Reviews (page 6 of 8)
This specific sound was such a moment in time in hip hop but I don’t think I’ll revisit tho
Nice chill rap :)
3.8
2.7
Amazing jazzy beats with some quirks. Combined with decent rapping, it's a truly compelling 50-minute listen.
Not my first Gang Starr experience, but this is my first full Gang Starr album. So smooth.
glad for at have Gang Starr på listen! man kan sagtens høre slægtsskabet til A Tribe Called Quest osv., men meget mere klassisk. Bundsolide beats og Guru er en fantastisk rapper
MVP DJ Premier, beatsene er pissefede
Cool beat flips but still not into the old rap
Solid album. DJ Premier is one of the all time great producers and Guru (RIP) is really good rapping on here.
Boring and simplistic sounding
Enjoyed this one! 90s hip hop reigns supreme again. Favorite track: Execution of a Chump
An easy 4 stars. Only thing holding this album back is there refusal to break cadence. I'd love to hear a verse or two that breaks free from that 'perfect pocket' they seem to find.
The beats on this record are top drawer. But while Guru’s lyrical imagery is definitely intuitive and novel for the genre, the actual egocentric tropes remain largely untouched. This is undeniably a great hip hop record though, but its impact waned greatly towards the latter half of the album.
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.
I really enjoy this era of rap. It reminds me of the exciting 1990's NYC / east coast scene and some really listenable acts from that time and place like Nas and Big L. The sound to me feels like there's no rush. There's no pretentious vocals, the lyrics aren't over the top, and everything approachable. I really love the laid back beats. It just feels real and authentic. Yesterday my wife took off from work randomly and we decided to spend a day at the beach, just hopping around a few restaurants and bars in the middle of February on a misty and cold day. It was probably the only time that I had been at Asbury Park and saw less than 50 people on the beach / boardwalk, and our last stop was a bar that was playing some early 1990's rap. I was listening and thought to myself a few times "this has to be Big L". I mentioned it to my wife, then I looked up the lyrics and the artist was "Gang Starr", which I didn't recognize! Funny now to wake up and see this is the 1001 album of the day.
Good record, also new to me. I had never heard of the artist before.
A solid album with a nice flow that is maintained throughout its entirety.
Primo’s smooth beats and signature chorus scratch and Guru’s mellow flow make for sophisticated, relaxed, enjoyable hip hop. Never afraid to rap about relationships or social observations, Gang Starr avoided the trap of creating a fictional street life for themselves and, in return, earned plaudits and respect from the hip hop community. The sound felt fresh, preferring jazz sounds for samples, which added to the novelty and sophistication. RIP Guru, you left us too soon.
Spoken word hip hop a classic something to take awah from every verse. Powerful
Old skool but overall kinda meh.
Getting sick of the.choices
I feel like the is the album I want to listen to when I am craving 90’s rap. The only problem is, I have never craved 90’s rap.
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.
This one was not for me. I enjoyed it musically and some of the songs were better lyrically than others. But most of the songs were filled by the rhymiest of rhymes. And rhymey rhymes are my pet peeve.
I think I’m getting sick of 90s hip hop albums. This was enjoyable enough though, although it is funny to hear them say “slay” so much before it gained its current slang meaning.
This wasn't what I expected, in a positive direction. I'm not sure how to describe the qualities of 90's hip-hop that I enjoy except maybe that it's a little loose and goofy, with loops? This has quite a bit of that. Once again: would love to be able to understand words the first time I hear a song.
Loved it way more than I thought I would,proper old school
Good
After listening to "Step in the Arena," I looked up other hip-hop albums released in 1991, and I'm amazed at what all was coming out in the genre at that time. It really was so transformative with things that still hold up today. My biggest issue with "Step in the Arena" is the same as many other hip-hop albums at the time, which is that they felt like a compilation of songs, rather than having a flow through the album. However, the individual tracks are so strong, and both the music and the lyrics still stand up to today's standards in most ways. Styles may have changed, but I can still trace any hip-hop I like back to groups like Gang Starr.
This album certainly grew on me more with the second listen and I feel like it deserves a few more if not at least a deeper listen. Fave track for now Step In The Arena
This sounds pretty fresh for 1990! Their flows are a notch up from most other old school hip-hop of the time. Some excellent scratching on display, too. Fave tracks - "Who's Gonna Take the Weight" and "Check the Technique" stood out. Loved the Jean-Jacques Perrey sample in "Just to Get a Rep", too!
Old school rap. Simple samples. Höre es erneut für die Texte.
Listened to some of the album, but wasn't enthused, so I skipped the rest.
The first half of the album feels like freshman rap. The beats aren’t hitting very hard and are pretty basic. The 2nd half is great! The music and bass are a little louder, the lyrics are clear and relatable. Highlights include "Check the Technique" and "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow."
not my thing
Boom Bap Rap is one of the most boring rap genres, despite what this duo has done outside of this project being great.
good vibe. classic early rap.
