Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
2002
Album Summary
Power in Numbers is the third studio album by American hip hop group Jurassic 5. It picks up where their previous album, Quality Control "left off", with a short double bass sample playing the same riff that the last song on Quality Control, "Swing Set", ended with.
WikipediaI freaking LOVE this album. I have since it came out in 2002. It's been a few years since I last listened to it and I'm kicking myself. This is easily one of my top 10 albums of all time. Smart, culturally relevant lyrics, powerful break beats, serious in-th-pocket swings... it's the whole package. This is what the best of hip-hop sounds like. There's nothing more that needs to be said. It's the best. Period.
This is the peak of the 90s rap group. Beats are fresh, samples are dope, and lyrics spit hot from the titular five members, each getting an appearance on each track. For a guy that says he prefers 90s rap more than today, I'm surprised I could never name drop this group and this album. But now I can... ;)
The power of positivity! Jurassic 5 has long been a hip hop favorite of mine. "Power in Numbers" and their debut, "Quality Control," are both standouts for their message, creativity, and collaborative effort. J5 features 4 rappers (and 2 DJs - which does not equal 5), all with unique voices that come together for choruses and harmonies. Chali 2na's deep flow is my favorite, but there isn't a weak voice in the group, and all deliver with incredibly creative writing and rhyming. With rap music generally way too caught up in objectification of women, violence, and drugs, the comparative positivity of Jurassic 5 is refreshing. They were not the only group cultivating their style and skill rather than trying to be edgy and hard - and they deserve acclaim alongside Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, De La Soul, and others. "Power in Numbers" is a throwback to the 80s with breaks, scratches, (lots of credit to DJ Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist for shaping that sound), but it still feels (or felt?) fresh.
Like Prefab Sprout, this was another shocking album for me. I had never even heard of Jurassic 5 before this, but they delivered the first alternative hip-hop album I not only liked but loved. The lyricism and flow on each track are better than nearly any other classic-era rap artist I've heard. Definitely didn't like the final track though, just a bunch of ambient noise. Fav songs: Most of them but especially: what's golden, if your only knew, react
Really interesting album. Great lyricism, good flow from one song to the next, and varied sampling create a great, cohesive piece
What’s not to like. Looped samples, ensemble of MCs, punchy drums, and tasteful flourishes from the DJs. I mean, how many hip hop songs have a god damn flute?!
Classic underground hip hop, brings me back to high school, great all around
This reminds me of dancing in kitchens at uni so much. Top tracks remain A Day At The Races and High Fidelity
Fantastic album, loaded with great tracks. Back to back with Quality Control, Jurassic 5 had two monster albums that should have made them superstars.
Yoooo, every track is 🔥🔥🔥. Why have I never listened to this? It’s seriously incredible.
Absolutely mad work of art. Some of the instrumentals and flows on here blew my mind. The finale rocks.
5. Perfect 90s hip hop album. Nothing to add. Artist that I didn't know I knew.
I'm surprised - this album was amazing! I was jamming from the very first song. I liked just about every song on the album. 5/5 stars.
fuckin awesome old school rap no complaints at all, just awesome 10/10
Was totally unaware of Jurassic 5 until an 20 minutes ago. Four songs in and already added to my library. THIS is the style Hip Hop/Rap I love, with spoken word audio samples liberally but perfectly inserted. Great beats, great lyrics. A Day at the Races - a smooth flowing river of words. This is a totally worthwhile album.
An extremely fresh sound - chill beats so far and a real sort of jazzy/funk overlay that gives mad summer vibes. The flutes in "If you only knew" give it a Jethro Tull meets hiphop sound. The snare hits in 'Break' is so tight and clean. High Fidelity has crazy good beats. It ends really strong as an album.
This is a bop. Great flows, great beats,just all round proper hip hop. There's a reason it's a classic and I'm dumb for not getting on board earlier.
Wowowowow. This was so amazing that I've already listened to two more of their albums. What a band! Such a nice mix of hop hop, soul, funk. If anything contains multitudes, this music does. I feel very lucky to know about them now. I wish this had an additional star to give extra special albums.
Never heard of this band I am ashamed to say but they are hugely talented!
