Hard to Earn
Hard to Earn is the fourth album from the hip hop duo Gang Starr. It was released in March 1994 and featured the singles "Mass Appeal", "DWYCK" and "Code of the Streets." Musically the album is constructed around a harder, more stripped-down sound that is distinctively less melodic than the duo's previous work.
Guest appearances on the album come from Group Home, Jeru The Damaja, and Big Shug. At the time, all were part of the Gang Starr Foundation, which made the album a stepping-stone for future DJ Premier-helmed projects by Group Home and Jeru. The single "DWYCK" also featured hip hop duo Nice & Smooth.
Track listing
| # |
Title |
Songwriters |
Producer(s) |
Performer (s) |
| 1 |
"Intro (The First Step)" |
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DJ Premier, Guru |
*Instrumental* |
| 2 |
"ALONGWAYTOGO" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Guru |
| 3 |
"Code Of The Streets" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam |
Guru, DJ Premier |
Guru |
| 4 |
"Brainstorm" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Guru |
| 5 |
"Tonz 'O' Gunz" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Guru |
| 6 |
"The Planet" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Guru |
| 7 |
"Aiiight, Chill..." |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam |
DJ Premier, Guru |
*Skit* , Nas |
| 8 |
"Speak Ya Clout" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam, Jeru Kendrick Davis, Heath |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Jeru the Damaja, Lil' Dap, Guru |
| 9 |
"DWYCK" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam, Greg Mays, Daryl Barnes |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Guru, Nice & Smooth |
| 10 |
"Words From The Nutcracker" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam, Felder |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Melachi the Nutcracker |
| 11 |
"Mass Appeal" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Guru |
| 12 |
"Blowin' Up The Spot" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Guru |
| 13 |
"Suckas Need Bodyguards" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Guru, Melachi the Nutcracker |
| 14 |
"Now You're Mine" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Guru |
| 15 |
"Mostly Tha Voice" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Guru |
| 16 |
"F.A.L.A." |
Keith Elam, Cary Guy |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Big Shug, Guru |
| 17 |
"Comin' For Datazz" |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Guru |
| 18 |
"Doe In Advance" [Japan-only Bonus Track] |
Christopher Martin, Keith Elam |
DJ Premier, Guru |
Guru |
Album chart positions
| Year |
Album |
Chart positions |
| Billboard 200 |
Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums |
| 1994 |
Hard to Earn |
25 |
2 |
Singles chart positions
References
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| Groups |
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| Rappers |
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| Affiliates |
M.O.P. • NYGz • Fabidden • DJ Kanzer • Ill Kid Family
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| Gang Starr albums |
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| Related |
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