No More Mr. Nice Guy | |
---|---|
![]() Studio album by Gang Starr | |
Released |
June 6, 1989 |
Recorded |
1989 |
Genre |
|
Length |
53:28 |
Label |
|
Producer |
Gang Starr chronology | |
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Next |
Step in the Arena (1991) |
No More Mr. Nice Guy is the debut album by American hip hop duo Gang Starr, released on June 6, 1989, on Wild Pitch Records. Although it was regarded as a critical success amid the first wave of alternative hip hop acts such as Jungle Brothers and De La Soul, No More Mr. Nice Guy remains somewhat overshadowed by the highly influential debut albums by the aforementioned artists. Like other hip hop records of the time, the album contains rap braggadocio and positive lyrics performed by rapper Guru, along with references to the beliefs of the Nation of Gods and Earths. DJ Premier's production work includes jazz-influenced beats, scratched vocals, and hardcore hip hop elements, which would become the group's signature sound.
No More Mr. Nice Guy peaked at #83 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. "Positivity" peaked at #19 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart. The latter, although released as a single and video, never appeared on any of the group's greatest hits compilations.
Tracklisting[edit | edit source]
No. | Title | Performer(s) | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Premier & The Guru" | Guru | Elam, Martin | DJ Premier, Guru | 3:22 |
2. | "Jazz Music" | Guru | Elam, Horne, Martin, Sonnenfeld | DJ Premier, Guru | 3:24 |
3. | "Gotch U" | Guru | Elam, Martin | DJ Premier, Guru | 3:04 |
4. | "Manifest" | Guru | Elam, Martin | DJ Premier, Guru | 4:55 |
5. | "Gusto" | Guru | Elam, Martin | DJ Mark the 45 King | 3:12 |
6. | "Positivity (Remix)" | Guru | Elam, Martin | DJ Premier, Guru | 4:49 |
7. | "Manifest (Remix)" | Guru | Elam, Martin | DJ Premier, Guru | 5:09 |
8. | "DJ Premier in Deep Concentration" | - | Elam, Martin | DJ Premier, Guru | 3:07 |
9. | "Conscience Be Free" | Guru | Elam, Martin | DJ Premier, Guru | 3:54 |
10. | "Cause and Effect" | Guru | Elam, Martin | DJ Premier, Guru | 3:15 |
11. | "2 Steps Ahead" | Guru | Elam, Martin | DJ Premier, Guru | 3:40 |
12. | "No More Mr. Nice Guy" | Guru | Elam, Martin | DJ Premier, Guru | 3:14 |
13. | "Knowledge" | Guru, Damo D-Ski | Chaney, Elam | DJ Mark the 45 King | 3:38 |
14. | "Positivity" | Guru | Elam, Martin | DJ Premier, Guru | 3:30 |