Album Description

Released in 1978, this collection of 'poetic doings' expanded his repertoire with legendary live and studio tracks. Tracks include 'The H20gate (Watergate) Blues', 'The Ghetto Code' and 'Space Shuttle' a bonus track from the '80's featuring Paul Weller of the Jam on guitar. The title 'Godfather Of Rap' evolved from these poems with music. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Like a Fool ...
I held an original LP copy of this release in my hands and DIDN'T BUY IT. Now ... finally ... I may be redeemed. Thanks to TVT for re-releasing most of GSH's back catalog. This record is not, IMHO, the right place to start for listeners not already steeped in the creative juggernaut that is/was/is again Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson. I highly recommend starting with both The Revolution Will Not Be Televised and From South Africa to South Carolina. And like a fellow reviewer here, I highly recommend the latter-day GSH releases such as Secrets, 1980 and Real Eyes. Nevertheless, The Mind Of... captures Gil in his element doing spoken word (which in another context was once called talking blues) over funky, jazz-inspired music. GSH's live shows in the day (the freaky 1970s) were filled with interludes and extensions, interpolations and extrapolations featuring Gil's spontaneous inventions and deeply spirtual politically explosive exhortations. This is music and language that should not be missed.

It's Chill
Gil Scott is a public intellectual and social commentator who is a gifted poet. Gil Scott keeps it real and doesn't bite his tongue when talking about the power structure and its exploitative policies. The only problem with the album is that Gil Scott is feeling himself a little too much in the intro in almost everyone of his pieces. What I mean is that you will have to fast forward 20 - 30 seconds into each piece to really get the beginning of that piece because the first 20-30 seconds is just an artist flapping his gums. Most of these pieces were recorded live, so you kind of get that stuff at live shows.

your mind my mind one and the same
THIS IS NOT MUCH OF A REVIEW BUT IT MUST BE SAID I DON'T THINK THAT THIER'S AN ARTIS OUT THIER THAT CAN MATCH THE MIND OF GILL SCOTT-HERON IN TOTAL DEPTH. HIS WORK IS SIMPLY UNTOUCHABLE IT'S NO WONDER I COULDN'T FIND A LOT OF THIS STUFF.KEEP ME POSTED ON UP COMING WORK.

This should not be kept a Secret
I want to let all gil scott heron/brian jackson fans know about the wounderful album called Secrets. I can't find it on cd but i do have the 1978 lp and it's the bomb. it still has me singing and dancing around my house.songs like angle dust,third world revolution and Three miles dowm are gil scott at his best. a must have for any serious gil scott and brian jackson collector. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

SCHOOLLY'S THIRD BEST DISC IN YO FACE!
ILLADEPHIA'S SCHOOLLY D WAS THE ONE WHO PUT GANGSTA IN GANGSTA RAP BACK IN 1985 WITH JAMS LIKE "PSK (WHAT DOES IT MEAN)","GUCCI TIME","SATURDAY NIGHT","PARKSIDE 5-2" AND "HOUSING THE JOINT",WEED SMOKIN' AND PIMPIN' THE HOES LONG BEFORE CYPRESS HILL AND TOO SHORT GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL,SCHOOLLY D. DID IT HIS WAY OR NO WAY AT ALL. "AM I BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU" POSES A DIFFERENT BUT RIGHTEOUS SIDE OF SCHOOLLY. "LIVING IN A JUNGLE" THE FIRST SINGLE SETS THE PACE FOR THE LISTENER TO FEEL SCHOOLLY'S PAIN AS A BLACK MAN AND HAVIN' TO PROVE HE IS INDEED,BLACK. MORE SAMPLES THAN EVER,THIS WON'T ONLY MAKE YOU THINK,IT WILL MAKE YOU DANCE RAPIDLY WHILE THINKING.

Schoolly D, the forgotten gangsta rapper
I have 3 of Schoolly D's albums and there all very good. His album "am I black enough for you" combines old school rythem with a touch of R&B funk. Black Jesus is a very interesting song. Maybe Jesus is black after all!!!!!!!

