Customer Reviews

Return of the Boom Bap

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

God damn, I haven't heard an album with so much effort and time put into it. Other classics were dropped before and after this but this is just a timeless classic, I can't stress just how much this album reigns SUPREMACY. KRS-One dropped 2 hot albums with BDP (Criminal Minded and By Any Means Necessary) which were just off the hook but this is different. His voice has matured a lot more than what it was in his earlier days and his lyrics are thoughtful and excellent. Check out Sound Of Da Police to experiment his might and talent. F*ck tha Police by N.W.A. is by far the best diss song towards the police but this follows it right behind it. I really like his 'Overseer/Officer' rhyme and the way he raps in his Jamaican way as he did back in Criminal Minded. Other cuts enjoyed include Outta Here, where he talks about his life in the game, I Can't Wake Up, a pleasant track produced by Premier, Uh Oh, using beatboxing as his instruments, Brown Skinned Woman, where he puts it down for the black/brown nation and "P" is Still Free, a song dedicated to the girls.

I like KRS-One for several reason but the strongest being that he's one of the few rappers to understand REAL HIP-HOP. Take a look at the title, Return of the Boom Bap. It means just that: it's the return of REAL RAP. He's kept it true since '87 and still he's doing it. This is probably the best '93 rap album, waay better than Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle. It's definately one of my favorite top 50 rap albums of all time. Check this out, coz KRS-One is out to ATTACK!

Best moments= Outta Here, I Can't Wake Up, Sound of Da Police and Brown Skinned Woman

What else can be said about this album that hasn't been said already? This is basically a collaboration between two legends of the genre (KRS One and DJ Premier) while both were at the top of their games. It gets no better than that. Period. I feel kind of special because this is the kind of stuff I was growing up on. I think it was 9th or 10th grade for me when this came out and I ran out and got this after hearing "Outta Here" for the first time. "Sound Of The Police", "Outta Here", "Return Of The Boom Bap, "Mortal Thought", "Black Cop", "Brown Skin Woman", "Uh Oh", "Higher Level"....I mean, the list of classics on this disc goes on and on. The sound can best be described as bass heavy boom bap (hence the title of the album). Kinda makes me miss the early/mid 90's sound... *sigh*

As far as flaws, I can only think of one..."I Can't Wake Up." That song was a bit of a misstep. Otherwise, the rest is straight fire. Anyone giving this less than 4 stars doesn't know what a timeless piece this album truly is.

Return Of The Boom Bap is classic. Point blank. Period. If you haven't heard this album yet, then quit cheating yourself and check it out. It may have come out in '93, but it sounds just as fresh 13 years later. I highly recommend making this one a collection piece.

Standout Tracks: 'P' Is Still Free, Slap Them Up, Black Cop, Mad Crew, Outta Here, Brown Skin Woman, Sound Of The Police, Stop Frontin', Mortal Thought, Uh Oh, Higher Level (My Favorite), and Return Of The Boom Bap

The album adresses issues that are real, just brushed under the carpet by many people. to the guy ADL123 who calls him a terrorist, thats a very republican(stupid) thing to say. Its a shame when people die, but you know what, now we just have a slightest taste of what its like for most other countries. To call this guy a terrorist and tell people to not buy his album because of his freedom of speech is stupid. And you are obiously one of those people who live in your own fantasy land while chanting 4 more years...4 more years...well you got your 4 more years, enjoy them while millions suffer.

Essentially the all-out hip-hop version of Rage Against The Machine, KRS-One delivers the goods on Return Of The Boom Bap in much the same manner as RATM, fighting ignorance, oppression, prejudice, hypocrisy, and hatefulness while promoting intellect, good judgement, thinking for yourself, and questioning authority to the end. KRS's lyrics are as solid as ever and he makes amazing work of them on Boom Bap, speaking out against racism and hate crimes in "Black Cop", warns of the consequences of hanging around the wrong crowd in "Uh Oh", telling us to watch what sticky situations we get ourselves into on "P Is Still Free", and attacking every lame emcee, DJ, and commerical, fake, millionaire there is to be found, destroying thoughtlessness every step of the way. While KRS-One has a strong political outlook and view on the corruptions of society as a whole, especially on the closing track "Higher Level", we still get a taste of his sense of humor on "I Can't Wake Up", in it's odd story telling lyrics that are perhaps more serious than we think. All of this dark humor can be found scattered throughout various tracks, allowing us to see the humor in some situations but still informing of the serious side of things, as KRS always does in his provoking, narrative lyrics.