An album I love dearly - the most consistent of all Jurassic 5's albums. What's Golden, A Thin Line, and Sum of Us are the standout tracks for me but the quality control (see what I did there) is very high throughout the album. Chali 2na's flow as ever is what makes it, but the production and sampling is tip-top as well.
An absolute classic. Positive energy, great beats. Puts the likes of Kanyes childish tantrums to shame really.
Awesome hip hop album. I like some of the reggae undertones and the message of the music is great
Sometime around 2002 I saw Jurassic 5 at a music festival or something - maybe Voodoofest in New Orleans? They were really great, but it was one of those bands I saw that I meant to revisit. Today I realize that I never did do that. 20 years later, here we are. Wow what a great album! Felt good listening to this. Love the different voices. Great music and great rapping. So glad to have them brought back to my attention, because they are definitely worth it.
I've never listened to J5 but I loved every single track on this album. This shit was awesome and a huge surprise because I'm not really into hip hop.
Hey wow, J5 in the 1,001! I'm surprised, but I do like their brand of MCing, so despite not having heard this before today, I'm looking forward to listening. Well, I'm about halfway through this album, and what I can say so far is that it is the absolute tits. The flows are every bit as good as J5's earlier work, the beats are every bit as good as their previous too. I like this a lot. A lot a lot.
Right from the start I found myself bopping up and down to this. What a sound these guys have! I like some of the complex rhythms on a lot of these tracks, “Break” in particular. Don’t mistake these guys for some corny ass group (I don’t know where that came from, but it popped in my head.) This list has introduced me to some great rap music that I’ve never heard and it’s refreshing to not get some lyrics that make me cringe (from the violent content) along with the great rap. It’s tough to pick a favorite song or songs because there were so many things I loved about this album. “Thin Line” made a great impression. I love the vocal line and the keyboard melody. To be fair though, there was something on just about every track that blew me away. This album is getting a five!
Damn this is SICK stuff. Great beats, the flow is amazing. This is what a hip-hop group at their peak really sounds like. It is definitely going on the list of planned purchases. Just... WOW.
The flows on this are mean and clean. The production by Cut Chemist is really stellar and I loved all the sample. I love Charlie 2na on this record and this has that classic Jurassic vibe in it. Favorite song: A Day at the Races Least favorite song: After School Special
A great look at the transition from classic hip hop to early 2000's style. Very solid.
I have a soft spot for Jurassic 5 as I really enjoyed them when I was in high school. "What's Golden" was one of their songs that I listened to a lot. Some of their stuff sounds a little silly to me now, but their hooks and samples are undeniably catchy, and the varied voices of the rappers helps keep it interesting. I remember "Thin Line" now too.
Is it me or are sample-heavy albums like this difficult to produce and release? Perhaps I'm out of touch but they do seem unique. 3 Feet High and Rising, the '89 De La Soul album, is virtually unattainable today due to all the rules and hight costs of licensing the samples it contained. Power In Numbers likely wasn't cheap, but they really make the album special. Great licks, snappy beats and great sample grabs from artists like Minnie Ripperton and David Axelrod. This album really wouldn't exist without them. Regardless, this albums roots are in the old skool and there's plenty of range in the ummm six(?) voices. Each is unique and brings a special flavor to the album, which leads me to this... I've always wondered what the Verbal Herman Munster looks like. I get the Munsters and The Adams Family mixed up, is he the dad that resembles Frankenstein or the kid with the super tall widows peak? The dad, right? Doesn't matter, I didn't listen to this album much when it was released, and was happy to have been able to spend some good time with it here.
Power album in terms of voice and sound. Feels very performative. As if they were reveal on stage behind a red curtain. They work with great unity to deliver a singular sound. Very upbeat instrumental music that screams out confidence. A proud experience is felt listening to this album.
Wonderful! This sounds to me like a well balanced record, taking cues from the old-school rap while still being firmly planted in the current time, making it sound fresh and new still twenty years after. A classic without the shadow of a doubt. Play it loud and with a lot of bass.
Strong beats and a steady stream of solid cuts. Shows some passion and thoughtfulness re soical issues without being preachy or presumptuous.