The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever w
This by far has to be one of the best rap cd's from the 80's. As a matter of fact it is one of the best rap cd's even to this day, compared to what the 90's has to offer. The first time I heard a song from Schoollt D was while I was watching the movie THE KING OF NEW YORK. It stared Christopher Walken, Larry Fishburne, Wesley Snipes, David Caruso and minor parts with by Steve Buscemi. The movie is "AWESOME" the song "Am I Black Enough For You" is the one that is used durning the climax sceen in the movie. After hereing that sond I had to hear what else the artist of the song offered. Which lead me to Schoolly D and his album "AM I BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU". The album is amazing there is not a single song on it that makes you want to skip to the next. In my time I have only come accross 3 other albums that I actually like every song on the album. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I have. ... Read more

Album Description

33 track retrospective of the best by these true pioneers of rap that formed in 1969 on Malcolm X's birthday (May 16th). Contains cuts from their self-titled debut, plus cuts from 'This Is Madness', 'Delights Of The Garden', 'At Last' and the Jalal solo album 'Hustlers Convention'. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This Album Has NOT Been Sanctioned By Last Poets
...if it had, it would have received a much higher rating. "Real Rap" is a collection of many Last Poets classics, but because it is unauthorized, I would not advise its purchase. I presented the CD myself to Abiodun Oyewole [who is incredibly down to Earth and maddeningly cool] to have it autographed, and he told me himself he had never seen it before and was unaware of its production. Can you say, "piracy"?

That stated, the track titled "E Pluribus Unum" is definitely unique and a favorite, and as is typical of Last Poets music, it is very consciousness-elevating. It is one of the few songs on this album I had not heard outside of this album. But my advice is to find it on a legit Last Poets album. Nevertheless, I would be remiss to not share some of the lyrics of this particular track...

"SELFISH DESIRES ARE BURNING LIKE FIRES
AMONG THOSE WHO HOARD THE GOLD
AS THEY CONTINUE TO KEEP THE PEOPLE ASLEEP
AND THE TRUTH FROM BEING TOLD
RACISM AND GREED KEEP THE PEOPLE IN NEED
FROM GETTING WHAT'S RIGHTFULLY THEIRS
CHEATING STEALING AND DOUBLE-DEALING
AS THEY EXPLOIT THE PEOPLE'S FEARS [hmmmmm...]
AND NOW DOW JONES OWNS THE PEOPLE'S HOMES,
AND ALL THE SURROUNDING LAND
BUYING AND SELLING THIER HUMBLE DWELLING
IN THE NAME OF THE "MASTER PLAN"
'CAUSE PAPER MONEY IS LIKE A BEE WITHOUT HONEY
WITH NO STINGER TO BACK HIM UP
AND THOSE WHO STOLE THE PEOPLE'S GOLD
ARE DEFINITELY CORRUPT

NOW THE U.S. MINTS ON PAPER PRINTS
MILLIONS EVERYDAY
AND USE THE EAGLE FOR THEIR SYMBOL
'CAUSE IT'S A BIRD OF PREY
NOW THE LAURELS OF PEACE AND THE ARROWS OF WARS
ARE CLUTCHED VERY TIGHTLY IN THE EAGLE'S CLAWS
FILLED WITH GREED AND LUST
AND ON THE BACK OF THE DOLLAR BILL
IS THE WORDS, "IN GOD WE TRUST"
BUT THE DOLLAR BILL IS THE ONLY GOD
AND THEY DON'T EVEN TRUST EACH OTHER
AND FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE
THEY'D START A WAR
TO EXPLOIT SOME BROTHER'S MOTHER

AND OVER THE PYRAMID HEIGHT
IS THE DEVIL'S EYE

THAT STOLE FROM THE TRUTH
AND CREATED THE LIE
NOW "ANNUIT" MEANS AN ENDLESS AMOUNT
STOLEN OVER THE YEARS
AND "COEPTIS" MEANS A NEW EMPIRE
OF VAMPIRE MILLIONAIRES
AND "NOVUS" IS A LATIN WORD
MEANING "SOMETHING NEW"
AND "ORDO" MEANS "A WAY OF LIFE
CHOSEN BY A FEW"
"SECLORUM" IS A WORD THAT MEANS
"TO TAKE FROM ANOTHER"
KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM, AND UNDERSTANDING
STOLEN FROM THE BROTHER

NOW ON THE FRONT OF THE DOLLAR BILL
TO THE RIGHT
OF WASHINGTON'S HEAD
IS A SMALL SEAL IN THE SHAPE OF A WHEEL
WITH A SECRET THAT'S BEEN LEFT UNSAID
THE SYMBOLS IN THE MIDDLE REPRESENT THE RIDDLE
OF THE SCALES, THE RULER AND THE KEY..."

