Customer Reviews

Runaway Slave

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let me re-write a historical quote for the purpose of doing this album justice, the early 90's were "the times that thrilled mens' souls." I first heard this album sometime back in 1993 as a teenager living out in semi-suburbs of Woodbridge NJ. After listening to Soul Clap and Bounce Ta This, I was hooked. This album is a classic, part of that early 90's renaissance where hip hop was simply amazing. Diamond D's beats, those horns, Big L, Finesse, Showbiz, AG and others. Further, this is one of the most undderated albums in hip hop history. The mainstream never picked this one up, maybe a good sign. It is the one rap album that stands alone in every category. That is the suburban perspective, meaning that none of my suburban friends who like hip hop mention it.
If this album was released now and had enough national push from record companies who knows. But an album like Runaway Slave will never be made again, it was raw, dark, blazing hip hop. As a suburbanite, hearing Big L was surreal, as if the inner-city streets came alive and swallowed the suburbs and a ghetto thunderstorm knocked the power out in the suburbs. From beginning to end, flawless. Diversity is a great thing, that is why I have such admiration for the sound and voices of hip hop. The world is not one big happy family, and these emcees are not playing with their words or music, you have to respect that. It's pure.
For you emerging fellow suburbanite hip-hop fans, if you want to show your knowledge of hip-hop, make sure this album is on your mantle in lights. If you don't like this album then I would question your taste in hip hop.

"Showbiz, there's skills to make/so lets get busy/and dig in the crates..."

1989, Show & AG made their debut on Lord Finesse' FUNKY TECHNICIAN. He wasn't exactly the livest on the mic back then...in fact, he sounded straight bush league. Meanwhile, Show was already showing signs of brilliance behind the boards in that album on "Back to Back Rhymin'".

About a year later, Both Showbiz and AG came out with the (sadly out-of-print) Party Groove EP, which featured "Party Groove" (both original & Show's instrumental), "Soul Clap", and the DITC theme song, "Diggin' In The Crates". These songs blew up clubs everywhere! When Kid Capri started the "BEND & STRETCH" chant, you knew the whole entire club was jumpin'!

SEPTEMBER, 1992, this full-length was released. After smoothing out the edges during all their DITC colabs, these guys have shown a lot of improvements. Showbiz started manipulating more samples and even started to rhyme. Yes, he wasn't the greatest producer on the mic, yet he was much better then certain producers who tried it (Jay Dee...quit it before you embarrass yourself even further). AG was no longer the high-pitched bush leaguer on Finesse's first album. The both play off each other really well on this album.

Songs like "Silence of the Lambs" (the "Be like Bo Jackson after surgery and DON'T DO IT" line still cracks me up), "Bounce Ta This" featuring Dres of Black Sheep, are examples of how great DITC was. Big L stops by on the irratic "Represent" to give beatdowns like Rondey King got (his words, not mine)! Songs like "More Than One Way Out the Ghetto", "Runaway Slaves", and "Hold Ya Head" show the duo talk about issues that effect people on the streets. Thing is, it's still kinda wierd for them to have a Malcolm X vocal snippit and follow it up with "Hard to Kill" where they're "Killin' enemies worse than Kennedy's assassination" (in the same breath, they try to work around it by saying all that killin' stuff is "just a style". Heh.) They also took the liberty of bringing in "Soul Clap" and "Party Groove" from the EP (But sadly, no "Diggin' In The Crates"...)

Even though some of this CD may not have stood the test of time with certain listeners, this is still one of the best albums to come out from that time period and one of the best things to come out of the DITC camp.

this album is probably the best album for horn breaks,jazz cuts and lyrics ever made.Also, u can t dispute A.g.'s destinctive, raspy new york tounge for a good clear and consice rhyme tactict.If u like the early 90's new yorker type flow and showbiz's beats then this album is definitely for u. i luv it more then sex with my girl{lol}!!!!. this album was well before it s time > I first heard this back in early 1993 {i was in junior high }and even in 20005 at 25 years old i still love it. ALL HAIL SHOWBIZ A.G FAT JOE DIAMOND LORD FINESSE AND THE WHOLE D I T C RESPECT DUE LUV ADGE>

Along with Pharcyde's "Bizarre Ride II", for me, this is the best album to come from one of the best years of Hip Hop (1992). Similarly, this is the best album to come from DITC, which is a bold statement since DITC is one of the most consistent hiphop groups ever, behind Wu Tang, with each and every solo member bringing classic material to the table (Lord Finesse,OC,Diamond D,Big L,). This is Quintessential NY Early 90's hiphop. From the distinctive horns, breaks, samples, snares/drums, flows, ebonics & the natural Funk Show & AG display any fan of early 90's hiphop will worship this, I guarantee it. With 16 Full Tracks, their is not one weak track on the album...Pure CONSISTENCY. It is a landmark, with the track "Represent" featuring Diamond, Finesse, Big L & D-Shawn this is the first group DITC track...on wax. Showbiz really shines on Runaway Slave, with flawless production especially on tracks like "Fat Pockets", "He say, She Say" "Represent" & Catchin Wreck. Compared to "Goodfellas", Runaway Slave is slightly less dark and gives off that funky vibe that was primarily heard in that era. Similarly, You can bet Andre The Giant (AG) comes correct with the flows, lyrics and of course the trademark Voice!