Really great. Guy with the deep voice (Charli 2na I think?) steals the show, but they're all great and work well together. The last 5 tracks are pretty meh, but other than that it's great beats and great flows all around. Favorite track was "Thin Line".
Starts strong - love the break beats and general feel but unfortunately as an album it tapers quite early - by the time it hits its 56 mins of length it really feels overlong. It could have done with half its length removed and it would have been an excellent record
Not much dissimilar from concrete school yard but that isn’t a bad thing
Back-to-back days of excellent hip hop (Jay-Z)…what a treat! The flow at the end of A Day At The Races is incredible! And the flow there is only slightly better than the rest of the song, meaning the level is high throughout. The flow is really good throughout the whole album too. I am captivated by Charli 2na’s deep voice. It is divine. I think if he read terms of service agreements, I would actually know to what I’m agreeing. I echo jkav’s note on the positivity in the lyrics being refreshing. This is a great find and I will be listening on a regular basis. One nitpick: Acetate Prophets is kind of weird. It can go.
Owned this album. Loved it. Don’t know why I don’t still have it but it was a totally awesome re-listen for me.
I remember listening to this when it came out. It didn't "hit hard enough" for me, but I did respect the flow. I am not sure if it's my new found appreciation for jazz or getting older, but this is a fantastic hip hop album that I definitely shouldn't have slept on as much as I did.
So many great tracks - 'A Day at the Races' and 'High Fidelity' are classics. Their previous albums are even better. Some friends and I met Chali 2na at a festival at Hackney Marshes in 2001, he seemed embarrassed but grateful to receive our admiration - great guy. I have photographical evidence of this, but I may have been a couple of beers deep and halfway through a burger at the time, and there was no hiding either.
It was great. I wish I could give it a 4.5 because I don’t think it’s perfect but definitely the best new album I’ve heard so far.
I’m sad we seem to have lost this type of hip hop. Good-natured, socially conscious and not afraid to be hard-hitting. Pretty much every track a banger, “After School Special” has no business being that funky. I will be delving deeper into Jurassic 5 as a result of this recommendation.
aivan vitun kova. kyllä ne etniset ,,musiikkia osaa tehdä! laatu PYSYY... melkeinmpä jokainen biisi hyvä,,, jotkut parempia kun toiset toki... EI VOI OLETTAA:. ETTÄ JOKAINEN NYT OLISI HEHHEH... YHTÄ HYVÄ ! hip hop hömpötys hulabaloo humpuukki voitti tällä kertaa, hyvö esimerkki miks tätä albumi juttua jaksaa jatkaa high fidelity baras piisi
Well, this has to be a five from me, a Jurassic 5. A few years back I was working on a personal project to determine my favorite hip hop album from each year I've been alive, and this was my winner for 2002. I love the variety on here, both of voices and beats/instrumentals. There are wacky samples, wacky sounds, and a range of voices and deliveries. And even though it's 20 years old now, so much of it feels fresh and not at all outdated. I ultimately saved almost every song on here to my playlist, it just feels that vital to me. I may not know much else done by Jurassic 5, but this album is crazy. Favorite tracks: Just imagine the whole tracklist, minus like three songs on the back half. Album art: Nice color gradient, image definitely fits the title of the album. I'll excuse the stencil font because of just how much I love this project. 5/5
Does anybody know if Jurassic 5 is trying to bring old school rap back? They never mention it. This is a fun album with good production. The best track features Big Daddy Kane, and it kinda made me wish I was listening to one of his albums instead. Best track: A Day at the Races
This album reminds me of Ill Communication by Beastie Boys more than I thought it would. The emphasis on samples that feel like real music and the interplay between the different members of the groups are weirdly similar. When I think about the rap style of Jurassic 5, I always imagine it as sort of hokey, but it's better than I remember. In retrospect, they were a lot more interesting than a lot of the other stuff that was happening in rap in this era 4/5
funky, groovy, classic early 2000s hip hop. great rhymes, great flows, great rhymes. very fun listen.
