Gang Starr - Step in the Arena
List Price:
Our Price: $7.97
You Save: $4.01 (33%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $5.77 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: Gang StarrEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1991-01-15
Music Label: Virgin Records Us
Soundtracks:
- Name Tag - Premier & The Guru
- Step In The Arena
- Form Of Intellect
- Execution Of A Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy Pt.2)
- Who's Gonna Take The Weight?
- Beyond Comprehension
- Check The Technique
- Love Sick
- Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
- Game Plan
- Take A Rest - Gangstarr
- What You Want This Time?
- Street Ministry
- Just To Get A Rep
- Say Your Prayers
- As I Read My S-A
- Precisely the Right Rhymes
- The Meaning Of A Name
Free Music Notes for Step in the Arena
Free Music Review: "...The DJ's Name Is Premier, and I'm The Guru..." (4 stars, ignore the 3)
Hit: 3 Stars
For starters, I origonally gave this a 7, but when I heard this album again, I think its closer to an 8. Maybe a 7.5 out of 10 would be a better score for this album.
Consider this the album that launched Gang Starr into the position that they wanted to be in, back in late '90/early '91, even though their real debut was No More Mr. Nice Guy back in 1989. At the same time, they were still growing as a group, and neither have reached their peak yet (especially Permier's production). Knowing that, you're still going to get quality cuts on this album such as the great "Just To Get A Rep" single, and the bouncy "Check The Technique". There is a little jazz flavor here on "Love Sick" and "What You Want This Time?", both songs about females. Majority of the songs, Guru's vocals are used to get his message across, effectively.
As for Primo, he does a solid job with his signature cutting and production. It sounds a little dated, even for early 90's standards. But even in that position, it hits more than it misses.
Gang Starr's sophomore album is more of a very good album. It's not thier best or anything near classic material, but it's still a good addition to your music collection. Peace.
Lyrics: B+
Production: B+
Guest Appearances: N/A
Musical Vibes: B+
Top 5 Tracks:
1. Just To Get A Rep
2. Check The Technique
3. Who's Gonna Take The Weight?
4. Read My S-A
5. What You Want This Time?
Honorable Mention:
1. Love Sick
2. Step In The Arena
Step in the Arena Poster
Gang Starr's second album is quintessential hip-hop and is easily one of the greatest rap albums of all time. In contrast to their 1989 debut, No More Mr. Nice Guy, which was filled with seriously uptempo jams, Step in the Arena slows down the pace, unveiling low, slow, and deceptively complex tempos along with some jazz-tinged loops and beats, all of which firmly established DJ Premier's slot in the producer hall of fame. Furthermore, the slower sonic pace proved to be a perfect fit for Guru's distinctive monotone flow. The album hits on every aural level, from the lumbering bass and blaring horn combo of the title track to the swirling sax blurts, unnerving siren, and kinetic scratch attack of "Who's Gonna Take the Weight" to the laid-back smooth jazz soul of "Love Sick." Guru's verbal volley can only be described as smooth hardcore, with no-nonsense lyrics that effectively strike a balance between the street and the intellect. Toss in tracks like the anti-hoodlum anthem "Just to Get a Rep" and the scathing "Execution of a Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy, Part 2)," and you've got yourself a bona fide classic that sounds as fresh today as it did when it was first released. --Spence AbbottJazz Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums Part II
Just-Ice - Kool & DeadlyRelease date: 1987-01-01; Music CD
Best price: $10.71
Price in other shops:
Jungle Brothers - Done by the Forces of NatureRelease date: 1989-11-08; Music CD
Best price: $6.29
Price in other shops:
Jungle Brothers - Straight Out the JungleRelease date: 1989-09-20; Music CD
Best price: $11.27
Price in other shops:
Jay-Z - Reasonable DoubtRelease date: 2006-10-31; Music CD
Best price: $9.37
Price in other shops:
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - He's the DJ, I'm the RapperRelease date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $39.99
Ice-T - O.G. Original GangsterRelease date: 1991-05-14; Music CD
Best price: $4.82
Price in other shops:
Ice Cube - Death CertificateRelease date: 1991-11-06; Music CD
Best price: $4.99
Price in other shops:
Ice Cube - AmeriKKKa's Most WantedRelease date: 1990-05-16; Music CD
Best price: $7.00
Price in other shops:
Heavy D & The Boyz - Living LargeRelease date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $69.99
Geto Boys - Grip It! On That Other LevelRelease date: 1995-04-25; Music CD
Best price: $10.99
Price in other shops:
Top Rated Albums
Brand Nubian - One for AllRelease date: 1990-12-08; Music CD
Best price: $6.09
Price in other shops:
A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of RhythmRelease date: 1990-03-12; Music CD
Best price: $8.99
Price in other shops:
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - The Main IngredientRelease date: 1994-11-08; Music CD
Best price: $6.95
Price in other shops:
Jeru the Damaja - The Sun Rises in the EastRelease date: 1994-05-24; Music CD
Best price: $7.48
Price in other shops:
A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End TheoryRelease date: 1991-09-24; Music CD
Best price: $7.51
Price in other shops:
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - Mecca and the Soul BrotherRelease date: 1992-06-09; Music CD
Best price: $7.45
Price in other shops:
Gang Starr - The OwnerzRelease date: 2003-06-24; Published: 2003; Music CD
Best price: $9.12
Price in other shops:
Gang Starr - Moment of TruthRelease date: 1998-03-31; Music CD
Best price: $7.15
Price in other shops:
Gang Starr - Hard to EarnRelease date: 1994-03-08; Music CD
Best price: $5.95
Price in other shops:
Gang Starr - Daily OperationRelease date: 1992-05-05; Music CD
Best price: $6.98
Price in other shops: