Gang Starr | ||
| Allmusic Biography : The most influential MC-and-DJ tandem of the 1990s, Gang Starr set new standards for East Coast rap with a pair of early-90s touchstones, Step in the Arena (1991) and Daily Operation (1992), whose appeal has only grown over the decades. Beginning with these classic releases, both listeners and critics heaped mounds of praise upon Guru and DJ Premier -- the former because of his socially conscious lyrics and no-nonsense stance, the latter because of his DJ-style beat-making and jazzy sound. Following Step in the Arena and Daily Operation, Premier became one of New Yorks most demanded producers, crafting hits for the citys finest MCs, including the Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Jay-Z, and KRS-One. Guru likewise collaborated with plenty of well-known artists -- Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, NDea Davenport -- on his solo debut, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 (1993), and its series of follow-ups. Following Hard to Earn (1994) -- the duos fourth Gang Starr collaboration overall -- Guru and Premier began focusing primarily on their solo projects, reuniting infrequently -- too infrequently, many fans felt -- for albums such as Moment of Truth (1998) and The Ownerz (2003). During this period of solo activity, Gang Starr became increasingly recognized as a touchstone, one that critics and hip-hop purists frequently cited as a standard-bearer for streetwise, socially conscious East Coast rap. Guru (born Keith Edward Elam on July 17, 1966, in Boston, MA; died following a battle with cancer on April 19, 2010) and Premier (born Christopher Edward Martin on March 21, 1966, in Houston, TX) began working together in 1989. Guru had founded Gang Starr a couple years earlier, in 1987, and had already established a working relationship with Wild Pitch Records. The partnership of Guru and Premier as Gang Starr led to a formative debut album, No More Mr. Nice Guy (1989), and its featured single, "Words I Manifest." The DJ-spotlight track "DJ Premier in Deep Concentration" is another highlight of the album, which spent years out of print. Between albums, in 1990, Guru and Premier contributed a song, "Jazz Thing," to the Mo Better Blues soundtrack. Gang Starr subsequently moved to Chrysalis Records for their second album, Step in the Arena (1991), on which they perfected the approach of their debut, that is, a stark, hard-hitting jazz-rap production style, complete with Premiers masterful DJ cutting, over which Gurus battle-rap-hardened yet smoothly delivered lyrics -- often thoughtful, sly, and streetsmart -- take flight. Gang Starrs third album, Daily Operation (1992), furthered the duos approach stylistically; widely considered an East Coast rap classic, its arguably Guru and Premiers finest work, along with its predecessor. Beginning in 1993, Guru and Premier began working separately. Gurus debut album, Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 (1993), took the so-called jazz-rap style to a new level, featuring jazz musicians such as Lonnie Liston Smith, Branford Marsalis, Ronny Jordan, Donald Byrd, and Roy Ayers, along with guest vocalists such as NDea Davenport (of the Brand New Heavies) and MC Solaar (of French rap fame). Meanwhile, Premier produced six tracks for KRS-Ones solo debut, Return of the Boom Bap (1993); moreover, in 1994 he proceeded to produce three tracks for Nas debut, Illmatic ("N.Y. State of Mind," "Memory Lane [Sittin in da Park]," "Represent"); two for the Notorious B.I.G.s debut, Ready to Die ("Unbelievable," an unreleased remix of "Machine Gun Funk"); five for the self-titled debut of Branford Marsalis Buckshot LeFonque project; the entirety of Jeru the Damajas debut, The Sun Rises in the East; and also a handful of remixes for various artists. Amid all of this activity, Guru and Premier found time to record their fourth album, Hard to Earn (1994), which was more hardcore-fashioned -- as was the style at the time, in the wake of Death Rows uprising -- than past Gang Starr albums