Step In The Arena

This is one of the most important hiphop albums ever produced even though a lot of folks outside of the scene haven't heard of it. In a time when hiphop was fracturing and trying desperately to find out what it was and what it could be, Gang Starr brought heavy, intellectual, clever lyrics over deeply funky boom-bap beats. The influence of this album can be felt in modern artists like The Roots, Sho Baraka, Nappy Roots, and Blackalicious. Musical significance aside, it's just real damn good. Just DAMN good. An absolute pleasure to listen to.

“Step in the Arena” by Gang Starr (1991) Never heard the album or this duo, and my familiarity with the hip hop genre is quite limited. Musically, the producer in the duo, DJ Premier, puts together a fine background, providing solid rhythms and scratching, with some tentative forays into sampling. I’m sure this was innovative in 1991, and likely very influential, but it doesn’t seem to stand the ‘test of time’. Guru’s voice lacks expressive range, and in rapid phrases he frequently mumbles to retain the tempo. His tone is subdued, letting the startling nature of the words carry the artistic freight. That’s appealing. In terms of meaning, his lyrics are marked by self absorbed boastfulness, with an expansive range of metaphors from gladiators to those who covet luxury vehicles. It’s illustrated in the title track, “Step in the Arena”, which compares rap competition to lethal one-on-one combat. But the lethality serves no goal other than entertainment. There’s no consideration of the moral standing of the purveyors and consumers of these nihilistic spectacles. The meaning is “I’m the best” and that is to your detriment. He seems to want his listeners to want to adopt the same attitude. Here’s a significant line indicating that he is aware, even in 1990, that the rap/hip hop world was overpopulated with junk: “Abreast of the best in this rap mess Oversaturated market full of wackness” There is a form of intellect on display here. Skillful use of internal rhyme and other poetic devices without being mechanical. This is not doggerel. Plus, Guru is a keen observer of his culture. In “Who’s Gonna Take the Weight?”, Guru advances key themes of the message of the Nation of Islam. After an opening sample of a couple of lines from Malcolm X, Guru declaims, “I was raised like a Muslim”, which is highly unlikely, given his solid middle class background, but the selective appropriation of NOI themes continues. Ultimately the lyric lacks persuasiveness, chiefly because it is so self focused. Guru needs to enter the heart of the listener. These lyrics generally lack drama. There’s plenty of violence, and elaborate imagery, but little storytelling, redemption, conflict resolution, or artistic closure. It’s simply a catalogue of unanswered questions and unsolved problems (unless the answers and solutions boil down to “give everything to me”). The poetry usually evokes little emotion other than pity and perhaps fear. The one grand exception to this bleak assessment is the track “Just to Get a Rep”. It tells a powerful tale of a man who unnecessarily uses lethal force on a victim merely to enhance his own reputation. The victim recovers and returns to kill him, also motivated by the desire “just to get a rep” (reputation). The poetic composition powerfully invites the listener to consider whether it’s worth it. Of course it’s not. But one wonders how many listeners were persuaded in that direction. Not the greatest hip hop, in my admittedly limited experience. 2/5

Some of the smoothest rhymes and rhythms I've ever heard. This album has aged like a fine wine. I imagine it was considered rather intense when it came out, but in the rearview, it is so mellow and enjoyable. I never wanted it to end.

Top 10 phrases from this album: 10. Swiftly as we embark on a journey, I had to get an attorney 9. For I can excel real well like a gazelle 8. You’re heated up like a thermostat 7. So make like a camper, and go take a hike 6. You puny Protozoa, you’re so minute you didn’t know 5. I’m like a neurosurgeon, operating with a purer version 4. I’m rushing you like a defensive end as I recommend 3. Have enough brain cells so I can stay paid well 2. Chic and unique with lots of kicks like a cleat 1. MCs like me will rise like the Enterprise

This is not the album to convince me that hiphop is worth my listening time.

