Get To Know H.E.R.

I think we’ve spent enough time in 1987, don’t you? So without any further procrastination, here is the much hyped, highly anticipated review of Down By Law. Ahh, let’s be serious. Most of my readers have probably never even heard a song by MC Shan, let alone a whole album. Here’s a quick background on our emcee in question. He was one of the members of Marley Marl’s Juice Crew, which meant that among his colleagues were Big Daddy Kane, Masta Ace, and Kool G Rap. All of whom, I might add, are better rappers than he is. He’s also remembered for being involved in the previously mentioned (in the Criminal Minded review) beef with KRS-one. That didn’t turn out too well for him either, because it more or less ended his career. Don’t agree with me? When’s the last time you even saw an MC Shan album?

I hope you’re not taking all of these negative comments to mean that I don’t like MC Shan or that I think he’s a bad rapper. I mean, almost anybody would look bad in a group consisting of BDK, Masta Ace, and KGR. BDK and KGR are freaking G.O.A.T.s, and Masta Ace has yet to put out a single album I had not enjoyed. And as for his beef with KRS, NOBODY could’ve gotten away with that except maybe Rakim. So I guess what I’m trying to say is… MC Shan is a great rapper who just met some bad luck. In another age, in another place, with another group, dude could’ve been a star. Or at the very least, he wouldn’t have sunk into the depths of old school oblivion.

The Good:

3. The Bridge - Ahh, the song that set off the whole Bridge Wars. Still sounds great to me in this day and age.

4. Kill That Noise - I guess I should give credit to Marley Marl here, because after all, when you think about it, this album is as much his as it is MC Shan’s (think Wu Tang first round solos). Great beats and great rhymes. You just can’t go wrong with that. For those who are interested, there are a bunch of shots taken at KRS found all throughout the track. Man had no idea what he was getting himself into…

5. Down By Law

6. Left Me Lonely - Despite the questionable hook, it’s a good song. Emo rap as it used to be until Atmosphere perfected the whole thing (on a side note, Slug hates it when he’s labeled as emo rap. Well, if your music ain’t happy and it’s depressing as fuck, I can’t really imagine why I wouldn’t say it’s emo.)

8. MC Space

9. Living In The World Of Hip Hop - If you don’t ever hear anything else by MC Shan in your lifetime, at least hear this one song. Bar none, my favorite song off the album.

The Solid:

1. Jane, Stop This Crazy Thing - If you’re a big Talib fan, you’ll understand me when I say that this song makes me think “Broken Glass ‘87: The Crack Edition.”

2. Project Ho

7. Another One To Get Jealous Of - Interesting first time through, but I’m not gonna be jumping to listen to it again any time soon.

The Bad:

Final Score: 9.0

If you’re used to listening to only the hip hop songs of today, this album may take a bit getting used to. Marley Marl’s beats are very minimal and sound outdated next to most of the beats that have been released since. MC Shan’s rhymes also have that authentic old school Run DMC feel to them as Rakim’s influence hadn’t lit the whole damn hip hop world on fire yet. But that doesn’t take away anything from the overall quality of the album at all. It just may take a few listens before it really starts to sink in. I can understand why it’s never really discussed with the same reverence held for other classic 80s albums such as Paid In Full and It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back. But like I said, this was a time when people actually needed skills to survive and just cause Down By Law doesn’t hold up to certified classics doesn’t mean that it isn’t a great album by any means.

Damn, it’s been a while since I’ve last posted on the odyssey. It’s been damn near a week and a half since the Eric B and Rakim entry and I’m still on 1987. Not that I’m complaining mind you, considering I’m not looking forward to some of the post 2000 albums on our little trip. Anyways, today’s album is the debut album for the legendary Boogie Down Productions, best known for introducing the world to one of the best to ever hold a mic, KRS One. This album is remembered as the only BDP album to feature DJ Scott La Rock (R.I.P.) and also as the least preachy of the entire KRS discography. Now, since my next entry will be on MC Shan, I can go into the whole Bridge Wars era and the beef between KRS and Shan, but I’d rather not. It’s a long story, and you know, that’s what Wikipedia’s for.

The Good:

1. Poetry - It’s been a while since I’ve listened to this album, and damn…. 20 years does a lot to a man’s voice. I prefer the younger KRS’ vocals to the present’s, further adding to my theory that a big reason the legends “fall off” is due to their voice changing on them (ie. Q-Tip anyone?).

2. South Bronx - BDP’s response to MC Shan’s supposed claim that hip hop was born in Queensbridge still sounds great. To this day this is probably one of KRS’ more well known songs.

3. 9mm Goes Bang - I’m a sucker for violent crime stories set over happy, bouncy beats.

