Gang Starr - Step in the Arena

Gang Starr's second album is quintessential hip-hop and is easily one of the greatest rap albums of all time. In contrast to their 1989 debut, No More Mr. Nice Guy, which was filled with seriously uptempo jams, Step in the Arena slows down the pace, unveiling low, slow, and deceptively complex tempos along with some jazz-tinged loops and beats, all of which firmly established DJ Premier's slot in the producer hall of fame. Furthermore, the slower sonic pace proved to be a perfect fit for Guru's distinctive monotone flow. The album hits on every aural level, from the lumbering bass and blaring horn combo of the title track to the swirling sax blurts, unnerving siren, and kinetic scratch attack of "Who's Gonna Take the Weight" to the laid-back smooth jazz soul of "Love Sick." Guru's verbal volley can only be described as smooth hardcore, with no-nonsense lyrics that effectively strike a balance between the street and the intellect. Toss in tracks like the anti-hoodlum anthem "Just to Get a Rep" and the scathing "Execution of a Chump (No More Mr. Nice Guy, Part 2)," and you've got yourself a bona fide classic that sounds as fresh today as it did when it was first released. --Spence Abbott Amazon.com essentials

"...The DJ's Name Is Premier, and I'm The Guru..." (4 stars, ignore the 3)

For starters, I origonally gave this a 7, but when I heard this album again, I think its closer to an 8. Maybe a 7.5 out of 10 would be a better score for this album.

Consider this the album that launched Gang Starr into the position that they wanted to be in, back in late '90/early '91, even though their real debut was No More Mr. Nice Guy back in 1989. At the same time, they were still growing as a group, and neither have reached their peak yet (especially Permier's production). Knowing that, you're still going to get quality cuts on this album such as the great "Just To Get A Rep" single, and the bouncy "Check The Technique". There is a little jazz flavor here on "Love Sick" and "What You Want This Time?", both songs about females. Majority of the songs, Guru's vocals are used to get his message across, effectively.

As for Primo, he does a solid job with his signature cutting and production. It sounds a little dated, even for early 90's standards. But even in that position, it hits more than it misses.

Gang Starr's sophomore album is more of a very good album. It's not thier best or anything near classic material, but it's still a good addition to your music collection. Peace.

Lyrics: B+
Production: B+
Guest Appearances: N/A
Musical Vibes: B+

Top 5 Tracks:
1. Just To Get A Rep
2. Check The Technique
3. Who's Gonna Take The Weight?
4. Read My S-A
5. What You Want This Time?

Honorable Mention:
1. Love Sick
2. Step In The Arena April 14, 2008

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE IT!!!!!

this album is, right up there with DAILY OPERATION, my absolute favorite gang starr album. HARD TO EARN gets props as well. this album does NOT sound dated. guru's rhymes are NOT dull. yes, he does have a monotone style, but THAT is what i dig about it. love the beats, and i love the deliveries of the rhymes. some just do not understand, but some obviously recognize good hip hop when they hear it. ESSENTIAL!!!! February 18, 2007

Classic, no doubt.

I probably can't say anything that hasn't already been said about this masterpiece, however the sound of this album should not be misunderstood, This is one of those albums that epitomizes what the East Coast feels like. The "simple" production is the point. Guru's skills have been debated over and over again but he fits these tracks perfectly. Preemo is at his best here, a beat, a sample, a cut, that's about it. This album basically set the standard for what East Coast Hip-Hop should sound like to many people. I will never tire of it. Simple perfection.
If you like DITC, BDP etc, you probably already have this one, but if you don't....... April 17, 2006

Cream of the crop

This album IS what hip-hop music (rap) is supposed to sound like in 1991. Beatwise, Primo was just getting started but his sample selection and generous use of the 808 kick made this album an aural experiance that was perfect on every level. Guru's signature monotone voice fits perfectly with the slow to mid tempo beats. And let's not forget the DJ. Yes, DJ Premier puts in work on the turntables like nobody else with his razor sharp cutting skills. This slbum is in my top five of all time and rightfully so. Every song is a banger and to this very day has stood the test of time making it a hip-hop classic. A must for every fan of rap music. April 17, 2006

Step In The Arena; My personal favourite

Quality guarantee doesn't come around very often in hip-hop, but Gang Starr delivered four solid albums during the 90's. As long as DJ Premier handled the production, you knew the product was goin' to be great. To pick a classic of these four records aren't too easy, but my personal favourite has always been Step In The Arena. After a vaccinate start in '89 with their debutalbum No More Mr. Nice Guy, Guru and Premier found their formula for success with this one. Instead of copying the soundpicture of that time, which where very dance orientated and funky, they created their own, unique sound.

On "Step In The Arena" everything worked well. Primo's jazz influenced beats fitted Guru perfectly. It was laidback, but at the same time rough, and Guru haven't sound any better on the mic, than what he does here. He seems more comfortable in his role that time. He could talk about wankstas "Just To Get A Rep", wack mc's "Step In The Arena" or be soft "Love Sick" All these songs where a refreshing listen. In a time where rap was very political and aggressive, Gang Starr took it another step longer. Jazz were about to play an important role in hip-hop the following years. As you already know, Primo became one of the 90's most influence producers with melodious vocal cuts combined with drums. He could cut samples like no other, and it's not a coincidence that he have worked with big names like Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z. Even Janet Jackson and Limp Bizkit have hired him to remix their hits.

Step In The Arena where followed by Daily Operation and Hard To Earn. These three records are their best work. As a producer Premier just got better, but a little charm disappeared. Step In The Arena was somethin' new and different. Maybe their following records were technically more perfected, but not really anything new. Just extremely tight. If you're one of those, that discovered Gang Starr recently, I'll recommend you to take a journey back to the beginning - to 1991 and Step In The Arena.

More classic material by Gang Starr : Daily Operation (1992), Hard To Earn (1994)
March 29, 2006

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