3.5 The first couple tracks I thought it was your basic early 90s hip hop jazzy endeavor of corny rhymes, but the lyrics are actually insightful, some of the scratching was impressive and adventurous, and the deadpan lyrical delivery was good and comedic without trying to be but maybe it was? Either way it piqued my interest and I found myself enjoying this album more than I thought I would the first couple tracks, particularly tracks such as Execution of a Chump which tackles lazy friends who suck off your energy and people who bring you down. The record also tackles themes of materialism and spirituality and that dichotomy. The production was excellent and frankly ahead of its time, while the sampling could be a bit repetitive at times but it got adventurous when it needed to. Beyond Comprehension is a favorite of mine. It explores deep themes. The record also tackles themes like romance and its everyday struggles in a great track Lovesick, the personalities the music industry attracts, and other various themes. I'm going to give it a 3.5 (aka 4) because... 1. I hate jazz 2. It doesn't flow as an album 3. It is too long. 4. Some of the rhymes are corny and just do not hold up. 5. The tempo doesn't change very much, becomes too expected. BUT... POSITIVES 1. Emcees flow and touching multiple themes and being vulnerable, insightful lyricism 2. Production value 3. Explorative sounds 4. Excellent scratching 5. Its ahead of its time 6. Say Your Prayers has the fattest beat If the record trimmed five of the tracks or so and kept the best ones itd be a five but its guilty of overindulgence. Some of the rhymes on some tracks feel forced or just passing the time.
3.5 Nice lil rap album
Great vibe and flow from the early days of rap. Recognized a few songs but didn’t get introduced to rap till much later and hadn’t heard most of this album. Easy to listen to, smooth flow and enjoyable.
Solid rap on every front, beats lyrics flow. Felt like the best schoolyard rapper with battle punch lines got top-notch, mellow beats. The name means master mind. feels a bit hypnotic which can make it hard to follow the lyrics.
Loved loved loved chill 90s rap / hiphop
I liked it.
Hm, the usual gangster stuff: violence, fighting, wait- talking about the Muslim faith & uniting as a people, references to "40 acres" & Malcolm X, at a time the US was sending troops to Iraq & Kuwait? OK, gotta respect that.
Oon aina diggailu DJ Premieren suoraviivaista samplaamista, vaikka itse Gang Starrin kuuntelu on vähemmälle jäänyt. Samaten Gurun Jazzmatazz on aika tuttu. Hyväähän tämäkin oli! Tipahtaa mun korvissa ihan sinne klassikkoysärin osastolle. Ei valittamista vaan hyvä platta 4/5
Hyvä levy, muttei ihan ysäriräbän suurimpia suosikkeja.
En vaan oikein välitä tästä ysäriräpistä. Tärkeää genren historialle jne jne, ei vaan mun musaa.
Nicht so gut.
Boring.
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
You need at least *one* album by Gang Starr in such a list. The union of DJ Premier's legendary boom-bap prodution chops and Guru's "conscious" lyrics, uttered in a deep, precise voice with a high-class flow rarely matched in the hip hop world, is too good to go unnoticed. Trouble is, if only *one* Gang Starr album could be selected in such a list--because of a lack of "room"--which one would it be? Let's cut the suspense, here, sophomore album *Step In The Arena* is indeed one of the strongest contenders. Even its less "noticeable" cuts (less noticeable during a first, superficial listen, that is) are admirably well crafted, thought out and performed. And the highlights are simply stellar, enough said: there's the title track "Step In the Arena", but also "Check the Technique", "Take A Rest", "Just To Get A Rep". The last three tracks ("As I Read My S.A.", "Precisely The Right Rhyme" , and "The Meaning Of The Name") are even one of the most beautiful strings of songs ever ending a hip hop album. Creating a good build-up in a rap record, up until the very last minutes, is not so easy to pull off. DJ Premier and Guru make it sound as if it's only a child's game for them. Being very fond of Gang Starr's next album *Daily Operation* (where Premier sprinkles even jazzier moods than in *Step In The Arena*--still very much indebted to seventies funk and classic rock samples instead), I could be tempted to select that other LP and leave *Step In The Arena* aside. But no, I won't. Worst case scenario, I would personally select *both* records and leave it at that. Boom (bap)! Problem solved. 4/5 for the purposes of this list. Which translates to a 9/10 grade for more general purposes. Number of albums left to review: 311 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 308 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 168 Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many other records are more important to me): 225
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
Had never heard of this album. Glad I was able to listen to it.
Haven't listened to a lot of rap but would like to learn more, really enjoyed this and will be exploring east coast rap more for sure
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.
18 Songs mit 50:32 Min. Rap mit Acid und Techno Elementen (auch als HipHop bezeichnet) sogar auszugsweise auch hörbar. Trotzdem ist es ein Genre, das mir nicht zusagt. Es gibt auch keinen Song den ich nochmal hören will.
kinda groove w the beats
I am about as far from their target audience as you can get. I don't like this genre and think most of it is shit. I dreaded listening to 55 minutes of this (well, ten minutes and then skip through the rest of the songs). But beats were solid and easy to get in to. Lyrics were at least cohesive and coherent. So what would have been a one turned out to be a three. I can't say I liked, but I enjoyed listening to it. When it comes to this genre, that's hitting it out of the park. Scale: 5 - My absolute favorites. 4 - Albums I like. 3 - It was ok to listen to but I wouldn't seek it out. 2 - Didn't like. 1 - Absolute shit.
Who's Gonna Take The Weight? 💯😤✊ First listen of this album and truthfully I think the first I've heard of Gang Starr 🫣 but 🫶
Man, I really thought I was going to love this album but it was a snooze. I love Premiers production, but it gets repetitive in one sitting. Guru never switches up his flow (admittedly, not a common practice in this era) and there are no features so it becomes more noticeable as the record goes on. No real stand out tracks, honestly. This era of hip-hop is filled with so many more interesting artists and albums. Gang Starr definitely holds a place in the history books, but I'll probably stick to best-of albums from here on out.
Not a hip hop fan, but enjoyed listening to this album.
I didn't mind it as background music
I've only ever listened to Moment of Truth, but never his first album. Pretty classic 90s flows and instrumentation.
You can definitely hear the influence albums like this one had on east coast rap throughout the 90's. The production is great throughout the record, and there is lots of good storytelling here that makes up for a pretty basic rhyme schemes. Very similar to A Tribe Called Quest but there's not much here that The Low End Theory doesn't do better.
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
I still don‘t like Hip-Hop. Again I gave it a try, but it‘s not my cup of tea.
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.
its okay.
Untouchable samples, masterful flow, clear lyrics. This album is terrific!
Never heard of this group before! Right up my alley as far as hip hop styles. That late 80’s / early 90’s smooth flow jazzy stuff. Like Tribe or De La Soul. Not sure how I’ve missed this one! Definitely in solid new-discovery 4 territory. Drums on Check The Technique are big!
good old school rap
Classic East coast hip hop. Some good grooves, some good lines, very mellow.
It's fine and for the era maybe even ahead of its time. Preferable to gangsta rap
Buttery smooth.
This is great old-school Brooklyn-style rap. It would never be my go-to music, but I can appreciate it for what it is.
Welcome to vocabulary class. Good old school hip hop but like all the others it just gets kind of repetitive with the rhymes and using big words
3.3/5 Best Track: Step In The Arena
gangstarr for life
I think Gang Starr's albums that came after are a stronger showing. Musically I think only Just To Get A Rep is a strong showing of the style they made. Still, there's some interesting stuff here and Guru & Premier always sound good. I have a feeling that I'm underrating the impact given that it's from 1991. music: appreciated. (⌐⬤ ̮ ⬤)
This was a good time. I don’t have much of an ear for hip hop, but I know this was sparse, creatively sampled, and every song had a place.
Honestly, one of my favorite rap albums so far. Idk why, but this style really gets to me and I really enjoyed it.
Smooth as baby's bottom. Could listen to it all day.
Leader, OG. 5/5
I'm sure it would grow on me but the songs sounded the same on first listen
Call the Poll Ice
step up, step out
Early rap with understandable lyrics and musical samples.
Didn’t dislike this, but not sure it aged well and doesn’t really stand out.
Perfect Duo! I love what Guru and Premier also did on their own and for their first album they showed what theyre capable of! Great Fking Album Real Rap
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
I never like 90s hip hop as much as I think I should… I guess the old head life just isn’t for me. This’ll probably grow on me if I listen to it more, though
First listen Saved 7/18 Top track: Step In The Arena
Nice
Excellent lyricism, relatable message, great beats
Mér finnst þetta næs, sömplin vinna oftast vel með lögunum og eru vel valin, það sem ég heyri svo af textunum er flott. Já, barasta svolítið fínt hip-hop fyrir minn smekk.
The high pitched sound in "Who's Gonna Take The Weight?" is annoying. Other than that, the samples were good. The rapping is about average. Still not my genre.
Some good stuff in here, classic samples and good bars.
this is really corny. the vocals are very flat for the most part, but the beats make up for it kinda idk. The lyrics are pretty cool too. 7.1/10
Smooth and crisp - the mould by which most streetwise 90s hip-hop would and should be measured. Lyrically ahead of its time but I find the earwigs a bit sparse on this one. I want to give it 3.5 stars. I can’t, so I’ll play hardball.
Chillin' out, maxin', relaxin' all cool
Some of the sampled music was nice, still not a fan of rap. After a while it was just boring shit.
It's ok but think the lyrics are a bit cringe, won't end up on my gym playlist
Nicely smooth but gets a bit monotonous after a while
DJ Premier is a legend and delivers great beats in this. Guru has a cool flow but gets a bit boring after a while.
Ok-ish to listen to in the background, but not an album I’d seek out to listen to again
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.
Me ha gustado bastante, otro de esos que puedes escuchar una y otra vez sin cansarte. Me gusta que haya estrofas que funcionan como estribillos, y las bases están bien. 7/10 puede subir nota.
Shit hvað ég fíla ekki þessa tónlist. Ég skil ekki hvað er málið.
Ljóðlestur úr gettóinu undir stolnum tónum - Ekki að heilla mig mikið.
