Nocturnal [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Heltah Skeltah

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 18, 1996)
• Original Release Date: June 18, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Priority Records
• ASIN: B000003AB5
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #49,257 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Boot Camp Clik's Heltah Skeltah turn out willfully low-tech, floss-free music. The duo's philosophy ("Undastand / To be the man ain't even in the plan") is sort of a corner-dweller's adaptation of Tribe's credo ("beats, rhymes & grime"), with a hefty dose of weed and some potential violence thrown in for good measure. Noted underground producers, including Evil Dee, Mr. Walt, and the Alkaholiks' very own E-Swift, help give form to the album's snaky vibe, which progresses under palpable clouds of blunt smoke. Ruc and Roc's lyrics are not overly complex, centering on cipher battles ("Clan's, Posse's, Crew's & Clik's"), turf wars ("Grate Unknown"), and an amusingly wack attempt at a booty call ("Getting' Ass, Getting' Ass"). The criminally underrated Vinia Mojica, also heard gracing Common's hipster classic, Like Water for Chocolate gets some run here, singing the hook on "Therapy." --Rebecca Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 3rd installment from Boot Camp Clik, May 9, 2004

By	brother_ike "brother_ike" (L-Boogie) - See all my reviews

Back in 96 hip hop was beginning to change. 1990-95 NYC was strong and emcees had to bring major skills & beats to get on. But now Death Row and Bad Boy were going over the top and things were shifting over to commercialised styles just to shift units. The BCC weren't going in for all this with 'Nocturnal', the debut album by the natty dread wearing duo of Heltah Skeltah. These guys build on the foundation BCC created with the debut albums by Black Moon and Smif-N-Wessun, and although its not a classic like those two albums, it is pure hip hop and 100% street.

'Nocturnal' is what you would call a beats & rhymes album. As with most BCC the emcees are gruff sounding, and the beats are rugged. The whole album seems clouded by a heavy mist of weed smoke, and the pair sound blunted when trading rhymes. (And yeah I dig the references to Lennox Lewis)

This is a near-classic album that has looked better & better in time with the decline of hip hop. After this the Beatminerz didn't produce as much for BCC and things began to decline. If your into real hip hop and liked anything with the BCC logo on it, you need to check this album out. A Bud-Smokers Essential.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Operation Lock Down, October 16, 2005

By	C. Gray (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I copped this album on cassette tape back in the day when it initially dropped, and basically played the tape until it wore out. Having recently purchased the cd to download onto my iPod I find myself listening to it everyday. I appreciate this album in 2005 more than I did when it was first released because no one raps like Ruck and Rock anymore. This cd is a reminder of how potent hip-hop was back in the 90's when it was all about beats & rhymes. MC's were judged upon lyrical skills, not extravagant lifestyles. Although Heltah Skeltah never gained popular acclaim across the country, they were undoubtedly one of the best duos of their time. They deliver clever lyrics in a manner that is best described as vocal gymnastics. Although they basically rap about common street themes, their unique method of delivery sets them worlds apart from current tag-teams. The beats are solid, and the skits add to the album instead of becoming worn after the first listen. If you're into what is commonly referred to as "street rap" or "real hip-hop" then you need to cop this disc before it runs out of circulation. Classic material.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars you don't want to be the target, August 28, 2004

By	Joe Borello "jbore26" (Glendale, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

True hip-hop heads long for the day when commercial rap no longer appeals to the masses. When MC's go back to the days were talent received radio play. Only the expertly crafted rhymes and raw beats were the catalyst of a respectable career. Although we may never again reach this point, it's good to now that we can always pull Nocturnal from the vault and dwell on the underground talent the defined good music. Although most of the beats of the album are simple, what is significant is the fact that Dru Ha, Evil Dee and Buckshot did a great job of matching these beats to the lyrical flow of Ruck and Rock. The album can be played from beginning to end with virtually no weak tracks. Letha Brainz Blow, a real head bangin' track is an example of how the beat and the rhymes compliment each other seamlessly. Who dat? is an extremely slow track in which the raps almost seem freestyle. When comparing tracks like these on the album to mainstream tracks today, it is obvious that the hip-hop's golden years have passed. It's difficult to determine who the better MC is (Ruck or Rockness) but that just forces you to listen to the whole album. And still no determination can be made. I recommend this album to people who can appreciate the underground, LET THE MADNESS BEGIN!