and, also unlike past efforts, featured guest rappers. The album spawned the duos biggest hit to date, "Mass Appeal," their first to break the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart (peaking at number 67). Following Hard to Earn, Guru and Premier resumed their solo activity. Guru released Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality (1995) and a various-artists compilation, Guru Presents Ill Kid Records (1995), while Premier produced the bulk of Livin Proof (1995), the debut of Gang Starr affiliates Group Home (a duo comprised of Lil Dap and Melachi the Nutcracker, who both had been featured on Hard to Earn). Also in 1995, Premier produced three tracks on KRS-One, the rappers second solo album; and two tracks on Hold It Down, the third album by Das EFX; as well as assorted remixes and one-off productions. While Guru remained more or less inactive during 1996-1997, releasing no solo albums, Premier stayed busy, producing the entirety of Jeru the Damajas second album, Wrath of the Math (1996); five tracks on Bahamadias debut, Kollage (1996); six on M.O.P.s second album, Firing Squad (1996); three on Jay-Zs debut, Reasonable Doubt (1996) ("Devils," "Friend or Foe," "Bring It On"); one on Nas second album, It Was Written (1996) ("I Gave You Power"); two on Jay-Zs second album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (1997) ("A Million & One Questions," "Friend or Foe 98"); two on the Notorious B.I.G.s second album, Life After Death (1997) ("Kick in the Door," "Ten Crack Commandments"); four on O.C.s second album, Jewelz (1997); two on Rakims solo debut, The 18th Letter (1997); two on the Lady of Rages debut, Necessary Roughness (1997); and more. In 1998, after four years between albums, Gang Starr returned with Moment of Truth, their first album to chart number one (on the R&B;/Hip-Hop album chart, that is; it peaked at number six overall, still their best showing commercially to date). Moment of Truth was a significant departure from past Gang Starr efforts, very much contemporary in style; for example, the album features numerous guests (Inspectah Deck, Scarface, G. Dep, K-Ci & JoJo, M.O.P.) and bore little trace of the duos jazz-rap beginnings. The lead single, "You Know My Steez," became the second Gang Starr hit to break into the Billboard Hot 100 chart (peaking at number 76). A double-disc retrospective, Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr (1999), subsequently marked the duos ten-year anniversary. In the years that followed, Guru and Premier continued to focus on their own work. Guru continued his Jazzmatazz series, beginning with a third volume, Streetsoul, in 2000; he also released solo rap albums, beginning with Baldhead Slick & da Click (2001). The next Guru release, Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures, arrived in 2005 on his new label, 7 Grand Records; the album featured beats by Solar, who would prove to be an important contributor on additional 7 Grand releases. The fourth volume of Jazzmatazz, including the typical array of guest vocalists and instrumentalists, was issued in the summer of 2007, along with the "raw" companion disc Gurus Jazzmatazz - The Timebomb: Back to the Future Mixtape. Guru 8.0: Lost and Found, the rappers next 7 Grand full-length, followed in 2009. Premier continued his production activity, working with superstars such as Jay-Z, Nas, and Common, as well as underground rappers such as Royce da 59", Termanology, and NYGz; he even dabbled in mainstream pop, most notably working extensively with Christina Aguilera on her double-disc album Back to Basics (2006). As for Gang Starr, Guru and Premier did reunite for The Ownerz (2003), a celebrated return to form, but the reunion proved short-lived, leaving back-catalog collections such as Mass Appeal: The Best of Gang Starr (2006) to fill the void. Sadly, Guru died at age 43 on April 19, 2010 after battling cancer, suffering a heart attack, and for a time falling into a coma. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 10 Title: No More Mr. Nice Guy Released: 1989 Tracks: 12 Duration: 42:51 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Premier & The Guru (03:24) 2 Jazz Music (03:26) 3 Gotch U (03:07) 4 Manifest (04:55) 5 Gusto (03:14) 6 DJ Premier in Deep Concentration (03:12) 7 Conscience Be Free (03:59) 8 Cause and Effect (03:17) 9 2 Steps Ahead (03:43) 10 No More Mr. Nice Guy (03:20) 11 Knowledge (03:40) 12 Positivity (03:33) |