I liked this better than most rap! 3 stars
Love this era of hip hop. Smooth flow, conscious lyrics, and solid beats. This gave way to some truly great albums in the 90's
While this isn’t my favourite Gang Starr album, it’s still a fantastic record from one of the greatest hip-hop groups of all time Favourite tracks: Step In the Arena, Who’s Gonna Take the Weight, Love Sick, Game Plan, Just To Get a Rep
Ganske bra, ingen spesifikke bangers men elsker lyden deres
Great beats with crafty intricate lyrics on top. A good rap cake
😴😴😴
Cat: I really liked this.
Wasn't for me
dj premier is a legend
Apparently some have called this the best hip hop album of all time. Forgive me, I simply found it underwhelming.
East Coast Jazz and Soul inflected beats are probably my favorite flavor of Hip Hop, and Premier is undoubtedly a master chef. Guru's flow may sound dated now, but there is depth and wisdom in his words.
Subpar hip-hop outshined by it's contemporaries.
Not normally my type of of music, but I can def hear this album's influence on early 90s rap.
Nope
Had only heard of this group before, glad to finally get to check them out. This is a great hip hop record, very smooth and thoughtful lyrics. There are a couple instances of the "gold digger" trope, but I'll forgive them since they are kept to a minimum and are not particularly offensive. Overall, this album kinda feels like a more chilled out Public Enemy.
- "Just to get a rep" samples "EVA" by Jaqcues Perrey wonderfully.
Album 195 of 1001 Gang Starr - Step in the Arena Rating : 3 / 5 I am big on coincidence. I started listening to the 1001 Albums playlist at the end of March and then started the album a day generator about a week later. All along, I wondered if the generator would ever give me the same album I was listening to on the playlist, at that time. It finally happened. I got about 5 songs into this album yesterday on the playlist and it pops up here today as album of the day. Now, the album. Wasn't familiar. I see that some (at least, at the time of its release) called this the greatest Hip Hop album ever. I can't speak to that. I can say that it is better than many I've heard. I'm still trying to differentiate between Rap & Hip Hop....what do I know? I'm just an old pop and rock guy. I did wave my arms side to side a few times while listening. Coming from me, that is as good as a Grammy nomination.
Not bad
I really liked it. Wasn’t paying too much attention so need to give it a second listen, but will definitely be adding it to my library
Very easy listening 90’s hip hop. Vocals have a smooth flow, beats are silky, funky, bouncy and pleasant. Very hypnotic, could easily have this going in any background.
Fun
Decent. Not my cup of tea though but don't hold that against them.
Old school rap not my thing….
Hip-hop rap. Rollo. Sin más.
Pretty good. Totally had the early 90's hip hop sound..
Very well put together album, just not my thing.
1. Just to get a Rep 2. Step in the Arena 3. Check the Technique
я почти ничего не поняла, но это лучший хип-хоп альбом всех времён? я ничего не поняла (иц файн)
It's a really solid album. You can hear the transition from 80s to 90s hip-hop styles.
hip hop
Great beats, smooth delivery, impeccable old-school vibes. Best song: Who’s Gonna Take the Weight?
It might have been the freshness factor (for me, since this was first time hearing the album), but I'll take this over Run DMC anyday. Just a ton of fun, if a bit too long.
An odd choice to represent Gang Starr in this list - there is some good stuff on here but they still feel like they’re finding their sound on this one, and albums like Moment of Truth are much stronger
Fik ikke hørt det færdigt, var lidt for kedeligt
On it's own, it's a good album. And then it's got its history and influence.
Easy listening. Some songs were better than others. Enjoyed most of the beats and some of the lyrics.
i like the beats and scratching. lyrics so far arent impressive but dont seem overtly negative i of the deep bass pretty weak rhymes. what the heck was "game plan" that was just an annoying track not doing this album any favors. how we take seriously "phony bologna" used unironically "i think she heard my voice already/ you can let her in but i'm cooking spaghetti" there were maybe one or two decent tracks, but the whole album was peppered with corny, low quality rhymes.
OK, this is one of the rare times I agree with this list - This is one of the 1001 essential albums of all time.
my favorite track on first listen was check the technique. I liked how chill this was and it's always funny hearing old slang in rap. loved
Why? I can't say why this album is in here It's not bad, it's not good, it's just background noise
A "new" album from an early hip-hop duo I only know for a single song (Mass Appeal). Honestly did not know that this is where DJ Premier started out. Step In The Arena gets things going with a classic 90s beat with some slick flow. Straight, clean, no-nonsense hip-hop that keeps your head bobbing start to finish. Next two songs both are servicable. Good beats and flow... Who's Gonna Take The Weight? features a high-pitch warble front and center. I find it kind of distracting relative to the vocals. Kind of put this into the background for a while. No complaints, but no real stand-outs until I hit Take A Rest. Features a hip-hop favorite sample in one of the more dynamic beats on the record. This song is a case of the beat outshines the MC. Doesn't help that the mixing puts his vocals on the same level as everything else making it easy to lose him. I'll be honest, I did not give this a very close listen. I was focused on other things and the music itself didn't really compel me to give attention. With that in mind, I'd say this is a very solid 3 / 5. It may have been more influential at the time of its release, but looking back this feels like a solid, but not amazing early 90s hip-hop album. The beats, while interesting at times, generally fall within the meat of a 90s hip-hop bell curve and the rapping while serviceable is nothing commanding of attention. Some poor mixing (imo) throughout also plagues the production with the instrumental overwhelming the MC. Can't say I'd go back for another listen, but I'm not offended by it.