A timeless piece, indeed. Rather than recommend this album however, I would recommend instead, "Chastisement", "Holy Terror", "Time Has Come" and any additional albums blessed by Last Poets. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ignore the misleading title. You'll know this CD release betteras Criminal Minded, the classic album from KRS-One and ScottLa Rock. In 1985, a young and homeless Lawrence Krsna Parker met socialworker Scott Sterling at a Bronx shelter. They hooked up with(uncredited) producer Ced Gee to cut"South Bronx" and "The Bridge Is Over," monumental records whichtoppled the Queens-based Juice Crew and forever cemented the Bronx'splace in the history of hip-hop. These tracks, along with the sublime"Poetry" and the shocking "9mm Goes Bang," formed the basis ofCriminal Minded. As the record took off, Scott La Rock waskilled in a street-side shooting while coming to the aid of rapperD-Nice. From the now out-of-print compilation, The Man and HisMusic, this CD adds a DJ Red Alert megamix, circa late '80s, andthe early tracks, "Advance" and "D-Nice Rocks the House." Also includedis the rare early single "Say No Brother." Essential. --JeffChang ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Blastmaster always vital
Kris is the only true non run of the mill rapper. This release as always is killing all the rest. Undrstand how hard it is to know your the best and concentrate on the finer joys of life.KRS will continue to destroy all so called MCs. Dont act like you dont know!

"Criminal Minded" in all but the title and cover art
The first 10 tracks are the original out-of-print "Criminal Minded" CD (actually, its still available as an slightly more expensive import) in its entirety. Added are two earlier tracsk and a remix of the track, "Criminal Minded". The music is a bit sparse by today's standards but the strength of the CD is in KRS-One's rhymes, and since he hadn't gotten overly preachy yet, this is his best recording. It's also the only available recording of BDP with the fine DJ Scott LeRock. A classic.

It's About Time....
The Best of B-Boy Records by Boogie Down Productions compiles the entire Criminal Minded album plus many hard-to-find and out-of-print bonus tracks. Every hip-hop fan out there probably already knows that Criminal Minded is a classic. Some of KRS-ONE's and BDP's best songs are all here including "South Bronx", "P Is Free (Remix)", "Poetry", "Criminal Minded", and the infamous diss track aimed at the Juice Crew "The Bridge Is Over." In addition to the Criminal Minded album, The Best Of B-Boy Records contains the very rare original version of "The P Is Free," the rare first single by BDP "Say No Brother (Crack Don't Do It)," and the tracks "Advance" and "D-Nice Rocks The House" from the Man And His Music remix album. Needless to say, this material is classic. Buy this album now. Every hip-hop fan should own this. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

My favorite Biz album
I got the original Biz singles collection (Biz's Baddest Beats) and this one. This is the better of the two. The music on this one gives the Biz more room to stretch and has my favorite Biz song, "Road Block". Hisa songs are funny and some even have a message (see "Buck Wild"). Some people are complaining about how it lacks "Alone Again", which isn't really that great of a song. My copy has the song on it, but it's one of my least favorite tracks. Gey Gubbaly Goo!

after "just a friend", but not "just"another album
Not as good as the album before it but it is still good. I have the original album before the law suit.The song "Alone Again" is cute. No wonder the original makers tried to sue, they probably were jealous. Overall this album is just Biz being Biz. Talking about women(Alone Again,Road Block,Romeo&Juliet),Digging Boogers and things of that nature(Toilet School Rap).But the best song on the album, the first single, is "What Comes Around Goes Around"-where Biz tells the story of a high school sweet heart who dissed him but is now on his jock because he blew up as rapper. A well written song, good sampling, you definitely will bob your head to the smooth laid back beat the Biz raps too. It's a cool album especially if you are a Biz Fan.

Good, but not all
I agree, it is a great C.D., but due to a lawsuit, the companion piece to "On and On" entitled "Alone Again" is banished from the album. This is a great tune. Fourtunately, many people bought the album after the "Just a Friend" craze and sold it to used record stores. So buy the album, but then go and find the real version...

