Hip Hop Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
Hip Hop Wiki
Hip Hop Wiki
2,938
pages
in: 1994 albums, Gang Starr albums, Albums produced by DJ Premier,
and 8 more

Changes: Hard to Earn

Back to page
Edit
(Created page with "{{Infobox |Box title = ''Hard to Earn'' |image = File:Hard to Earn.jpeg |caption = Studio album by Gang Starr |Row 1 title = Released |Row 1 info = 8 March 1994 |Row 2 tit...")
 
(Adding categories)
(13 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 4: Line 4:
 
|caption = Studio album by [[Gang Starr]]
  
|caption = Studio album by [[Gang Starr]]
 
|Row 1 title = Released
  
|Row 1 title = Released
−
|Row 1 info = 8 March 1994
 +
|Row 1 info = March 8, 1994
 
|Row 2 title = Recorded
  
|Row 2 title = Recorded
−
|Row 2 info = 1992-1993 at [[D&D Studios]] in New York City, New York
 +
|Row 2 info = July 1992 - June 1993
−
|Row 3 title = Genre
 +
|Row 3 title = Studio
−
|Row 3 info = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]], [[East Coast hip hop]], [[hardcore hip hop]]
 +
|Row 3 info = [[D&D Studios]] <br> (New York City, New York)
−
|Row 4 title = Length
 +
|Row 4 title = Genre(s)
  +
|Row 4 info = [[East Coast hip hop]], [[Hardcore hip hop]], [[Jazz rap]], [[Boom bap]], [[Underground hip hop]]
−
|Row 4 info = 58:57
  
−
|Row 5 title = Label
 +
|Row 5 title = Length
−
|Row 5 info = Chrysalis/EMI Records
 +
|Row 5 info = 58:57
−
|Row 6 title = Producer
 +
|Row 6 title = Label
−
|Row 6 info = [[DJ Premier]], [[Guru]]}}{{Infobox
 +
|Row 6 info = [[Chrysalis Records]] / EMI Records|Row 7 title = Producer|Row 7 info = [[DJ Premier]], [[Guru]] (co.)}}{{Infobox
 
|Box title = [[Gang Starr]] chronology
  
|Box title = [[Gang Starr]] chronology
 
|Row 1 title = Previous
  
|Row 1 title = Previous
Line 20: Line 20:
 
|Row 2 title = Next
  
|Row 2 title = Next
 
|Row 2 info = ''[[Moment of Truth]]'' (1998)}}
  
|Row 2 info = ''[[Moment of Truth]]'' (1998)}}
−
'''''Hard to Earn''''' is the fourth album by American [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] duo [[Gang Starr]], released in 1994 on Chrysalis Records. Musically, the album is constructed around a harder, more stripped-down sound that is distinctively less melodic than the duo's previous work.
 +
'''''Hard to Earn''''' is the fourth studio album by American [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] duo [[Gang Starr]], released in March 8, 1994 on Chrysalis Records. Recording sessions took place at [[D&D Studios]] in New York City from July 1992 to June 1993. Production was handled solely by [[DJ Premier]], with co-production from [[Guru]]. It includes guest appearances by [[Nice & Smooth]] and [[Gang Starr Foundation]] members: [[Group Home]] ([[Lil' Dap]] and [[Melachi the Nutcracker]]), [[Jeru the Damaja]] and [[Big Shug]]. Musically, the album is constructed around a harder, more stripped-down sound that is distinctively less melodic than the duo's previous work. ''Hard to Earn'' is the duo's first album to carry the "Parental Advisory" label.
   
  +
The album peaked at #25 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. ''Hard to Earn'' spawned the four hit singles: "DWYCK" (which debuted at #25 on the Hot Rap Singles and #12 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart), "Mass Appeal" (which debuted at #67 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, #42 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, #10 on the Hot Rap Singles and #3 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart), "Code of the Streets" (which peaked at #83 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, #33 on the Hot Rap Singles chart and #5 on Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart) and "Suckas Need Bodyguards" (which peaked at #44 on the Hot Rap Singles and #18 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart in the United States). Music videos also were released for all four songs.
−
Guest appearances on the album are supplied by [[Gang Starr Foundation]] members [[Group Home]], [[Jeru the Damaja]] and [[Big Shug]]. It also features the single "[[DWYCK]]", which features hip hop duo [[Nice & Smooth]]. ''Hard to Earn'' is also the duo's first album to carry the "Parental Advisory" label.
  
  +
  +
<br />
 
==Track listing==
  
==Track listing==
 
All songs produced by [[DJ Premier]] and [[Guru]].
  