I'm not a big rap or hip-hop fan, but this was enjoyable. Probably listen to it again. 4/5
The only reason Im giving this a 4 instead of a 5 is because I didn't hear any one song that stood out and got stuck in my head. I think the album's and instant classic and want to hear more from them
This is: Dope intro, well-cut samples. Subtle and effective. Also totally not what I was expecting based on the album art. Freedom: Nice beat, and I loved the flow from the intro into the song. All of these guys have super interesting voices. If You Only Knew: I love the beat. I love how low-key this album is so far. Impossible not to at least bob your head. Break: Again, killer instrumental intro. The chorus part!! React: Very cool samples. Great flow from the last song to this one. A Day At The Races: Sick flow, and I like the call-and-response structure Remember His Name: Nice sound effects. Intro sounded like it was going to be emotional. The verses kept up the emotion pretty well. What's Golden: Love this bassline Thin Line: A Nelly Furtado feature! Keeps with the low-key theme, allows focus on the lyrics, which are (and have been for the whole album) really clever. After School Special: Love the intro sample and it matches the images of the "kid" conjured by the title High Fidelity: Good song, belongs with the album. Liked the horns Sum Of Us: Love the continuation of the beat from the last song, and also the wordplay in this one DDT: Cool freestyle, and it works super well as an interlude and also flows really well into the next track One Of Them - Juju: Like the call-and-response dynamic between the verses and choruses Hey: Nice melody, easy to listen to. Very smooth I Am Somebody: I like the declaration of the title. I also like the effect of everybody singing it in unison Acetate Prophets: What a title - also lol love the intro, and the outro. Was a longer track but it felt like it needed it. Overall: I really liked it. Saved it to my Spotify. 8/10
Great samples and use of the distinct vocals of each member. Message on point and delivered with wit and a gut punch. All layered over a driving funk/soul beat that just works with the mixed samples
Jurassic 5 know exactly what they're doing. Great stuff. Fave track - "Thin Line"
Very cool! After 12-13 songs I was a bit tired of it already. But I liked very much
Thin Line is Quality Quality backing beat and overall good vibe Great lyrics
When it hits highs, it's a pretty high album. But there feels like a decent amount of fillerish that just doesn't live up as high. I think if I could do decimals I'd do 3.5-3.7 but I think it's fair to round up to 4. If only for "What's Golden". Banger.
Mmmm mmm mmm bra i like it. Vibes liksom 4/5 I think. Gillar thin line mest
good opener! regular sounding mid nineties hip hop but not bad to listen to.
Phat beats, cool, rhythmic delivery. I liked most of it. Not too aggressive, clever wordplay. Better than most hip-hop. 3.75 out 5
Jaja. Bra skit gillar att det är så studsigt och att det är så avslappnad rap. Gillar samplingen i Freedom gillar What’s Golden såklart och Hey.
Every beat on this album is incredible. And everyone on this album is an awesome rapper. The rhymes are much more hit than miss, and a lot of the songs have meaning, which wins big points with me. It’s a little long for my taste but otherwise this album absolutely earned its spot on this list.
Great alternative hip-hop! I love the sampling on this album, lots of vintage commercials/movies FAV TRACKS: If You Only Knew, Break, DDT, I Am Somebody, Acetate Prophets LEAST FAV TRACKS: Sum Of Us
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Didn’t know what to expect from This artist I had never heard of. Was not disappointed and will definitely listen again soon
Okay, I see what they're dropping. I can dig this for sure. What's Golden is legit.
This list is just making me biased towards any R&B group with a good balance of voices and talent. Thoroughly enjoyed this.
i didn’t expect to like this but i did!! and the first two songs blended together. loved it
I can’t believe I have never heard Jurassic 5 before! Lyrics that play on grammar (“pass” participles), reference DDT, and Herman Munster? What’s not to love. They also have that almost jazz-like groove that I love in digable planets and de la soul. Thanks 1001 albums, this is one I will be coming back to.
Great album, in some alternate universe they are bigger than anyone in the game. Wonderful variety of samples and guests. Thin line, Hey, and Freedom my top tracks, along with Kool Kieth's DDT freestyle
At a certain point, the boom-bap beats start to wear on you. There are also a few cuts near the end that drag the record down a little. However, the flows are technical and tight, and this is still an enjoyable listen. Favorite tracks: "Freedom", "What's Golden"
Not background music - need another listen to appreciate properly. It's got a good vibe though.