Biz Markie's best album.
Biz Markie is one of a kind. He's can make the super silly sounds with his mouth and he rhymes with a style all his own. He started as a human beat box in New York and went on to become an MC. Sometimes when he's getting extra saucy on the mic it sounds like he's got a sock in his his mouth but it somehow sounds great anyways. Another thing about the Biz is that all his rhymes don't have that "It's all about money and fame" kind of feel to them. He's just about keeping things real and best of all, he's not afraid to act stupid or silly on the mic. This is evident on all the albums because he always has one song that is nothing but shout outs and thank you's to everyone who helped him out. Check out "Kung Fu" and "On and On". Those two really showcase his talent for the silly but tight rhyming style he has perfected. "Leggo My Eggo" is a great Biz mushmouth style song. Get if ya don't got it. ... Read more

Album Description

As one of the first artists to popularize spoken word poetry, Gil Scott-Heron paved the way for today’s hip-hop mega-stars such as Nelly, Usher, and Jay-Z.GREATEST HITS LIVE features 11 of Gil Scott-Heron’s biggest hits, including "Johannesburg", "Shut ‘Em Down", and "Gun", an essential album for hip-hop historians and poetry buffs everywhere. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Don't buy this album!
Show some respect for the legend Kool Keith, don't buy this album. It's a collection of practice runs and things that were never supposed to see the light of day. Ced Gee released this himself ...
It was this type of perpetrating that prompted Keith and Tim Dog to hit the studio again and release an album simply titled "ULTRA-Big Time." You should buy that one instead and peep the original "Keep it Real," a song targeting Ced Gee and advising fans not to buy his 'basement tapes.'
Fun Fact; The cover of this album is a strange collage of obscure pictures put together in photoshop. Keith flipped when he saw a face on this album cover that he didn't even recognize. The guy was just as surprised to see his face on the album! Show Keith and Tim Diggity some love and buy the "Ultra" album instead. This is an illegitemate album. Keith is a perfectionist and he obviously isn't proud of this material. Don't buy it. ...

SPACED-OUT HUMOR ALMOST AT ITS BEST. AN UNDERRATED THRILLER.
"NEW YORK WHAT IS FUNKY" IS A BETTER SET THAN THEIR A&R FORCE TO DESTROY THE GROUP LP,NOW DEFUNCT "FUNK YOUR HEAD UP",AS UNDERGROUND AS THEY WOULD LIKE TO STAY,THE IMMACCULATE FLOWS OF THESE MC'S ARE TOO MUCH TO LEAVE ALONE. KOOL KEITH'S SOLO JOINTS WINS AGAIN,BUT NOTHING MAKE ULTRAMAGNETIC MORE SPACED OUT LYRICALLY THAN THE SLAMMIN' PRODUCTION BY CED-GEE. THIS IS BEYOND "FUNKY". ... Read more

Amazon.com

Arguably the last "good" BDP album before KRS-One took a slight misstep with Sex and Violence (and then had to reinvent himself on Return of the Boom Bap), Edutainment was a classic blend of puffed-chest bravado mixed with socially conscious missives. This multifaceted scope is best reflected in the album's three best-known songs: "Love's Gonna Getcha," an antimaterialist, anticrime narrative; "Ya Know the Rules," a furious rhyme pelting; and "Beef," where KRS lays into the meat industry. Keeping the beats strictly b-boy are producers KRS, Kenny Parker, and others. Even if you're not a BDP completist, this album deserves to be in your collection. --Oliver Wang ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A 5-Star Classic
KRS-1 is one of my favorite artists/celebrities of all time. He is a genius, and this clearly shows on "Edutainment," perhaps his best album. I've heard some people claim that it's too preachy, but that's merely an opinion. If you like KRS-1 or BDP, you MUST own this. Much like the Digable Planet's "Blowout Comb," Black Star, and Lauryn Hill's group and solo work, this is the essence of hip-hop and a testament to a period in hip-hop when there seemed to be positive changes brewing. Not just violence and materialism.

A BDP Classic.
With stripped down production, brilliant lyrics and the fiercest delivery of his career, KRS-One and company deliver the best LP in thier entire musical cannon. While many disliked and/or misunderstood this album when it first appeared, the last decade and a half have opened minds and ears to it's sheer daring and revolutionary impact. The music, as always is sliced down to the barest essentials, a simple 808 drum machine here, some reggae flavoring there (the hypnotic "Breath Control II") African Drums ("The Homeless") and even wah-wah guitar over funky drums ("Original Lyrics", my personal fave) and the production isn't too crowded allowing Parker's biting, incisive lyrics and terrific vocals plenty of breathing room and the attention they deserve. While things do get a bit preachy, the sheer enjoyment of these performances will leaven out the heavy-handed tone of the words. A rap LP was never more aptly titled. School is in session.