An album that cracks my personal top 10, any fan of DITC, Early 90's Hiphop or music that generally displays raw talent...needs to treat their mental with this, and prepare for an eargasm!. PEACE (P.S. as you can probably tell this is extremely rare, so you will find you will have to pay alot for this, but believe me, its worth it).

Lyrics - 10/10

Beats - 10/10

Orginality - 10/10

Replay Value - 10/10

Bottom line----One of Few impeccable classics

If you find this helpful, check my other reviews

No need to say more than 'DITC' and all these heads here know exactly how deep this crew are. This was showbiz & a.g.'s first album and is up on the benchmark level setting high standards for the east coast hip hop game that was in 1992. The album is tight and has classic production start to finish. But most of all, the lyrics are deep and have a lot put into them flowing over the tracks like water down a stream. I would recommend this to anyone who doesn't have it yet, if you are a hip hop head, theres no way you can't have it by yet. Shame on you! lol. Get this before its too late and you miss something that won't be back again. Also the goodfellas album and anything else from the DITC selection too. Peace!

The boogie down Bronx is where hip-hop started and Showbiz & A.G. are determined to make sure their borough continues to produce some of the finest music available. On Runaway Slave they showcase fat freestyle skills ("Silence Of The Lambs", "Diggin' In The Crates",) autobiographical acuity ("More Than One Way Out The Ghetto",) and slammin' collaborative efforts ("Represent", "Bounce To This"). Showbiz comes correct on the production tip with thick bass lines, jazzy horns, and intricate drum patterns. A.G. rips the mic from start to finish and the influence of his homeboy Lord Finesse is apparent throughtout. Overall, an incredible album which serves to remind us all what true hip-hop ought to sound like.

Showbiz & A.G. released "Runaway Slave" in 1992 and it immediately became the first of what would be a long line of underrated hip hop gems from the New York hip hop crew, Diggin' in the Crates. This album is the first from the amazing DITC crew and it ranks among the very greatest. Truly an amazing album. Showbiz & A.G. brought a whole new style to the table, using upbeat, funky production layered with many horns and jazz samples without screaming jazz rap at you. The production is some of the best east coast production out there, it's so consistent and beautiful. Like with all the DITC albums, the lyricism is wonderful to listen to, always entertaining and often funny, always on a level you can feel. Showbiz and fellow DITC member Diamond D produce the tracks, and Showbiz and AG trade off rhymes with a great chemistry. This could be classified as a party album, and that would definitely be a party I'd like to attend. They cover lots of different topics in their rhymes though, tackling some social issues like racism, public housing, and gossip. It's a crime that "Runaway Slave" is out of print, and if you can find it nothing should stop you from getting it.

The album begins with the song "Still Diggin'", which represents everything DITC would proceed to bring us throughout the 90s. It has a great sax-laced beat and the duo talk about their abilities and preferences. The beat to "Fat Pockets" is a head spinning, jazzy one, and the lyrics deal with liking "pockets fat and not flat". "Bounce to This" is among the funkiest, with great bass and cymbal. My favorite instrumental is on "More Than One Way Out of the Ghetto", it has an awesome intro and the lyrics are very relevant. "40 Acres & My Props" is similarly great, conscious lyrics and awesome production. The title track has awesome horn instrumentation, and "Hard to Kill" always keeps my head bobbing. "Hold Ya Head" is one of my favorites, awesome track, great lyrics and beats. "He Say, She Say" tells a story about how lives are ruined by gossipping people. Both mixes of "Silence of the Lambs" are great party tracks, and "Soul Clap" and the self explanatory "Party Groove" could each be described similarly. There's not a bad track here, it's so amazingly consistent.

This album is a great album and the fact that it's out of print is a shame. However, despite its amazing quality, paying upwards of $80 for any CD sounds kind of ridiculous to me, I know it is available for sale or download for much cheaper elsewhere. "Runaway Slave" is just one of the many great early 90s jazzy, funky hip hop albums from the city of New York, and I highly recommend it to all.

I Love this album. The beats were on another level for '92 and A.G.'s rhymes are iller then most rappers out today. Simply one of my favorite albums of all time. Pick this up along with Diamond's Stunts,Blunts & Hip Hop. You won't regret it.

One of the most over looked rap CD's ever. If you don't own it and you love the hip hop, GET IT!!!

Now this is one Hip-Hop record that towers high over the rest. Producer Diamond at his most incredible and dynamic; the DITC (thats Diggin' in the Crates) crew gel together perfecly with some of the most illest and slickest rhymes about. This really is an all time Classic Hip-Hop record; everyone will like this and you'll never tire - Buy Now!