I was mowing the lawn while listening to this one so I don't have a song by song recap. I love these 90's hip hop albums, definitely head bopping and grooving at the beginning on this album. Mr. Starr has pretty good flow. Some of his lyrics are better than others. He doesn't have very much change in his tone though which causes the album to turn a bit bland. Overall it started out well, but I kinda checked out later in the album. Could have been shorter. I could maybe give this one 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding down.
Beats are a little repetitive for my liking. But the flow of the lyrics is really good which I would assume is the focus. I really like the Up On Cripple Creek sampling on Beyond Comprehension The songs all started sounding the same to me and wish it was only about 30 minutes long. Still enjoyed
What an iconic voice Guru has. Heard a few of these songs but never this album le go. Step in the Arena bangs. Execution of a Chump is a banger. Check the Technique is awesome sampling California Soul. Love Gang Starr this was solid, but nothing so captivating to keep me intrigued all the way through.
Good, important, old school rap. I have much respect for these two but I can’t help get a bit bored listening
I enjoyed this! Was not familiar with Gang Starr. Some great samples utilized by DJ Premier that he cut really cleanly. For 1991 I'm surprised the sound wasn't more dated-feeling. Don't get wrong it reeks of the 90s but it didn't feel that stale - maybe a bit formulaic by the end, but it's an especially tricky genre to stay relevant in, and yet both the overall production and Guru's lyrics were easy to get on board with. Guessing groups like the Roots and Jurassic Five are inspired by their sound.
This was dope. Solid bars all around. Check the Technique was the highlight. Doesn’t quite have the oomph for a 5 but close.
I really liked the jazzy samples Gang Starr used in Mo Better Blues a lot, but for some reason I had not listened to Step In The Arena in 30 years. My bad on that one, as this is excellent hip-hop. I especially like DJ Premier's production. One star off for Guru's somewhat monotone rapping.
Not familiar with this group and not a rap fan so can't give a fair evaluation. I will say that this is music I would have absolutely hated when it originally came out. Now I can hear some of why it broke through but still not for me.
The sample of “Up on Cripple Creek” on “Beyond Comprehension” was astounding. Just totally unexpected and great. “Love Sick” was a great listen too. No matter how you slice it, there just aren’t a ton of love songs in rap, especially by male artists. It was probably a bigger deal to include that song on the album than I can understand.
Classic.
Love this kind of early hip hop albums, clean af.
Simple listening notes..no words.
Absolute garbage. I listened to the whole thing to be sure.
Best tracks; Enter The Arena, Check the Technique (only because I like the sampled track!) and Here Today, Gone Tomorrow. All a bit samey, hardly any variation in energy or tempo. I sure there is a lot of talent and technical enginuity gone into making these songs from the samples, but it's lost on me completely. Hence only a 1.
A lot of very weak lyrics but pretty good production, 2.5
The rap albums on this list have been pretty consistently good (aside from my hated Kid Rock), and this is more of the same. While I enjoyed it, it was admittedly not very distinguished from other rap at the time, at least listening with modern ears. The songs were, of course, still good, however, the highlight being ‘Just To Get A Rep’, which highlights the pointlessness of gang violence. I don’t know how to end this review. Nice beats I guess.
If this is the greatest hip hop album of all time then I have no hope of getting into this genre
The problem with ‘Step In The Arena’ by Gang Starr for me, is that it’s only just OK when compared to albums released in the same year by their peers. ATCQ, Cypress Hill, De La, Ice T, Cube, 2Pac and NWA (just name a few) all released far more compelling, urgent records, and with more interesting use of samples.
Is it possible to sound more old school than that?
I like the flow and messaging, but the beats and monotone cadence are kind of boring. I'm guessing that this is kind of a consequence of the times though. I think it was probably a great album that just didn't age incredibly well.
Not a bad sound. Standouts include Step In The Arena, Execution Of A Chump, and Check The Technique.
It’s solid, I’m not gonna act like it’s my kinda thing and I think it drags a bit but it’s certainly an enjoyable listen.4/5
The rhymes feel like they’re battling the bears and that the group are meditating through their flow. This is a fantastic album. Featuring bar after bar of the type of storytelling often missing in the modern rap game.
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.
Meh
I'm gunna tell you a little story about unheard of 90s hip hop duo Gang Starr: NO. I'm so disinterested in this on every level, it’s 18 tracks of inane mediocrity that I do not need right now.
Fine
Great 90s rap album, great beats and lyrics, just a good listen from a group I’ve never heard of but will definitely check out more.
Slighty more low key Public Enemy circa 1991, with both the old school production and the Nation of Islam loyalties
it's a hip hop album... I'm not into Hip Hop that much to know if it's a hidden masterpiece or not but it's the "worst" of the 4 (TPAB, IGOR, Fear of a Black Planet) I listened so far... 6/10 (3/5)
The sort of 90s hip hop we watched on TV in primary school to warn us about knife crime. It's not for me.
Bit vanilla but I enjoyed the sound. Don't know if they sampled other people or people sampled them but it had familiar flavour.