A Classroom Course Has Never Been So Cheap
How much is this CD? $15.00? How many college courses can you take for that? None. Edutainment, (Education Through Entertainment) is not only dope hip hop, but is educational. Breaking down the walls of ignorance that the goverment wants us to stay behind, KRS-1 comes with some truly mentally uplifting material on this one. His strong beats and fluidic firey lyrics, make this a true hip hop classic. From the Ruff and hard hitting Hous Ni**a's and You Know The Rules to the smoothness of Love's Gonna Getcha. Edutaiment is 90 minutes of beats, rhymes, and street education. When I say street, I am not referring to gangstr BS, im talking about the street being the one place where what you here is real, and its where to get the real story. Edutainment is a true hip hop classic, great reference material for the newby's who want to be "down". This will test you. HAA! Mark D gives this CD a 5 on the hype scale. (Check the "More About Me" section for details.

BDP in full effect
If you consider yourself a rap fan and do not own this andevery other BDP album then you are what one might call frontin'. Itmay sound a bit dated now with the predominance of drum tracks in poptoday, but nothing beats Material Love, or 100 Guns, or even theExhibits. This was rap in its purest form with KRS ..., et. alschooling current rap and rap generations to come.

There are tworap groups that set the standard which all other rap groups eitheraspire to or come close. BDP and .... And imagine this - anentire rap album without the word blunt on it. God bless BDP cuz theyfunky.

Disapointing
Should have been called disappointment, BDP is no PE. KRS1's 'knowledge' is really no more than Nation Of Islam rhetoric, not so cleverly put to music. KRS1 was always more 'preacher' than 'teacher', inviting obedience rather than introspection. Here, in 'Ya Strugglin' he adds homophobia to his cannon of hates. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

it is fun, upbeat and diverse.the artists have diff. sounds
i think the women artists did a awesome job blending with the guys. they are awesome--the guys did great also. i listen to this cd all the time.

It was the best 60 minutes of music I've heard in a while.
The music was great and the way it was mixed together even better. Funkmaster Flex did a kick-ass job on this compilation. A CD you can listen to over and over and never get tired of. ... Read more

Amazon.com

On this 1994 release, his first new recording in more than 10 years, Gil Scott-Heron revives all the phases of his career. He turns to biting social commentary on "Message to the Messengers," a diatribe about antisocial, often nihilistic trends in hip-hop; then, on "Work for Peace," he critiques American militarism with a particular focus on the Gulf War, offering the tidbit, "The military and the monetary / Get together whenever it's necessary / Turning our brothers and sisters into mercenaries / They are turning the planet into a cemetery." The title track and "Don't Give Up" (which was produced by Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest) recall Scott-Heron jazz-funk classics like "Lady Day and John Coltrane." The singer-poet also does a savvy updating of his 1974 hit "The Bottle," interpolating it into a three-part suite called "The Other Side," which features affecting guitar and keyboard solos. Unlike many of Scott-Heron's live shows, which are laden with nostalgia, this release looks back and ahead with equal power. --Martin Johnson ... Read more

Reviews (5)

An excellent album
This is a must for even softcore GSH fans. The songwriting, lyrics and musicianship are all first-rate, and every song grew on me, both lyrically and musically. I'm amazed at how well GSH has maintained his roots while adapting the music and the message to the 1990's funk/soul vernacular, and how pleasurable the results are on this album. Even seven years later, I still love and listen to Spirits regularly.

Only for avid fans
I love Gil Scott Heron. His "the revolution will not be televised" and "man on the moon" made a great impression on me. But this album lacks any thrills. GSH is not a great singer. He has a nice soft voice and a good ear, but he is not a singer. He is at his best when he recites poetry - and this has been his way of giving us something worthy. His gift for words is still there, although he is much more mature and relaxed. Maybe a middle aged family man just can't sound like a 20 year old ! Anyway, I don't regret having this CD as it teaches something, but I recommend his early CD's to start with.

