Ego Trip's 20 To Grow On: "Slept On Albums For Dat Ass" (13-15)
Posted by: Eric // Category: Ego Trip's "20 To Grow On"
13. “The New World Order”-Poor Righteous Teachers
From “Ego Trip’s Book Of Rap Lists”: “Newark’s Five Percent mainstays came with a hot fourth album (complete with guest shot from KRS One & The Fugees) at the point when most groups kick the bucket. A well-balanced program anchored by the anthemic “Gods, Earths & 85ers” featuring rap lion king Nine.”
From Eric: “Hell, I’d categorize Poor Righteous Teachers as a whole as being “slept on”. Released on Profile Records in 1996, “The New World Order” would sadly be the last collective effort that we’d hear from members Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom & Father Shaheed. Although, Wise Intelligent would release a solo debut that same year (“Killin’ U…For Fun”) and “The Talented Timothy Taylor” this year (Wise, you need to get some better production…PLEASE!), neither of those albums would succeed in capturing the same essence as his four albums as a member of P.R.T. Heavy on Five Percent knowledge and clever lyrical prowess from Wise, “The New World Order” was an album that many overlooked despite a surprising appearance from The Fugees (who where killin’ it in 96′) on the Culture Freedom produced banger “Allies” (which could have also been titled “Cowboys Pt.II”). Also, labelmates connected on “Gods, Earth & 85ers” which featured another emcee with somewhat of a “cult following” in the underground, Nine. Fortunately, the odd pairing of lyrical styles between Wise and Nine wins, as Nine’s gruff voice fuels the hook while the Raekwon & Grand Puba vocal slices proved to be the missing piece in the puzzle on the Father Shaheed produced firestarter. On “They Turned Gangsta” the Sluggy Ranks delivered hook “Gunz and kniiives take people’s liiiives” flows perfectly with the conscious style of Wise & guest emcee Brother J (damn, J had one of the dopest voices and flows in Hip Hop). However, there is some fast forward material on “The New World Order” thanks to “Sistuh” (the syrupy hook just doesn’t do it for me on this one) and “My Three Wives” (Shakyla Pt. III) which is a steep fall off in quality from the two prior “Shakyla’s” released on “Holy Intellect” and “Pure Poverty”. My highlight of the album comes in the form of “Word Iz Life” which features a feel good sample (L.T.D.’s “Don’t Stop Loving Me Now”) and displays the most commercial appeal….or as close to “commercial” as P.R.T. could ever become. I’ve actually thought of doing a P.R.T. discography post but I just have had the time to do it as of late, as I feel that this is one group that truly never received their due props. So where does “The New World Order” rank in terms of quality from one of Hip Hop’s legendary trios? I’d have to say I’d place this album third behind the likes of “Holy Intellect” and “Black Business” (which may actually be my favorite), but it’s much better than “Pure Poverty”. So, for some 5% knowledge along with solid beats from Culture Freedom & Father Shaheed be sure to peep the last album from New Jersey’s finest.”
From “Ego Trip’s Book Of Rap Lists”: “This former EPMD dancer had horrible taste in threads (witness his shredded denim-look on the album cover) but decent mic skills and great taste in beats. Crazy slept on.”
From Eric: “Damn..Stezo is rockin’ the “acid washed” jean jacket! Mmmm,mmmm,mmm, some of the things we wore back in the day! Everyone knows that Stezo got his start as a back-up dancer for labelmates EPMD but not to many folks know that Stezo repped the CT..boy, Apathy must be proud! “It’s My Turn” which used the now infamous Skull Snaps beat and finds Stezo rockin’ gems like “off the record this is the “anthenem”(huh?) is without a doubt the highlight of “Crazy Noise”, as well as it should be for many listeners. I will say this though, Stezo is a prototypical “party rapper” and he does more than succeed in making the ultimate party album. Somebody, needs to jack the beat from the title cut “Crazy Noise” and make a banger…I always that he should’ve released that as a single. Another track that I’m positive you’ll enjoy is “Gets Into His Move”, while Stezo is spitting little more than his usual braggadocio flow here, this track truly bumps. With it’s noisy, horn laden production “Gets Into His Move” could easily be mistaken for an early Bomb Squad gem. I also found it quite interesting that “Crazy Noize” was mixed by the legendary Paul C, who’s since been elevated to legendary status since his untimely death. Anyway, Stezo was one and done with “Crazy Noise”, too many a hip hop head’s dismay. However, Steezo has done a bit of production for Dooley O in the between time. Hell, the game could use a rapper like Steezo right about now….bring Stezo back!.”
From “Ego Trip’s Book Of Rap Lists”: “A wildly entertaining collection of South Bronx old school energy and tasteless comedy that somehow got lost in the Def Jam shuffle.”
From Rasul: “When the album was released in 1997, not a single soul, fans and industry-experts alike, could have imagined a better “package” to run with than the one CRU had to offer: They had sort of a hit with “Just Another Case”, Flex was pumping that ish like crazy, Def Jam was on top of their game, Chris Lighty’s Violator was the management and the inexplicably simple logo of the group was something you would never forget! Obviously, nothing could go wrong. But then again, if Def Jam releases an album in August (that’s when “Da Dirty 30″ came out), they’re probably paving the way for all their heavy-hitters who are about to penetrate the “game” with their “fourth-quarter-madness” (see 2006) and you shouldn’t expect no mean promotional machinery, right? Right! So between the monthly Wu-Related-Releases, the Ja-Rules and DMXs barking back and forth and Jay having “sunshine” written all over his face, the CRU faded away to the no-man’s-land and by the beginning of the following year, the world forgot they had ever existed and so did I. The title referred to the 30 deep track-listing combining unique production with more than simplistic wordplay. The MCs Yogi (who was although responsible for the production) and the strange-looking Chadeeo had an unimaginable chemistry reminiscent of ATCQ. Matter of fact, a lot of things about the group and their music reminded me of Tribe and still do. I often heard and later read how the album is way too long with its ten interludes and twenty songs, how the content was mostly reluctant and damp and how you were never able to listen to the whole thing from the beginning to end. Well I strongly object! This guys, reflected the spirit of New York, a city desperately searching for a forsaken identity after the loss of its king Frank White. If you’ve ever been to the notorious Tunnel, you would understand the legitimacy of “Live At The Tunnel”! “Nuthin’ But”, “Straight From L.I.P.” and “Bubblin’” captured the hardcore essence of all the five borrows and could have easily been produced by The Beatminerz. Still, you could find more light-hearted compositions like the aforementioned “Just Another Case” or the mischievous “Wreckgonize” and “The Ebonic Plague” that gave you a mental break and to this day, I truly enjoy some of the hilarious ideas these guys have put together for their interludes. I’m not sure if this was a classic like most of my other propositions! All I know is that these guys made one of the best and by far overlooked albums for a many moons to come.”