| No More Mr. Nice Guy : Allmusic album Review : You dont hear much of Step in the Arena on Gang Starrs first album. In fact, aside from some scrupulous lyrical stances by Guru ("Manifest," "Positivity") and some of DJ Premiers hallmark brilliance behind the turntables, this Gang Starr isnt instantly recognizable as the duo who would soon become one of the most respected rap groups of the 1990s. The Gang Starr of No More Mr. Nice Guy still has a leg knee-deep in the old-school aesthetic. As a result, Premiers beats are quite a bit simpler and sometimes cruder than fans have come to expect (though they are still several cuts above the rest of the class), and Guru spends considerable energy talking up his own microphone skills and tearing down the next MCs (sometimes electrifying, as on "Gotch U"). That is not the same thing, however, as saying that No More Mr. Nice Guy is a subpar album. It is not, by any means. In fact, its quite good in its own way, but its also safe to say that the recording is not representative of the Chrysalis-era Gang Starr that devotees would eventually come to revere. Approach this album on its own terms, though, and it has a lot to offer, namely its early, tentative steps into the sampling of jazz. The most conspicuous attempt in this direction is the fine "Jazz Music," which was, nevertheless, reworked to much better effect a few years later for the soundtrack to Spike Lees Mo Better Blues as "Jazz Thing." The scratching showcase "DJ Premier in Deep Concentration" is an antiquated delight that dips into jazz as well, while the conscientious "Cause and Effect," the steely "2 Steps Ahead," and the uncharacteristic guest production from DJ Mark the 45 King on "Gusto" are all classics waiting to be rediscovered. Indicative or not, fans of the group will want this album, as will those with a jones for the original new-school revolution. More casual fans can probably start their collections with Step in the Arena, which is a required purchase. [The 2001 Wild Pitch Classics reissue adds three bonus tracks, the strongest of which is "Heres the Proof."] | ||
 | Album: 2 of 10 Title: Step in the Arena Released: 1991-01-15 Tracks: 18 Duration: 50:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Name Tag (Premier & The Guru) (00:37) 2 Step in the Arena (03:37) 3 Form of Intellect (03:39) 4 Execution of a Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy, Part 2) (02:41) 5 Who’s Gonna Take the Weight? (03:56) 6 Beyond Comprehension (03:13) 7 Check the Technique (03:58) 8 Lovesick (03:25) 9 Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (02:16) 10 Game Plan (01:07) 11 Take a Rest (04:21) 12 What You Want This Time? (02:41) 13 Street Ministry (01:25) 14 Just to Get a Rep (02:42) 15 Say Your Prayers (01:24) 16 As I Read My S-A (03:02) 17 Precisely the Right Rhymes (03:25) 18 The Meaning of the Name (02:53) |
| Step in the Arena : Allmusic album Review : The album on which DJ Premier and Guru perfected the template that would launch them into underground stardom and a modicum of mainstream success. Gurus deadpan monotone delivery was shockingly different from other early-90s MCs, many of who were either substituting charisma for substance or engaging in hardcore "realism" without really commenting on black inner-city life or offering ways to alter the situation for the better. But it is Guru who sounded like the real clarion call of and to the street on Step in the Arena ("Why bring ignorance/where were inviting you to get advancement," he intones on "Form of Intellect"). Step in the Arena was the first real mature flowering of his street-wise sagacity. His voice would grow more