Customer Reviews

The Devil Made Me Do It

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is real. Modern day radio rap doesn't talk about problems in this world, they talk about girls and money. This album talks about the real stuff like racism, and oppresion. This album is one of the top hip hop albums ever in my book, a must own for any hip hop fan.

Paris has got talent. Mad Mike has got talent. On this album it all shows. The tracks are growling, driving beats with smooth lyrics from someone who seems to genuinely believe what he is saying. Unfortunately, his message is a strong, nationalist, panther inspired one, and seems to have done a good job alienating much of the industry - making this album virtually unknown in spite of its merits. It took me a few times through to realize just how good this album was, seeing how as a white male I am the target (or possibly the cause) of a lot of the angst that went into it.

Whatever you think of his message, Paris is a talented lyricist with a good sense for creating enthralling tracks, and this album is an exceptionally good showcase for him.

Political to the core, this album remains one of the most underappreciated rap albums of all time. Paris reminds us that rap is not all about the bling bling, the Bentleys, the platinum fronts, nor the Cristal; that rap, contrary to popular belief, is a valuable and legitimate means of self-expression, criticism, and political commentary.

Enough can't be said about Mad Mike's scratching skills and beats, either. They're powerful; almost militant. A perfect match for Paris' intelligent lyrics.

I can't praise this album enough. I bought my first copy on cassette, and although the origins of that well-worn tape are now unknown, I must get it on CD, because it is an essential part of any rap and hip-hop aficionado's collection.

After more than a decade after its initial release, the album's tracks still resonate with a sense of urgency, passion, and advocacy for equality.

When I first heard this record, specifically the song "Break the Grip of Shame" it really woke up a cultural consciousness in me. It touched something primal in me that I belonged to a culture that wasn't just American, but older than America. I felt that I could actually take on the world and WIN! It mobilized in me a sense that my culture wasn't something that was born from the marketing halls of Nike, Addidas and (at the time) Cross Colors and Karl Kani. Paris music does that to a person, points them in a direction where the injustices really are, and ironically, not all of which are of the Black/White dynamic.

That was 15 years ago. Because of Paris' music, and people like him, I have taken upon myself to address ALL the injustices in the world, not just those of racism, and confront those responsible for it to change. You'll never get that kind of anger and willingness to right wrongs listening to anything Murder Inc., Cash Money or Aftermath puts out.

This release is not going to give you bumble-gum rap or I-smacked-that-ho lyrics. Paris is political, talented, and effective. "The Devil Made Me Do It" is Paris at his best... his lyrics carry the groove, and the beats enhance rather than (as is so often the case) impede. This release ranks up there with Public Enemy's "It Takes A Nation Of Millions..." and BDP's "Criminal Minded" as one of the best hip hop albums of all time. Buy the damn thing... you won't be disappointed.

Paris is one of the many hip-hip artist from the early 1990's that didnt get alot of airplay, and mainly sold records on word of mouth. Let me tell you that even though Paris's other releases aren't as strong as this, "The Devil Made me Do It" has flavor that most hip-hop has lost today, and that is dealing with racial tensions, political issues, and Black History (ex..Black Panthers) The beats are also mind blowing, and this album is very Hard for the time that it was released. Even though the album is somewhat dated, it still is a treasure, and I hope people that are infactuated with todays hip-hop could take a few steps back and pick up an album of such importance. This CD belongs in EVERYONES collection. Its that good! (i only gave if 4 stars because even though it is a classic, there are some poor filler tunes here) ENJOY

I was 16 when I first heard this album. Following in the tradition of PE, Paris took conscious rap to another level by espousing the views of Malcolm X and the Black Panthers. When I first heard this album, I never knew who Huey Newton or Bobby Seale were; this album actually taught me a few things. I listen to it now, and I'm still amazed that this album was released on a major label (Tommy Boy).

At that time (early 1991), Digital Underground was really the only Bay Area group that had blown up, so I was not used to hearing artists from Northern California. Like many of the Bay Area albums that followed in the years after, 'The Devil Made Me Do It' is dope. Paris' lyrics are tight; the beats are phat; and Mad Mike's scratching is incredible. If you don't have this album, you need to get it.

Remember when rap and hip-hop artists used their rhymes and music to actually talk about things that mattered instead of how shallow most of it is now? Public Enemy and Paris were the loudest and the best. I rand PE first because I like their beats and music the best. A close second would be this release by Paris that I happened to find by accident. The mixing, samples. all of it is amazing. The lyrics are heavy and unforgiving. It starts off with a sample from a tv news report about the murder of Yusef Hawkins and doesn't let up from there. So if you're tired of songs about how much money/women/drugs the typical hip-hop artist has, buy this CD. The music is smooth, and the lyrics will make you think, which isn't a bad thing.

Devil rocks the house y'all - this could be most overlooked, underappreciated albums in history of hip hop - believe me, it is way beyond dope

I think it got no play because it was TOO intense for R-A-D-I-O and just flat-out scared people - they couldnt believe one man could rock like this

on every single cut, Paris kicks more bass than Rakim, drops more science than Chuck D, and just tears #!@#* it up! and his samples are soooooo dope - just plain outrageous

everyone else is frontin' next to Paris: he is the Last Poet that the world has been waiting for

Devil is up there with Nation of Millions, Compton, 3 Feet High, Pure Poverty, and Chronic as one of best of all time - it is a desert island disc, no doubt about it

Paris hasn't cut a single decent track since Devil, but next to Nation, this album is my favorite

it is the bomb

IN A PERFECT HIP-HOP WORLD, RAPPERS (ARTISTS) WOULD BE JUDGED ON THEIR TALENT ON THE MIC, WITH BEATS, LOOPS AND THE WHOLE NINE. IN REALITY COMMERCIALISM HAS TAKEN OVER ALMOST ALL FORMS OF MUSIC INCLUDING HIP-HOP. BECAUSE OF THIS, ONE OF (IF NOT THE) GREATEST MC OF ALL TIME WILL ALWAYS BE LEFT OUT OF THE "GREATEST" LISTS. TOSS OUT HIS POLITICAL VIEWS AND YOU STILL HAVE ONE OF THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME. THE DEVIL, STARTED IT, SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY AND GUERILLA FUNK KEPT US GOING, UNLEASHED GAVE US HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. PLEASE KEEP PUTTING OUT JAMS FOR ALL OF US TO HEAR. GREATEST MC'S: KRS-1, RAKIM, Q-TIP, PARIS, COMMON, BUCKSHOT, COLD 187UM, BROTHER J (X CLAN). SIMPLY THE BEST