All songs produced by [[DJ Premier]] and [[Guru]].
  +
⚫
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" class="article-table" style="width: 500px;"
  
  +
<br />
  ⚫
{| class="article-table" border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width: 500px;"
 
|-
  
|-
−
! scope="col"|No.
 +
! scope="col" |No.
−
! scope="col"|Title
 +
! scope="col" |Title
−
! scope="col"|Performer(s)
 +
! scope="col" |Performer(s)
−
! scope="col"|Writer(s)
 +
! scope="col" |Writer(s)
−
! scope="col"|Time
 +
! scope="col" |Time
 
|-
  
|-
 
|1.
  
|1.
Line 58: Line 62:
 
|-
  
|-
 
|5.
  
|5.
−
|"Tonz 'O' Gunz"
 +
|"Tonz 'o' Gunz"
 
|[[Guru]]
  
|[[Guru]]
 
|Elam, Martin
  
|Elam, Martin
Line 67: Line 71:
 
|[[Guru]]
  
|[[Guru]]
 
|Elam, Martin
  
|Elam, Martin
−
|5:16
 +
| 5:16
 
|-
  
|-
 
|7.
  
|7.
−
|"Aiiight Chil..."
 +
|"Aiiight Chill..."
 
| -
  
| -
 
|Elam, Martin
  
|Elam, Martin
Line 90: Line 94:
 
|"Words from the Nutcracker"
  
|"Words from the Nutcracker"
 
|[[Melachi the Nutcracker]]
  
|[[Melachi the Nutcracker]]
−
|Elam, Felder, Martin
 +
|Felder, Martin
 
|1:29
  
|1:29
 
|-
  
|-
Line 96: Line 100:
 
|"[[Mass Appeal]]"
  
|"[[Mass Appeal]]"
 
|[[Guru]]
  
|[[Guru]]
−
|Elam, Martin
 +
| Elam, Martin
−
|3:41
 +
| 3:41
 
|-
  
|-
 
|12.
  
|12.
Line 106: Line 110:
 
|-
  
|-
 
|13.
  
|13.
−
|"Suckas Need Bodyguards"
 +
| "Suckas Need Bodyguards"
 
|[[Guru]]
  
|[[Guru]]
 
|Elam, Martin
  
|Elam, Martin
Line 118: Line 122:
 
|-
  
|-
 
|15.
  
|15.
−
|"Mostly Tha Voice"
 +
|"Mostly tha Voice"
 
|[[Guru]]
  
|[[Guru]]
 
|Elam, Martin
  
|Elam, Martin
Line 125: Line 129:
 
|16.
  
|16.
 
|"F.A.L.A."
  
|"F.A.L.A."
−
|[[Guru]]
 +
|[[Guru]], [[Big Shug]]
−
|Elam, Guy, Martin
 +
|Elam, Guy
 
|4:17
  
|4:17
 
|-
  
|-
 
|17.
  
|17.
−
|"Comin' For Datazz"
 +
|"Comin' for Datazz"
 
|[[Guru]]
  
|[[Guru]]
 