Steady beat, not bad. Although not my bag, lean and tuneful which is more than I can say about some in this genre
The flow is so damn good. Favorite tracks are Freedom and Remember His Name
Charlie 2na has one of the best voices in hip-hop. J5's harmonies and group floor is amazing. Cut Chemist and Numark also incredible.
Joskus aikoinaan joku kaveri hypetti näiden musaa. En muista miksi ei aikanaan lähtenyt myös itsellä lentoon, mutta onhan tämä ihan rentoa meisinkiä ja varsinkin toimiva levy.
I remember when I first auditioned for Jurassic 5. They asked me if I could perform a backflip through a ring of fire, whilst sucking everyone off. I did it. They then chemically castrated me in front of a live studio audience.
I enjoyed this even though it's really not in my wheelhouse. It was a cool diversion from my usual fare.
A stellar album with no skips. It makes me overwhelmed to think how much amazing music I have yet to hear considering I missed this.
This was cool. Hadn’t heard it before, definitely going in regular rotation now
3.5/5. This is pretty good. I had no problem listening to it, however, most of the songs seem to repeat themselves. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it were a little shorter. That being said, by no means did I not like this. This album is more enjoyable than others on this list.
Rap is not usually my thing, but this is very creative stuff. I love the samples and melodies.
Great opening half and then I felt like it just petered out. Not the first album I think I'd have given it 5⭐ if it was half as long...
2/8/22 Really appreciate the entire album as an artistic statement all together. I like how everything flows into one another. Album combines strong themes with cool beats and a fun energy that’s enjoyable to listen to. Very strong 90s hip hop influence which makes sense since it came out in 2002. Overall really enjoyed. Favorites: High Fidelity, This is/Freedom, DDT
Really cool hip hop album. Favorites were Freedom, What’s Golden, and High Fidelity.
8th February 2022 Listened throughout the day while doing bits and pieces, gym etc. drove home in the evening to look at houses in Painswick. Love this. Funky, early 90s hip hop sound. 4.5 if I could.
Yeah great 90s early 2000s rap. Lyrically great, amazing voice and some real gems
4.0 - I could be wrong but to me these guys seem underrated. I liked this record. The flows were on point, the rhymes were interesting, and overall it was a pleasant, uplifting listen. Some cool beats, too, especially the last track "Acetate Prophets."
EVen it is not melodic at all, I like it very much. The flow was very rhythmic and I enjoyed very much.
I have never heard this artist/band before. So far I like it - Freedom is a good track. Very late 90s hip hop vibes. I like the difference in voices - they contrast each other. Nevermind I HAVE heard this band before. What's Golden!!
-The synced up chorus in "If You Only Knew" and "Break" were both catchy -Whoever's got the deep voice is great. Especially the rhyme scheme in "A Day Races." Although pretty much everyone had great rhyme schemes in that one -In "A Day At The Races" one bar is "You're out of your league like Jordan in baseball" and that's a solid bar right there. also the bass line is great -Gnarly rhymes in "High Fidelity" -In "Sum Of Us" he says 'Seeing more demons than Gene Simmons" -"A Day At The Races," "After School Special," High Fidelity," and "Sum of Us" are all really strong tracks with great rhyme schemes and flows -The best rap/hip hop album I've had so far
I very much liked this one. I had three listens today and it was enjoyable every time!
This is cool music. I didn’t really pay much attention to them back in the day. Reminds of of De La Soul.
I really like this album. Great beats and catchy moments. I don't usually love hip-hop because it can be super violent and misogynistic. But at least this isn't obviously violent. I didn't listen to the lyrics in a detailed way. I was tempted to give it 4, as 3 doesn't seem high enough. But will I really listen to it again...maybe more than other 4's I've rated on this list. Not sure what I will rate yet.
I like it! I don't have many reference points for hip hop, so I don't really know how to put it in any context, but I'd definitely put it on again.
I had never heard this album before. And really enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. Feels really timeless and solid over all. Would recommend, would listen to again.