “Shoplif” on Fat Beats and “Versus” on Rawkus. But while his live performances and guest spots have been limited, Rip has sporadically surfaced to remind hood rappers that they’re full of shit and backpackers that they’re straight bitches. You can call the span between his Rawkus negotiations and new deal with Commonwealth playtime, which, I concur, is officially over, though it’s clear that Rip spent his hiatus steadily evolving. His trademark gruff and machete flow have sharpened, and tracks like the divinely skeptical “Change” and “A Betta Day” mix experience and enlightenment with Rip’s hood savvy worldview. Factor in producer Reel Drama’s tough bass lines and simple drums tailored to hug Rip’s throwback panache, and cameos from Boston notables Jaysaun, DL, Krumbsnatcha and Cool Gzus, and there’s no doubt that a long overdue Beantown relic has finally arrived.