Criminal Minded

Boogie Down Productions

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 1, 1987)
• Original Release Date: 1987
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: B Boy
• ASIN: B000005X5Y
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #250,516 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
BDP's first album--and the only one to include the late DJ Scott La Rock--sounded harder than hell when it came out in 1987. Though the simple beat-box patterns on a few tracks sound dated, most of La Rock's tracks are bluntly effective, especially the AC/DC riff he appropriates on "Dope Beat." And KRS-One still performs most of his Criminal Minded rhymes, because his audience knows them word for word: the ultraviolent dancehall of "9mm Goes Bang," the battle cry of "South Bronx" (and its counterpart, the anti-Juice Crew screed of "The Bridge Is Over," with its little Billy Joel homage), the catalog of La Rock's condom collection on "Super-Hoe." KRS bloomed later; here, he just rocked. --Douglas Wolk

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic, but not as groundbreaking as some claim:, November 28, 2002

By	H. Brumfield (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Contrary to some reviews, Criminal Minded was NOT the first to introduce "gangsta" themes (check out Schoolly D, "P.S.K.") or reggae styles (see Original Concept, "Bitin' My Stylee" --Dr. Dre from MTV's record on Def Jam). Nor were the beats produced by Scott La Rock, but primarily Ced Gee from Ultramag, who got stiffed on the album credits. Sorry to bust bubbles. But it doesn't need to be The First to still be an historic and classic hip-hop album. It's one of the greatest, and will always be close to my heart.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reigns Supreme, December 1, 2004

By	Bklyn Gyrl (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews

This is the album that ended careers.

KRS-One is a genius...a scholar. This was and is a classic. Forget the bling-bling and the fake wanna be gangsters.

KRS was the innovator. Yes, you can argue for Rakim and his lyrical prowess. But KRS was the first to incorporate a message, teach history, use reggae flavored beats and chants and still not be a punk. He is one of the greatest MC's of all time.

Younguns....press play, sit back and learn from the creators. This is what hip-hop is truly about.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Is The Blueprint To Gangsta Rap Till This Day!!, June 29, 2005

By	Nathan Martoff "dogg joose" (Hollywood, Ca United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are a young listener in Hip Hop today and you are listening to Fifty, Jada, Game or whateva and you have'nt heard Criminal Minded pick this up now!!You will hear so many comparisons to todays Gangsta Rap you would think KRS got ripped off.Scott La Rock founder of BDP along side KRS this is the original tough guy rap.Were talking 86' where you had RUN-DMC and Whodini.There was no Eric B & Rakim or Public Enemy yet.Every cut on here is Hip Hop pure and simple.I didn't get to hear this album til much later myself but I remember South Bronx / Bridge Is Over but I was like who is that?Meanwhile I was checkin Edutainment and Self destruction.
Believe me this is the joint kid and you need to cop this. R.I.P Scott La Rock