Pure Poverty
Pure Poverty is the second album by the American hip hop group Poor Righteous Teachers, released in 1991.[2][3] "Shakiyla [JRH]" was released as a single.[4]
| Pure Poverty | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1991 | |||
| Recorded | 1990−1991 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 52:26 | |||
| Label | Profile[1] | |||
| Producer | Tony D | |||
| Poor Righteous Teachers chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
The album was produced by Tony D.[5] "I'm Comin' Again" references the philosophy of Black Muslims.[6]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [7] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [4] |
The Washington Post wrote that "Tony D has put together some more muscular grooves, and Wise Intelligent swift-lips with authority, occasionally doing it dance hall style."[8] Newsday deemed the album "Muslim rap at its best, with a strong reggae dancehall feel," and listed it as one of the best albums of 1991.[9]
AllMusic noted that "if it weren't for the spare, airtight beats and the dexterous samples, their lyrics of cultural awareness, self-sufficiency and religious discipline would probably have fallen flat."[7]
Track listing
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | "Shakiyla [JRH]" |
| 2 | "Easy Star" |
| 3 | "Self-Styled Wisdom" |
| 4 | "Hot Damn I'm Great" |
| 5 | "Strictly Mash'ion" |
| 6 | "The Nation's Anthem" |
| 7 | "Each One Teach One" |
| 8 | "Rappin' Black" |
| 9 | "Just Servin' Justice" |
| 10 | "Freedom Or Death" |
| 11 | "Methods Of Droppin' Mental" |
| 12 | "Pure Poverty" |
| 13 | "I'm Comin' Again" |
Album chart positions
| Year | Album | Chart positions | ||
| Billboard 200[10] | Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | |||
| 1991 | Pure Poverty | #155 | #23 | |
Singles chart positions
| Year | Song | Chart positions | ||
| Billboard Hot 100 | Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | Hot Rap Singles | ||
| 1991 | "Shakiyla [JRH]" | - | #61 | #9 |
References
- "Pure Poverty, Poor Righteous Teachers". News. The Star-Ledger. October 27, 1991.
- "Poor Righteous Teachers Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- Ehrlich, Dimitri (Oct 1991). "Spins". Spin. 7 (7): 103.
- Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 6. MUZE. p. 591.
- "Pure Poverty by Poor Righteous Teachers". Billboard. 103 (36): 66. Sep 7, 1991.
- Goldberg, Robert Alan (October 1, 2008). "Enemies Within: The Culture of Conspiracy in Modern America". Yale University Press – via Google Books.
- "Poor Righteous Teachers - Pure Poverty Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- Mills, David (29 Sep 1991). "Public Enemy as Icon: Setting the Standard for Afro-Centric Rap". The Washington Post. p. G1.
- "The Music Top Tens". Fanfare. Newsday. 29 Dec 1991. p. 20.
- Whitburn, Joel (2010). Top Pop Albums (7th ed.). Record Research Inc. p. 618.
External links
- Pure Poverty at Discogs (list of releases)