I didn't like it when it was released. Probably only because it wasn't as good as Moment of Truth to me.
But random songs from that album have popped up on my Spotify playlists and I have to say it's really dope. The first half of that album is as good as anything they've done.
9. "I recently went back and listened to it. It's shockingly great" In response to Reply # 4
I was recently on a Gangstarr binge, and had it lined up directly after Moment of Truth. I was surprised by a few things: 1) how much I loved it. I know just about every word on the album. 2) how well it stacks up with MoT. The beats, rhymes, themes. All on point.
I just wish we would have gotten another album between the two. Tha Squeeze is still a classic.
15. "Yea I listened to it front to back maybe 1.5 years ago ..." In response to Reply # 4
and fall into this category as well. Like someone above me just said, for a long time I looked at it as the "ugly duckling" of their catalogue for a long time. But when I heard it recently I had a newfound appreciation for it. So many great, great songs on there. Many of which I always loved. But then the rest is well done too.
I just think Moment of Truth was really, really damn hard to follow. Anything would've seemed like a disappointment.
23. "I really got into them late, Ownerz was the first album i purchased" In response to Reply # 4
then i went back and listened to their catalog. I knew songs here and there but not their albums. I didn't sleep on Ownerz tho, i still put songs from it on my playlists.
Me too. I hate what happened to Guru. It's such a ... I dunno, it's just not a lot of people deserve to go out like that but Guru ESPECIALLY didn't deserve that type of mysterious, controversial, conflicted ending.
He was ahead of his time in terms of his wisdom and self/social awareness. Moment of Truth was for sure his magnum opus from a pure rhyming standpoint as well as a content standpoint, IMO.
And beyond just his skills on the mic and his ability to make you look inward, and think, and contemplate your place in the world ... he just seemed like a real, genuine, solid, GOOD dude.
So sad how he went out. But thank god we have so much timeless, incredible music to remember him by. And thank god he worked with someone as truly amazing as Preemo, who laced him with the best possible beats to fit his style as well as so many of the best beats in hip-hop history.
14. "They're still the high water mark to me. " In response to Reply # 0
I got into Gangstarr when Full Clip came out so I don't really have any concept of what songs are on what album. By the time I discovered them I could just listen to their whole catalog together.
I think Guru was the first death of someone that really fucked me up. I still remember exactly where I was.
I've been listening to GS since "No More Mr. Nice Guy" dropped. I remember recording (yes, VHS, lol) the "Positivity" video off Rap City and just watching it over and over and over. I was like, "how could something be this dope?????". I was picking my son up from school. I had just pulled up and was about to get out and go in. My homie Chris texted me and it just said "He's gone...Guru is gone". I was so shocked/hurt/confused. I was like what, wait, how, wtf!!!! I sat there for about 5 minutes angry as shit. It really bothered me.
...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft
24. "I thought Gangstarr was some cornballs" In response to Reply # 0
I used to see the album at the record store and the way they were posing was so just not ... Gangster, which is what I thought they were going for. about a month later I caught the video for Manifest and Guru was looking just like Malcolm X and the beat was SLAMMIN' went and picked up the album and never looked back
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79602 posts
Fri Nov-30-18 09:04 AM
25. "first time I saw the video on Rap City I was hooked" In response to Reply # 0
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79602 posts
Fri Nov-30-18 10:31 AM
33. "I think Manifest was there first video" In response to Reply # 30
but yeah, Just to Get A Rep was the video that really set it off
Manifest video was kinda cheesy but it was still dope
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
38. "Mom bought me Ewings cuz of that video" In response to Reply # 30
I was fresh to death HS freshman year:
Airbrushed overalls with one strap hanging Starter hat (you'd get clowned if it wasn't legit Starter) Random team t-shirt Ellesses, BK's, Avias, Jordans, or Ewings (anything else: clowned)
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79602 posts
Fri Nov-30-18 12:51 PM
39. "You said Elleases. I’m done!!! " In response to Reply # 38
Those were the shit back in the day.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
26. "Favorite Primo beat on a Gangstarr album?" In response to Reply # 0
I know it's like picking your favorite child (if all of your children were perfect,) but I've got to go with Mass Appeal. That hits me in an emotional place (and it's not even nostalgia, didn't hear that song for the first time until I was maybe in college.) But it's just such a gorgeous beat that I can't help it. It's soulful and head-nodding and rough and delicate at the same time.