A melancholy Gil- Scott Heron
Definetely not his best work but not awful by any stretch. Spirits was the first album by GSH on the TVT label and the first studio album from him in years.? Fans of Gil Scott's firey, angry poerty will be suprised at the fact that Spirits contains none of the youthful angry exuberrence from many of his other albums. But what is here is a more exprienced somber, reflective Gil. Gill sings mostly on Spirits. But there is some of his tradmark social commentary in the form of poems. The first track Message to the messengers he sounds as if he's passing the torch of performance poetry to todays rappers. On it he instructs and chides them on how to become a messenger. The last track work for peace gives us a down beat Gil Scott as he breaks down the military. The almost heartbreaking Give her a call is especially reflective. he laments on his mistakes with the opposite sex. On the albums center piece The other side is a three part 15 minute extremely musical ode to his strugle quitting drugs that start off almost sleepily and ends with a cresendo of Gil's wailing that he might never come home again. It's probably one of his best songs. Overall this probably isn't the album for first time GSH fans but definetely a great one for hardcore fans.

Gil Scott Heron - Virtuoso of Urban Music
Gil Scott Heron is a profound, political poet/musician who charismatically exploits the climate of righteousness. Like African American leaders of old Gil exploits the nefarious perfidious purveyors of justice through impeccable melodic rhytmic tones and rhym, which is just one facet of his jewel. Through his music he ventures his own experiences with integrity. Gil is a talented virtuoso of urban music whos genre is analogous to time. In an industry focused on profit and tainted with bias Gil may never receive proper recognition.

I expected more...
I only own two of his records, "The Best of..." and "Secrets" so maybe I don't know enough about him to be fair. However, I eagerly anticipated the release of this album and bought it the day it came out. I was dissapointed. It lacked the angry statements and hard hitting commentary of the work I was familiar with. At some points, it sounded like he was bored while recording this, and that feeling gets put off on the listener. When can we get "Secrets" on CD? ... Read more

Album Details

Following the Massive Success of It's Like That, Hip Hop Legends Run Dmc have Once Again Teamed Up with DJ Jason Nevins to Revive their 1987 Smash It's Tricky. This Format features Four Mixes. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

It 'sStill Tricky
This is one of there best singles I really like it and I recommended like many other Run DMC stuff must listen.This track has a dance feal to it I like the dance feel
Lyrics 9/10 Production 10/10 Overall 9.5/10 ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Best Christmas Rappin' in the World!!
Wow! Curtis Blow sure can rap! He is so good, he can even rap the Christmas tunes!! Boy, was I surprised! My grandmother got me this for Hannuka. He needs to do a Hannuka song a la Adam Sandler. Perhaps they can team up. Then, tell my grandmother to buy me that one too. She is getting old and lives alone. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This is just cool stuff
If you like electro, you should or already have this and that is that.. okay? PLUS you get to hear a Dr. Dre that he doesn't want you to hear, it's hilarious. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

d.s.l.s
i have been listen to El since he has been rapping 1983 amazon .com is the only place that has almost all of his collection I like the baddest beat around and ON THE NILE 'and GET INTO IT ' my favorite is ONE TRACK MIND

Classic. Classic. Classic.
We used to love Egyptian Lover jams back in the early 80s here in Los Angeles. Everybody would be jammin to these songs at the house parties, dances, clubs, breakdance jams, I mean you just cannot deny this. You need to get a ticket and get on the train.

incredible
the egyptian lover is an amazing man with unlimited talent. If I gave you all my money, what would you do with so much cash? He is the inspiration for almost all my musical endeavors. Truly a genius.

The best Electro album ever
This is the Egyptian lover at his finest, every track is a classic with no fillers. If you only ever buy one of his albums this is the one. I bought it on vinyl in 1985 and still listen to my CD version now. ... Read more

Album Description

Tommy Boy. 1991. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

queen l-a-t-i-f-a-h in command
if youre lookin for a good queen latifah cd, this is the one to get. the lyrics are creative and concious, and the beats are off the hook. its definately a cd to make you feel good. this is why queen latifah is one of the best rappers/singers/actors/revolutionaries/people out there.

All Hail The Queen!
Dana Owens kicks out a collage of beats ranging from funk to soul in this, argueably her best work. From the syrupy track "How Do I Love Thee", to the pro-female sexuality commentary "Fly Girl", this whole CD cranks it out, which is rare.