This is the finest example of old-school hip-hop I've heard yet. The sound is clearly indebted to the East Coast, and while there's not as much Southern innovation as say, Outkast, touches exist. The production and turntablism is insanely good. The flows are all relatively familiar ones from the era, but they're convincing and use enough tempo and theme variation to remain fresh.

Loving the cool flavour and rhythm of this album! I have heard some tunes by Gang Starr before, but totally forgot about these guys. The first full Step In The Arena listen was a lot of fun chillin' in the crib, and then kickin' it a 2nd time in the car on an hour drive to hike in the woods was smooth as well. Banjo was salivating on that drive, so I assume he was diggin' too. The song Take A Rest represents most what I am enjoying from this record. Thanks dudes, it was refreshment after the desert of yesterday's album!

Hip hop with a purpose. Lyrically sound - good beats. Fun to listen to. Can definitely hear their influence in a lot of later hip hop. Only a few songs didn’t age as well because of that early 90’s “starter jacket” type feel. (Not that it’s a bad thing - just sounds dated today) Fave tracks: “Check The Technique” “Step In The Arena”

I simply don't like rap. These two definitely don't have the most annoying voices in rap, so this is at least 1.5 stars instead of 1, but I'll still round it down for being super boring. I didn't make it past the fifth track. The pseudo-intelligent-sounding lyrics don't help either.

Phenomenal beats and stellar rapping. Guru's rapping is mostly in the old school style with that emphasis on end rhymes. But his flow sometimes has a more modern style too. He packs a lot of internal rhymes into his lines. It's a blast to listen to, even if you're just listening to the flow of vowels and consonants. And DJ Premier's beats are crazy. These drums hit hard! And the sampling is clean and adds bursts of character and personality. There are a lot of details in the music -- a funky bass line here, a jazzy horn there, some record scratches to top it off -- but everything is in balance and you can hear everything. "Check the Technique" in particular has a ridiculous beat. The sample is so cool. I had to look it up because it sounded familiar -- "California Soul" by Marlena Shaw, which I was jamming on kind of recently. Great song.

Incredible rap album, some really great samples from some great oldies. Love love love. Foresee this moving to my somewhat regular rotation

Good to great, you can't deny its impact.

Really Good. Actually one of the better hip hop albums on the list so far

Not a fan of Gangster rap. Lyrics were clean which is interesting.

Oh the longing for Mozart this album causes .....

Never took the time to check out Gang Starr, but this was a pleasant surprise. It's hit and miss for me with hiphop and rap, but this hit me for sure. Smooth and groovy, just the way I like it.

You Gotta be kidding me, this is a top 10 hip-hop classic for me. Right up there with Illmatic, 36 Chambers and Low End Theory. Banger after banger on this Jawn. Straight fire!

A fantastic rapper and one of the best producers create an album full of brilliant, classic hip-hop tracks.

I don't think anything Guru touches could be less than a 5. Absolutely love GangStarr and Guru is one of the best MCs of all time. 5/5

Perfect! Brings me back to my love of hip hop. The rhymes and rhythms created by the rappers’ deliveries is east coast at its finest!

Probably prefer Moment Of Truth but man, this is some great stuff. Just To Get A Rep is up there with the best they've done.

First listen. Actually first time listening to any Gang Starr record. It was good though. I only knew about DJ Premier from before so it was nice to get to know about Guru. Listened to Moment Of Truth as well today actually. Dont know if it will be on this list? Guess I'l figure out.

The production is absolutely incredible, but the rapping isn’t that same level of greatness (still pretty damn good though). A lot of the flows are very much dated 80’s flows, the bars aren’t always that great, but it’s honesty not that big of an issue. Idk if it’s also on this list and I just haven’t got it yet, but if you want to hear this duo at its full potential you should absolutely listen to Moment of Truth. Fav tracks: Step in the Arena, Execution of a Chump, Who’s gonna take the Weight?, Check the Technique, Take a Rest, The Meaning of the Name

Gang Starr - one of best yet. But maybe not yet fully developed at this stage. Similar vein to Eric B & Rakim and Boogie Down Productions, a quality duo with classic samples and awareness in the lyrics. The album just got a bit macaroni cheese for me: I like Macaroni, I like cheese but after 50mins of nothing but macaroni and cheese I need something else in the mix to spice things up.

