| Poor Righteous Teachers | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Trenton, New Jersey |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Years active | 1989–1996, 2001–present |
| Labels | Profile/Arista/BMG Records |
| Members | |
| Wise Intelligent Culture Freedom Father Shaheed |
|
| Past members | |
| Mike Peart (Hypeman) | |
Poor Righteous Teachers is a hip hop group from Trenton, New Jersey, founded in 1989. Often referred to as PRT by its fans, Poor Righteous Teachers are known as pro-Black conscious hip hop artists, with musical content inspired by the teachings of the Nation of Gods and Earths. Wise Intelligent, as the lead MC, is the most visible and well known member of the group. Culture Freedom provides backing vocals and production, and Father Shaheed serves as a DJ and producer.
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PRT debuted in 1989 with the release of the single "Time to Say Peace" b/w "Butt Naked Booty Bless." The trio released its first album, Holy Intellect, in 1990, amid a number of similarly pro-Black albums such as Public Enemy's Fear of a Black Planet, X-Clan's To the East, Blackwards, and Brand Nubian's One for All.[1] While not as commercially successful as these albums, Holy Intellect received critical acclaim and spawned the group's only major radio hit, "Rock Dis Funky Joint." PRT returned in 1991 with its second album, Pure Poverty. The album was not as commercially successful as its debut, and was not as acclaimed. The lead single "Shakiyla (JRH)", became a minor rap hit that year. The group's third, and possibly most successful release to date, Black Business, was released in 1993. Sales were once again limited, but the album was a critical success. The album's lead single, "Nobody Move", received little radio airplay. After a three-year hiatus, PRT returned as a group in 1996 with its fourth album, The New World Order. Released in a new Hip Hop era, the album received little attention, failing to reach the Billboard 200 album chart. The album's lead single, "Word Iz Life", was barely able to reach the Hot Rap Singles chart, peaking at the chart's lowest position, #50. Despite the lack of significant attention, the album, like its past releases, received significant acclaim.
In 2001, Poor Righteous Teachers dropped the rare underground release Declaration of Independence. In 2006, Cha-Ching Records released Rare & Unreleased, a compilation of rare Poor Righteous Teachers songs and remixes.[2]
PRT had a short feud with rapper YZ over reels of tapes that YZ would not give back to its owner, PRT.[3]
Five albums released in the 1990s: Holy Intellect, Pure Poverty, Black Business, Killing U For Fun and The New World Order; three national and two world tours. Over a decade later, ten years later, in 2006, Wise Intelligent released a mixtape titled "Blessed Be The Poor?". In 2007 – Wise Intelligent – front man of the critically acclaimed, Trenton, New Jersey based rap trio Poor Righteous Teachers releases The Talented Timothy Taylor.
When not in the studio putting “scripture to ghetto drums” Wise Intelligent spends his time as a Youth Media program director doing “What Would Djezuz Do,” giving young inner-city youth the skill set to tell their unique stories and to rise above the impediments of the environment in which they are embedded. The UnConkable Djezuz Djonez is scheduled for a 2010 release and will be followed by a 20th Anniversary Poor Righteous Teachers studio album entitled “Post Racial Blues.” In the mist of recording, performing and establishing the entertainment media brand – Intelligent Media Group – closer to the end of 2010, or early first quarter 2011, Wise Intelligent will be releasing his first literary effort. The work is titled “3/5ths an MC: The Manufacturing of a Dumbed Down Rapper!”
http://inthehereafter.blogspot.com / http://www.youtube.com/wiseintelligent / http://www.twitter.com/wiseintelligent
Wise Intelligent has also appeared as a featured artist on songs including "Close The Crackhouse" with Professor X of X-Clan, "Wake Up! (Reveillez-vous)" with Assassin, "WMD" with Jel, "Engage My Words" with Blue Sky Black Death, "Black" with Oh No, and "Teacher's Trademark" with Snowgoons. Wise Intelligent also appeared on a collaboration for the Stop The Violence Movement headed by KRS-One titled "Self Destruction." In 2011 Wise Intelligent is scheduled to drop 2 solo albums. The first one is an entire album dedicated to Black Women called "The Black Earth Project". The 2nd is called, "Wise Intelligent Iz...El Negro Guerrero" which means The Black Warrior.
| Album information |
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Holy Intellect
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Pure Poverty
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Black Business
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The New World Order
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