assured by the next album, but here Guru imparts urban wisdom of a strikingly visible variety. Its easy to allow yourself to get caught up in the fantasy of hardcore rap, but it is somewhat more involving and disorienting to hear truth that avoids exaggeration or glorification. Guru is not easy on any aspect of the inner city, from the "snakes" that exploit the community ("Execution of a Chump") to those that are a product of it ("Just to Get a Rep"), and the result is a surprising but hard-fought compassion ("Whos Gonna Take the Weight?" pleads for the acceptance of responsibility, for not taking the easy path). He seems to have somehow developed a hopefulness out of the bleak surroundings. DJ Premier was already near the top of his game at this early point. His production seems less jazz-fueled on Step in the Arena, opting more for spare guitar lines and tight beats, as well as his unmistakable vocal cut-up style of scratching for a slightly warped and out-of-phase soundscape. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 10 Title: Daily Operation Released: 1992-05-05 Tracks: 18 Duration: 53:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Daily Operation (Intro) (00:27) 2 The Place Where We Dwell (02:27) 3 Flip the Script (04:02) 4 Ex Girl to Next Girl (04:39) 5 Soliloquy of Chaos (03:14) 6 I’m the Man (04:04) 7 92 Interlude (00:29) 8 Take It Personal (03:05) 9 2 Deep (03:39) 10 24-7/365 (00:24) 11 No Shame in My Game (03:55) 12 Conspiracy (02:47) 13 The Illest Brother (04:44) 14 Hardcore Composer (03:16) 15 B.Y.S. (03:05) 16 Much Too Much (Mack a Mil) (03:30) 17 Take Two and Pass (03:17) 18 Stay Tuned (02:31) |
| Daily Operation : Allmusic album Review : On Step in the Arena, DJ Premier and Guru hit upon their mature sound, characterized by sparse, live jazz samples, Premiers cut-up scratching, and Gurus direct, unwavering streetwise monotone; but, with Daily Operation, the duo made their first masterpiece. From beginning to end, Gang Starrs third full-length album cuts with the force and precision of a machete and serves as an ode to and representation of New York and hip-hop underground culture. The genius of Daily Operation is that Gurus microphone skills are perfectly married to the best batch of tracks Premier had ever come up with. Guru has more of a presence than he has ever had, slinking and pacing through each song like a man with things on his mind, ready to go off at any second. Premiers production has an unparalleled edge here. He created the minimalist opening track, "The Place Where We Dwell," out of a two-second drum-solo sample and some scratching, but is also able to turn around and create something as lush and melodic as the jazz-tinged "No Shame in My Game" without ever seeming to be out of his element, making every track of the same sonic mind. For an underground crew, Gang Starr has always had a knack for crafting memorable vocal hooks to go with the expert production, and they multiply both aspects on Daily Operation. Every song has some attribute that stamps it indelibly into the listeners head, and it marks the album as one of the finest of the decade, rap or otherwise. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 10 Title: Hard to Earn Released: 1994-02-28 Tracks: 17 Duration: 58:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Intro (The First Step) (00:54) 2 ALONGWAYTOGO (04:13) 3 Code of the Streets (03:29) 4 Brainstorm (03:02) 5 Tonz ’O’ Gunz (03:55) 6 The Planet (05:15) 7 Aiiight Chill… (03:13) 8 Speak Ya Clout (03:35) 9 DWYCK (04:03) 10 Words From the Nutcracker (01:28) 11 Mass Appeal (03:41) 12 Blowin’ Up the Spot (03:10) 13 Suckas Need Bodyguards (03:57) 14 Now You’re Mine (02:55) 15 Mostly tha Voice (03:38) 16 F.A.L.A. (04:17) 17 Comin’ for Datazz (04:01) |