It may be that rap albums hit some kind of pinnacle in the early 90s where the clean lyrics and fun rhymes grew into something more complex but also more raw in its content. Maybe that was an East vs. West type of thing. Notably, the album's sound includes a lot of jazz elements, simple beats, and a very modest yet effective DJ. Lyrically, it comes off as an inviting narrative to 'come and sit while I tell this story' and the listener is indeed compelled to do just that. Where rap music eventually turned into various outlets of strong expression, this album is way more conversational in its delivery and less confrontational. "Just To Get A Rep" or "Execution Of A Chump" stand out as the implications of violence that this portion of the hip-hop culture draws much of its emotion and content. Thing is, previously mentioned, the listener is compelled to hear this out. Over time, this subject matter has lost its importance because of its marketability and most people see it for that thirty years later as though Gang Starr knew that "Just To Get A Rep" is a reality moving forward. The album may have more musical reasons for being on this list, but for this listener and perhaps because of an old soul, this album creates a nostalgic desire for 21st century rap/hip-hop to come back with that authenticity. An authenticity that perhaps Gang Starr prophetically touched on in "Form of Intellect" with "...oversaturated market, full of wackness" and "get real, get deep, so you can keep involved, resolve and solve, so you can make the calls". If one pays attention to the current entertainment industry, the power figures in rap/hip-hop seemed to have heeded this advice. They may have come up from the streets per se, but they did not stay there. These men and women are now moguls in their own right, kings and queen makers of that world. "Step In The Arena" is a challenging album, maybe even a bit preachy but that's the value here and perhaps a more philosophical reason this album is on the list.

90s hip hop will always have a special place in my heart. It may not be for everyone, but this album demonstrates both great 90s hip hop production from DJ Premier, and great lyricism from Guru, in a collaboration that has gone on to be considered among the best for it's time, and onwards too, considering the latest releases from Gang Starr (posthumously from Guru). I have never heard this debut album, but I see why Gang Starr became so popular. This has everything you want out of that era, the jazzy samples, the social commentary topics, the little humorous skits, and the real chemistry that both artists demonstrate working together. The only reason I wouldn't give this a 5/5 is because I prefer other albums from that time (Tribe Called Quest do this all better IMO) but it's still fantastic.

I'm sure this was revolutionary at the time, but this just got so dated in the 30 years since then. Word.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but hip hop is something I don’t know much about and so it’s hard for me to judge these albums still. I do know good art when I see it though. And this is that - good art. Knowing what year this came out, combined with hearing the sounds and sampling going on, it’s clear how this would’ve been influential and why it made this list. The flow is good, and none of the songs really overstay their welcome at all. It’s not as repetitive with its hooks as some other hip hop and rap albums have been. Overall this was good and I’m happy it came up. 3 stars. Standout tracks: Execution of a Chump, Beyond Comprehension, Check the Technique, Here Today, Gone Tomorrow, As I Read My S-A, Precisely the Right Rhymes

This was pretty fun. Nice to be exposed to classics from genres that I didn't grow up with. 3/5. Bonus points for train representation in the album art.

Enjoyed this one! 90s hip hop reigns supreme again. Favorite track: Execution of a Chump

Good album. I liked all the songs except 'Love Sick' (and even that one was ok). I can see myself listening to this again, now just to decide between 3 and 4 stars...

Not bad but not great early 90's hip hop. I have not heard the whole thing before. It's alright.

