In 1996, Ak Skills (Queens, NY) was generating a solid buzz in the underground with his Lord Finesse-produced single "Check Da Flava." It was the first of his two 12" releases on Tru Criminal Records in 1996, and had "Nights of Fear" on the B-Side, which was produced by Buckwild. The 12" was featured in The Source's "Sure Shot Singles," saying "Ak Skills drops hazard with "Check The Flava," a straight out the underground joint worthy of attention. Its jazzy baseline embraces an organ-n-drum sequence while some on-point scratching gives it that extra touch." The single received some love in Beat Down Magazine too, echoing the sentiments of The Source. Also on Tru Criminal Records were Street Smartz, God Sunz, F.T., and the slept-on mixtape/compilation DJ Premier did called New York Reality Check 101. Listen to the full 12" below - what do you think?