| Hard to Earn : Allmusic album Review : Gang Starr came out hard on their 1994 album, Hard to Earn, an album notably different from its two predecessors: Step in the Arena (1991) and Daily Operation (1992). While those two classic albums garnered tremendous praise for their thoughtful lyrics and jazzy beats, Hard to Earn seems much more reactionary, especially its lyrics. Guru opens the album with a tough, dismissive spoken-word intro: "Yo, all you kids want to get on and sh*t/Just remember this/This sh*t aint easy/If you aint got it, you aint got it, motherf*cker." While this sense of superiority is undoubtedly a long-running convention of not just East Coast rap but rap in general, you dont expect to hear it coming from Gang Starr, particularly with such a bitter tone. Yet this attitude pervades throughout Hard to Earn. Songs such as "Suckas Need Bodyguards" and "Mass Appeal" take aim at unnamed peers, and other songs such as "ALONGWAYTOGO" similarly center on "whack crews." The best moments on Hard to Earn arent these songs but instead "Code of the Streets" and "Tonz O Gunz," two songs where Guru offers the type of social commentary that made Gang Starr so admirable in the first place. Yet, even though Hard to Earn is a bit short on such thoughtful moments, instead weighed down a bit with harsh attitude, it does offer some of DJ Premiers best productions ever. Hes clearly at -- or, at least, near -- his best here. There isnt a song on the album thats a throwaway, and even the interludes are stunning. Given the subtly bitter tone of this album, it perhaps wasnt surprising then that Guru and Premier took some time to pursue solo opportunities after Hard to Earn. You can sense the duos frustration with the rap scene circa 1994. The two didnt return with another Gang Starr album until four years later when they dropped Moment of Truth, a succinct comeback album that reaffirmed their status as one of New Yorks most thoughtful and artistic rap acts. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 10 Title: Moment of Truth Released: 1998-03-31 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:17:39 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 You Know My Steez (04:07) 2 Robbin Hood Theory (03:44) 3 Work (02:57) 4 Royalty (04:12) 5 Above the Clouds (03:44) 6 JFK 2 LAX (03:34) 7 Itz a Set Up (03:49) 8 Moment of Truth (04:07) 9 B.I. vs Friendship (04:37) 10 The Militia (04:48) 11 The Rep Grows Bigga (04:54) 12 What I’m Here 4 (02:45) 13 She Knowz What She Wantz (03:00) 14 New York Strait Talk (04:14) 15 My Advice 2 You (02:31) 16 Make ’em Pay (04:22) 17 The Mall (03:39) 18 Betrayal (05:29) 19 Next Time (03:06) 20 In Memory of… (03:49) |
| Moment of Truth : Allmusic album Review : By the release of Moment of Truth in the spring of 1998, Gang Starr were rap veterans, having spent nearly ten years as professionals. That elapsed time meant that the album was positioned as something of a comeback, since the duo had been inactive for four years, and it had been even longer since they had a hit. They knew they had to come back hard, and Moment of Truth almost accomplishes their goals. Retaining the swing of their jazz-rap fusions, Gang Starr nevertheless have their rhythms hit at a street level, and Gurus rhymes are his best in years. It may not have the thrill of discovery that made their first albums so exciting, and it does suffer from a few slow spots, but on the whole its a successful return. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 10 Title: Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr Released: 1999-07-13 Tracks: 33 Duration: 2:02:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Intro (02:09) 2 Full Clip (03:37) 3 Discipline (04:17) 4 Words I Manifest (remix) (05:09) 5 Ex Girl to Next Girl (04:38) 6 I’m the Man (04:04) 7 Mass Appeal (03:37) 8 Jazz Thing (Video mix) (04:43) 9 The Militia (04:48) 10 Tonz ’o’ Gunz (03:54) 11 Royalty (04:11) 12 Who’s Gonna Take the Weight (03:53) 13 You Know My Steez (03:44) 14 Above the Clouds (03:44) 15 Just to Get a Rep (03:07) 16 DWYCK (04:02) 1 All 4 tha Ca$h (02:30) 2 Step in the Arena (03:32) 3 Work (02:56) 4 Soliloquy of Chaos (03:14) 5 Take It Personal (03:02) 6 Speak Ya Clout (03:34) 7 Gotta Get Over (Taking Loot) (03:44) 8 1/2 & 1/2 (04:14) 9 The ? Remainz (03:36) 10 Code of the Streets (03:29) 11 So Wassup?! (02:22) 12 Now You’re Mine (02:55) 13 Betrayal (04:51) 14 B.Y.S. (03:05) 15 Credit Is Due (04:50) 16 The Militia II (remix) (03:38) 17 You Know My Steez (Three Men and a Lady remix) (03:29) |
