Boogie Down Productions: By All Means Necessary [JIVE / LEGACY]

Why you'll love it

This Jive / Legacy reissue puts one of hip hop's first politically conscious albums back on vinyl. It went gold in 1989, made The Source's 100 Best Albums list, and "My Philosophy" landed at No. 49 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.

About the album

After the 1987 death of DJ and producer Scott La Rock, KRS-One could have doubled down on the street bravado of Criminal Minded. Instead he became the Teacher. By All Means Necessary turns BDP's hard-hitting drums and minimalist beats toward police corruption, the drug trade, safe sex and violence within hip hop itself, and the cover, KRS at a window, nods to the famous Malcolm X photograph its title also echoes.

"My Philosophy" rides a Stanley Turrentine sample into one of the great statements of purpose in rap. "Stop the Violence" borrows a dancehall riddim from Courtney Melody, "Ya Slippin'" interpolates Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water," and "Illegal Business" lifts from Fat Albert and Jefferson Starship to take apart the economics of the street. "Jimmy" builds on the rhythm of Wings' "Let 'Em In" for a safe-sex message delivered with a wink, and "I'm Still #1" makes sure nobody forgets who's on the mic.

Rolling Stone praised the album's irresistible beats and sharp social commentary, and AllMusic calls it a landmark of political hip hop. KRS-One wrote, produced and performed every song himself, which is roughly the workload we put on whoever opens the shop on a Sunday.

Also at Kops: more Boogie Down Productions on vinyl · browse Hip Hop / R&B

Tracklist

Listen

On Jive / RCA / Legacy (cat# 19958413851), a reissue of the 1988 album.