"Poll question: Livin' Proof vs Center Of Attention"
Yeah I'm going there. Been speaking about Pete's status as a producer and how the InI album (along with Deda's) may have helped his status a little during the 90s. I even heard some people say Center of Attention was Pete's version of Livin' Proof (Premier). Which album does The Lesson prefer? Let us know and tell us why.
1. "Livin Proof reaches higher highs, but Center of Attention is better" In response to Reply # 0
There is no Supa Star on Center of Attention, but I think Pete Rock crafted a really nice album that feels good through the whole thing. I think Livin Proof is marred by those non-Primo produced songs as well as a worse set of rappers. Center of Attention is smooth and effortless, although Rob-O can really go on and on about nothing like he does on Grown Man Sport. Grap Luva does a much, much better job subbing in behind the boards than Guru/Jaz O.
I will say that maybe pound for pound Primo's top 3 beats on Livin Proof outdo Pete's on Center of Attention, but Pete had a longer album that obviously carried that group of very forgettable emcees.
21. "^my answer, almost verbatim, down to specific points" In response to Reply # 1
>There is no Supa Star on Center of Attention, but I think >Pete Rock crafted a really nice album that feels good through >the whole thing. I think Livin Proof is marred by those >non-Primo produced songs as well as a worse set of rappers. >Center of Attention is smooth and effortless, although Rob-O >can really go on and on about nothing like he does on Grown >Man Sport. Grap Luva does a much, much better job subbing in >behind the boards than Guru/Jaz O. > >I will say that maybe pound for pound Primo's top 3 beats on >Livin Proof outdo Pete's on Center of Attention, but Pete had >a longer album that obviously carried that group of very >forgettable emcees.
"Center of Attention" is consistently good to great front to back, but "Livin' Proof" has some of my favorite all time beats, period!
__ I don't like the beat anymore because its just a loop. ALC didn't FLIP IT ENOUGH!
Flip it enough? Flip these. Flip off. Go flip some f*cking burgers.(c)Kno
Allied State of the National Electric Beat Treaty Organization (NEBTO)
9. "you're doing too much here, but I'm sure you know this already" In response to Reply # 2
__________________________________________ 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
7. "Damn, wish I could be you right now." In response to Reply # 4
Center Of Attention is bad ass. Even just streaming a playlist off YouTube should give you an idea of what you're dealing with. Primetime Pete Rock beats and some nice, laid back raps. It's absolutely ridiculous that this didn't see the light of day in 95/96. Definitely more lush than Livin' Proof, which is why I prefer it.
Some sit and chill with a nice banana cognac kinda music. I'm on my second go round with it and believe it is great and definitely some great Pete Rock production.
However, Livin Proof is still the lick. "Supastar" was once the music one would hear when they called my beeper.
I had that song on repeat for hours on end when I had that cd in the car, I just couldn't get it out of my head to want to hear anything else when it first came on, I'm glad Premier put it near the end.
I love this song so much I had to cop the "Suspended In Time" 12" to double up on "The Realness" and the instrumental, there was a Dj Cash Money mixtape where he does a real nice juggle with this song which only got me imitating his juggle and hear it in my head everytime I hear the song now.
--------- "We in here talking about later career Prince records & your fool ass is cruising around in a time machine trying to collect props for a couple of sociopathic degenerates" - s.blak
Dj Joey Joe Member since Sep 01st 2007 13770 posts
Thu Dec-08-16 04:29 AM
11. "Group Home's "Livin' Proof" Gets My Vote" In response to Reply # 0 Thu Dec-08-16 04:30 AM by Dj Joey Joe
As much as I like "Center Of Attention" it's not better than Group Home's album, yeah yeah I know the lyrics isn't on the same level as Grap Luva, Rob O., or Pete Rock's lyrics but the problem I have with "Center Of Attention" is the fact it took too long for me to hear it in full and the fact it's missing the Pete Rock interludes we expect from any album produced by him, and it's missing a few songs and then they threw on two songs that wasn't even on the original but either way I can't listen to it over and over like I can "Livn' Proof".
Premier made sure that "Livin' Proof" had some of the dopest beats he's ever given to any artist even Guru and it's a well rounded album not all of it's straight ahead boom bap, some beats are more laid back than others and even the Guru produced track & the Jaz-O track fit in there perfectly but still brought a different vibe to the album.
--------- "We in here talking about later career Prince records & your fool ass is cruising around in a time machine trying to collect props for a couple of sociopathic degenerates" - s.blak
13. "I honestly can't choose" In response to Reply # 0
They both work for totally different reasons, and both are amazing listens from front to back when they probably shouldn't be considering the talent gap between producer and rapper on each. Pete and Primo had already descended to godhood by the time these came out, so I'll just leave it at that.
__________________________________________ 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
17. "What's so hard to comprehend? OKP leans towards the smooth feelgood " In response to Reply # 16
>>closer to the sounds & aesthetic that brought us to this >site >>in the first place. >> >>I don't think this poll is close anywhere else. > >Huh?
aesthetic, regardless of whether the MCs have any distinctive qualities or not. I can't argue that Premier's production was really BETTER than Pete's, but Group Home had way more of an NYC 1995/1996 feel than InI. You gotta remember, Wu-Tang & BootCamp Clik were red hot back then.
I saw InI perform pretty up close and personal in 1996, people just weren't moved by what they were doing. The only part that seemed to get people hyped was when Pete came out for "Fakin Jax".
20. "Livin' Proof has the stronger singles, and benefits from being shorter" In response to Reply # 0
Plus that stretch on the B-Side from Baby Pa to Tha Realness is immaculate, if only from a production standpoint. And for all the flack Group Home gets for their lyrical deficiencies, Malachi and Dap definitely have more distinct voices than their InI counterparts. Rob O and Grap have very similar tones and deliveries, and Ras is fairly monotone as well. Featuring Meccalicious on more songs on COA would've been a good look.
Ultimately, the highs are just higher on Livin' Proof.
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