| Full Clip: A Decade of Gang Starr : Allmusic album Review : Considering that the only previous hip-hop hits collection to stretch two full CDs came from 2Pac (and that only after his death), Gang Starrs Full Clip is a surprising release, though its incredibly welcome. The duo of DJ Premier and Guru has been one of the longest continuous acts on the rap scene, beginning with 1989s No More Mr. Nice Guy and a spot on the soundtrack to Spike Lees 1990 film Mo Better Blues. And as demonstrated by Premiers stunning productions on classic early tracks like "Whos Gonna Take the Weight," "Words I Manifest," and "Just to Get a Rep," Gang Starr hit its stride early, and just kept on hitting peak after peak during the 90s with "Speak Ya Clout," "Code of the Streets," "Tonz O Gunz," and "You Know My Steez." And new tracks, usually the bane of any best-of collection, provide quite a few highlights here -- including "Full Clip," "Discipline" (featuring Total), and "All 4 Tha Ca$h." Also, the set compiles several notable B-sides -- "The ? Remainz," "Credit Is Due," and "You Know My Steez (Remix)" -- as well as soundtrack works like "1/2 & 1/2" (from Blade), "Gotta Get Over" (from Trespass), and "The Militia II (Remix)" (from Belly). Though Gurus monotone raps can grate over the course of two hours, Full Clip documents one of the best, most underrated hip-hop groups ever, from their jazzy beginnings into Premiers harder productions from the mid-90s and beyond. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 10 Title: The Ownerz Released: 2003-06-24 Tracks: 19 Duration: 56:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Intro (HQ, Goo, Panch) (00:47) 2 Put Up or Shut Up (03:15) 3 Werdz From the Ghetto Child (01:11) 4 Sabotage (02:24) 5 Rite Where U Stand (03:39) 6 Skills (03:17) 7 Deadly Habitz (04:15) 8 Nice Girl, Wrong Place (03:33) 9 Peace of Mine (03:03) 10 Who Got Gunz (03:36) 11 Capture (Militia, Part 3) (03:23) 12 PLAYTAWIN (03:12) 13 Riot Akt (04:04) 14 (Hiney) (01:32) 15 Same Team, No Games (03:45) 16 In This Life… (03:06) 17 The Ownerz (02:58) 18 Zonin’ (02:55) 19 Eulogy (02:55) |
| The Ownerz : Allmusic album Review : Quite a few chart-topping rappers came and went during the five years between Gang Starrs fifth and sixth LPs. So many, in fact, that its tempting to think that commercial rap had taken a turn for the worse simply because the duo hadnt been back to tend the fires since 1998. Angry and intelligent as theyd ever been, Guru and DJ Premier came right back with guns blazing, ridiculing radio DJs and program directors as "f*cking robots" and proving their case with an album full of tough, kinetic hip-hop that blows away anything on the rap charts. Guru, never the most talented rapper on the East Coast, tightened his flow considerably to match his cutting verse, and DJ Premier only continued waxing lyrical with turntables and samplers. (Compared to his outside productions during the interim, its clear he was holding back for Gang Starr a few cant-miss productions: "Put Up or Shut Up," "Skillz," the title track.) Gurus wordplay and imagery are vivid, whether hes relating yet another inner-city tale ("Sabotage"), excoriating the record industry ("Deadly Habitz"), or casually making a play for a girl ("Nice Girl, Wrong Place"). Surprisingly, most of the guest features are pedestrian, including the lame guns-and-gangstas posturing of "Who Got Gunz" featuring Fat Joe and M.O.P. or "Capture (Militia Pt. 3)" featuring Big Shug and Freddie Foxxx. Also a letdown is Snoop Doggs "In This Life...," the return of a favor Premier did for him on two tracks for his Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$ LP of a year back. (The only great collaboration is Jadakiss full-flowing rap on "Rite Where U Stand.") All the Gang Starr trademarks are in place, from Premiers perfect upchoruses to Gurus reedy voice cutting or instructing, and sounding better than ever. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 10 Title: Mass Appeal: The Best of Gang Starr Released: 2006-12-26 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:12:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Manifest (04:50) 2 Step in the Arena (03:32) 3 Put Up or Shut Up (03:15) 4 Skills (03:17) 5 Code of the Streets (03:29) 6 Ex Girl to Next Girl (04:39) 7 Soliloquy of Chaos (03:14) 8 The Militia (04:48) 9 Above the Clouds (03:44) 10 Check the Technique (03:58) 11 Royalty (04:12) 12 Lovesick (03:25) 13 Take It Personal (03:05) 14 Now You’re Mine (02:55) 15 Just to Get a Rep (02:42) 16 B.Y.S. (03:05) 17 Mass Appeal (03:37) 18 DWYCK (04:03) 19 Natural (02:45) 20 Tha Squeeze (03:29) |
| Mass Appeal: The Best of Gang Starr : Allmusic album Review : The fact that Mass Appeal: The Best of Gang Starr is the second greatest-hits compilation released by Virgin simply attests to the importance of the duo, one of the first great MC/DJ-producer teams in hip-hop (and both of who, incidentally, have gone on to do well as solo artists, Guru with his whole Jazzmatazz series and DJ Premier most recently on Christina Aguileras Back to Basics). But while 1999s Full Clip was two discs of 31 tracks (some of which were remixed versions), Mass Appeal limits itself to one disc of 20 songs, and includes almost all of their singles ("You Know My Steez" is the most notable exclusion), which means that while the scope is actually greater, spanning all six of their studio albums, the depth is less. Though the tracks are not listed chronologically, the jazz-based beats of Premier and Gurus relaxed flow are highlighted and strong in each. Gang Starr staples "Take It Personal," "The Militia," "Just to Get a Rep," "Mass Appeal," "Ex-Girl to Next Girl," and "Step in the Arena" (all but the latter also found on Full Clip) are found on the compilation, as well as lesser-known though not obscure cuts like "Check the Technique" and "B.Y.S." More serious fans may be intrigued by the bonus tracks, "Natural" and "Tha Squeeze," but considering that both are also found on the 2004 Japanese import of The Ownerz, Mass Appeal is probably a better pickup for fans whove heard about the glory and genius of the group but dont own all the albums. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 10 Title: Greatest Hitz Released: 2007-08-28 Tracks: 12 Duration: 44:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Check the Technique (03:58) 2 Skills (03:17) 3 Just to Get a Rep (02:42) 4 Code of the Streets (03:29) 5 Lovesick (03:25) 6 Above the Clouds (03:44) 7 Mass Appeal (03:41) 8 The Militia (04:48) 9 Soliloquy of Chaos (03:14) 10 DWYCK (04:03) 11 Take It Personal (03:05) 12 Ex Girl to Next Girl (04:39) |
 | Album: 10 of 10 Title: Step in the Arena / Daily Operation Released: 2011-07-05 Tracks: 36 Duration: 1:44:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Name Tag (Premier & The Guru) (00:37) 2 Step in the Arena (03:37) 3 Form of Intellect (03:39) 4 Execution of a Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy, Part 2) (02:41) 5 Who’s Gonna Take the Weight? (03:56) 6 Beyond Comprehension (03:13) 7 Check the Technique (03:58) 8 Lovesick (03:25) 9 Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (02:16) 10 Game Plan (01:07) 11 Take a Rest (04:21) 12 What You Want This Time? (02:41) 13 Street Ministry (01:25) 14 Just to Get a Rep (02:42) 15 Say Your Prayers (01:24) 16 As I Read My S-A (03:02) 17 Precisely the Right Rhymes (03:25) 18 The Meaning of the Name (02:53) 1 Daily Operation (Intro) (00:27) 2 The Place Where We Dwell (02:27) 3 Flip the Script (04:02) 4 Ex Girl to Next Girl (04:39) 5 Soliloquy of Chaos (03:14) 6 I’m the Man (04:04) 7 92 Interlude (00:29) 8 Take It Personal (03:05) 9 2 Deep (03:39) 10 24-7/365 (00:24) 11 No Shame in My Game (03:55) 12 Conspiracy (02:47) 13 The Illest Brother (04:44) 14 Hardcore Composer (03:16) 15 B.Y.S. (03:05) 16 Much Too Much (Mack a Mil) (03:30) 17 Take Two and Pass (03:17) 18 Stay Tuned (02:31) |