Nothing special but a solid effort, missing a banger
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?
Dull
Il fait trop chaud pour s'infliger en plus du rap du passé
album de hip hop quoi
Typical 90s rap. 7/10
bem chatinho
its a tad long but both guru and premier are going all out and you can tell
I kinda liked this one. Easy to to listen to and groove to. I feel the need to give 4/5s to some hip hop even though it’s not my go to genre, and this meets the cut.
I had a CD of 1/2 of this outfit, the rapper Guru, from his Jazzamatazz series, where he played with a bunch of jazz guys, like Donald Byrd and Roy Ayers. It was cool because, as a result, those artists came out of retirements, and started touring again. I managed to catch a couple of them when they passed through town. I like Guru's cool delivery and the DJ on this LP is OK, it would have been nice to hear the exquisite solos from Jazzamatazz.
Really cool album. I liked the music and radio style
7/10.
Never heard of these guys. Good old school Rap/Hip Hop Singles: ------------------------------- Just to Get a Rep (#5 US RAP) Take a Rest (#63 UK) Lovesick (#11 US Rap., #50 UK) Step in the Arena (#5 US Rap) Who's Gonna Take the Weight? (#9 US Rap) 3/5
Brave gangster
Helaas is mijn mood niet gang-starr vandaag, zelfs met met zijn dubbele R!
Goeie herinneringen aan deze plaat uit mijn hip hop jaren.
Best vrolijk en luchtig.
Ik vond dit verrassend prettig.
Lit lit lit
great lyrics, easy to listen to
Uhhhh, very nice hop hop, très cool and smooth.
Wel Nice! Beetje same same aan het eind van het album
Gang starr heel hard. Ziet wel dat ze gedurende ze verder zijn zeker de rap beter wordt. Nu merk je dat premier vooral de kar trekt
Had eerst niet zo veel zin om dit te luisteren maar uiteindelijk echt best nice!! Favorieten waren Check the technique en As I read my s-a!! Eigenlijk 3,5
Hou van de beats, het rappen voelt soms was ongeïnspireerd. 3.5
I liked
Haven’t finished it all yet but really enjoyed it. Slick beats bro
"Step in the Arena" is the second album by hip hop duo Gang Starr who are Houston-born record producer DJ Premier and Boston rapper Guru and, of course, they're based out of Brooklyn. DJ Premier is all over the place for a number of the hip hop albums I've done in this challenge. The genre is East Coast hip hop. Many accolades for the album including IGN naming it the best hip hop album of all time in 2007. Five singles were released from the album and the first one we come across is "Step in the Arena." It's a rap battle. Guru is a very smooth rapper; he kind of reminds me of a laid back Chuck D. The production of DJ Premier shines on "Who's Gonna Take Back Weight." The groove. Weird noises. Horns. Sound effects. And used in GTA IV. "Check the Technique" uses great sampling of Marlena Shaw's "California Soul" laying down the groove. Scratching. Great rhyming. My favorite song on the album. The third single "Lovesick" is a love song. We're off the rap battles and strutting for awhile. It's a little slower. The pace picks up in "Take a Rest." Guru is more forceful. Just a killer beat with the sampling of The Meteor's Funky Miracle." Every other rapper sucks. "Just to Get a Rep" tells a story of gang life and the need to shoot and kill and get a rep. More weird noises and scratching. This sounded a lot like Cypress Hill. This was a really smooth and good album. Great rhymes, samples and high production. Initially, these guys were thrown in the jazz rap category from a song they did for a Spike Lee movie. And, they do sound a little like De La Soul but they're their own. A solid recommendation.
Listened to the first song and wanted to shoot myself
12 days in and this is the 4th hip hop album already! Tbh I quite enjoyed this one
90s rap. Apparently influential. A little 'Hi, my name's Louis...' in style, but the lyrics seemed interesting. I enjoyed the name-check of Dick Dastardly in 'Form of Intellect'. Disappointingly, neither Mutely, Penelope Pitstop, Peter Perfect nor the Ant Hill Mob got a similar shout-out. Rating: 2.5/5 Playlist track: Step In The Arena Date listened: 01/05/23
A few tracks I could do without, but in general this was easy to groove to, and I appreciated the cleverness and poignancy of the poetry. Sometimes the lyrics and delivery could have been better, but it was a perfectly okay listen.
Ok but didn't really do anything for me
Lyrically I think it might be quite good, but I just found it a bit boring. It's the kind hip hop that's done over a loop, where as I prefer some melodic progression
Good vibes
Listened Before? N I had fun with this one. I really like this early-90s rap vibe. It is super refreshing after most of today's rap. I may listen to this one over and over. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Check the Technique
Not my style
Good rhymes but I was underwhelmed - it lacked energy for me
Generic 90s hip-hop sound. Nothing really stood out and I was pretty bored listening to this album.
The sound within each song was incredibly redundant and not particular pleasant to listen to. I don’t really think I’m the right person to rate this genre as I generally don’t care for it, but this album bores me more than other rap/hip hop albums
Very good, clearly a cornerstone in this style and format of rap. A duo I'd heard about quite a bit but hadn't listened to at length before.
The Goats aber noch nicht Strong 7/10
pretty good!
