Track Listing

1. Premier & The Guru
2. Jazz Music
3. Gotch U
4. Manifest
5. Gusto
6. DJ Premier in Deep Concentration
7. Positivity [Remix]
8. Manifest [Remix]
9. Conscience Be Free
10. Cause and Effect
11. 2 Steps Ahead
12. No More Mr. Nice Guy
13. Knowledge
14. Positivity

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35914 in Music
• Released on: 2008-04-22
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .19 pounds

Album Description
Explicit Version. 2008 reissue the debut album by alternative Hip Hop duo Gang Starr, originally released in 1989. Although a critical success upon its first release, amid the first wave of alternative Hip Hop acts like De La Soul, No More Mr. Nice Guy remains somewhat overshadowed by massively influential albums like 3 Feet High and Rising. This album does not tackle social or political issues: it consists of quite a few love songs and boasting tracks. 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.

Amazon.com
While Public Enemy and the Ultramagnetic MCs were bringing the noise, the duo of Guru and DJ Premier were enrolling for jazz classes under the name Gang Starr. No More Mr. Nice Guy, their debut, is ironically the closest Gang Starr ever came to perfecting their style. They use the requisite James Brown samples (on "Gotch U" and "Manifest") but add jazz piano and upright bass over smooth rap lyrics. It works because the jazz style creates a unique, organic texture that never loses its flavor. It also works because DJ Premier is a force to be reckoned with (the classic DJ cut "DJ Premier in Deep Concentration" name-checks hip-hop contemporaries like Rakim, scratched out over the sweet piano of Kool and the Gang's "Summertime"). Definitely a new-school classic. --Todd Levin

Customer Reviews

people need a history lesson
The 2001 release date on here is misleading to the kid who said Gangstarr was trying to hard to resurrect the old school- That's the rerelease date. This was originally dropped in 1989, and if I'm not mistaken it was their debut record (full clip-a decade of Gangstarr was released in 99; ten years back would make this the first album). This album was ahead of it's time for 89, and if you can't see the realness in old school beats, then you shouldn't be listening to hip hop. This album is where it's at for those that don't know- James Brown funk, Premiere breaks, and the same Guru that real heads are down with. Check this release (I'm hearin it right now for the first time, the ish is dope!)

Classic
You must be from another dimension if you are comparing this to MC Hammer. This album defines classic, jazzy, socially positive rap. Stop hitting the crack pipe. If you are going to compare it to anything, how about A Tribe Called Quest and KRS One. And Kid 'N Play were pretty good, even Big Daddy Kane gives them the thumbs up. Their cartoons, movies, comic books, etc. have no bearing on the albums. They are classic stuff. Like 3rd Bass, they still get hated on by people who have no clue. And almost every hip hop act back then had dancers. That was a definant part of the culture before gangsta rap took over and slightly fudged up things. Anyways, this album is perfection. Guru drops knowledge with crazy skill over some very funky Priemo beats utilizing classic samples. A hip hop album like this will never be made again, don't pass it up. I put it right up there along side Step Into the Arena and Daily Operation. Don't sleep, this is not a 3 star album!!!!

"The begining of a new Hip-Hop legacy"!
The name GANG-STARR is synonimous with Hip-Hop any where in the world you might go. In 1989, a Bean Town born/B'klyn blessed MC "manifested" over a dope DJ Premier track, some funky rhymes with a trademark voice. This would mark the begining of a new Hip-Hop dynasty that's still in full effect to this day. GANG-STARR , through out the years, has put out classic after classic after classic! And this is their first one. Expect nothing less than banging beats and an ill flow from this incredible duo. This CD edit. contains extra tracks not found on the original '89 pressing on wax and cassette. This is 100% grass-roots Hip-Hop for your enjoyment. No ignorant thug, BS, Rims, platinum crap. Just plain ol' good Hip-Hop for your ear.