Customer Reviews

Sleeping With the Enemy (Dlx)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am not very giving with 5 star reviews, but I believe this album qualifies as a classic. Paris has always brought political fire, but this album displays him at his most angry, yet also his most insightful and poignant.

"Make Way for a Panther" begins the album with a bang, with Paris at his venemous best. The next several songs are slightly towned down, with the exception of the infamous revenge fantasy "Bush Killa". "Coffee, Donuts and Death" leads me to the only complaint I have about this album. The song opens with police officers talking to a (presumably black) woman, it would have been much better to make the intro a seperate track.

Suprisingly, it is Paris's more sensitive tracks like "days of old" and "Assata's Song" that seem to resonate with me the most, proving that Paris is a diverse emcee capable of rage and introspection.

This is a classic album that is a must for any good hip hop collection. If Paris's label had not delayed its release until after the election of 1992, he could have very well blown up and become a household name. You won't be dissapointed with this purchase, especially if you like early 2pac, Ice Cube, Public Enemy or X-Clan.

I don't even normally like rap, but this album blew me away. I first heard years ago. It was a bootlegged tape--the album was impossible to find--but damn, this guy is amazing. He's angry, he's articulate, and everything flows perfectly. If you're not easily offended and you want rap that actually says something, buy this.

After giving a classic debut album in 1990, Paris came back with a sophomore album that is even better than his first effort. Anybody saying that this album is a sophomore jinx is a pop rap supporter that should stick to supporting Ja Rule and 50 Cent. Paris sounds energized on tracks like Make Way For A Panther, Sleeping With The Enemy, Bush Killa, Guerrillas In The Mist, Check It Out Ch'all. Paris shows you his disdain with police on the exceptional Coffee, Donuts & Death. Thinka Bout It is another hip hop jewel. The Days of Old is the first song I ever heard from Paris and is still a gem. Sun Dubious of Funkdoobiest and LP show up on the dope Conspiracy Of Silence. Assata's Song is the most beautiful ode to black women you'll ever hear. There are no fillers on this album so dont bother asking. Bottom line: Paris comes back with an album that is even better than his first one. Political and socially conscious rhymes flood this album as Paris steps his production game up a notch(not that his beats before were bad) and gives mainstream america something to fear. Its unfortunate that not many people(even those who are conscious) have never heard of him. If you like Public Enemy, Dead Prez and The old Ice Cube then youre gonna like this one. Chalk this one up as another certified classic by one of the most underrated rappers of all time!
Standout Tracks: SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY, BUSH KILLA(original and hellraiser mix), COFFEE DONUTS AND DEATH, THINKA BOUT IT, GUERRILLAS IN THE MIST, THE DAYS OF OLD, COMSPIRACY OF SILENCE, CHECK IT OUT CH'ALL and ASSATA'S SONG.

This album just blew me away. I had to go on a major expedition for it when it came out because many stores weren't carrying it. (He got a lot of derogatory press for his song "Bush Killa", and I guess retailers caved under the pressure.) It was worth the effort though. This is one of those few albums where EVERY SONG IS AWESOME. This is not an exaggeration. Every single song on this album is fantastic. Most albums have a good song or two, maybe a few at most, but ALL THE SONGS????? That almost never happens. And for the more politically conscious, this album is as relevant today as it was the last time a Bush sent soldiers to Iraq. It's an album that makes you think without being pretentious, if you haven't banged all the brains out of your head from the beats in the songs. This is an album that should have blown up, not been buried under the parade of booty shaking bling wearing sizzurp drinking drivel that has assailed my ears in the past decade or so, and it belongs in everyone's collection. It's as good today as it was back in '92/'93 when it originally came out.

Paris puts the Black Panther into Hip-Hop in an amazing way! Beautiful political lyrics, beats, artwork, the whole nine yards. If you love Ol' School Public Enemy, you LOVE this! No doubt about it!

This album is the best CD he has done BAR NONE! I love all of his CDs and I own all of them. However, if I'm asked which one of his CDs really stand out in my mind, it would definitely this one. Placing the events of that time into a raw flow that gives you no choice to listen while boppin' your head to the beat is brilliance at its finest. In fact, this CD stands the test of time.

Paris has all that it takes to be a legend before his time. In fact, this brother is ahead of his time in terms of talent and knowledge. This is a HIGHLY recommended masterpiece that should be REQUIRED listening for people who want more out of their entertainment and a message in their music.

Paris as always brings hardcore powerful music with a message and this album is one of his best. I reccommend this reissued version cuz the sound quality is better and he did a nice job remastering it. Sadly many people sleep on this album because it is kind of unknown due to its content being so raw. Paris doesn't hold anything back and that's just one of the many reasons why i respect him so much. Buy this along with all his albums. If you like Public Enemy or Dead Prez then this should fit you well.

Paris is the most underrated MC to come out of the West Coast. His first album The Devil Made Me Do It was an underrated classic. This album follows suit. Paris is known for his strong political and socially conscious rhymes and on this album he hasnt slacked yet. After a very hilarious intro, Make Way For A Panther starts things off. Sleeping With The Enemy comes in afterwards, a powerful track with Paris doing what he does best: giving you hard truth. House N****s Bleed Too is a dope one too. Bush Killa and the Hellraiser version of Bush Killa is fire! Coffee, Donuts & Death speaks on dealing with brutal cops. Guerrilas In The Mist uses the same beat as Break The Grip Of Shame off of his first album but Paris rips the track to shreds as he expresses his rage. The Days Of Old was the very first song I ever heard from Paris. Its a touching cut that still holds true to this day. Sun Dubious of Funkdoobiest and LP join in on Conspiracy of Silence. Assata's Song is the most beautiful ode to black women that I've ever heard. as far as flaws there are none. Bottom Line: Sleeping With The Enemy is one of the best rap albums of 1992 by the most underrated rapper/producer in the game. Paris rhymes are twice as sharp as they were on his last album and his production is still hot. I definitely recommend this album to any fan of political hip hop.
Standouts: SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY, BUSH KILLA(original and hellraiser mix), COFFEE DONUTS & DEATH, THINKA BOUT IT, GUERRILLAS IN THE MIST, THE DAYS OF OLD, CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE, CHECK IT OUT CH'ALL and ASSATA'S SONG.

This was a super-militant release from the Black Panther rapper. The album is feverishly anti-Bush in its message.

Paris uses militant beats to match up with militant raps; however, it's not quite on par with Public Enemy's work at the time.

It's quite good in its conscious efforts. Overall some songs are off the target, but there are a few good keepers.

This was very shocking for its time - Paris had a hard time getting any press as the government wanted his releases silenced.

So this album becomes more interesting now that Bush is president, again. It's worth the cheap used price.

While this album isn't as strong as 'The Devil Made Me Do It,' I wouldn't go as far as saying that Paris fell victim to the sophomore jinx. Released in 1992, this album reiterated many of the same themes that his first album addressed (black-on-black violence, police brutality, etc). However, this time, he also took aim at George Bush Sr. 12 years later, this album still holds true with George Bush Jr. in the White House. The song 'Bush Killa' definitely has some renewed significance.

Still, this album is dope, and it is definitely a must-have for anyone's Bay Area collection or political/conscious rap collection. Overall, 'Sleeping With The Enemy' is a good album.