Not an act I had heard of. Not sure how I missed them. Classic hip,hop.
I've never heard of the band. I looked at the cover and expected to hate it. Actually kind of really enjoyed it!
A throwback to hip-hop’s underground roots. Great beats with tongue-twisting lyrics.
Alright
An interesting listen
Good Old School Hip Hop. Love the samples used on this recording. Some Funky moments throughout.
Great flow and sick beats. If Guru was a little more charismatic, I’d give it 5 stars.
It's rare to find a hip-hop album that isn't inundated with interludes or skits, so this was a refreshing listen. Not the best hip-hop I've heard, but it was pretty good. Standouts were Lovesick and Here Today, Gone Tomorrow.
So much of my taste in hip-hop comes from NYC-based 80s & 90s crews. You can hear Gang Starr’s style’s influence in later stuff too… I forgot how much I liked these guys when this was new. It was great to be reminded!
Great hip hop album with jazzy beats and solid rapping.
Sehr chill, ich mag den vibe voll. Aber ist halt auch nicht so was, was ich so wirklich hören würde
Like his voice, good beats, some good lyrics but too much “I’m great” theme. And lots of cliches in some songs.
Just good clean hip hop. Can't complain.
New to me. Laid back east coast hiphop. The vocal delivery felt a little drab at times, and the content started to wear thin (how many ways can you say that my rhymes are better than yours?) but overall this wasn’t bad. Some of the backing tracks are a bit grating but thankfully they don’t overstay their welcome. Standouts: Check the Technique, Love Sick, Take a Rest. 2.75
Classic East coast flow. Pretty laid back. 4.5
Not bad
Uha, hvor er det et langt album…
Shit, I was fully prepared to hate this. I’m a dick for pre-judging it.
3.5/5. Very influential in the hip hop genre but perhaps a bit before my time.
The generator's thrown up lots of 90s hip-hop and it's all blurring into one, so I had low hopes when this popped up. But these hopes were surpassed! Yeah, stylistically I can't really distinguish it from a few other artists we've had, but somehow this found a bit of a sweet spot with fun, laid back beats and words that a) I can hear clearly, and b) I want to listen to. A line in Take A Rest sums it up for me: "Arranged by a great brain, delivering rhymes clear and concise with a nice dope voice". Word. 3.5
You can not convince me that hip-hop is music. It's awkward poetry read to some shitty beats. 2/5 dogshit.
Lyrics were pretty good but ultimately something I feel I'll forget about quite quickly
Pretty good, very relaxing. Lacked a real stand out song imo
Not amazing. Wouldn’t give another listen.
mmmm hell yeah premier. track 4 goes barny last few were alright. track 6 yippy. sticken you and fricken you, just a teeny bit. beat goes hard on track 7 what the hell is guru on about. the kick sounds Really good on track 10. oh my lord that bassline on track 11. the short interlude tracks go so hard. I must say I want more premier less guru. something about his rap style just isn't clicking with me. track 17 beat is lovely. Yeah I would much rather this being a premier beat album with the beats slightly more developed than with guru on it. I am so sorry guru I like some of his work but this is simply not it to me ☹️. his rapping was good on the last track but I just really wasn't messing with this album. and I didn't even enjoy it as much as the very 3 adele album. jasus this is gonna be a 2
Not a hip hop fan but this is pretty good. Smart and listenable. 3 stars.
It's got big early 90s rap vibes, which I enjoy since it's pre-gangster rap. Favorite was "Check the Technique"
Wry good Hip Hop Album
This was good 90's hip-hop. I don't listen to a ton of this stuff anymore. I went through a phase where I wanted to learn all about it, but my interest fizzled. It is pretty dang good for what it is. 4 out of 5 stars (not because I love it, but because it is really good at what it does)
It is was alright hip hop album but not the best. It is better than 2 not really a 3. I will round up.
Hip hop. Coñazo.
Enjoyed this - had heard tracks before - but not the whole album. I think it earns its place
Smooth rhymes, smooth rhythm, this has aged rather well
classic rap album, but not really my taste
not my favorite style of music
Pretty mellow and chill. Bass was funky. Didn't really grab me though.
Production vraiment bonne, on comprends pourquoi c'était un album important dans l'arrivée du hip hop jazzy. Les flows deviennent un peu redondant à la longue par contre.
Good stuff, I want to listen to this one again!
Good flow and beats. Enjoyed it.
great album classic hip hop what can u say
Great old school hip hop, great samples and basslines , rhymes are good and I really enjoy the scratching. Not too sure if it was just a product of the time but I don't recall any foul language, not a plus or minus just wondering. Favourite tracks - Step In The Arena, Take a rest, As I Read My S-A
Hip-hop. Ni fu ni fa.
Hip-hop rap. Rollo. Sin más.
Smooth, smooth, smooth as silk. I'm not the biggest hip hop fan, but this was cool and fun.
Niet bijzonder interessant, ook niet heel aandachtig geluisterd. Het was prima achtergrondmuziek tijdens het gamen, alleen het greep dus ook mijn aandacht niet. Veel van hetzelfde, weinig variatie. Vast invloedrijk, maar met de latere hiphop in het achterhoofd niet heel interessant.