4. Word From Our Sponsor

5. Elementary - Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone. I’m also a sucker for dope ass backronyms.

6. Dope Beat - Samples Back In Black by AC/DC and sounds a lot like a Run DMC song in the process.

7. Remix For P Is Free - Fans of the Black Star album shoud definitely listen to some of Boogie Down Production’s stuff. Especially if your a fan of Definition. For those interested, I do think that Definition is the better song. Sorry BDP, but that song was the shit.

8. The Bridge Is Over - The infamous dis track that in my honest opinion, made any further songs put out during the beef sound weak by comparison.

10. Criminal Minded - Quite recently, DJ Premier and KRS worked on an 08 version of this song. As much as I love Primo’s work, his new version doesn’t come close to touching this classic.

The Solid:

9. Super Hoe - I think it’s just alright. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t like it. But the rest of the album makes me overlook it.

The Bad: N/A

Final Score: 10.0

The weakest song on the entire album is Super Hoe, and even that song isn’t bad. There are really only a handful of hip hop albums ever made that I would award the status of Unfuckwithable Classic to. This is one album that every hip hop fan should have heard straight through at least once, and that every hip hop die hard should have in their collection (there’s a couple of albums that fall into this category. Maybe I’ll devote an entry to that one day). It’s not even out of print anymore, so ya’ll have no excuse. Shittt…I’ll even link you guys.

http://www.amazon.com/Criminal-Minded-Boogie-Down-Productions/dp/B000B8I8LO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1215459526&sr=1-2

Eric B and Rakim. Quite possibly one of the most influential emcee producer duos of all time. And for no small reason either. Production wise, Eric B popularized James Brown samples and soul samples in general in the making of beats. On the emcee side, Rakim literally tore down lyricism as it was and rebuilt it into a whole new monster. That’s one of the reasons I get so mad when I hear songs on the radio these days. It’s almost like they’re trying to undo what was done for lyricism and make hip hop go backwards. But that’s for another entry. This one’s wholly devoted to the widely considered classic, the legendary duo’s debut, Paid In Full.

1. I Ain’t No Joke - The intro is nonexistant here. The album wastes no time revolutionizing hip hop with this great track. As much as I appreciate old school pre Golden Age hip hop, I’m not gonna lie. It’s refreshing to hear this and I’m glad we’re in 1987.

2. Eric B Is On The Cut - The token DJ cut. It’s pretty good, but I’ve heard better and I’ve never really went nuts over too many straight DJ tracks to begin with anyways. I prefer rhymes over my beats.

3. My Melody - Contrary to popular belief, Eric B did not produce the entirety of Paid In Full. This track is actually produced by legendary Juice Crew producer Marley Marl and really, it does kinda stick out compared to the rest of the album.

4. I Know You Got Soul - One of the duo’s more famous tracks, I’m sure most people have heard this track at least once, even if you don’t recognize the name. IMHO, easily one of the best songs on this album. It absolutely rocks.

5. Move the Crowd - The beat is an absolute masterpiece and Rakim’s lyrics don’t trail too far behind. Five tracks in and not a weak song yet. This feels good, especially after reviewing RZA’s Digi Snax.

6. Paid In Full - Another song everyone’s heard at least once. Even if don’t remember anything else, I know you’ll recognize the bass from countless other hip hop songs. Quite the beauty of a track, it’s Coldcut remix is also quite the crazy song. I may place a link to it this weekend if I’m in the mood.

7. As The Rhyme Goes On - I always appreciate Beastie Boys vocal samples, and this is no exception. Contains a couple of Rakim’s more famous rhymes. Actually, scratch that since I can say that about damn near every track on this album.

8. Chinese Arithmetic - Another DJ track, I actually think it’s better than Eric B is on the Cut but did we really more than one of them? I could’ve used some more tracks with rhyming especially considering the album is only 10 tracks long.

9. Eric B. Is President - I remember back when I first heard this album, I thought that this would be another DJ track because of the name. I remember being really glad when Rakim started rhyming and ripping it up.

10. Extended Beat - I also remember hearing this and thinking “WTF they decided to end this with another Rakimless track?” I still think that today.

Final Score: 9.5

If they decided to remove one or two of the Eric B solo DJ tracks and replaced it with some more actual songs, this would be a 10.0 no problem. As it stands, it’s still a good fucking album (I’m pretty sure it’s not my favorite by the duo either). I’m sorry if this sounds like some strange Paid In Full lovefest, but this is one of the few albums that actually deserve it. It’s influence is undeniable, especially in the lyrics department. Listen to this thing straight through and I’ll guarantee you that in almost every song you’ll be like, “O! Rakim said this? My favorite rapper says this all the time.” Listen and be blown away.