Ok but didn't really do anything for me

Good rhymes but I was underwhelmed - it lacked energy for me

I'll give credit due when its due. Gang Starr have good rapping vocals and their sound isn't cheesy like a fair chunk of rap/ hip hop music around that time. There are a couple of decent songs here too. But as a whole this was as interesting as a ham sandwich, has the essential elements but nothing enticing for me.

It's rap and nothing special

Nothing other than production stood out to me

Hip Hop - 0.5/5

If this is the greatest hip hop album of all time, then I should probably stop giving hip hop a chance.

The best kind of rap. Great beats thoughtful rhymes. Guru and primo are an all-time pairing.

Step in the Arena by Gang Starr, released in 1991, is a cornerstone of golden-age hip-hop. A seamless blend of DJ Premier's innovative, jazz-infused production and Guru's laid-back yet socially conscious lyricism, the album set a benchmark for the genre. It was one of the earliest records to exemplify the marriage of jazz samples with intricate beats, a hallmark of East Coast hip-hop's evolution. Influences: The album draws heavily from jazz and funk records, with Premier sampling artists like Donald Byrd and Art Blakey. The lyrical focus reflects the social consciousness inspired by earlier hip-hop pioneers like Rakim and Public Enemy. Artists influenced: "Step in the Arena" left a lasting mark on the hip-hop world, inspiring East Coast legends like Nas and The Notorious B.I.G., as well as groups like Wu-Tang Clan. Its production style became a template for boom bap, influencing producers such as Pete Rock, J Dilla, and 9th Wonder. Its impact extends beyond hip-hop, resonating with contemporary jazz-hop and alternative hip-hop movements. Overall, Step in the Arena is widely celebrated for its role in shaping the sound and ethos of 1990s hip-hop.

Absolutely immaculate beats plus some pretty good raps make this a killer combo of a hip hop album. Solid 5 Stars.

I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll bump up to a 5. I just thought that was a damn good album; it’s definitely split into halves (Tracks 2-9 & Tracks 11-18), but it comes together as a pretty complete package. The biggest split in terms of the production here is how the instrumentals take more of a backseat to the lyricism in the first half, and how they find more of a balance in the second half. There’s some stellar beats here, and some stellar lyricism, and when this album finds that balance, it rolls really, really smoothly. The only reason I’m at a 4.5 instead of a flat 5 is because I do think this album suffers from what I’m describing as “Harvard rap”. I’m sure that’s not the most concise way to put it, but a lot of this album touches on how braggadocious Guru can be about his verbose vocabulary, finding the perfect rhyme, and disparaging the lack of “intellectualism” in rap music. They would fucking hate today’s rap, I’ll tell you that much, but for 1991, this does feel a little too early to criticize the genre as a whole, unless there were some really fucking dogshit rappers getting radio airplay in 1990 just because hiphop was the new hot thing. Really, the issue isn’t the criticisms, but it’s how often they get touched on in this album – there’s just a few too many tracks that involve him bragging about his wordplay and his skill, and it sort of bogs down the album, even for as much as I liked them. Regardless of that, DJ Premier is on fire for a lot of these beats, and too much of this album is too damn good to let a slight oversaturation ruin the whole thing. For as much as he bragged, Guru does back it up pretty damn well; there’s some great flow and lyricism throughout this album – the entirety of “Take A Rest” stands out as one of the prime examples to me, but there’s some gems thrown about here. This is a pretty cohesive album from front to back, and it’s worth paying attention to every line. Ultimately, this is a super dense album, but a breezy and captivating 50 minutes. It’s a really good listen that gets sort of bogged down in its own “intellectualism” at times, but not enough to ruin the overall package. It’s a 4.5 that easily gets bumped up to a 5, and it kinda makes me wonder how this got lost in the 90s rap canon; I guess all the other heavy hitters of the era have drowned this out over the years. It’s a damn good thing it’s on this list, then.