|Elam, Martin
  
|Elam, Martin
−
|4:02
 +
| 4:02
 
|}
  
|}
  +
  +
  +
  +
  +
==Samples==
  +
'''Intro (The First Step)'''
  +
  +
* "Scarlet Woman" by Weather Report
  +
  +
'''ALONGWAYTOGO'''
  +
  +
*"Check The Rhime" by [[A Tribe Called Quest]]
  +
*"Impeach the President" by The Honey Drippers
  +
*"Snow Creatures" by Quincy Jones
  +
* "Just Us" by Richard Pryor
  +
  +
'''Code of the Streets'''
  +
  +
*"Little Green Apples" by Monk Higgins
  +
*"Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss
  +
  +
'''Brainstorm'''
  +
  +
*"Comic Strip" by Mikey Dread
  +
  +
'''Tonz 'O' Gunz'''
  +
  +
*"Breakthrough" by Isaac Hayes
  +
* "Fire & Fury Grass Roots Speech (Side One)" by Malcolm X
  +
*"Woman" by Three Dog Night
  +
* "Just to Get a Rep" by [[Gang Starr]]
  +
*"Never Let 'Em Say" by Ballin' Jack
  +
  +
'''The Planet'''
  +
  +
* "The Cuckoo" by Taj Mahal
  +
* "It's All Because She's Gone" by Steve Davis
  +
*"Lyte as a Rock" by [[MC Lyte]]
  +
  +
'''Aiiight Chill'''
  +
  +
*"Love and Happiness" by Monty Alexander
  +
* "Dynomite - Part I" by Tony Camillo's Bazuka
  +
  +
'''Speak Ya Clout'''
  +
  +
*"Cucumber Slumber" by Weather Report
  +
*"Shack Up" by Banbarra
  +
*"I'm the Man" by [[Gang Starr]]
  +
*"Up Against the Wall" by Quincy Jones
  +
*"Funk It Down" by Caesar Frazier
  +
  +
'''DWYCK'''
  +
  +
*"Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss
  +
*"Hey Jude" by Clarence Wheeler and The Enforcers
  +
*"[[Funky for You]]" and "No Bones in Ice Cream" by [[Nice & Smooth]]
  +
* "Step in the Arena" by [[Gang Starr]]
  +
  +
'''Words from The Nutcracker'''
  +
  +
* "Lock It in the Pocket" by Grover Washington, Jr.
  +
*"Journey from Within" by The Crusaders
  +
*"Long Red" by Mountain
  +
  +
'''Mass Appeal'''
  +
  +
*"You're a Customer" by [[EPMD]]
  +
*"Pass Da Mic (Remix)" by [[Da Youngsta's]]
  +
*"Horizon Drive" by Vic Juris
  +
  +
'''Blowin' Up the Spot'''
  +
  +
*"I Didn't Come Rhythm" by George Clinton
  +
*"I Didn't Come Bass" by George Clinton
  +
*"I'm the Man" by [[Gang Starr]]
  +
  +
'''Suckas Need Bodyguards'''
  +
  +
*"Put Your Love (In My Tender Care)" by The Fatback Band
  +
*"It Takes Two" by [[Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock]]
  +
  +
'''Now You're Mine'''
  +
  +
*"Miss Bessie's Cooking" by Buddy Rich
  +
*"Sally" by [[Stetsasonic]]
  +
*"Feel the Heartbeat" by [[Treacherous Three]]
  +
  +
'''Mostly tha Voice'''
  +
  +
*"Time Will Be Your Doctor" by Fuzzy Duck
  +
*"You Gots to Chill" by [[EPMD]]
  +
*"Bam Bam" by Sister Nancy
  +
*"Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" by James Brown
  +
  +
'''F.A.L.A.'''
  +
  +
*"Get Up and Dance" by Freedom
  +
*"Come Dancing" by Jeff Beck
  +
*"Hard Like a Criminal" by [[Das EFX]]
  +
  +
'''Comin' for Datazz'''
  +
  +
*"Blind Alley" by The Emotions
  +
*"Here We Go (Live at the Funhouse)" by [[Run-D.M.C.]]
  +
 
[[Category:1994 albums]]
  
[[Category:1994 albums]]
 
[[Category:Gang Starr albums]]
  
[[Category:Gang Starr albums]]
Line 141: Line 251:
 
[[Category:East Coast hip hop albums]]
  
[[Category:East Coast hip hop albums]]
 
[[Category:Hardcore hip hop albums]]
  
[[Category:Hardcore hip hop albums]]
  +
[[Category:Hip hop duos from Brooklyn, New York]]
  +
[[Category:Boom bap hip hop albums]]
  +
[[Category:Gang Starr Foundation members]]
  +
[[Category:Jazz rap albums]]
  +
[[Category:Underground hip hop albums]]

Revision as of 17:47, 8 March 2021

Hard to Earn
Hard to Earn
Studio album by Gang Starr

Released

March 8, 1994

Recorded

July 1992 - June 1993

Studio

D&D Studios
(New York City, New York)

Genre(s)

East Coast hip hop, Hardcore hip hop, Jazz rap, Boom bap, Underground hip hop

Length

58:57

Label

Chrysalis Records / EMI Records

Producer

DJ Premier, Guru (co.)

Gang Starr chronology

Previous

Daily Operation (1992)

Next

Moment of Truth (1998)

Hard to Earn is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo Gang Starr, released in March 8, 1994 on Chrysalis Records. Recording sessions took place at D&D Studios in New York City from July 1992 to June 1993. Production was handled solely by DJ Premier, with co-production from Guru. It includes guest appearances by Nice & Smooth and Gang Starr Foundation members: Group Home (Lil' Dap and Melachi the Nutcracker), Jeru the Damaja and Big Shug. Musically, the album is constructed around a harder, more stripped-down sound that is distinctively less melodic than the duo's previous work. Hard to Earn is the duo's first album to carry the "Parental Advisory" label.