This rap I could actually get with- it wasn’t obnoxious and shoving it in my face or anything and it was actually pretty good. It’s not my favourite or anything but I would listen again.
Groovy. I'd forgotten about these guys - I love the chill and rhythmic rhyming; Guru's clear voice and style are definitely up my alley in terms of hip-hop. The music is very derivative (in a good way) of 70s soul/jazz/funk - it's a great combination with Guru's rapping. I definitely prefer and miss this style of hip-hop and need to remember to listen to this more often - a keeper. 7/10 4 stars.
Weinig opmerkelijk
I thought the beats were so creative. Even so, the level of rapping didn’t match up to the quality of the production. It was a little too lethargic to me, especially when considering the diversity of the beat selection. It’s a little disappointing to present something this different and not rise to meet that standard. Faves: Execution Of A Chump, The Meaning Of The Name, Take A Rest, Precisely The Right Rhymes
Guru has his moments, but DJ Premier is one big moment here.
Hef10
2.5 got a bit samey
Amazing lyrically. The beats have this ability to sound old school and influenced by blues bars from the 60s whole also being ingenious and unlike anything you've heard before. Song 2 is where it all kicks off. Lovesick also slaps
I’ve always found Gang Starr to be more boring than the other rappers/hip hop groups out of New York. Not bad though. 3/5.
Really excellent
Good early 90’s hip hop, good rhymes and tracks. Enjoyed the listen
It's really cool how much was going on in the world of hip-hop as the 80s ended and the 90s began. So many of the ground-breaking hip-hop albums on this list came out between 88-92. This is one that gets talked about less than some of the others, though I know it's highly regarded in the hip-hop world. The rap style is a little old fashioned, but the music is great and definitely part of the sea change that occurred during this era 4/5
Another solid rap album.
This is supposed to be an amazing rap album, but it doesn't stand out for me. It just sounds like every other 90's rap album. I'm guessing the lyrics are hard hitting etc, but poetry is not why I listen to music.
The album sounds like a product of its time but the beats and rhymes are 5/5.
I was ok with this... The artist told a clear story-dialog and for the most part didn't fall into the well of misogyny or vulgarity. Music was appropo
What am I missing? Am I having some sort of existential crisis around my inability to understand or appreciate why this is in anyway noteworthy? Seriously, what am I missing? Ok, I've pondered this some more, went back in for another go. So. Every track starts with a sample, a scratch and a beat, between two and four bars. Then in comes that soporific rapping, so low key as to be comatose. Then a scratch, repeat sampled riff. "Listen, listen listen, I'll tell ya, my rhymes are like shelter" Really, gee thanks for that. Like....heavy man....word... What in the name of Allah is supposed to be good about this? Here's a trick, let them get in about 1 minute, then go back 15 seconds etc and discover...it is the same thing over and over and over and over and over and over and over....again. "The meaning of the name Gang Starr, well I tell you, it means my mind can excel to", ah fuck off!
Yeah, this one hit the spot. Cool beats with plenty of musicality or just plain groove; lots to say, and said in a way that makes me want to listen, rather than tune out. Didn't have time to listen to the whole album, but heard the first half and skimmed through the rest; I'll come back to it for sure. 4 stars at least.
Well this definitely lived up to the hype. After a slow start, it really kicked into gear with Who’s Gonna Take The Weight?, and just got better and better ( Just To Get A Rep, for instance), peaking with the sublime As I Read My S-A, one of the finest hip-hop tracks I’ve ever heard. The disc finished with Precisely The Right Rhymes & The Meaning Of the Name, which also knocked me out. I was totally unfamiliar with this album. What a find.
I was more familiar with Guru's solo Jazzmatazz albums (which I am pretty sure we sold at Scratches back int he day), although I remember some of the singles from this. I like Guru's laid back style and the jazzy, funky and inventive. It is nice to get away from the very aggressive and shout-y tenor of most 90s hip hop, and this is less violent and misogynistic than most. Guru's flow is sometimes a bit awkward, but he is so charismatic that he can sell even his clunkiest bars. I enjoyed listening to this, although not much stuck in my memory. If I wanted to play this vibe, I would be much more likely to spin Guru's solo work.
Really cool old school hip hop with laid back beats and a rapping that manages to stay sharp while being smooth all the way through. Their avantages are also their flaws, because it all can seem a little bit redundant towards the end. At least for a 50+ album. Still great though.
Yeah it's alright.
Cool hip hop album !
Smooth conscious boom bap always put you in a very nice mood, but this album lacks a little bit of tork and attack. It was very enjoyable, tho. I don't think I'll get back to it.
Liked this one
2.5 - Neutral Another album I'd pick as background music. Besides 3-4 tracks not too many bangers. The beats are solid though.
Top 3 Songs: 1 - Step in the Arena (2) 2 - Form of Intellect (3) 3 - Check the Technique (7)
3/5 I was a little skeptical at first, what with it being gangster rap. The so f about the kid steppin is going to meet the executioner was a bit much for me but overall it was ok. Good rhythms to groove too. Not going to be looking for the album to save or anything. But I didn't hate it. So a neutral 3. 🙃™️