This was really good early-90s hip-hop. I thought it was excellent. Rating: 5

Musically interesting and creative! :)

This is an album that I knew and wished more people knew about, so I was happy to see this on the list. It’s a touchstone and influence on some of my favorite artists, and I’m happy to give it five stars.

This hit the spot when I was looking for some old school hip hop. Exactly what I'd hoped for.

Love the word play

Phenomenal album. The first jazz/hip hop fusion album. Was lucky to see Gang Starr in college before Guru passed. Gang Starr is really one of the best hip-hop duos of our time - and Guru -one of the most underrated rappers of all time - I stand by that. RIP Guru.

lyrical poetry

I know very little of rap music, however I am old enough(54) to know the difference between old school hip hop and the what is trending now. This album made me find and put on my old Boston Scully patched hat...and yes, I wore it backwards. Today's rap for the most part is missing the smooth lyrical finesse and the contagious jazz beats that "Gang Starr(Guru and Dj Premier)" created. I am definitely adding this album to my library. Makes me miss the music of "Arrested Development", "De La Soul" and some wierd way, "3rd Bass!"

Really liked how this sounds. Need to check lyrics I think but overall really enjoyed it. 4.5

This album feels both like a throwback to a hip hop era before Staight Outta Compton and a look forward to groups like Tribe Called Quest and Digable Planets. Guru is an amazing lyricist. They invented Jazz Rap, whatever that genre means now. All due respect to A Tribe Called Quest, this might be the genre at it's peak. DJ Premier has worked with a lot of rappers but the partnership between him and Guru is a perfect match of a DJ and an MC. Different sounds but Gang Starr is the spiritual descendant of Eric B. & Rakim. A Tribe Called Quest's success is even more amazing considering that after this album it feels like everything was gangsta rap all of the sudden. Very jazzy. Guru sounds hard without telling stories about killing people and dealing drugs. Great album.

Loved it, this 1001 album thing has turned me into a hip hop lover!

One of the best yet

Very good. Gang Starr is the best.

9/10. Great combination of beats and rap style. Had some nostalgia with the iconic 90s style rap but with way better beats than what I knew to be the mainstream hip hop at the time.

Tja was a great hip hop record. Everything was perfect here.

I like 90's hip-hop and thoroughly enjoyed this album. While I cant point to a specific track or lyric that grabbed me, I found it all nostalgic and important to the genre.

Thankfully tiktok haven't made an ai GURU voiceover yet as I would hate for his voice to be ruined for me. Top duo. premier bringing the beautiful laid back beats, and GURu is just so smooth. I want him to read me stories each night before bed.

Honestly I think the rap and lyrics are a bit too old school for me, but the beats are absolutely crazy, and the combination is amazing. I never gave Gang Starr a fair chance when this album came out, but I absolutely should have.

A top notch hip hop banger from start to finish. Great samples and beats, and I love Guru's voice. Lovely.

These guys are real, real good.

Classic

This is probably my favorite of this 90's style hiphop. The range of sampling on display is just killer, and the flow just links up with it so well.

Favourite song - Step in the arena

Nice chill rap :)

Spoken word hip hop a classic something to take awah from every verse. Powerful

I already had Daily Operation in my rotation, but somehow I had totally missed this gem. It's just quality golden age hip-hop from start to finish. I love the beats, the lyrical delivery is laid back and it's just extremely well produced. It's also one of those rare albums that gets better towards the end. The last few tracks shine. An easy 5 stars.