------
12 play and 12 planets are enlighten for all the Aliens to Party and free those on the Sex Planet-maxxx
34. "It's near impossible but ..." In response to Reply # 26 Fri Nov-30-18 10:45 AM by Brew
Mass Appeal is on the shortlist, for sure. It's interesting because I've listened to that song so many times that I rarely intentionally put it on anymore ... but, I've noticed that a lot of DJs at concerts, between acts, will play the beat for Mass Appeal as part of the mix they do while setting up the stage for the next artist. And that beat hits harder than any other, every single time.
Anyway I'd likely be choosing between: - Mass Appeal - You Know My Steez - Above the Clouds - Next Time
The above really speaks to just how incredible Moment of Truth is.
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79602 posts
Fri Nov-30-18 12:54 PM
40. "Check the Technique " In response to Reply # 26
Not his best but one of my favorites.
Loved the strings on that song.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
46. "MANNNN I forgot about that song !" In response to Reply # 44
>edit: favorite non gangstarr primo beat... the format
Thank you ! Just threw it on ... this shit was on repeat for close to a year when it was released. So good.
I wouldn't say it's my favorite non-GS Preem beat but it's damn good. But now I kinda want to decide what mine is haha.
Honestly it's prolly "Shake This" by Royce. That song is just beautiful. But it's near impossible to choose cause now I'm second guessing remembering that he did "Nas is Like," "Memory Lane/In the Park," "2nd Childhood," "Mathematics," "Courtesy," "You Should Know," "6th Sense," "The Documentary II" etc. etc. etc.
I think "Shake This" still takes it but "Nas is Like" is a massive contender. Shit I forgot "Represent" !!! The sample source for that one is crazy.
Nah it's "Shake This" for sure. But what a career.
51. "Mass Appeal is the correct answer, but the easy, cop out answer for me" In response to Reply # 26
On the short list I'd have
- Mass Appeal - 2 Deep - Credit is Due - Next Time - In Memory Of - Zonin' - The ? Remainz
Non GangStarr beat? Not even going to give that a whirl
<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up... __________________________
Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect. Game: Like Gladys Knight. Jay: Aretha Franklin. Game: Word, I like her too. Jay: Nigga...
You're such pests...now, what is it you want? In your depths of your ignorance, what is it you want? Well, whatever it is you want, I can't deliver because I just don't see it. - Orson Welles
61. "My brother kept my CD-Single of Take It Personal for a month " In response to Reply # 57
He's play it and rewind it for days. After 2 weeks I asked for it back, as he obviously loved the track. Asked him about DWYCK, which was on the B-side. He never had flipped that tape over...
After 2 more weeks, I finally got it back
<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up... __________________________
Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect. Game: Like Gladys Knight. Jay: Aretha Franklin. Game: Word, I like her too. Jay: Nigga...
36. "Nah. But Guru in no way got murdered on his own track...." In response to Reply # 27
....as it was popular to say. Guru more than held his own, it's just the Deck pulled some unexpected greatness out his ass on the joint. ______________________________________________________________________________
43. "I agree, Guru's verse had a sense of personal resonance Deck's didn't " In response to Reply # 27
and that made the difference for me.
__________________________________________ CHOP-THESE-BITCHES!!!! ------------------------------------ Garhart Ivanhoe Poppwell Un-OK'd moderator for The Lesson and Make The Music (yes, I do's work up in here, and in your asscrease if you run foul of this
35. "So many personal moments linked to GangStarr. I'd be here all day" In response to Reply # 0
Between personal drama, family loss, bonding with brothers from another mother, maintaining sanity at work, and just staying true to culture, no other group has meant more to me on many different levels.
One of the best yet...
<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up... __________________________
Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect. Game: Like Gladys Knight. Jay: Aretha Franklin. Game: Word, I like her too. Jay: Nigga...
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79602 posts
Wed Dec-05-18 12:40 PM
53. "Krumb Snatcha verse on Make em Pay> Inspectah Decks verse " In response to Reply # 0
I bombshell that Pastel Chanel rap through a Maxwell.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
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