Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Real Shock in Rap Music, September 2, 2001
Before MC REN started his solo career in 1992, he was just known as a former member of N.W.A. When the group broke up in 1991, MC Ren stayed with partner Eazy-E and kept recording with Ruthless Records. His first album in 1992, KIZZ MY BLACK AZZ, can be summarized as a typical gangsta rap album of that time period. The album had help from Eazy-E himself and even sold over 500,000 copies. It wasn't a full album (and is now out-of print), but a 6-track E.P.; the album was supposed to give a preview for his upcoming full-length album called LIFE SENTENCE. But before that album was made MC Ren converted into the Nation Of Islam with the support of his DJ (DJ TRAIN). With Ren's new views, LIFE SENTENCE was scrapped and instead SHOCK OF THE HOUR was to replace it. This album still keeps the gangsta rap lyrics from before, but MC Ren also gives insight on blacks in America and his religon (sort of similar to Ice Cube's DEATH CERTIFICATE). The gangsta tracks on the album that were singles are: "SAME OL S--T" and "F--- WHAT YA HEARD". These tracks are written in the same fashion as other hardcore rap songs and are enjoyable & explict like Ren's former NWA songs. "MAYDAY ON THE FRONTLINE" also appears on the CB4 Movie Soundtrack; the song gives political views about how blacks should rise up from anyone holding them down and also his anger with some whites, MC Ren says it best: "Waitin' for the day to get revenge for the days of the slave ships". The song "DO YOU BELIEVE" is MC Ren's criticism about Christianity and blacks being too friendly with whites. Songs like "MR F--- UP" and "ONE FALSE MOVE" have great beats with funky sampling from Parliment. The final track "SHOCK OF THE HOUR" (with a guest appearance from KAM) is a song about their point of views about Islam. The whole album can be summarized as miltia, and at times some of the radical white & Christian statements might seem appalling, but if you don't let that go to your head you will be able to enjoy one of MC Ren's finest works in his solo career. This album and KIZZ MY BLACK AZZ are essentials for any MC Ren fans or listeners of west coast gangsta rap. This album was released in 1993 under Ruthless Records and is harder to find at stores than Ren's last two releases. In my opinion, the search for the album is worth it.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
best album, February 11, 2007
AMAZON!!!!...It would be really nice if I could atleast hear the damn tracks again, considering its been a long time since I heard the CD, especially if I'm gonna drop forty or fifty dollars on it.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Effective, hardcore gangsta rap, December 10, 2006
MC Ren's first full-length solo album following the breakup of NWA was his 1993 effort "Shock of the Hour," released on Ruthless Records. I am perplexed by how much this album is underappreciated. While obviously not on the same creative level of "The Chronic" or "Death Certificate," this is a very entertaining album and among the best to come from the post-NWA solo album offerings. This album is well executed, standard gangsta rap, and if it were not so overlooked, it might be one of the archetypical albums of the genre. MC Ren was always one of the most solid rappers in NWA, and his evident talent continues on this solo release. He covers much more interesting topics lyrically than Dre ever did, and even the run-of-the-mill gangsta rap fare is executed very well. The production is impressive, showing a very good style of the pre-g-funk west coast rap musical style. The beats and bass are hard, and there is usually a whiny synth or instrumental sample on most of the tracks. The beats just sound hard and really complement Ren's angry monotone. "Shock of the Hour" is really hard to find now, but it's still an album I highly recommend.
The album begins with "11:55," a dark and dangerous sounding intro that sets the mood for the album very well. "Same Old S..." speaks of a day in the life of a famous rapper, the production is solid and tough sounding. "F... What You Heard" is a highlight for me, the bass and synth-heavy music sounds really good with Ren's calmly delivered but angry raps. "All Bulls... Aside" continues in the same way, a threatening and well-produced song. "One False Move" has a chaotic sound both musically and lyrically. "You Wanna F... Her" speaks of a woman who is not as innocent as someone obviously believes, the beat is excellent. The album really picks up here, the music taking a more philosophical approach lyrically. "Mayday on the Front Line" is another warning kind of song but it just comes across as really well done. "Attack on Babylon" is one of the best songs on the album, discussing the thought process behind urban violence. "Do You Believe" is funky and challenges mainstream thought. Ren lends some time on the mic to his young proteges on "Mr. F... Up," and the album ends with by far its best track, the title song. This song paints an apocalyptic picture of black supremacy and judgment day, it's really disturbing and ends the album perfectly.
"Shock of the Hour" is a really underrated album from one of the west coast's pioneering and most interesting rap artists. MC Ren never gets the respect he deserves, but if more people heard this album they definitely would. This album is just overall a very solid and enjoyable album of hardcore west coast hip hop, one that I recommend to all fans of NWA and early west coast.
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by MC Ren 