The album peaked at #25 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Hard to Earn spawned the four hit singles: "DWYCK" (which debuted at #25 on the Hot Rap Singles and #12 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart), "Mass Appeal" (which debuted at #67 on the Billboard Hot 100, #42 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, #10 on the Hot Rap Singles and #3 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart), "Code of the Streets" (which peaked at #83 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, #33 on the Hot Rap Singles chart and #5 on Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart) and "Suckas Need Bodyguards" (which peaked at #44 on the Hot Rap Singles and #18 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart in the United States). Music videos also were released for all four songs.


Track listing

All songs produced by DJ Premier and Guru.


No. Title Performer(s) Writer(s) Time
1. "Intro (The First Step) - - 0:54
2. "ALONGWAYTOGO" Guru Elam, Martin 4:13
3. "Code of the Streets" Guru Elam, Martin 3:29
4. "Brainstorm" Guru Elam, Martin 3:02
5. "Tonz 'o' Gunz" Guru Elam, Martin 3:55
6. "The Planet" Guru Elam, Martin 5:16
7. "Aiiight Chill..." - Elam, Martin 3:13
8. "Speak Ya Clout" Jeru the Damaja, Lil' Dap, Guru Davis, Elam, Heath, Martin 3:35
9. "DWYCK" Greg Nice, Guru, Smooth B Barnes, Elam, Martin, Mays 4:03
10. "Words from the Nutcracker" Melachi the Nutcracker Felder, Martin 1:29
11. "Mass Appeal" Guru Elam, Martin 3:41
12. "Blowin' Up the Spot" Guru Elam, Martin 3:10
13. "Suckas Need Bodyguards" Guru Elam, Martin 4:05
14. "Now You're Mine" Guru Elam, Martin 2:44
15. "Mostly tha Voice" Guru Elam, Martin 3:38
16. "F.A.L.A." Guru, Big Shug Elam, Guy 4:17
17. "Comin' for Datazz" Guru Elam, Martin 4:02



Samples

Intro (The First Step)

  • "Scarlet Woman" by Weather Report

ALONGWAYTOGO

  • "Check The Rhime" by A Tribe Called Quest
  • "Impeach the President" by The Honey Drippers
  • "Snow Creatures" by Quincy Jones
  • "Just Us" by Richard Pryor

Code of the Streets

  • "Little Green Apples" by Monk Higgins
  • "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss

Brainstorm

  • "Comic Strip" by Mikey Dread

Tonz 'O' Gunz

  • "Breakthrough" by Isaac Hayes
  • "Fire & Fury Grass Roots Speech (Side One)" by Malcolm X
  • "Woman" by Three Dog Night
  • "Just to Get a Rep" by Gang Starr
  • "Never Let 'Em Say" by Ballin' Jack

The Planet

  • "The Cuckoo" by Taj Mahal
  • "It's All Because She's Gone" by Steve Davis
  • "Lyte as a Rock" by MC Lyte

Aiiight Chill

  • "Love and Happiness" by Monty Alexander
  • "Dynomite - Part I" by Tony Camillo's Bazuka

Speak Ya Clout

  • "Cucumber Slumber" by Weather Report
  • "Shack Up" by Banbarra
  • "I'm the Man" by Gang Starr
  • "Up Against the Wall" by Quincy Jones
  • "Funk It Down" by Caesar Frazier

DWYCK

  • "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss
  • "Hey Jude" by Clarence Wheeler and The Enforcers
  • "Funky for You" and "No Bones in Ice Cream" by Nice & Smooth
  • "Step in the Arena" by Gang Starr

Words from The Nutcracker

  • "Lock It in the Pocket" by Grover Washington, Jr.
  • "Journey from Within" by The Crusaders
  • "Long Red" by Mountain

Mass Appeal

  • "You're a Customer" by EPMD
  • "Pass Da Mic (Remix)" by Da Youngsta's
  • "Horizon Drive" by Vic Juris

Blowin' Up the Spot

  • "I Didn't Come Rhythm" by George Clinton
  • "I Didn't Come Bass" by George Clinton
  • "I'm the Man" by Gang Starr

Suckas Need Bodyguards

Now You're Mine

Mostly tha Voice

  • "Time Will Be Your Doctor" by Fuzzy Duck
  • "You Gots to Chill" by EPMD
  • "Bam Bam" by Sister Nancy
  • "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose" by James Brown

F.A.L.A.

  • "Get Up and Dance" by Freedom
  • "Come Dancing" by Jeff Beck
  • "Hard Like a Criminal" by Das EFX

Comin' for Datazz

  • "Blind Alley" by The Emotions
  • "Here We Go (Live at the Funhouse)" by Run-D.M.C.
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.