While the lyrics are strong and aggressive in their stance against ignorance and corruption, the beats done by DJ Premier of Gang Starr back the vocals in much the same way: loud, aggressive, and strong. The bass lines on the album thud moreso than anything you'll hear on the radio and the beats more varied and complex than anything the mainstream will offer you today. No matter how catchy or rhythmic the beat is though, there is always room for the words and message of the song to speak to the listener without being mudded out with over production. This is truly one of KRS-One's strongest albums, and the man is truly an icon in hip-hop. What honestly makes an imbecile like Nelly think that he is superior to the brilliance and honesty of KRS-One?

This album is hard as hell. Just beats and rhymes, it's a distilled version of east coast hip-hop from the early 90's. KRS takes nearly everyone in America to task and runs through politics, hate crimes, to plain old beating down wack mc's. KRS gets some of the best producers of the time on his side, including DJ Premier - who continued his amazing streak of fat beats through the rest of the 90's. 'Outta here' is an absolute classic, and 'KRS One Attacks', 'Black Cop', I Can't Wake Up (I love it when he hollers that "I'm dreamin - about being a blunt..."), Slap Them Up, 'Sound of da Police', '"P" Is Still Free' are personal favourites as well. This is one for your mind and to toughen up your hiphop collection.

Some people seem to think that "I Got Next" is KRS' best album, but to my ears it pretty damn overrated. This album demonstrates KRS as the great, clever lyricist he is, and he is accompanied by nice production from one of hip-hop's finest, DJ Premier. He truly is the greatest emcee ever to touch a microphone. He is the only emcee who's as great today as he was ten years back.

I have been a krs-one fan for a LONG time, and would have to say this is his best album. Sound Of Da Police is completely off the hook, the lyrics are some of the best you'll come across. Krs is one of the greatest rappers ever, and this album is a timeless underground classic. This is REAL hip-hop, dont support what we hear on the radio these days, its all crap, listen to legends like krs-one and rakim. Other good tracks are KRS-One Attacks and Return Of Da Boombap.
Beats - 10/10
Lyrics - 10/10
Production - 10/10
Originality - 10/10
Final Note - 5 Mic Classic, one that all true rap/hip-hop fans have. Classic album, one of the best of our time.

WHO NEEDS COMMERCIAL APPEAL? THE TEACHER WILL BE HERE FOR EVER! Consistantly demonstrating that he is HIP-HOP, KRS proves it from track to track. I've owned this C.D. since it first came out, and I can say this; From KRS-One ATTACKS, to HIGHER LEVEL and every track in between, this solo, his first solo is by far 150% better, and far beyond more superior than most "RAP" out here on these streets today, if you don't own this peice you better run to your nearest retailer RIGHT NOW and pick it up, cherish it like your first born because you won't find much out here on this level, That HIGHER LEVEL!

The beats are crazy. Concepts and rhymes are incredible. These guys should do more albums together. The title track had me jumping all throughout my 10th grade. B-boying at its best. Krs's best album by far, its the complete package.

Honestly after Scott La Rock died, I always thought BDP was KRS and nothing else. KRS finally decided it was time to just offically end it and let go of all the people riding his coat-tails. What a way to go for dolo. When "Sound of Da Police" dropped I knew it was on.

At the time a lot of NY underground Hip-Hop was already grimey and had that "boom bap" sound, so the LP's title wasn't as revelent as it would be now. Despite that, KRS and Primo put down some dope beats and rhymes and delivered a classic LP that is used as a formula for many "true school" heads.