Review Summary: KRS-One proves that he's "Got Next" with this album.
Critical Responses:
Allmusic: 4/5
Rolling Stone: 3/5
KRS-One, one of the best emcees of all time, and one of the most intelligent emcees of all time. What does KRS do with this record? KRS-One shows and proves his skill, and how good he is at emceeing, and also talks about what it means to be an MC. At this point in his career, he made 9 albums, in 10 years (including Boogie Down Productions). That's an impressive feat, considering the excellence of each album that he made. Well, none of this has to do with the album, so let's get into the review.
If you listen to this album, then you will find that it is NOT as good as any of his releases that came before this. This album has excellent vibes. Not only does it have excellent vibes, but it has phenomenal lyrics as well. This album has a similar feel to his self-titled album, but not his album, "Return of the Boom Bap". Return of the Boom Bap has KRS-One using a reggae hip hop feel, that was present in the BDP albums, and also some boom bap beats. The self-titled album has KRS-One rhyming almost the whole album with boom bap beats, and rhymes that fit over them, with some reggae type songs. This album is more like the latter, because almost the whole way through, there are boom bap beats, but then sometimes, there are reggae style type songs.
The first 2 tracks, "1st Quarter: The Commentary", and "2nd Quarter: Free Throws", aren't really tracks, and just are interludes, so we'll skip talking about them, however the 2nd one is just a freestyle, talking about his thoughts at the time, which I would give a 3.5/5
The first real song, has KRS-One rhyming about what it means to be an MC, what does that song go by? That song goes by "The MC". This song has KRS-One promoting real hip hop, and what real hip hop is. This song has KRS-One spitting some spectacular verses. Definitely listen to this song, this song is a classic. What a great way to start an album. This song samples, "La Di Da Di" by Doug E Fresh, and another song. (5/5)
The next song, "I Got Next-Neva Hadda Gun" has KRS-One rhyming about guns, and how they affected America (at the time). This song has the social consciousness that is present in his other songs. This song is a classic. (5/5)
This next song, is a great song, and that's a decision that I made in a "Heartbeat". Yes, if you couldn't get the hint, the name of this song is, "Heartbeat". This song features Redman, who does an excellent job, and spits excellent verses. However, the other guest, Angie Martinez, doesn't do a very good job, and is average at best. This song is great. This song samples, "My Adidas" by Run-D.M.C, and another song. (4/5)
The level of this next song, is in an entire new "World". This song goes by the name of, "Step Into a World (Raptures Delight)". This song features Keva, who I don't know of. This song has KRS-One rhyming incredibly amazingly, and has him spitting SPECTACULAR verses, and I can't stress this enough. LISTEN TO THIS! CLASSIC! (5/5)
This next song is called "A Friend". This song has KRS-One rhyming about what it is to be, and to not be a friend. KRS-One dedicates this song to his friends and fans, as he makes clear in this song. This song is a great song. (4/5)
This next song is called "H.I.P H.O.P". This song features Thor-El, and has KRS-One rhyming about the industry, and has them dissing commercial, and materialistic rappers. (4/5)
The next 3 tracks, "Halftime", "3rd Quarter: The Commentary", and "Klassicks" are interludes. The first of the 3, is a freestyle, which I would give 3.5/5. The 3rd of the 3, has KRS-One interpolating his classic songs with BDP. This track samples, "9mm Goes Bang", "My Philosophy", "Jack of Spades", "Jimmy", and "Exhibit C", by Boogie Down Productions, and "Sound of Da Police", and "Hip-Hop vs Rap" by KRS-One, and another song.
This next song is called "Blowe". This song features Redman, who does an excellent job. This song has KRS-One rhyming about emcees that rhyme about drugs. Phenomenal song. (4.5/5)
This next song is called "Real Hip Hop Pt. II". This song features Lamont Fields, and Mic Vandalz, and has them and KRS-One going more into what real hip hop is, and isn't. Great song. (4/5)
This next song, is called "Come to Da Party". This song features Anthony Millz. This song is average. (3/5)
Next song is called, "Can't Stop Won't Stop". This song has KRS-One telling a story of a shootout that goes on in his house. Great song. (4/5)
Next song, is called "Over Ya Head". This song has KRS-One spitting phenomenal verses. (4/5)
Next song, is called "Just to Prove a Point". This song is average. This song features G Simone. (3/5)
The next two tracks, are "4th Quarter: Free Throws", and "Step Into a World (Raptures Delight) (Remix)", the first of the 2 is an interlude. The 2nd of the 2 features Puff Daddy.
What did I like about this album? Well, I liked the lyricism that KRS-One was using. KRS-One's flow was really good on here as well. Most of the beats on here were really good.
What did I NOT like about this album? Some of the beats were really boring. Some of the guest appearances weren't good.
Overall, I give this album, 4/5. 7.5/10, 75/100, and my grade for it is "C+". This album is above average, and I DO recommend you listen to this.
3 Best Songs:
1. Step Into a World (Rapture's Delight)
2. The MC
3. I Got Next-Neva Hadda Gun
3 Weakest Songs:
1. Just to Prove a Point
2. Come to Da Party
3. Heartbeat