Its an oldie but a goodie
SOme of Queen LAtifah's best work appears on here..some of the greatest songs...best beats and awesoe lyrics..even the non rap lovers will love this one. Good and not annoying. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Order in the Court could just as easily have been called All Hail the Queen 4.0. Latifah (Dana Owens to her friends and family) has done more to diversify her career than broaden her core themes. She still offers smoothly rapped odes to self-respect, doing the right thing, and having good, clean fun. What has changed since her debut--almost a decade prior to this offering--is her wherewithal; Latifah's multimedia success as a TV and film actor has granted her substantial clout. Order in the Court reveals more about her recording budget than what's on her mind, but it's money well spent: the album is immensely entertaining and thoughtfully paced. The guest spots are unobtrusive, and the samples are fun. The surreal art in the inner sleeve alone almost makes this worth the purchase. --Martin Johnson ... Read more

Reviews (14)

HAIL TO THE QUEEN!
Queen Latifah is one of those rare performers, a great musician, actress, tv host and personality.

Here on "Order In the Court" Latifah shows her musical talent in full force with wonderful productions like "Life", "Brownsville" and "Black On Black Love".

My true favorite is the first single "Paper" that did not get its due on radio.

Latifah can rap and sing with the best of them. A true treat, where you get the best of both worlds, rap, vocals, and top notch production.

Also kudos to the artwork on the album cover which fits the mood of this CD to a "T". An absolute buy for anyone. Even if you don't like rap, I am sure the "Queen" can change your style.

Queen Latifah-Order In The Court
The few rappers still talking about something, Queen Latifah reclaims her throne on Order In The Court. Complete with the "I Heard it Through The Grapevine" sampled "Paper" and "Bananas(Who You Gonna Call)"... While this album pretty much went unnoticed, it just proves that hip hop fans just don't have a taste for black reign anymore. We eagerly await a new album.

What Hip-Hop should sound like!
I bought this album after listening to audio samples & I have to say that I was impressed! Released in 1998, I surprised that I did not heard about it sooner. The lines between Hip-Hop and R&B?Soul are very blurred to the point that on most tracks your cannot tell which is a R&B or Hip-Hop song. This album is perfect for the music listener that wants music of substance, intelligence, & meaning. This album will tantilize you with such tracks as the striking "Bananas (Who You Gonna Call?)" which is also the first single from the album. It is followed by "Court Is In Session" which her flow is excellent on. The music is very unusual for a hip-hip album. "No/Yes" is another superb track. Other highlights & favourites of mine are: "Parlay", "Paper", "What Ya Gonna Do", "It's Alright", "Brownsville", & "Life". The photographs are very unusual too, the type photography Grace Jones has on most of her albums.
Get this album if you don't already have it! You will not regret it!

Queenie!!
If it's order she wants, then it is order she'll have. This experimental release from Queen Latifah deals with matters ranging from God to money and power to sex. It's a more mature album showcasing Queen's singing ability which is something that might become more dominant in her career and shows her growth as an artist in general.

Everything about this album, from the photagraphy which is awesome, to the lyrics which bridge early 90's Hip Hop with the more recent, down to the production is very well done. This is not for your average shoot-em-up Hip Hop heads, but for those who understand that in order to grow as an artist, one must try new things to see how it fits.

The Rap tracks, of which there are few, are strong. Especially "Bananas (Who You Gonna Call?)" which is supported by one of the baddest beats I've ever heard. The R&B songs tend to get soulful which is something that I don't think she should have played with too much, but she gave an overall great performance on each. "Paper" samples the classic Marvin Gaye track "I heard It Through The Grapevine" and is expertly re-mixed by Wyclef Jean who lends his vocals sutbly throughout the track. The vocals on this track tend to be playful yet authoritative, letting you know sweetly that if you try to take her 'paper' that certain things will happen... we will not go into detail on that one. "It's Alright" is another of the standout tracks on the album on which Queen sings. A very melodic track kind of sunsual but very good to listen to.

Best tracks (to me) are:
1. Bananas (Who You Gonna Call?)(startling at first, but turns into a ground shattering track)
7. Parlay (a chilled out song, with laid back rhymes)
8. Paper (best track on the album, very addictive)
10. It's Alright (borders along the lines of slow jam and mid-tempo)
14. Life (a song about... life)

Basically, Queen Latifah stepped out of the box on this one. A highly commendable record.

THE QUEEN'S BEST CD EVER !!!
I think this is an outstanding cd.I don't understand why it didn't get more air time on the radio. I love every song on the cd. All hail the Queen. Queen,if you happen read this,stop by if you are in the Maryland/DC area. Looking forward to your next cd. P.S. I have read your book too,and I enjoyed it. ... Read more