Review Summary: This album, is further proof that Kool G Rap, "Dead or Alive", is one of the top 10 best emcees of all time.
Critical Responses:
Allmusic: 4.5/5
Rolling Stone: 4.5/5
The Source: 4 Mics
In terms of old school hip hop music (we're talking 80's, not 90's), there are the super lyrical MC's, and also in these cases, founding fathers, that like to show and prove their skill (e.g: Rakim, and others), there are the ones that attract the ladies, but at the same time kick ill rhymes (e.g: Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J), there are the ones that had something to say (e.g: Boogie Down Productions), there are the political ones (e.g: Public Enemy), there are the storytelling ones (e.g: Slick Rick), there are the battle ones (e.g: Kool Moe Dee), and then there are the ones that you can tell without being told, that they are 80s (that's not a good or bad thing) (e.g: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Run-D.M.C, Fat Boys, a lot of others). So what category does Kool G Rap fall into you ask? Kool G Rap falls into all of those categories, and is a diverse character. Kool G Rap rhymes about, crime, poverty, racism, songs for the females, and dope verse dropping. With this album, Kool G Rap increased his musical boundaries, and had better production for this album. Now for the track by track review.
1. Streets of New York: Alright, we get the album off to a PHENOMENAL start. This song has Kool G Rap rhyming about the dangers of living in the streets of New York, and what to expect if you go there. Not only that, but it has an excellent beat, co-produced by Large Professor (along with Kool G Rap). Classic song. 5/5
2. Wanted: Dead or Alive: This song has Kool G Rap dropping ill verses. Another Large Professor produced song. Classic song. 5/5
3. Money In the Bank: This song features Large Professor, Freddie Foxxx (yes, Bumpy Knuckles), and Ant Live, and has them and Kool G Rap rhyming about how they rob banks. Another Large Professor produced song. Classic song. This song has been sampled in, "Retaliation" by Jedi Mind Tricks, and other songs. 5/5
4. Bad to the Bone: This song has Kool G Rap, well rhyming about how he IS, bad to the bone. Another Large Professor joint. Classic song. 5/5
5. Talk Like Sex: This song has Kool G Rap rhyming about what a lover he is. Classic song. 5/5
6. Play It Again, Polo: This song has Kool G Rap dropping spectacular verses over production produced by G Rap himself, Large Professor, and DJ Polo. Classic song. 5/5
7. Erase Racism: This song features Big Daddy Kane, and Biz Markie, and has them rhyming about racism, in a partially serious, and partially humorous manner. Classic song. This song has been sampled in, "I Ain't the N***a" by The Coup. 5/5
8. Kool Is Back: This song has Kool G Rap rhyming about how he is back. Classic song. 5/5
9. Play It Kool: This song has Kool G Rap rhyming about, well basically what the title implies. Classic song. 5/5
10. Death Wish: This song has Kool G Rap rhyming about how he kills, and has no remorse. Classic song. This song samples, "Beats to the Rhyme" by Run-D.M.C, and another song. This song has been sampled in, "Stray Bullet" by Organized Konfusion, and other songs. 5/5
11. Jive Talk: This song has Kool G Rap spitting amazing verses. Classic song. 5/5
12. The Polo Club: Classic song. 5/5
13. Rikers Island: This is a great song, but they should have ended it with the previous song, or another song. This song is great, but it can get a teeny bit repetitive. 4/5
Overall, I give this 5/5. Kool G Rap grew as an MC on this album, and DJ Polo grew with production, and sampling.
3 Best Songs:
1. Streets of New York
2. Money In the Bank
3. Bad to the Bone
3 Weakest Songs:
1. Rikers Island
2. Polo Club
3. Jive Talk