Loved loved loved chill 90s rap / hiphop

Love it. So far I’ve been listening to hip hop playlists and getting into that way. Good to listen to a recognised album. Definitely the kind of stuff I like

Out of all the 90s hip hop albums I’ve gotten so far, I think this is my favorite with some close competition by Tribe Called Quest. Enjoyed the entire thing. Rating: 4.7

Yeeeeeeeessssssssss This is what hip hop should be. I wish it had never moved away from these principles. This, Tribe Called Quest, quite a lot of other stuff. California Soul sampling Check the Technique is epic. Just to Get a Rep I discover I've known for years without knowing it. Oh no wait this is that Moog record that Fatboy Slim also sampled. Yeah, check out E.V.A. by Jean-jacques Perrey for pure unadulterated Moog goodness. Spotify has the brass balls to co-credit Fatboy slim with the original song. Bro literally lifted the entire thing and put a beat behind it and now everyone thinks he wrote it. Oh ok it was literally a remix. Stuck that on after and literally it does not compare to the original. I'm learning a lot about a genre I've only skirted around the edges of on this journey. There are some ace hip hop albums in my arsenal but unfortunately the nature of Spotify means they get lost and I forget their names. This is why I need to get vinyl.

I am not a rap fan by nature, however I've always wanted to dive into the genre and never found a starting point. this is it now. deep lyrics, nice beats and overall very good music

Yep, this is really very good. 4.5

Very solid which I found very enjoyable throughout. The jazz and funk elements are great, creating a nice laid back feel and approach, but still holds a lot of urgency and potency in its themes.

Buttery smooth.

gangstarr for life

Leader, OG. 5/5

This has everything I love about 90s hip hop. The wordplay is great. I love the simple repeating drum breaks and samples. The bass hits when it shows up. Favorite song: Check the Technique Least favorite: N/A

One of the better rap albums I’ve heard. Something I’d actually revisit as a non-rap fan. Great beats, smooth vocal delivery and lyrical content many cuts above what you get today. Once they sampled the guitar line in “Up On Cripple Creek” by The Band, this went from 4 to 5 stars for me.

OK, this is one of the rare times I agree with this list - This is one of the 1001 essential albums of all time.

I cheered when I saw today's album, I love Gang Starr. Wonderful beats with jazz and soul samples, chill vibes and the rapper with the best voice (RIP Guru). Undeniable classic.

The flows and the beats are absolutely remarkable on this. Stand-out. Some great use of some classic samples. Why are these boys not better known?

Really excellent

The album sounds like a product of its time but the beats and rhymes are 5/5.

This is right in my lane. Great record.

90s rap is just always pretty good

Love it when you come across a gem like this in this project. First listen - Heard of them but don’t recognize any of this LP but not just an LP that I’ll listen to again but this will be with me for the rest of my life. I hope. I can’t fault this. Intelligent, loose, upbeat hip hop. I’m not one for lyrics but these are brilliant. Vocal delivery, beats, turntable scratching melody, jazzy bits and oh my oh my the bass. This is quality, taking hip hop back to its routes. The sort of LP you learn all the lyrics to without even trying. It holds your attention on 1st listen all the way.

5 I absolutely did not expect this to be hip hop nor did I expect it to grab my attention right off the bat. The subject matter throughout reminds me of NWA and Eminem and subverts my expectations at seemingly every chance it gets. The beats and samples are so cool and distinct enough that I can easily tell the difference between songs but never so distinct as to betray the style of the album. Low-key and smooth, this has that pure 90s sound that would fit in perfectly on a Tony Hawk soundtrack (may have been on one, honestly). Front to back I loved this. This is exactly the type of album that made me want to do this challenge in the first place. My appreciation of hip hop is now a bit deeper.

One of the best Hip Hop albums ever released. Breaks, samples, lyrics all working together.

Always had a soft spot for these guys was shocked to hear Guru passed had no idea. At a time when hip was going going gangsta these guys did something different something jazzy. Hi class

Listens: 2 Enjoyed: fuck yeah Never really delved into Gang Starr but fuck this is a great album. I don't think there is a single skipable track

This is a band at the top of their game. Guru is greatly missed

This is why I downloaded the app

Awesome album

Never heard Gang Starr before but this is amazing. Great flow. Old school hip hop Reminds me of J5 or Abdominal...

step up

East Coast Hiphop,old school,smooth and tense,real Classic!

4.6⭐️