"Murder Rap" is a song by American gangsta rap group Above the Law, released as a single on February 8, 1990.[1] It was written by Cold 187um, Dr. Dre, Go Mack, Laylaw and Total Kaos.[2]
| "Murder Rap" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Above the Law | ||||
| from the album Livin' Like Hustlers | ||||
| Released | February 8, 1990[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1989 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:14 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | ||||
| Above the Law singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Murder Rap" on YouTube | ||||
Music and lyrics edit
The music of "Murder Rap", as produced by Dr. Dre, consists of an ominous siren sound, and backwards, looped drum beats.[3] Allmusic's Alex Henderson says that the song's lyrics "let listeners know exactly what life in South Central was like."[4]
Reception edit
In his Allmusic review, Alex Henderson wrote that "The imaginative Dre's input as a producer is consistently beneficial", saying that the music "comes alive" as a result of Dr. Dre's input.[4] Regarding Above the Law's lyrical content, Henderson wrote, "the Angelenos had some freshness."[4] A review of the song by Frank Owen in Spin praised Dr. Dre's production, saying that the producer "has a remarkable talent for making noise funky, and he shows it to great effect".[5] However, Owen criticized Above the Law as lyricists, writing, "they present this hardcore life without any of the dandy charm that Big Daddy Kane or Oran 'Juice' Jones bring to it."[5] Vibe praised the song as "a breathtaking assembly", complimenting the music and Cold 187um's raps.[3]
Legacy edit
In 1998, the song was included on the compilation Ruthless Records Tenth Anniversary: Decade of Game.[2] In 2002, Insane Clown Posse released a cover of the song on their album The Wraith: Shangri-La.[6] This version of the song appeared as the B-side of ICP's single "Hell's Forecast". In 2006, ICP's cover was remixed for The Wraith: Remix Albums by Filthee Immigrants.[6] Insane Clown Posse's cover of the song led to a professional relationship between ICP and Cold 187 um, and he later signed to Psychopathic Records as a solo rapper.[7]
Track listing edit
- "Murder Rap"
- "Murder Rap" (Instrumental)
- "Another Execution"
- "Another Execution" (Instrumental)
References edit
- ^ a b "Murder Rap - Above the Law | Credits | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
- ^ a b c "Murder Rap - Above the Law | Listen, Appearances, Song Review | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
- ^ a b Vibe. Vibe Media Group. August 2008. p. 76. ISSN 1070-4701. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
- ^ a b c "Livin' Like Hustlers - Above the Law | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
- ^ a b SPIN. SPIN Media LLC. May 1990. p. 84. ISSN 0886-3032. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
- ^ a b "Murder Rap - Insane Clown Posse | Listen, Appearances, Song Review | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
- ^ "Big Hutch Interview - 3/9/12 on Vimeo". vimeo.com. Retrieved 2014-10-24.